ice cream for nothin'; chicks for free

February 11, 2008 10:18 AM

Today is my birthday. No congratulations needed or sought; the gift of your answer to my query will suffice! How can I monetize this? Yes, I'm looking for places in New York City that will give me a free ice cream (or something else) in exchange for a quick glance at my ID. Preferably places that don't require me to be under 12. Thanks!
posted by thejoshu to grab bag (26 comments total)

Um, I remember once getting a free movie at Hollywood Video on my birthday. But I think maybe the cashier just, like, wanted to do me. Also, you can go to a lot of restaurants and they'll force their humiliated wait staff to sing to you.

(That's all I got)
posted by kittens for breakfast at 10:21 AM on February 11, 2008

If it happens to be your 21st, lots of bars will give you a free shot.
posted by chrisamiller at 10:23 AM on February 11, 2008

You can usually get a free dessert at chain restaurants, but I am not a New Yorker, so I don't know which ones are in your area. Saturday was my spouse's birthday, and he got a free brownie drowned in chocolate syrup over at the local Texas Roadhouse steakhouse.
posted by misha at 10:25 AM on February 11, 2008

Coldstone has a birthday club but I'm not sure if they require you to register in advance like Baskin Robbins.
posted by pinksoftsoap at 10:27 AM on February 11, 2008

Also, this thread is a few years old but might give you some ideas.
posted by pinksoftsoap at 10:29 AM on February 11, 2008

If it happens to be your 21st, lots of bars will give you a free shot.
posted by chrisamiller

Cheap Shots on 1st Avenue between St. Marks and 9th St will give you free drinks all day/night on your actual birthday. But I suppose that's not ice cream....
posted by Grither at 10:32 AM on February 11, 2008

Free lapdance at Scores?
posted by Jay Reimenschneider at 10:39 AM on February 11, 2008

What a *great* post. Definitely need to expand this to other cities. Metafreebies! I'm sorry I can't add anything re NYC, but I'm going to start working on Chicago!
posted by nax at 10:41 AM on February 11, 2008

Actually, I thought of one. Not a freebie, but if you sign up in advance, Ten Thousand Villages will give you a 10% discount on one purchase during your birthday month.
posted by nax at 10:44 AM on February 11, 2008

I'm in LA, so I can't help ya, but it's my birthday too! Happy Birthday to us!
posted by clh at 10:45 AM on February 11, 2008

Todai's all-you-can-eat-Asian buffet offers a free meal or (a certificate for a future free meal) on your birthday when accompanied by a paying guest. There's one in Manhattan but call first because the details of the policy can vary by location. They'll check your ID to make sure it's really your b-day, too.
posted by jamaro at 11:01 AM on February 11, 2008

The discount store Loehman's gives you extra 20% off everything in the store upto three days before and after your bday.

happy Birthday!
posted by flaneuse at 11:02 AM on February 11, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Chili's/Macaroni Grill/On the Border/ Maggiano's has a card that you get at the restaraunt and then register online. Last month when a friend presented her's while we were at On the Border, the waitress said "Oh, it's your birthday month, you get a free entree!" I don't see anything about it on their website so maybe it was just that specific restaraunt, but the cards are free and it's for the whole month so it may be worth it to go pick up a card or make a phone call (if they're in your area)
Here's the website: https://www.eatandenjoyrewards.com/ if nothing else you get a free appetizer if you go in within 6 weeks of registering the card.
posted by BoscosMom at 11:16 AM on February 11, 2008

American Eagle (at least in Canada) offers some sort of discount on your bitrhday. 20%, I seem to recall, but I can't remember if you have to be a member of their loyalty program or not.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:45 AM on February 11, 2008

Village Books in Fairhaven WA - just South of Bellingham - will give you a discount based on your age (up to 40% if I remember correctly?) on one book that you purchase on the month of your birthday.
posted by seawallrunner at 12:07 PM on February 11, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Check out bargain-hunter websites for this sort of thing.

I know on RedFlagDeals.ca's forums, they have a whole database of birthday deals set up, though it applies mostly to Canadians (and, for the most-part, those living in the GTA).
posted by smitt at 12:21 PM on February 11, 2008

Red Robin will give you a free burger but you have to sign up before hand. Baskin Robins and ben and jerry's give out free cones, quiznos has a birthday club and the melting pot will give you a free chocolate fondue but again, you need to sign up for the birthday club.
posted by yodelingisfun at 1:32 PM on February 11, 2008

Golden Spoon will give you a free frozen yogurt (or whatever the heck it is that they serve) but you have to sign up in advance, afaik.
posted by jvilter at 1:39 PM on February 11, 2008

Chevy's gives you free ice cream and they sing and you get a sombrero!
posted by radioamy at 2:25 PM on February 11, 2008

The following all require you register in advance:

Red Robin - Free burger and fries.
Moe's Southwest Grill - Free burrito within three days of your birthday.
Wingstop - Ten free wings.
The Melting Pot Free fondue for two.
Schlotzkys - Free sandwich.
Carvel - Free cup or cone.
Blimpie - Free sub.

I hit Moe's, Red Robin, and Carvel one day last month. Out-of-pocket cost was a few bucks for the tip at Red Robin.
posted by Perplexer at 2:30 PM on February 11, 2008

I think Denny's provides you a free entree.
posted by acoutu at 3:00 PM on February 11, 2008

I think Denny's provides you a free entree.

Not in Utah anymore. I think it's a dessert around here now. Might not be chain-wide though.
posted by SlyBevel at 3:22 PM on February 11, 2008

I signed up for the Red Robin thing on my birthday, and got a coupon via email that was good for 7 days for a free burger.
posted by lemonwheel at 4:53 PM on February 11, 2008

I found this extensive list on FatWallet.com. I think that Todai sushi that it mentions is on E. 33rd by the Empire State Bldg.

For MeFites who are near one, Caribou Coffee gives you a free drink on your birthday if you register.
posted by Frank Grimes at 4:55 PM on February 11, 2008

Frank Grimes, I think you meant to link to this extensive list on FatWallet
posted by Deathalicious at 11:49 PM on February 12, 2008

Yep, that's the one.
posted by Frank Grimes at 2:23 PM on March 8, 2008