The price of a pint at some venues, notably premium hotel bars rather than pubs, in the capital has reportedly soared to £10 or more.
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In Mayfair, Stanley’s Rooftop, which is attached to the Chesterfield Hotel, a pint of Birra Moretti or Heineken costs £11, while a pint of Guinness is priced at £10 and a half pint is around £8.
Meanwhile, Claridge’s, also in Mayfair, reportedly charges £10 for a bottle of Keller lager or Pale Ale and £9 for a serving of alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint. The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair offers a 33cl bottle of Noam Lager for £10.50.
However, while consumers might be “shocked” at the prospect of £10 pints, these prices reflect the “intense and unsustainable” cost pressures facing hospitality venues in London, the NTIA said.
Fighting for survival
“The reality behind rising pint prices in London is far more complex than a headline figure”, NTIA CEO Michael Kill warned.
“Businesses are contending with soaring energy bills, rising wages, increased alcohol duty, and a heavy regulatory burden, all of which are squeezing already thin margins.
“What we are seeing is not profiteering, but a sector fighting for survival.”
It comes as recent research from Access Hospitality showed pubs were left with just 13p profit on a pint on average.
Moreover, the latest figures from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) estimated two pubs day closed in the first three months of 2026 as economic headwinds continue to hammer the sector.
Kill added the hospitality sector has already contracted significantly in recent years, with closures and reduced footfall driven by the cost-of-living-crisis, shifting consumer habits and soaring operating costs.
Meaningful intervention
He continued: “Without meaningful Government intervention to reduce the cost-of-doing-business, these price increases risk becoming the norm, ultimately impacting accessibility, culture, and long-term viability.”
Recent analysis by small business comparison site Bionic highlighted significant regional disparities in pint prices across the UK.
The research found that northern towns dominated the lowest price points, while southern markets accounted for the highest average costs.
Bury was found to have the lowest pint prices, with an average cost of £2.50, while Oxford was the most expensive at £6.75 a pint.
London was the third most expensive location for a pint, coming in at £6.50, according to Bionic.
The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) own Pint Price Survey also showed the overall cost of a pint has continued to rise, with the average draught price reaching £5.17 in 2025 based on submissions from operators across the UK.
