How much does a round of drinks cost in a UK pub?

The average cost of a round for 4 people in a UK pub is around £22-28 depending on what everyone's drinking. London prices push this to £30-40. A round of 4 pints averages £24 nationally in 2026.

Who gets the worst deal in a pub round?

The person drinking the cheapest drink gets the worst deal in a round system. If you're drinking a £3 lime and soda but buying rounds with people on £6.50 pints, you're paying £26 for a round but only receiving £3 of value when it's your turn. Over a 4-round evening, you'd overpay by around £14.

Is buying rounds cheaper than buying your own drinks?

Buying rounds costs exactly the same as buying your own drinks IF everyone drinks the same thing. But if drinks vary in price, the person with the cheapest drink always subsidises the person with the most expensive. The round system benefits expensive-drink drinkers.

How much do you spend on pub rounds in a year?

The average UK pub-goer visits the pub 1-2 times per week and buys 2-3 rounds per visit. At an average of £24 per round, that's £48-72 per week or £2,500-3,750 per year just on rounds.

Pub Round Calculator

Who's subsidising the round? Who's taking the piss? Enter your group. Settle the argument.

Add everyone in your group, pick what they're drinking, and find out who's getting ripped off by the round system.

How many rounds tonight?

Tonight's Total Damage

£0

The Fairness Breakdown

Name	Their Drink	They Pay	They Get	Diff

Fun fact: the person on AF beer always subsidises the round. They pay full whack when it's their turn but only receive a £4-5 drink when others buy. Over a year of Friday sessions, that's roughly £500-700 in subsidies to their mates' drinking habits.

I've been drinking IMPOSSIBREW lately - their IPA genuinely fooled my mate in a blind taste test. The referral link saves you a tenner if you want to try it.