Original skyline photo by Diego Cupolo.
With the economy reeling, and the New York metro area set to lose 181,000 jobs, it’s pretty safe to say that you or someone you know may end up being on unemployment. If you’re not on unemployment more than likely you’re damn near broke. Although losing your job is not ideal, and looking for another with the shitty economy is not anyone’s idea of a good time, New York City boasts a ton of free and cheap things to do, instead of spending your days watching Maury…. not that that’s a bad option!
BOOZE:
Lets get to the obvious, people love booze. Unfortunately it can be quite pricey. FreeNYC has an up-to-date, non-biased rundown of free booze events in NYC. There are also some crazy recession drink prices in the Burg and Bushwick. Happy Hours are always ideal for penny pinchers. Some super cheap drink specials in the hood are:
Savalas
285 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg
Possibly the cheapest all-night beer price in Williamsburg: $2 Yuengling Drafts Sun-Wed, $5 PBR and whiskey, $3 beers, $4 wells.
Happy Hour from 5 to 8pm.
Levee
212 Berry Street Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$4 Black Label Can & Evan Williams, $5 Lone Star and Tequila, $5 bud and Jaeger.
Happy Hour one dollar off all drinks and beer.
Gotham City Lounge
1293 Myrtle Ave, Bushwick Brooklyn
$2 PBR, $3 PBR and Whiskey, $3 well drinks on Tuesdays
RECREATION / DATES:
Club freeTime has a daily rundown on free and interesting things to do in NYC, including many gallery openings, tours, and concerts. If you’re too broke to go out and get men/women, Match.com and other dating services often offer free trials. You can take them on a free date! Instead of watching his majesty on TV you could participate in Maury’s live studio audience!
ART & MUSEUMS:
MOMA is free every Friday from 4 to 8pm, The Whitney also has no charge on Fridays from 6 to 9. The New York Botanical Garden is free every Wednesday and also from 10am to Noon on Saturdays. Museum of the Moving Image is free Fridays from 4 to 8pm.
FOOD:
Alligator Lounge and The Charleston have free pizza with a drink purchase. Blind Tiger Ale House in the West Village has free hot dogs on Mondays after 6pm, if you can stomach them until supplies run out. O’Flaherty’s in Hell’s Kitchen offers free plates of pasta when the kitchen closes around 10:30pm Sun-Wed at 334 w. 46th St. Rodeo Bar offers a free buffet with chicken wings and nachos during happy hour from 4pm to 7pm.
FREE STUFF:
Craigslist offers a plethora of free stuff on its website wherever you live www.craigslist.org. www.totallyfreestuff.com/ also updates daily with tons of free and cheap offers.
SELF IMPROVEMENT:
The NYC Park and Recreation Department offers $75 a YEAR to join citywide gym programs. The closest gym to Bushwick is the one on Grand and Bedford that includes a pool. If you are a smoker most hospitals offer free classes and nicotine patches — call 212-562-4748 for more information. Check out free introductory Yoga classes at Atmananda Yoga Sequence at 324 Lafayette St 212-625-1511.
There are many ways to take advantage of free and cheap fun in New York City. If you knwo of any others, let us know!
Dresden February 9th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
We’re all gonna die!!!
chillinoncentral February 9th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Here’s a freebie that I’ve used a few times. Instead of paying for 411 directory assistance, call 800-free-411 (800-373-3411). You can get free nationwide directory assistance on your landline or on your cell phone and the only catch is that you have to listen to their 20 second commercial.
Also, if you want to look and smell nice for those upcoming interviews, check out Oil of Olay’s free stuff webpage: http://www.olay.com/samplesandoffers/
bunker February 9th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
If you want to go even cheaper Google has free 411 service (1-800-GOOG-411). No ads no nothin’
cheryl February 9th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
haha monica is applying herself on teh internets
Diego February 10th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
All I have to say is: Cuchifritos – open 24/7 near the Flushing Ave JMZ stop
Jeremy Sapienza February 10th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Mofongo so good. The morcilla at La Isla was not as good the last time, though.
yum yum February 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
gettin a peek at mo’s breasts is always fun and free
Nacho Average February 10th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
LMAO @ Dresden’s comment… It’s funny be/c it’s true
yasky February 13th, 2009 at 10:46 am
In these low-economy times (or any times!)maybe these NY freebies could be added to BushwickBk as a permanent link or something? And it could be added to periodically . . .
Dresden February 13th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Yes, Nacho Average, some day we will all eat the final free taco of our entire lives.
Ari is EL February 14th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Bless whoever thought of this!
Mimi Me April 7th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Us Funemployed people sure have our work cut out for us, walking around in our Converse to all of these lurvely events.
The year is young, and I’m so funemployed. Catch y’all worker bees on the flip.