‘Outrageous’ cost of two pints from a Melbourne pub revealed

Pub goers have been left stunned over two cost of two pints, with one person revealing the price tag actually “frightened” them.

Pub goers have been left stunned over two cost of two pints, with one person revealing the price tag actually “frightened” them.

A picture shared to Reddit showed two pint sized glasses of ginger ale at a Melbourne pub that were priced at $42.40 in total.

It’s not clear whether it’s alcoholic or non-alcoholic ginger ale, but many believed that it was an alcoholic beverage.

However, social media users were stunned by the price and had a lot to say about it.

“I have refused pints at this price before. I ask now. Refusing is easy. Just a polite, ‘on second thoughts, no thank you’,” one social media user commented.

Another added: “Doesn’t surprise me. A pub in South Melbourne charges $11.50 for a pint of lemon, lime and bitters. It made me bitter, that’s for sure?”

These two drinks cost $42.40. Picture: Reddit

“Only drinking water when eating out is the best financial advice I can give ya’ll. Better for your health too,” one added.

One social media user added: “Just had a week in Sydney and pints of beer at most pubs were about $10-$12 and large coffees were $4.50. Is Melbourne just taking the p*** or are overheads genuinely that much more expensive?”

“I am moving to Melbourne from Ireland and these prices for pints frighten me. And pints in Ireland ain’t cheap either,” one added.

Another said: “I now just buy one and sit on it all night. If I have to recharge it’s Coke. I think anything over $15 for a pint and $13 for a bottle is just taking the p***.”

“$20 for a pint of craft beer is absolutely ridiculous unless it’s some special import. Plenty of good brew pubs in Melbourne not charging $20 for a pint of craft,” another said.

Another revealed: “I went to a club on the weekend and they charged $56 for 2 vodka raspberries.”

Another added:: ”So when you say ginger ale, is that the soft drink or the alcoholic variety? I’m trying to decide if it’s outrageous pricing, or completely batsh*t insane pricing. Honestly I wouldn’t pay that. The minute I was told ‘That’ll be $42.40’.

People shared their own stories. Picture: iStock

“I’d have said ‘Are you for real? Because if you are you can keep them. I’m not paying that’ and walk out.”

The average cost of alcohol rose 6.6 per cent between August 2023 and 2024, according to the Consumer Price Index.

This was after the cost of beer tipped to $15 for pints in February this year.

Brewers Association of Australia chief executive John Preston told news.com.au at the time that Australia has the third highest beer tax in the world, after only Norway and Finland.

“The increase brings the tax on a slab to around $20, with GST added on top of that,” he said.

“These days around half the cost of a $55 slab is excise tax and GST.”

The tax charged on spirits and beer – known as the excise tax – varies depending on the alcohol content of each drink.

Excise tax rates are adjusted twice a year – in August and February – based on the movement of inflation.