Whoever said there is no such thing as a free lunch obviously didn’t have friends in the restaurant industry.

Strings is offering free appetizers from the winter menu for those who are willing to head down on Friday between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 pm. to help break in the new set of bar stools. (Any excuse for a party, eh?)

Chef Amy Vitale is planning to whip up quite a sampling: fried shrimp & artichoke cocktail, duck confit with white beans and berry jam, beef carpaccio wrapped breadsticks, house made potato chips with chive and onion creme fraiche, parmesan and nutmeg gnocchi with chestnut-sage cream, and Strings’ signature crab cakes.

They’ll also have happy hour drink specials — $5 featured wine and martinis, $2 featured beers — as if you needed any additional enticement.

It may not be lunch, but I’m betting they’ll have plenty of takers.