By Stephanie Blanco
The pizza is free with every drink purchase at the Alligator Lounge.
photo: Grace Kang via flickr
There may not be such a thing as a free lunch in this town, but you can eat something for nothing if you know where to go. Ok, it might cost you more than nothing – most of the below spots ask that you at least buy a drink – but you'll be rewarded with little extras like fancy bar snacks, chocolate-chip cookies, even homemade Stollen to take home.
Alligator Lounge: This Williamsburg dive is one of the original free-pizza-with-every-drink bars (along with siblings the Crocodile Lounge and the late Capone's). That’s right, order a pint of beer or other alcoholic beverage, and you get a free pizza – not a slice, but a personal pie. Only the cheese pizza is complimentary, but at $2 a topping, it’s still a good value.
dell’anima: This new West Village cocktail lounge features an afternoon apertivo hour, when you can snack on free Italian vittles like olives and salads while sipping Dale DeGroff–designed cocktails (Thursday–Saturday, 4–6 PM).
Ditch Plains: Named for a Long Island surfing spot, chef Marc Murphy’s Greenwich Village ode to seafood shacks gives saltwater taffy to diners as a parting gift to help keep the seashore vibe alive.
Hank’s Saloon: Enjoy free barbecue at this dive bar in Boerum Hill where there is live entertainment every day of the week. Sunday night is barbecue night – no cover charge, no nothing (Sundays, around 10 PM).
Home: This welcoming American eatery has been giving free chocolate-chip cookies to its customers since it opened in the Village 15 years ago.
Il Giglio: After being seated at this TriBeCa Tuscan, diners are served free appetizers, including marinated zucchini, bruschetta and cheese, to start the meal off right.
Ithaka: Diners expect a free dessert at this Greek Upper Eastsider – and they don't leave disappointed thanks to the gratis loukoumades, best described as Greek-style doughnuts, made with flour, yeast, honey and a little cinnamon.
Mermaid Inn: Neither the Upper West Side nor the East Village location of this seafood restaurant has a dessert menu. Instead, complimentary pudding is served at the end of each meal.
The Modern: During the holidays, Danny Meyer's French–New American in the MoMA gives homemade Stollen, a traditional German fruitcake, to customers to take home. Sadly, there is no such parting gift when dining at the museum's less expensive and less formal Bar Room.
Rodeo Bar: This Southern-themed bar in Gramercy has a free nacho and wing buffet during its daily four-hour happy hour (4–8 PM).
Rudy’s Bar: The drinks are cheap at this Hell’s Kitchen dive, which makes the free hot dog you get with every one all the better.
Telepan: After a meal at this New American near Lincoln Center, every diner receives a free macaroon. Nothing too big, but a sweet treat nonetheless.
The Thirsty Scholar: In addition to great drink deals, this East Village Irish bar offers a free buffet during happy hour. The menu varies, but always includes a pasta dish, a chicken dish and a vegetarian dish, as well as bread (weekdays, 5–8 PM).