13 March 2024 , 10:23
1130
0
Racegoers at the 2024 Cheltenham festival have been left shocked by the prices of drinks.
The cost of Guinness has been a hot topic every year at the Gloucestershire event, and this year is no different. It's estimated that around 220,000 pints of the dark drink will be enjoyed over the next four days.
The only good news as far as that's concerned is that it hasn't gone up from last year. Even though the price of the Irish favourite isn't a surprise, some have been left upset. While some in attendance are happy to pay the high price, others insist they won't be partaking.
Visitors are expected to pay £7.50 for a pint of Draught Atlantic Pale ale at 4.5% but it's also the same price for Aspall Suffolk Cyder, Madri Lager and Guinness too. Whereas Spirits from whisky to vodka and gin are £7 for a 25ml measure, more premium spirits such as Jameson Irish Whiskey and Cognac VS will set you back £7.50.
Non alcoholic Guinness costs racegoers £6.75 and wine is even more expensive than spirits, with a house glass of red, rose or white costing punters £9.70. For soft drinks, a 330ml can costs £3 and a can of still mineral water is £2.40. See the full price list below.
Martin Lewis issues 8-week warning to phone users ahead of huge price hikes
"Anybody that goes to Cheltenham and pays 7.50 a pint needs to give their head a shake," said one punter.
"Poor from Cheltenham," wrote another critic in response to a video of the soggy track conditions in Gloucestershire. "For the price of a pint of Guinness and a burger they could have put a roof over the track."
Another punter posted a picture of their cream capture and sarcastically declared: "Cheltenham 2024 - They’ve disposed of the paper cups. £7-50 a pint."
Drink prices at this year's Cheltenham Festival (Nick Murphy)Racegoers wanting lager instead will find that priced at £7. The priciest item on the menu is a bottle of Moet champagne, which will set you back a cool £110. On the course, Shishkin has not been declared for Friday’s Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham following an unsatisfactory scope.
Trainer Nicky Henderson had already ruled out Jonbon from Wednesday’s Champion Chase, among others, after five of his six runners on the first day of the Festival were pulled up.
Cheltenham Bar Tariff prices in full
Champagne
Holt & Chandon Brut Imperial £110
House Champagne £75
Wild Idol Sparkling Rose £48
Wines
Boots annual 70% off sale is returning with some deals already available
House wine - Red £9.70
House Wine - Rose £9.70
House Wine - White £9.70
Draught Beer
Draught Guinness £7.50
Draught Madri Lager £7.50
Draught Aspall Suffolk Cyder £7.50
Draught Atlantic Pale Ale £7.50
Spirits
Cognac VS £7.50
Jameson Irish Whiskey £7.50
Whisky £7
Spiced Rum £7
Vodka £7
Premium Gin £7.60
Gin £7
Pink Gin £7
White Rum £7
Beer and Cider
Premium Lager £7.40
Non Alcoholic Lager £3.60 (330ml bottle)
Guinness 0.0 £6.75 (538ml can)
Doom Bar Bitter £7.65
Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime £7.65
Minerals
Soft drinks £3 (330ml can)
Mixers £2.80 (200ml bottle)
Mineral Water - Still £2.40 (330ml can)
Mineral Water - Sparkling £2.40 (330ml can)