Birthday Drinks

Updated: October 03, 2001

First cake, then cocktails. Or cocktails, then cake. The night is yours, and we've got more than 25 ideas for a fabulous party--from free birthday drinks to classy cocktail lounges.

On this page:Free Drinks, Good Food, Dancing, Classy, Divey, Unique, Low-Key, More Party Spots.

Free Drinks

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cheap Shots Inc
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    140 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 (map)

    No matter how many you roll with, you'll get to throw back as many shots and beers as you like, all night.

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Stanton Public
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    17 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

    Birthday boys and girls drink free (and well) at this laid-back bar with a top-notch beer selection, if they bring eight friends to party with them.

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Bushwick Country Club
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    618 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

    The mini golf is always free at this lovingly rundown "country club," but members who bring 11 buddies to celebrate (and nons who bring 15) will also drink free all evening. Gather an even bigger group (30) to get free hot dogs thrown in.

Good Food

  1. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended Pegu Club
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    77 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

    Looking for gourmet hors d'oeuvres, serious cocktails and a discreet but drop-dead gorgeous setting? Look no further.

  2. 5 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Marshall Stack
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    66 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

    The makeshift kitchen at this classy neighborhood watering hole somehow creates the tastiest English muffin pizzas, known as the After-School Special.

Dancing

  1. 6 3.5 Star Rating: Average Cielo
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    18 Little West 12th St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

    This smaller-than-average Meatpacking District club manages a more genuine and fun-loving dance scene.

  2. 7 3.5 Star Rating: Average APT
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    419 W 13th St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

    An excellent choice for any birthday that falls on a weeknight, when this finest of dance clubs draws less of a crowd.

Classy

  1. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Pravda
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    281 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

    Perfect for vodka lovers or personalities piqued by Soho's swank and clandestine cocktail lounges.

  2. 9 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Jadis
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    42 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

    A charming French wine bar that's sophisticated without the snootiness.

  3. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Brooklyn Social
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    335 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

    Grab the two tables in front and celebrate in an old-school, social club vibe.

  4. 11 3 Star Rating: Average 230 Fifth
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    230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10001 (map)

    Summer birthdays are best for this sprawling rooftop bar with unbelievable views.

  5. 12 3 Star Rating: Average Hudson Cafeteria
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    356 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019 (map)

    Be sure you and your friends dress to the nines for this sumptuous scene. In the summer, there's the bonus of a beautiful outdoor garden.

Divey

  1. 13 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Commonwealth
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    497 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (map)

    For die-hard music nerds, this Park Slope bar has a one-of-a-kind jukebox filled with meticulously custom-made mixes.

  2. 14 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Holiday Cocktail Lounge
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    75 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003 (map)

    If character is your thing, you'll love the hard-of-hearing bartender, duct tape-covered booths and stiff, cheap drinks at this East Village punk-era survivor.

  3. 15 3.5 Star Rating: Average Lakeside Lounge
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    162 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 (map)

    This locally loved East Village dive beats out the best of them with cheap drinks, live music and a black-and-white photo booth.

Unique

  1. 16 3.5 Star Rating: Average Cowgirl
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    519 Hudson St, New York, NY null (map)

    Ladies especially love this West Village ode to the Western frontier.

  2. 17 4 Star Rating: Recommended Union Hall
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    702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (map)

    Between the library-like lounges, intense games of bocce ball and music in the basement, this Park Slope bar should suit all your friends' varying demands.

  3. 18 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Zombie Hut Inc
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    273 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

    Have a fetish for tiki kitsch? Put down a few flaming scorpion bowls on Smith Street.

  4. 19 4 Star Rating: Recommended Planet Rose
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    219 Ave A, New York, NY 10009 (map)

    Grab a microphone, a beat and an audience to accompany your "Happy Birthday" ode.

Low-Key

  1. 20 4 Star Rating: Recommended Larry Lawrence
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    295 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

    It's sleek, it's got seats, and the elevated, glass-walled smoking deck will be the talk of the party.

  2. 21 4 Star Rating: Recommended Creek & The Cave
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    10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 (map)

    Let the gang loose in this house-like Long Island City bar, with a living room, a billiards room, and a gorgeous picket-fenced outdoor patio.

  3. 22 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Pete's Candy Store
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    709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

    The most tempting part of this sweet Williamsburg spot is its charming back room where bands play for free.

  4. 23 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Clandestino Cafe & Bar Llc
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    35 Canal St, New York, NY 10002 (map)

    Avoid all crowds and commotion at this warm little neighborhood bar with an indie playlist to envy and one fantastic pour.

More Party Spots

  1. 24 3 Star Rating: Average Bagels by the Park
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    323 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

  2. 25 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Monkey Town
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    58 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

  3. 26 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
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    29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11102 (map)

    The last of its kind, this old Astoria landmark beer garden soldiers on.