NEW York is great if you can afford it – and the new book “How to Live Big in Manhattan Without Going Broke” aims to help. It’s a treasure-trove of tips on how to save a buck doing all the things you want and love to do.
We’ve perused it for you, and lifted some of the best tricks for living like Bloomberg on your blue-collar salary. (For more miserly tips, head to http://www.citywiseguides.com and order the book. It will be the wisest $15 you ever spend in New York.)
BOOZE CLUES
Drinks aren’t cheap in Gotham, and unless you’re a Czech supermodel, you’ve been paying for far too many of them yourself. But with a little imagination, you’ll be getting buzzed for pennies.
Head to the Brooklyn Brewery from noon to 5 p.m. on a Saturday and take the free tour. It concludes with a couple of free, quality beers. And you’ve always wanted to know what a “hop” is, anyway.
At Antarctica and No Idea, two happening bars, there’s a great deal called Name Night. Every night, people with a pre-selected name – check the bars’ Web sites for each night’s pick – drink for free from 5 to 11 p.m. (8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays). Sure, some of the names are obscure (all Bettinas should rejoice come the 30th at No Idea), but many aren’t (calling all Michelles on Saturday the 20th). The name tonight is Taylor at No Idea and Barney at Antarctica. Bring your ID for proof.
FREE LUNCH (THERE IS SUCH A THING)
A few savvy bars try to lure you in with free grub for the price of a pint.
Grab a drink and munch on bagels to your heart’s content at Blind Tiger Ale House, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. The place provides all the fixings – flavored spreads, tomatoes and onions – so show up early before it all runs out. For more free bagels, you can also try The Pourhouse, every Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m.
Get a free dinner with your lager at O’Flaherty’s Ale House in Midtown. The buffet of shepherd’s pie or its like can be had from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday.
Those with exceptionally strong stomachs (we’re talking cast-iron) can saddle up to the bar at Cucina Di Pesce at 5 p.m. every day and gorge on free mussels.
Still hungry? Head over to Rudy’s Bar and Grill and grab a beer. Anytime. Rudy’s gave away 55,000 hot dogs last year and we’re guessing not one of them went to you. Why pay $1.50 on the street?
FREE FOR A SONG
The Baird Jones Hotline ([212] 340-1233) is like that red phone in the Oval Office: only for clubbers. Call a day or two in advance, and on his answering machine, Jones will give you the scoop on the city’s most happening parties.
Also visit vipclubber.com to put yourself on guest lists – many are free – for parties and club nights like tonight’s bash at GO and tomorrow’s at Suede.
For those who say heck, no to techno, there are some low-cost ways to get an earful of rock and roll. Pete’s Candy Store has a band every night of the week and there’s nary a cover. For a more mellow, unplugged sound, The Living Room has live music every night with just a one-drink minimum.
There’s a no-drink minimum for the world-class gospel music at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, but there is a dress code. Wear your Sunday best to the 11 a.m. sermon.
BE PATIENT
Good things come to those who wait, and by good things, we mean free stuff.
The best deal in town is the free facial at Shiseido Studio – but don’t expect to get an appointment any time soon. This SoHo salon doesn’t even have a cash register. It exists only to give amazing, free facials (and subtly advertise its products in the process). You’ll have to wait a few months, but we promise it will be worth it.
Same goes for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Tickets aren’t available until the second or third week in November, but they won’t cost you a nickel. That Jon Stewart likes to cuss while giving us humorous commentary on the news of the day, and we like to listen. Call (212) 586-2477 for your free tickets.
The price is right
Blind Tiger Ale House
518 Hudson St., between Christopher and 10th streets
(212) 675-3848
The Pourhouse
790 Metropolitan Ave., between Humboldt Street and Bushwick Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 599-0697
O’Flaherty’s Ale House
334 W. 46th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues
(212) 581-9366
Cucina Di Pesce
87 E. Fourth St., between Second and Third avenues
(212) 260-6800
Rudy’s Bar and Grill
627 Ninth Ave., between 44th and 45th streets
(212) 974-9169
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N. 11th St., between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 486-7422
Antarctica Bar
287 Hudson St., south of Spring Street
(212) 352-1666
No Idea
30 E. 20th St., between Broadway and Park Avenue South
(212) 777-0100
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St., between Frost and Richardson streets
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 302-3770
The Living Room
84 Stanton St., at Allen Street
(212) 533-7235
Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 W. 138th St., between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. boulevards
(212) 862-7474
Shiseido Studio
155 Spring St., between West Broadway and Wooster Street
(212) 625-8820
“The Daily Show”
513 W. 54th St., between 10th and 11th avenues
(212) 586-2477
