Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Astor Wines & Spirits
NOHO Astor's ginormous space in the basement of the De Vinne Press Building
hosts free tastings pretty much every weeknight, with another one thrown in on Saturday afternoon. Look for
artisanal champagnes, liquor, and sakes among the offerings, with the booze in question usually discounted 15%.
Regular prices are great here, too, making this my top stop for stocking up.
399 Lafayette St., at E. 4th St.
212/674-7500.
www.astorwines.com
.
Subway: 6 to Bleecker St.; B/D/F/M to Broadway/Lafayette St.
Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit
FLATIRON This Flatiron shop works hard to maintain its neighborly repu-
tation. Wine giveaways certainly don't hurt. Look for tastings on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays, usually 5 to
8pm.
5 W. 19th St., btw. Fifth and Sixth aves.
212/929-2323.
www.bottlerocketwine.com
.
Subway: N/R to 23rd St.; F/M to 14th St.; L to Sixth Ave.
67 Wines and Spirits
UPPER WEST SIDE Rotating hosts walk guests through wine tastings at this shop,
highlighting the fruits of a particular country or region. The schedule is extensive, with tastings running most
every weeknight, plus a 4pm Saturday slot. The bottles being sampled go for 10% off.
179 Columbus Ave., btw. 67th and 68th
sts.
212/724-6767.
www.67wine.com
.
Subway: 1 to 66th St.
Union Square Wines
UNION SQUARE The new larger digs of this neighborhood shop mean more
counter space for uncorking the fruit of the vine. Tastings are held several nights a week, with as many as
two dozen different wines in rotation. (Whiskey, vodka, and sake show up as well.) Look for 20% discounts on
sampled vintages.
140 Fourth Ave., at 13th St.
212/675-8100.
www.unionsquarewines.com
. Subway: L/N/Q/R/4/5/6 to 14th St./Union Sq.
12 Free & Cheap Pub Grub
There's nothing like a salty treat to keep the beer orders flowing: Witness the ubiquity of pretzels and peanuts
in proximity to barstools. Several New York bars get more elaborate with their snacks, offering up bagels, wings,
and pizza pies. Discounts can be deep—in many cases all the way down to $0—although most places expect you
to spring for a drink or two, since they're running bars and all.
Alligator Lounge
WILLIAMSBURG This lounge took over a former pizza joint to exploit an existing wood-burn-
ing oven. The result is remarkably good pies,
free
with the purchase of a drink. That's right—a free personal pizza
with your beer. Toppings are $1 a pop. The pies roll from 6pm on the weekdays and 3pm on the weekends, and
they don't stop until a bleary-eyed 3:30am.
600 Metropolitan Ave., btw. Leonard and Lorimer sts., Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
718/599-4440.
Daily 3pm-4am. Subway: L to Lorimer St.; G to Metropolitan Ave.
The Brazen Head
BOERUM HILL, BROOKLYN Sharing a name with Dublin's oldest pub, this low-key neigh-
borhood spot rolls out the welcome wagon with dining and drink specials. Monday nights see free chicken wings
(and thighs) from 5pm on, Wednesday evenings there's complimentary cheese, and Sunday afternoons bring
bagels, fixin's, and $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas.
228 Atlantic Ave., btw. Court St. and Boerum Place, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
718/
488-0430.
www.brazenheadbrooklyn.com
. Tues-Sat noon-4am; Sun-Mon noon-2am. Subway: F/G to Bergen St.; A/C/G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
Crocodile Lounge
EAST VILLAGE This Alligator Lounge spinoff may not win any prizes for its pizzas, but it's
hard to beat for price ($0) and convenience (especially for NYU students). The lure of one free pizza per drink
attracts a young and hungry crowd. Crocodile kitsch and free Skee-Ball complete the atmosphere.
325 E. 14th St., btw.
First and Second aves.
212/477-7747.
Daily noon-4am. Subway: L to First Ave.
Croxley Ales
EAST VILLAGE This pub represents something between the death of a once-proud indie 'hood
and a breath of unpretentious relief in a trendier-than-thou zone. Croxley puts games on its televisions and offers
specials at the bar. If you're drinking, you're entitled to 20¢ wings on Saturdays from noon to 5pm, and all day
and night on Sundays. That price goes down to 10¢ on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from
5pm to 1am (Thurs's iteration features boneless wings). You get to choose from four sauces, and if hot's not hot
enough for you, $2 nets “Cry Like a Baby Sauce.”
28 Ave. B, btw. 2nd and 3rd sts.
212/253-6140.
www.croxley.com
. Mon-Fri 4pm-2am;
Sat-Sun noon-2am. Subway: F to Second Ave.
East River Bar
WILLIAMSBURG East of the East River is the site of this paint factory turned biker bar turned
casual South Williamsburg hang. Industrial chic corrugated metal adorns the outdoor patio, which holds a real,
live barrel drum barbecue pit. That, and three smaller grills, provide the fire for BYOBBQ nights (as in Bring
