A new Austin resident visited Buda, Texas, and was surprised by the very low drink prices. She’s now sharing where she was able to enjoy a “well” tequila and a Guinness on tap for a total of $13.50.
Lauren Laguna (@laurenlaguna___) posted a video that has been viewed more than 19,000 times. It shows a receipt from a bar offering drinks at “crazy” prices.
“By the way, we’re in Buda… Buda, Texas. But right now, I’m thinking: enough is enough. $13.50 for two drinks is crazy,” Laguna exclaims.
Buda is a small town located about 15 miles from Austin, Texas. Internet users identified the bar as “Nate’s Coffee & Cocktails,” a community staple since 2016.
“It makes me miss the days when drinks at bars were this cheap,” adds Laguna.
Other spots offering cheap drinks
In the comments section, many internet users expressed their fondness for Nate’s. A few, however, suggested several other spots offering cheap drinks in the same area.
“The Workhorse in Austin offers drinks between $3 and $7 [every day], at any time,” said one commenter.
Another commenter said, “Check out Progress, too! Pinballz offers $3 draft beers during happy hour all day on Mondays and [every] day from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. … Thursdays are ‘Tall Boy Thursday’ for $3. Main Street Pizza offers 50% off pitchers on Thursdays.”
A third commenter added: “I prefer Willie’s Joint; it’s a little further down the road. Don’t confuse it with Willie’s Icehouse.”
How much does a pint of beer cost, on average?
Although the commenters knew that Nate’s and another trendy spot near Austin offered cheap beer, they didn’t give specific prices to define what “cheap” actually means. Since 2020, the price of beer and other alcoholic beverages has been steadily rising, according to Toast.
And although the price of some spirits has risen only slightly, there has been a noticeable difference in costs across the United States since 2026.
VinePair, a publication specializing in spirits, compiled the average price of a pint of beer across all 50 states. It found that in states like New York and California, the average price of a pint is around $8. It’s interesting to note that in Texas, a beer costs an average of $5.98—which is still about $1 more than most draft beers offered at Nate’s.
The median price, he points out, is $6.52. For its part, Toast reports that the median price of a beer in September 2026 was $6.65.
What about cocktails?
Cocktail prices appear to have risen significantly. In some parts of the country, such as New York, cocktails can cost more than $30, according to Restaurant Business. The average price of a cocktail, however, varies considerably from state to state.
VinePair also published a list of average prices for a classic drink: the margarita. Unsurprisingly, margaritas are most expensive in New York, at a steep $14.01. In Texas, they typically cost around $11.26.
Buda—and by extension, Austin—has plenty of trendy spots where you can quench your thirst without breaking the bank. Laguna says she regrets not having visited sooner.
@laurenlaguna___
Subplot News contacted Laguna via private message on TikTok and Nate via email for their comments.
The article “‘Are you kidding me?’: A Texan orders a Guinness and a ‘straight’ tequila at a small-town suburban bar. Then she gets the bill” was first published on Subplot News.
"Are you kidding me?": A Texas woman orders a Guinness and a "spiked" tequila at a suburban bar. Then she gets the check.
