Why are drinks so expensive in Canada?

I'm not saying its expensive everywhere in Canada, just certain places.

For example, I bought a glass of Grand Marnier for $6.50 Canadian at one place. That's not bad pricing considering a whole 750 ml bottle is $35 US.

At another place, they refused to sell it to me by the glass (this was a separate night). They wanted, get this, $12.95 Canadian FOR A SHOT.

I almost fell over from shock. I ordered a Labatt Blue instead which I was screwed on at a terrible $6.00 Canadian a bottle. Considering there are places that charge less than $5 Canadian for draught, I was a bit stunned, but I wasn't driving and I was forced to go where my group was going.

I know I should just stay in the US, but the whole going to another country thing is inviting.

I haven't been to Canada in a long time, but I'll bet that federal and provincial taxes are responsible for the high prices. Canada, like the US, puts "sin" taxes on alcohol and tobacco--supposedly to "discourage" consumption, but really to raise money.
If you ever get to Mexico, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what beer costs there. Cognac's expensive everywhere, especially by the shot. Try ordering Armagnac, or the locally produced brandy.

Last time I was in Canada, I was too young to partake in adult pleasures... but yeah, I hear it's incredibly expensive. Especially for cigarettes.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Costa Rica (damn, 10 years ago now) where beers were less than $1... youth hostels cost like $5/night, city hotel was a whopping $21/night -- and that included hot water!

I was there for like 10 days, and don't think I spent more than $600 for everything. Try that in North America! One night in Manhattan these days costs that much with a room/dinner/drinks, so there ya go.

And there's your answer. They knew that Don Malta was in Canada. So the cost of drinks went up. Supply and Demand!


Don Cardi

Of course the bars will be more expensive. Just go to the Duty Free Exchange and buy the liquor bottled, you can buy stuff at prices that are at a significant discount in comparison to the USD prices. Stock up, we'll have a party.

I'm a fan of Wild Turkey Bourbon, which is so damn scarce in Canada it's scary. I was able to find one little, crummy bar that sold it though. They charged me $12.50 for a double. Mind you, it's 101 proof, but that's rediculous. I only had one of those and the next 4 whiskey doubles were some Canadian shit. Still expensive, but nothing like The Turkey.

It's really a rediculous thing for a guy like me to go to Canada because I'm a bigger guy with a higher tolerance level. Hence, spend a lot more money. So I was flat broke after the Casinos and the bars took my last dimes. I still go every so often. It's one of the nice parts about living near Detroit. The casinos in Canada are the best.

The Doc

Just go to http://www.lcbo.ca buy a 3 000 mL bottle of C.C. or a 3 000 mL bottle of Crown Royal and go to http://www.thebeerstore.ca buy a 24 of Molson Canadian or Carling, go back to your hotel/family/friend's house and you're set.