According to its website the Wharf Rat charges $5 a pint, for what look like rather good cask-conditioned real ales. I don't know how that compares with prices in other bars, but it doesn't seem excessive - it's in line with what you might expect to pay in many city-centre pubs in the UK.

If you're interested in the music, rather than just chugging beer, then it should be possible to get by on a couple of pints over the evening. Since its the marginal cost that counts here - ie the difference between a pint in the Wharf Rat compared with another bar - then surely it's worth paying a dollar or two extra to hear good music? Unless of course you're Conrad, and expect to get everything for free.

I don't know about the dressing-up bit, but surely that's not compulsory? Or do they just expect people to be dressed reasonably smartly? I can see how Conrad might have a problem with that.