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When you live in the most expensive city in America, it can be hard to stick to a budget. Luckily, we've got you covered. Whether you're looking for a concert, art exhibit,comedy show or even a date idea, there are plenty of places to good time without paying a dime. Here are the best free parties, cultural events and things to do between now and next Wednesday.
RECOMMENDED: Free things to do in NYC guide
Movie Night: The Social Network
Even though we wouldn’t want to spend an evening with Mark Zuckerberg—or Aaron Sorkin, for that matter—we gotta admit that this origin story of Facebook is pretty spellbinding. Revisit David Fincher’s nail-biting drama, with career-launching performances by Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer and Rooney Mara. Get to Brooklyn Bazaar’s dining room early to grab a seat, then dig into bites like fried chicken bao and chili Frito pie, along with frozen margaritas. Brooklyn Bazaar, 150 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn (bkbazaar.com). Wed 9 at 8pm.
30 Rock Trivia
You’ll need every Mickey Rourke reference you know to climb to the top of this cutthroat fan competition. Assemble a team of as many as four nerds and prove that you have the drive, intelligence, humility and chaos (DIHC) to survive several rounds of obscure Liz Lemon trivia. Be sure to try out Stay Classy’s winter drinks menu, which includes cocktails like the Fireball-based “Son of a Nutcracker” and “The Elf.” Afterward, go home and work on your night cheese.Stay Classy New York, 174 Rivington St (212-677-7733, triviaad.com). Wed 9 8–9:30pm.
Party Like It’s 1999: Space Jam at 20 Edition
If you’re a child of the ’90s, it’s a certainty that you listened to the Space Jam soundtrack on cassette until the tape spilled out in ribbons. In celebration of the iconic alien basketball movie starring Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny and Bill Murray, the Bell House invites you to get down to the seminal hits, including Monica’s slow-dance ballad “For You I Will,” R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly, along with other classics of the ’90s hip-hop and pop oeuvres. The Bell House, 149 7th St, Brooklyn (718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com). Sat 12 at 10pm.
Generation to Generation Festival
In 1887, the Eldridge Street Synagogue opened as a haven for the nearly 2 million Jews who would immigrate to NYC to escape persecution in Eastern Europe. This weekend, return to the Lower East Side of the late 19th century as the Museum at Eldridge Street throws a throwback block party featuring old-school top hats, regional music, and performers in period garb. Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St (212-219-0888, eldridgestreet.org). Sun 13 noon–4pm.
240th Commemoration of the Battle of Fort Washington
Before gangsters, Ghostbusters and gentrification came to define it, NYC was a place full of possibility for colonists and the British to fight over. Tour the scene of an epic battle in the Revolutionary War, in which General William Howe captured George Washington’s Manhattan stronghold. A guide dressed as soldier Margaret Corbin leads you through a full reenactment. Fort Tryon Park, from Riverside Dr to Broadway to Fort Washington Ave and Cabrini Blvd (212-795-1388, nycgovparks.org). Sun 13 noon–3pm.