'Rip-off' Royal Ascot drinks prices are being defended
Royal Ascot 2026 is officially underway with a series of jam-packed, world-class racing days on the cards - and comments have already been made about this year’s drink prices.
In case you are out of the loop, Ascot Racecourse hosts a special week of races every June called Royal Ascot. It sees King Charles III and Queen Camilla, other members of the royal family, A-list celebrities, and general racegoers from across the globe in attendance.
When they’re not placing bets on the prestigious horse racing event or soaking in the atmosphere, punters are likely to make a beeline for one of the many bars in the area for pints of booze, big cocktail jugs, and hydrating beverages.
One Royal Ascot visitor has uploaded an image of a bar menu to X, formerly known as Twitter, sparking conversation among critics and commentators alike.
Drink prices at Royal Ascot 2026
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There are four main enclosures at Royal Ascot, three of which - the Queen Anne, Village, and Windsor - can accommodate the public.
Each area of the premier event has its own unique food and drink offerings, including street food eateries, grab-and-go stores, and specially designed picnics.
Meanwhile, the Royal Enclosure, historically reserved exclusively for the royal family, can only be accessed by active Members and their guests.
Those who have booked a designated hospitality package may also enter the enclosure.
Throughout the area, you will find a myriad of bars selling beers like Peroni Nastro Azzurro (£8), cans of Guinness (£8.00), and Meantime Prime Pale (£7.80), according to attendee Laura King.
In the Royal Enclosure, 0 percent Peroni cans cost guests £5.80; Diet and Zero Coca-Cola are priced at £2.60, and various Schweppes mixers are set at £2.60 and £2.70 each.
The social media user uploaded an image of a bar menu inside the Royal Enclosure, which offered Silent Pool gin serves for £7.20 and £7 glasses of Havana Club 3 Year rum.
Ascot signature cocktails, including the Royal Ascot Blush - Silent Pool Gin topped with Schweppes lemonade and Monin strawberry syrup - and the Front Runner Mojito - rum topped with Schweppes soda water, a dash of lime cordial and sugar syrup - were both priced at £14.50 a glass, or £43.50 a jug.
William Hill reported that 1500ml bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne were priced between £210 and £330.
£100 was the starting price for Royal Enclosure guests to pick up a standard 750ml vessel.
Attendees heading to the event with Windsor Enclosure tickets can hit up the Harrogate Spring Bar for non-alcoholic cocktails, the betting company confirmed.
The area also features Poppy’s Pineapples, a Newquay-based business serving eco-conscious smoothies in Instagram-worthy pineapples.
There’s a Pimm’s Self-Serve Bar, offering drinkers the chance to pour their own perfectly mixed serve with fresh fruit, according to the Ascot website.
Glasses of the good stuff cost £14.50, while sharing jugs are priced at £43.50.
According to King’s image, the Pimm’s cups are also available to purchase in the Royal Enclosure.
Social media reacts to Ascot prices
King, who uploaded the image from the Royal Enclosure at Ascot, said the prices ‘compare very favourably with other big events’ in her experience.
Someone else agreed with her, writing: “I was paying £8.50 a pint at Goodwood few weeks ago. Still a total rip off. But as you say It's no more expensive than anywhere else.”
“Aye, you could walk into boozers and pay £8 for a pint of Peroni now,” another alleged.
However some aren’t as pleased with the prices, with a fourth X user typing: “Basically, everyone is taking advantage of the common person. Rich folk can afford it and it doesn't matter, but these events are pricing out working class people. It's just the way of the world now.”
“£7.30 for a 330ml can of lager,” a fifth wrote, followed by two laughing emojis.
A fellow user added: “I went to Chester races a few weeks ago and a pint at Royal Ascot is cheaper. World has gone mad.”
Royal Ascot takes place between 16 and 20 June.
Wimbledon drink prices
Earlier this month, Wimbledon unveiled its food and drink prices - and the Pimm’s prices are lower than the glasses being served at Royal Ascot.
Visitors to The Championships are expected to fork out £12.25 for a glass of Pimm’s, as per GB News - a £1.20 rise from this time last year.
Pints of Stella (£8.95), bottles of Mini Lanson Le Rose (£31.35), and champagne magnums (£228.80) are also available, as are £5 refillable Evian water bottles.
Speaking about the inflated prices, a spokesperson for Wimbledon organisers, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, said: “Food and drink inflation continues to be a challenge nationwide, and we are not immune.
“However, we pride ourselves on creating a menu that utilises British, seasonal produce to keep costs to a minimum wherever possible, and offering a variety of food and drink to help ensure there is an option for every budget.
“We continue to strive to keep the iconic elements of the Wimbledon food and drink experience affordable, and believe that the 2026 pricing represents good value for money.
“Unlike many other events of our scale, we do of course allow our guests to bring in their own food and drink if they wish.”
Wimbledon takes place between 29 June and 12 July.
Ella Scott