Cheap Shots & Drinks Deals: Where to Pre-Drink in Zante 2026 - Ultimate Budget Guide
- Marcus Decelis
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Looking to party hard without breaking the bank in Zante? You've come to the right place! Unlike expensive destinations like Ibiza, Zante offers incredible value with 2 cocktails and a shot for about 6 euros in lots of clubs and bars on the strip. This comprehensive guide reveals the best pre-drinking spots, unbeatable happy hour deals, and insider secrets to maximize your Zante nightlife budget in 2026.
Why Zante is Perfect for Budget Drinking
Zante is NOT Ibiza - and that's fantastic news for your wallet! They don't measure alcohol for a start, they just free pour it from the bottle, you get at least a triple. This means you're getting incredible value with every drink, making Zante the ultimate budget-friendly party destination.
Key Budget Benefits in Zante 2026:
Free pours: Triple measures as standard
Competition fierce: Bars compete for customers with crazy deals
No cover charges: Most bars are completely free entry
Happy hour specials: often 8-9 pm with even better deals
Current Zante Drink Prices 2026
Standard Bar Prices
Beer (Pint of Mythos): €3 off the Strip or €5 on the beach or at a bar
Cocktails: €2 up to €10 depending on location and quality
Double Vodka & Red Bull: 3-5 euros
Spirit & Mixer: €3-5 in main clubs and bars
Amazing Deal Examples
Two cocktails for €6 or two shots for €1
2 cocktails and a shot or a really strong fishbowl for 4 for about 25 euros
Most of the time it will be a drink or two and a shot for €5
Supermarket Pre-Drinking Prices
Village Wine: just 3 Euros a bottle
Vodka: about 12 Euros per bottle
Rekorderlig: about 2 euros a can
Bottled Water: 6 litres for €1.50
The Best Pre-Drinking Spots in Zante For Drinks Deals 2026
1. Cheeky Tikis - The Meeting Point
One of the originals and self proclaimed 'Meeting Point' for your night, this Tiki themed bar is known for its amazing drinks deals, from Head Fuckers to Zombies and everything in between. The bar also has a back club room that turns into a rave like atmosphere and can get fairly busy every night.
Why it's perfect for pre-drinks:
Central meeting spot: Perfect for group coordination
Amazing drinks deals: Signature strong cocktails like Head Fuckers and Zombies
Tiki atmosphere: Fun tropical theme sets party mood
Back club room: Can extend your pre-drinks with rave atmosphere
2. Sugar Bar - The Cocktail Specialist
Sugar Bar on the Laganas strip offers a standout nightlife experience with its variety of expertly crafted cocktails. Features shisha, bottle service, and live DJs with an outdoor terrace for comfortable drinking.
Pre-drinking highlights:
Expert cocktails: High quality at low prices
Outdoor terrace: Perfect for group pre-drinks
Live DJs: Gets you in the party mood
Shisha available: Unique pre-drinking experience
3. Relax Bar - Off-Strip Value
Its a more upmarket place famed for its amazing cocktails and premium quality drinks at extremely affordable prices. With an extremely chilled out vibe its not hard to see why this little bar does so well and just a short 50m walk to the main clubs its in the ideal location.
Perfect for pre-cocktails:
Premium quality: High-end drinks at budget prices
Strategic location: 50m from main clubs
Chill atmosphere: Great for starting the night
Hidden gem: Less crowded than strip bars
4. Cocktails & Dreams - The Iconic Landmark
Located in the heart of Laganas Strip with iconic bright neon lights that serve as an unmistakable landmark visible from blocks away. Known for legendary drinks deals, skilled flair bartenders, and a mix of old school bangers and cheesy music that captures authentic Greek nightlife.
Iconic pre-drinking experience:
Landmark status: Those famous neon lights are unmistakable
Budget-friendly: Legendary deals and flair bartending
Authentic atmosphere: Old school bangers and cheesy classics
Instagram ready: Perfect for those holiday photos
5. Flavors - The Slush Specialist
Flavors in Laganas is the perfect spot for refreshing pre-drinks with its specialty in frozen alcoholic slushes. The bar offers an extensive menu of frozen cocktails, catering to all tastes.
Unique pre-drinking experience:
Frozen cocktails: Perfect for hot Greek weather
Main strip location: Easy access
Mood setter: Gets you in holiday spirit
Instagram ready: Colorful slush drinks
Where to Find the Best Happy Hour Deals
Kalamaki Road - The Pre-Drinking Paradise
This is the main strip in Laganas but the mini-strip road that connects and leads off to the right shown in the map below, Kalamaki Road, is a great place to start a bar crawl or pre-drinks.
Why Kalamaki Road is perfect:
Lower prices: Less touristy than main strip
Bar variety: Multiple options to compare deals
Perfect starting point: Work your way to main strip
Local atmosphere: More authentic experience
Happy Hour Timing Strategy
If you can make it out in time for happy hour (often 8-9 pm) you'll be able to take advantage of even better deals.
Happy hour optimization tips:
Start early: 8-9pm for best deals
Bar hop during: Move between venues for different specials
Ask PRs: Speak to the reps walking up and down – they often have the best offers!
Group deals: Better prices for larger groups
Budget Pre-Drinking Strategies
The Apartment Pre-Game
Save maximum money by starting at your accommodation:
Supermarket shopping list:
Village wine (€3) - perhaps splash out on a cheap bottle of spirits and mixers to get you 3/4 of the way there
Vodka bottle (€12) - splits between group
Mixers and snacks
Water (essential for staying hydrated)
Pre-drink timeline:
7:00 PM: Start at apartment with supermarket drinks
9:00 PM: Hit happy hour at Kalamaki Road
10:30 PM: Move to main strip bars
12:00 AM: Enter clubs already buzzing
The Progressive Bar Crawl
Usually, nightclubs on the Laganas Strip in Zante will be open until the early hours of the morning, with the latest shutting around 6AM.
Optimal bar crawl route:
Start: Kalamaki Road for cheapest deals
Progress: Relax Bar for quality cocktails
Build: Sugar Bar for atmosphere
Peak: Cheeky Tikis for the meeting point experience
Finish: Move to the strip clubs when properly warmed up
Money-Saving Tips & Tricks
Discount Wristbands
With our discount wristbands you can get buy one get one free cocktails at some of the biggest venues like Zeros & Plus and free shots with every drink you buy!
Wristband benefits:
BOGOF cocktails: Double your drinks for same price
Free shots: With every drink purchase
Multiple venues: Works across major bars and clubs
Commission savings: Avoid rep markup
PR Deal Navigation
Don't be fooled into running away from them. They can often offer you prices and deals that you can't get if you just went straight to the bar yourself.
PR interaction tips:
Listen to offers: Often better than bar prices
Compare deals: Check multiple PRs before committing
Group negotiations: Better deals for larger groups
Avoid pressure: Take time to decide
Dangerous Deals to Avoid
If a deal seems too good to be true, for example 5 cocktails for 6 euros – avoid! The main clubs and bars are cheap enough to get smashed on cheaply and you'll have a better time!
Red flags:
All-you-can-drink deals under €10
"Free" bars with hidden costs
Unnamed spirits or poor quality alcohol
Pressure to buy immediately
Daily Budget Breakdown for Pre-Drinking
Ultra Budget (€15 per night)
Apartment pre-drinks: €5 (shared bottle)
One bar stop: €8 (2 drinks + shot deal)
Snacks/water: €2
Total: €15 - Gets you nicely warmed up
Standard Budget (€25-30 per night)
£20 for some drinks by the pool at the beach or some pres
Pre-drinks: €10 (better quality spirits)
Happy hour: €12 (3-4 drinks)
Late night drinks: €8 (2 club drinks)
Total: €30 - Perfect night out budget
Premium Budget (€40+ per night)
Quality pre-drinks: €15
Multiple bar stops: €20
VIP upgrades: €10
Total: €45+ - Full premium experience
Safety & Practical Pre-Drinking Tips
Stay Safe While Drinking
Pace yourself: you get at least a triple - drinks are stronger than expected
Eat properly: You can get breakfasts starting from €2 going up to €5-€6
Stay hydrated: Water between alcoholic drinks
Stick together: Keep your group intact
Practical Money Tips
Daily cash limits: Bring cash out – you can't spend it if you don't have it with you!
Group kitty: Put €30 in each to a kitty is also a good idea for the first part of the evening
Book events early: Save money on packages
Avoid tourist traps: Stick to recommended venues
The Perfect Zante Pre-Drinking Timeline
7:00 PM - Apartment Pre-Game
Start with supermarket drinks and card games with your group. This saves the most money and builds group energy.
8:30 PM - Happy Hour Hit
Head to Kalamaki Road or off-strip bars for happy hour specials. If you can make it out in time for happy hour (often 8-9 pm) you'll be able to take advantage of even better deals.
9:30 PM - Strip Progression
Move to main strip venues like Relax, Sugar Bar, or Cheeky Tikis for atmosphere building.
10:30 PM - Final Pre-Drinks
End at iconic spots like Sugar for photos and final drinks before clubs.
11:30 PM - Club Ready
Enter clubs properly warmed up, spending less on expensive club drinks.
Conclusion: Master the Art of Budget Pre-Drinking
Zante offers incredible value for money when you know where to look. Once you're out and roaming the streets of Zante, there are plenty of ways to drink on a budget. With smart pre-drinking strategies, happy hour timing, and the right venue choices, it's more than possible to go the entire night without spending more than €30 on drinks.
Key takeaways for 2026:
Start early: Hit happy hours and supermarket pre-drinks
Use discount wristbands: BOGOF deals and free shots
Avoid tourist traps: Stick to recommended venues
Progressive drinking: Build up through different venues
Stay safe: Pace yourself with those triple measures
Ready to experience Zante nightlife on a budget? Use this guide to drink smart, save money, and party harder than ever in 2026!
Remember to drink responsibly and stay hydrated. This guide is for informational purposes to help you budget your Zante holiday effectively.
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