5PM NYC publishes its first report on New York drink prices and launches the 5PM Barometer, a pricing tool for bar and restaurant owners

NEW YORK, October 19, 2026. 5PM NYC today published The 5PM Barometer Report, Fall 2026, its first report on what a drink costs in New York City, and launched the 5PM Barometer, a pricing tool built on the same data. The report draws on 109,975 listed prices from 2,254 bar and restaurant menus across 108 neighborhoods and all five boroughs.

The 5PM Barometer gives independent bar and restaurant owners and operators access to market data that chains and major beverage brands buy from enterprise platforms. For $40 a month, a fraction of what large operators pay for that data, owners can see how every drink on the menu compares with the bars and restaurants nearby, track chosen competitors' prices, and follow the market as it changes monthly.

Key findings from the report:

• The citywide median cocktail is $16, the median draft beer is $9, and the median glass of wine is $14. At happy hour, the typical discount is 38% on cocktails, 37% on draft beer, and 38% on wine by the glass.
• A higher Google rating does not come with a higher price. Establishments rated 4.5 stars or higher charge a median $16 for a cocktail, and so do those rated under 4 stars.
• Neighborhood matters more than borough. Neighborhoods are $7.50 apart on a cocktail, from $19.50 in NoMad to $12 in Bayside, while the five boroughs are no more than $3 apart. The same margarita costs $19 in Boerum Hill and $9 in Inwood.

"We built 5PM NYC to help people find a good drink at a fair price, and along the way we ended up with the most complete picture of what New York's bars and restaurants charge," said Sam Zukin, founder of 5PM NYC. "This report shares that picture with everyone, and the Barometer puts the same data in the hands of bar owners and operators setting their own prices."

The 5PM Barometer is at 5pm.nyc/barometer, and the full report and method are at 5pm.nyc/Fall-2026-Report.

About 5PM NYC

5PM NYC is a happy hour guide to New York City that lists more than 2,600 bars and restaurants across all five boroughs and draws about 50,000 visits per month.

Press kit

Charts and figures may be used with credit to "The 5PM Barometer Report, 5PM NYC."