Free Food in NYC
Sunday, August 30th, 2009I was reading NYTimes Diner’s Journal and saw an August 27 entry called FREE BAR FOOD. The guide to free eats around town (Manhattan and Brooklyn, for now) by Andy Freedman is supposed to live at http://www.winedanddined.com/2009/08/free-food-nyc/ but it’s been broken every time I’ve checked. So I found an older cached version of it and am posting info from it here to help out others looking for a gratis snack. Enjoy, and do reply by comment if this data becomes outdated or incomplete (I’ll do, too).
From The Ultimate Guide to Finding Free Food in NYC by Andy Freedman
EAST VILLAGE
Aroma Kitchen & Wine Bar (East Village): Their version of aperitivo is offered free and is paired with three wines selected by the sommelier ($15). Offered Monday to Thursday from 5 to 7 pm and Friday from 5 to 8pm. 36 E. 4th St. b/t Lafayette & Bowery
Bistrouge (East Village): Wine Wednesdays here means for $12 you get 4 different wines from the list and free marinated mixed European olives. 432 E. 13th St.
Burp Castle (East Village): Burp Castle offers free Pomme Frites to its patrons every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. The Frites show up typically between 5-6:30, and are available until they are gone. 41 E. 7th St.
Cha An (East Village): When you buy a sake, beer or wine Mon-Thurs they’ll send you out three small and free appetizers. 230 E. 9th St. (2nd Fl) b/t 2nd and 3rd Ave.
Cooper 35 (East Village): Buy a drink and get free edamame or chips and salsa on weekdays. 35 Cooper Sq. at 3rd Ave.
Counter (East Village): Keep drinking the organic cocktails at the bar and they’ll serve you some free apps, like corn beignets and chickpea fries. Mon-Thurs from 5-11pm and Sundays. 105 1st Ave b/t 6th and 7th St.
Crocodile Lounge (East Village): Offers a free personal pizza with every drink. 325 E. 14th St.
Croxley Ales (East Village): The wings here are damn tasty and they’re complimentary at the bar on Fridays b/t 5-7pm. Not to worry though, they’re only 10 cents on Wednesday nights and 20 cents on Saturdays and Sundays. 28 Ave B b/t E. 2nd and 3rd St.
Cucuina di Pesce (East Village): What’s better than free mussels w/ marinara at the bar with purchase of a $6 beer or glass of vino. 87 E. 4th St at 2nd Ave.
d.b.a. (East Village): We hear they have free cheese plates at the bar on Mondays from 5-9pm and check this — free bagels and lox on Sundays from 1-4pm. 41 1st Ave b/t E. 2nd and 3rd St.
Desnuda (East Village): Truffled popcorn offered at all times at this tiny ceviche bar where the chef prepares seafood dishes right behind the bar. We loved the bottomless paper cone of popcorn, especially since it was generously misted with sprays of truffle oil. 122 E. 7th St. b/t 1st Ave & Ave A
Kurve (East Village): Get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree. 87 2nd Ave at E. 5th St.
Nevada Smith’s (East Village): Friday happy hours at this football (soccer) shrine means free wings and sandwiches. 74 3rd Ave. b/t 11th and 12th St.
Standings (East Village): Gotta love the free pizza offered every Friday night starting at 8pm at this E. Village beer bar on one of the best beer blocks in the city. Oh yeah, and from Sept-June they have a free bagel bar on Sunday afternoons. 43 E. 7th St.
THE VILLAGE & WEST VILLAGE
5 Ninth (Meatpacking): Gotta love the four hour happy hour with $3 daily draft beer, $5 well drinks and wines, and free house-made pigs in the blanket or free soft pretzels.
Sun-Thurs, 5-9 pm. 5 Ninth Ave.
Centro Vinoteca (West Village): An $8 happy-hour cocktail here gets you a trio of bites, including a truffled deviled egg and a mini BLT (5–7pm). 74 Seventh Ave South at Barrow St
dell’anima (West Village): From 4 to 6 p.m. on weekends, patrons at the bar get complimentary Italian snacks-like grilled veggies, risotto and bruschetta to accompany their beer or cocktail. 38 Eighth Ave at Jane St (212-366-6633).
El Cantinero (Greenwich Village): Free buffet during happy hour with items like chimichangas and chicken wings. 86 University Place b/t 11th & 12th St.
Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano (West Village): Aperitivo at the bar and outdoor café is 7 days a week from 5-7pm and you get complimentary bar snacks to accompany your quartino of vino or $8 specialty cocktail. Look out for saffron-scented rice balls, crisp house-made potato chips and a trio of Parmesan-prosciutto beignets. 60 Greenwich Ave at Perry St
Il Mulino (Greenwich Village): The onslaught begins here with the Antipasti, as free heapings are circulated through the restaurant and bar areas. 86 W. 3rd St.
Piola (Greenwich Village): Every weeknight get free salads, pizzas, homemade focaccia and other snacks with any drink from 5 to 8 pm. 48 E. 12th St.
Spain Restaurant (West Village/Meatpacking): Free tapas at the bar with your cocktail, beer or sangria. We hear it’s typically sweet meatballs, potatoes, and Tortilla de Patata. 113 W. 13th b/t 6th and 7th Ave
Temple Bar (Greenwich Village): Free popcorn that’s flavored with sweet curls of dried beets and yams. 332 Lafayette St. b/t Houston & Bleecker
SOHO & WEST SOHO
Cupping Room Cafe (Soho): Free bar food during happy hour b/t 5:30-7:30pm Mon-Fri. We hear it’s free wings many nights and 1/2 priced drinks, too. 359 W. Broadway b/t Grand & Broome St.
Emporio (Soho): 5-7pm Aperitivo Italian Style w/ one free refill of draft beer, house wine & sangria cocktails for $5, and free pizzette & stuzzichini at the bar. 231 Mott b/t Spring and Prince
Harbour (West Soho): offers free bar snacks like duck-fat popcorn, Chinese five-spice nuts and fried chickpeas with the purchase of a drink. 290 Hudson St. bet Dominick St. & Spring St.
Lusso (Soho): Free bar snacks such as pickled vegetables, herb cheese foccacia and mozzarella anchovy skewers on Mon-Fri from 5-7 pm. 331 West Broadway.
Manhattan Bistro (Soh0): Free appetizers at happy hour. Mon-Fri 5-1opm and Sat-Sun 7-10pm. 129 Spring St.
Sora Lella (West Soho): A the daily happy hour, 5- 7:30pm, Sora Lella serves up a selection of complimentary snacks (zucchini fries and bruschetta) at the bar to accompany cocktails ($10 each, regularly $13-14), select wines by the glass $8 and Peroni beer $5. 300 Spring b/t Greenwich & Hudson
Spring Lounge (Soho): Every Wednesday beginning at 5pm they serve up free hot dogs cooked in beer, and on Sundays starting Labor Day it’s free bagels. 48 Spring St.
Tailor (Soho): Curried popcorn certainly makes the $12+ specialty cocktails a bit easier to swallow. 525 Broome St. b/t Thompson St. & 6th Ave.
KIPS BAY, GRAMERCY & FLATIRON
Bar Stuzzichini (Flatiron): Receive a complimentary order of Stuzzichini with the purchase of a draft beer, specialty cocktail or quartino of wine. Mon-Fri from 4:30-6:30pm and Sat-Sun from 3-5pm. 928 Broadway
Bocca (Flatiron): Aperitivo is served at this Flatiron spot from 5:30 to 7:30 pm every night but Saturday. Typical snacks like bread, fresh mozzarella, mini-pizzas and breaded-and-fried green olives are part of the free offerings, served with a cocktail or glass of wine. 39 E. 19th St b/t Park Ave South & Broadway
Flute (Gramercy): 2 for 1 Champagne Happy Hour from 5-8pm every Tuesday w/ free caviar. 40 E. 20th St.
Hook & Ladder Pub (Murray Hill): During football season, they put out free pizzas and wings during halftime. 611 2nd Ave. b/t 33rd and 34th St.
Kellari’s Parea (Gramercy): They are giving samples of their meze (appetizers) at the bar during Happy Hour, seven days a week from 4-8pm. And if you log onto their website and join their friend and family online, you will receive a free Lifetime bottle of champagne. 36 East 20th Street b/t Broadway and Park Avenue South
Prespa (Murray Hill): The restaurant has a weekday happy hour featuring 50% off wine by the glass and cocktails as well as free hors d’oeuvres at the bar. 184 Lexington Ave b/t 31 & 32nd St
Rodeo Bar (Kips Bay): Buffalo wings and nachos during happy hour on Monday through Saturday from 4 to 8 pm and again Sunday from 6 to 9 pm. 375 Third Ave at 27th St
Rolf’s (Gramercy): Free finger sandwiches everday from 5-6pm at the bar. 281 3rd Ave. at 22nd St.
Rosa Mexicano (Union Sq): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 9 East 18th St.
Tabla Bread Bar Piquant popcorn tossed in Poppin’ Spice w/ drinks at the bar. 11 Madison Ave., at 25th St.
Vintage Irving (Gramercy/Irving Place): They’re giving complimentary sangria and hors d’eouvres between 5pm-6pm Monday through Wednesday. Just RSVP at vintageRSVP@yourpartyplanning.com. 120 E. 15th St.
Tarallucci e Vino (Union Sq): On weeknights, this traditional Italian wine bar puts out bites from 5-10pm including small platters of pizzette, quiche wedges and juicy and flavorful olives. You sometimes have to request these snacks. 15 East 18th St.
Tracy J’s Watering Hole (Gramercy): Happy hour here gets you free fries and buffalo wings (and sometimes free pizza). 106 E. 19th St.
LOWER EAST SIDE
Boss Tweed’s (Lower East Side): Free wings and pizza on Thursdays and Fridays b/t 5-7pm. 115 Essex St. b/t Rivington & Delancey
Broadway East (Lower East Side): Baskets of homemade chips (both parsnip and potato-flavored drizzled with truffle oil), and bowls of warm, spiced popcorn offered nightly at the bar. 171 E. Broadway
Iggy’s (Lower East Side): Free hot dog night on Tuesdays and there’s usually free food out on the bar most other nights, too. 132 Ludlow @ Rivington
MIDTOWN
Ben Benson’s (Midtown West): Free fried chicken and potato skins on weekdays starting between 5:30 and 6pm. 123 W. 52nd St. b/t 6th and 7th Ave.
Eatery (Hell’s Kitchen): Enjoy $5 sangria or cranapple martinis & complimentary food tastings every Tuesday-Thursday from 4 to 6pm. 798 9th Ave at 53rd St.
Flute (Midtown West): 2 for 1 Champagne Happy Hour from 5-8pm every Tuesday w/ free caviar. 205 W. 54th St.
Keen’s Steakhouse (Lower Midtown): Offers free snacks during happy hour Monday to Friday 5:30-7 pm. These include, on different evenings each week, barbeque ribs, fried shrimp, Swewdish Meatballs and Buffalo chicken wings. Hard-boiled eggs are free at the bar all day long. 72 W. 36th St.
Kennedy’s (Midtown West):Free wings and roasted potatoes w/ cheese on weekdays from 4:30-7pm. 327 W. 57th St. b/t 8th and 9th Ave.
Langan’s (Midtown West): Free chips and salsa and buffet of things like wings and poppers every weekday b/t 5-8pm. 150 W. 47th St. b/t 6th and 7th Ave
Montenapo (Midtown West): Between 4-8pm on Monday-Friday, Montenapo is offering a selection of complimentary hors d’oeuvres and more than 20 Italian wines by the glass starting at $8. The NY Times Building; 41st b/t 7th and 8th
Naples 45 (Midtown): Thanks to MidtownLunch and Mamacita for this one: Free slice of cheese pizza at the bar from 5-7pm weekdays. 200 Park Ave. (at 45th St.)
Pig n Whistle (3 Midtown locations): Calling to confirm with the 2 other Pig locations, but the Pig on 3rd confirms that they have free tapas out b/t 3-5pm on weekdays. 922 3rd Ave b/t 55th and 56th St.; 951 2nd Ave; 165 W. 47th St.
Port 41 (Hell’s Kitchen): Everyday cheap beer comes with free hot dogs and popcorn. 355 W 41st St between Eighth and Ninth Aves
Rudy’s (Hell’s Kitchen): Free hot dogs all the time at this Hell’s Kitchen dive bar. 627 9th Ave at 44th St.
Shelly’s Trattoria (Midtown): Free happy hour cicchetti (small bites) for cocktail-purchasing patrons. Among the selections: marinated vegetables, wild mushroom crostini and fried olives. Starts at 5pm. 41 W. 57th St.
T.G. Whitney’s (Midtown East): Complimentary chicken tenders, wings & potato skins on the hour every hour. 244 E. 53rd St. b/t 2nd and 3rd Ave
Vero Midtown (Midtown East): Get a free pressed panini on Monday nights with the purchase of a specialty cocktail ($9-$12), glass of wine (averaging $10) or martini ($11). 1004 Second Ave at 53rd St (212-935-3530)
Zanzibar (Hell’s Kitchen): Free finger foods from 5-8pm every weekday. Drinks are $2 off, too. 645 9th Ave at 45th St.
Zarela (Midtown East): It’s free chips and salsa at the bar with your margaritas and cervezas. 953 2nd Ave nt/ 50th and 51st St
UPPER EAST SIDE
Iggy’s (Upper East Side): Free chicken wings every weekday b/t 5-7pm. 1452 2nd Ave at 76th St
Rosa Mexicano (Upper East Side): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 1063 1st Ave
Ryan’s Daughter (Upper East Side): We hear they always have a bag of free gourmet bbq chips on hand and sometimes free wings. 350 E. 85th St b/t 1st and 2nd Ave
Vudu Lounge (Upper East Side): Compliementary buffet on Thursday (til 7pm) and Friday (til 7:30pm). 1487 1st Ave b/t 77th and 78th St.
UPPER WEST SIDE
Dive Bar (Way Upper West Side): Offers a decent plate of mussels on Fridays for free… first come-first serve basis. 732 Amsterdam at 96th St
Peter’s (Upper West Side): Everday during happy hour get free chips and salsa and on occassion various appetizers.
Rosa Mexicano (Upper West Side): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 61 Columbus Ave at 62nd St
CHELSEA
Jake’s Saloon (Chelsea): A free buffet during happy hour w/ wings, pasta, quesadillas and more. 202 9th Ave.
Rocking Horse (Chelsea): Free chips and salsa at the bar. 182 8th Ave
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Ancora (FIDI): Offering complimentary appetizers and grappa with lunch and dinner. You will be offered complimentary bites at the start of your meal, such as crisp zucchini fries with red pepper flakes, platters of soppresatta, chunks of imported parmesan and cured Italian peppers. Then, after your meal, whether you opt for dessert or not, your waiter will wheel over a table of complimentary homemade Grappas, Annisettes and Sambucas for you to select from. 11 Stone Street
Ryan Maguire’s Ale House (FIDI): Free food during Happy Hour from 5-7pm on Mon-Fri. 28 Cliff St. b/t John & Fulton St.
BROOKLYN
Levee (212 Berry St, Brooklyn) has free fancy cheese puffs.
Trash (256 Grand St, Brooklyn) has complimentary tater tots made to order upon request.
Alligator Lounge (600 Metropolitan Ave., between Leonard and Lorimer Sts., Brooklyn) will give you a free pizza with your beer.
Lost & Found (113 Franklin St; Greenpoint) gives away free hot dogs, bagels, and veggie dogs.
Hank’s Saloon (46 3rd Ave, Boerum Hill, B’lyn), we hear, has free barbecue on Sundays and Mondays after 9 p.m
Cafecito Bogota (1015 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint, B’lyn) gives away colombian arepa paisa (topped with cheese) as well as goat cheese on Balthazar baguette every Tuesday. They offer free fine wine and cheese tasting sessions every Tuesday.
The Charleston (174 Bedford; B’lyn) will give you a free pizza w/ your beer.
Alchemy (56 5th Ave; B’lyn) will give you free fried chick peas at the bar.
Brazen Head (228 Atlantic Ave; Cobble Hill, B’lyn) buy $5 bloody mary or beer or cocktail and you can help yourself to sesame and poppyseed bagels and two types of cream cheese. And on Monday, drink at least one beer and you can help yourself to free chicken wings starting at 5pm.
Trophy Bar (351 Broadway between Keap and Rodney Sts, Williamsburg, B’lyn) offers some free bbq w/ purchase of a beer.
Mark Bar (1025 Manhattan Ave at Green St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn) offers free pizza and cold cuts on weekdays at 6pm, and on Sundays starting at noon, you can get free bagels and coffee.
Melt (440 Bergen St, Park Slope, B’lyn) offers free bar snacks with every cocktail ordered at the bar, from 5pm until closing.