Freeman's Little New York
6092 Quinpool Road, 429-0241
Hungry Hour runs every Friday from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Freeman's owner Laurel Harrington usually staffs the bar, while her husband Mark briskly walks the aisle, dishing out slices of pizza, cucumber and egg sandwiches and occasionally bowls of mussels---all totally free, as long as you have a drink. Arrive by 5pm, or you may not get a table.
Seasons Wine Bistro and Bar
Atlantica Hotel, 1980 Robie Street, 490-3331
Another Friday night post-work treat is Potini Fridays at Seasons. What's a Potini? Walk in from 5-7pm and you'll be confronted by an array of martini glasses---filled with delicious mashed potatoes. Choose your toppings from glasses of bacon bits, chives and sour cream, add some live jazz and the bar's extensive wine selection (or a real martini) and you are in bliss city.
Anna Leonowens Gallery
1891 Granville Street, 494-8223
Most Mondays, 5:30-7pm, the NSCAD gallery hosts a free art opening, and traditionally, the artist brings wine and finger food to share with attendees. The undergrads are on shoestring budgets (think: chips and salsa), so watch for a grad student's or, better yet, faculty member's opening---we've seen catered sushi, even!
Food Not Bombs free lunch
2285 Gottingen Street, in front of the North Memorial branch library
Anarchists that they are, the FNB group has eluded our attempts to get details for you, but word on the street is that their long-running Sunday afternoon (1pmish) vegetarian food giveaways are still happening. —Alison Lang