When you think of bar snacks, you usually think of the boring classics: pretzels or peanuts, maybe. But not in New York. Whether it's a new take on a bar food staple or a whole buffet of food choices, bar snacks in NYC are not only delicious, but are often free. Whether you're craving cheese, olives, truffles, or even a whole pizza, you can find it here:
Cheese: Blind Tiger Ale House
Wine and cheese. Beer and cheese. It’s the perfect combination, and you can have the cheese for free at the Blind Tiger Ale House on Wednesdays. During happy hour once a week, the staff brings in a full cheese platter from Murray’s, arguably the best cheese shop in New York. Sample a selection, or try to pair the different cheeses with your drink.
281 Bleecker St, Manhattan; 212-462-4682
Pizza: The Charleston and Gusto Ristorante
It’s hard to make a whole meal out of bar snacks … unless it’s a whole pizza you’re snacking on. There are a handful of bars in New York that offer a whole pizza with every drink; these legendary watering holes have been written about at length, but these two stand out from the pack. The pizza service at the Charleston in Williamsburg was closed for several months at the start of 2011, but has recently reintroduced the deliciously charred thin-crust pies toppings to their thankful patrons. And although it old serves during happy hour—between 3 and 7 p.m.—Gusto goes pizza right, with gourmet toppings like speck, arugula, and fresh mozzarella.
The Charleston, 174 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn; 718-782-8717 Gusto, 60 Greenwich Ave, Manhattan; 212-924-8000
Aperitivo: dell’anima
If you enter a bar in Rome during happy hour, you’ll often be delighted to find a whole array of appetizers that put American bar snacks to shame. Luckily, you can get the same Italian aperitivo treatment at dell’anima, which serves a variety of small plates from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekends. The spread includes marinated olives, plates of crostini, chickpeas, and more. Buon appetito!
38 8th Ave, Manhattan; 212-366-6633
Popcorn: Desnuda
Two words: Truffled. Popcorn. There are a number of bars with free popcorn, and everyone knows that it’s a crafty ploy to make you thirstier and buy more drinks, similar to offering free pretzels or peanuts. But Desnuda’s popcorn, with a liberal pour of truffle oil over the bowl, is worth the impending thirstiness for the overall tastiness. A shoutout in the popcorn category does to the now-shuttered Tabla, whose popcorn with curry powder was a worthy runner-up.
122 E 7th St, Manhattan; 212-254-3515
Surprise: LoneStar Bar & Grill
Come out to this Bay Ridge favorite, and you never know what you'll find on the night's menu. During happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. every day, the kitchen keeps rolling out the food, and will serve up whatever they feel like. From baked ziti to quesadillas to ribs, it's all free. Stop by on a summer day and you can pig out in the outdoors, on the bar's charming patio.
8703 5th Ave, Brooklyn; 718-833-5180
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