It’s Saturday night and you’re headed to dinner and drinks with the girls.
As you head into the uber, you anxiously check your Bank of America app.
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst, you’re panicked to see the red “low balance” message blinking on your screen.
You probably shouldn’t have gone to that 260 Sample sale yesterday.
Do you think cocktail bars take Afterpay?
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Instead of canceling your plans altogether, you decide to pivot.
If there’s a will there’s a way, and you’re not about to freeze your credit card Confessions of a Shopaholic style.
The more affordable option of BYOB pops into your mind.
Making a stop at your local liquor store, you type “Where to BYOB in NYC” into Google.
Here is what you found.
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138 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
Probably not the smartest move to get sushi after your financial troubles, but $65 for high-end Omakase is hard to pass up. Plus, you don’t need to spend ridiculous amounts of money on rounds of Sake. This East Village spot serves some of the best “affordable sushi” in town (nothing in Manhattan is really affordable), including delicious fresh nigiri and homemade strawberry ice cream. Grab your favorite bottle of wine, and let’s eat some sushi!
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575 Henry St, Brooklyn/Website
Not only is Lucali home to some of the best pizza in all of New York City, but it’s also BYOB. A deliciously greasy slice of pepperoni pizza with a side of IPA? Name a better combination, we’ll wait. If you’re a thin-crust pizza stan (who isn’t?!) and like to have a good time while eating it, this Brooklyn hotspot is the place for you. And if it's good enough for Kendall Jenner, it's good enough for us. Pro Tip: bring cash!
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100 Lexington Ave, Manhattan/Website
Serving authentic North Indian food, Bhatti Indian Grill is a great place to spend your Saturday night. And if you’re martini lovers like we are, nobody is stopping you from bringing some gin and Vermouth to the restaurant. You can sneak the olives in your purse, just saying. Anyways, the food at Bhatti is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, ranging from yogurt-marinated tandoori chicken, juicy lamb skewers, and the most decadent creamed spinach you ever did taste.
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86 S Portland Ave, Brooklyn/Website
Since you’re not fancy enough to go to a real Fort Greene dinner party, this no-frills American Eatery is your next best option. You’ll be able to indulge in real food (not snooty hors d’oeuvres) and avoid the inevitable “so are you still single?” and “what’s next in your career” questions. Most importantly, this Brooklyn spot is BYOB, so let’s cheers to dodging your-overly pretentious aunt and uncle
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Multiple Locations/Website
If you’re randomly craving Peking duck, there’s no better place than the famed Peking Duck House. Paying homage to traditional Chinese culture, this locally-loved eatery is perfect for natives and tourists alike. We recommend the Peeking duck dinner, which comes with the highly sought-after duck, along with a selection of fried rice or noodles. Obviously, it’s BYOB, so taking shots with your meal is not the exception, but the norm.
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253 W 11th St, Manhattan/Website
This quaint West Village bistro is a great spot to enjoy yummy French food with a few glasses of Pino. Ok, it’s BYOB. Let’s be real, we’re definitely downing a few bottles. The Parisian-inspired eatery is so authentic, that if you close your eyes, you feel like you’re walking down the cobblestone streets of the city of love. If you’re dining at Tartine, order the Sirloin steak or burger with a side of crispy, shoestring fries.
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68 Forsyth St B, Manhattan
Delicious Chinese food and BYOB? You don’t have to ask us twice. Located on the Lower East Side, Spicy Village is a great place to pregame before a night out. Known for serving classic Henan fare (think hand-pulled noodles, pork pancakes, and spicy chicken), Spicy Village masters the art of no-frills in every sense of the word. From the food to the lowkey atmosphere, this frequented Chinese joint doesn’t mess around.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Similar to Moko, Sushi on Jones offers a relatively affordable Omakase and BYOB. Considering wine and sushi are our two different things in the world, we’re definitely not mad about it. With multiple locations around the city, Sushi on Jones is a quick and easy way to enjoy great-quality sushi at a fraction of the cost. Plus, there are always reservations, so it makes for a good last-minute spot!
Photography by: Getty Images
