Need I say more? I suppose I will, mainly for the sake of hitting my required word count. In, sorry, this economy, free stuff is the ultimate treat. Especially at a bar or restaurant, as the prices of food and drinks continue to rise and rise, seemingly with no ceiling. Even something small, like a bowl of cheese balls at a dive bar (ahem, the Levee) is a touch that makes you feel like a V.I.P., no matter where (or who) you are.
Free hot dogs with cheap beer
I do wonder how long Rudy’s Bar & Grill in Hell’s Kitchen can keep getting away with their prices. Should we be worried about them, financially, when they’re serving $5 beer-and-shot combos and $12 pitchers? They don’t seem worried, at least Baron Von Swine doesn’t — he’s a human-height pig statue, pantsless in a red tuxedo jacket, that cheerfully waves you in beneath the neon sign on Ninth Avenue.
The lore runs deep at Rudy’s, which is otherwise a classically sticky-floored dive — they claim to have been one of the first bars in New York to get a liquor license when prohibition ended. There’s cold, hard video evidence, though, that Anthony Bourdain enjoyed Rudy’s signature: a free hot dog with any purchase. Is it the most basic possible hot dog inelegantly smeared with ketchup and mustard? Sure. But remember, it’s free. (And, to Baron Von Swine’s relief, they’re beef.)
The most luxurious possible gratis spread
It’s not always cheap beer and free dogs. Sometimes you have to shell out a bit more for your drink before you’re awarded the free food. Case in point: The Polo Bar in Midtown serves an immaculate spread of fried green olives, housemade potato chips and herby, warm nuts with the price of a drink (expect $16 beers) at the glowy, leather-boothed bar upstairs and, of course, the emotional warfare of trying to get a notoriously elusive reservation. (They’re technically on Resy, but calling or stopping by in person is the way to make it happen). Another no-cost luxury that makes you feel like a billionaire: When you move from the bar to the buzzy dining room downstairs (bedecked with horse photos and riding paraphernalia), a server follows, carrying your drinks on a tray. Baller!
Sometimes, you just want a bowl of popcorn
A bowl of popcorn might pale in comparison to a free hot dog or fried olives. But the truffle popcorn at Bar Belly in Chinatown, is better than it needs to be, given the price (free 99), and given the otherwise unremarkable nature of the bar (low lit, well-executed classic cocktails, good for most occasions but standout for none). It’s not a tiny portion of popcorn, but I still usually finish it before I’ve even sipped my martini (dirty, vodka), and they’ve been known to refill it on some occasions. My colleague Lee Manansala was also impressed — when he went to Bar Belly, he told me, “I made such a big deal about that popcorn, they gave me a free hat.” Double free!
Bonus round!
One of my New York nightlife white whales is the free chicken soup at the West Village cocktail bar Employee’s Only, served to whoever’s left at the bar at closing time. Is it worth staying up until 3 a.m. to try for myself? Can someone reading this vouch? All intel is welcome.
Read past editions of the newsletter here.
If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here.
Have feedback? Send us a note at [email protected].
Follow NYT Food on TikTok and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.
The post The Bars With the Best Free Food appeared first on New York Times.
