Birthday celebrations in the Capital Region offer a variety of complimentary perks for consumers willing to present identification or join rewards programs. Local establishments in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and surrounding areas provide free food and drinks, while national chains offer desserts, meals, and entertainment benefits. Access to these offers typically requires visiting on the actual birthday, presenting a photo ID, or signing up for brand loyalty programs.
Local Capital Region Freebies
Several businesses in the Capital Region provide specific birthday incentives. These offers generally require proof of birth date and are valid only on the actual birthday unless otherwise noted.
Food and Beverage Establishments
Bombers Burrito Bar offers a 60-ounce margarita on the rocks with sparklers for birthdays. This location in Albany and Schenectady requires a purchase of $20 or more. Additionally, Bombers provides a free burrito at the takeout counter and a free margarita for dine-in customers. No pre-registration is required, but a photo ID with birth date is necessary. Bombers also offers a free small ice cream, though it is unclear if this is a separate offer or part of the birthday package.
Wolff’s Biergarten in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy provides a 2-liter beer served in a giant glass boot. Patrons are reminded not to break the boot, as it costs $40 to replace. A photo ID is required.
Washington Tavern in Albany offers a bottle of sparkling wine.
Olde English in Albany provides a giant 2-liter tea cup filled with Strongbow Cider or Heineken Beer.
Mahar’s Public Bar offers one free beer. To qualify, customers must stop in, buy a beer, and give their name before their birthday to set up a free account. This account tracks rewards and beer samples, granting the free birthday beer.
Bentley’s Tavern in Malta offers chicken wings equal to the customer's age (e.g., 31 wings for a 31st birthday). The offer is valid only on the actual birthday, requires proof of birth date, and is not valid with other offers or for take-out. Customers can also purchase a draft beer, soda, or signature cocktail served in a special birthday cup to keep.
Rusty Nail in Clifton Park and Ship’s Pub in Albany offer one free wing for each year of age. Ship’s Pub also offers a free filled growler or steamed clams, one for each year.
Pinhead Susan’s in Schenectady offers free wings, one for each year.
Orchard Tavern West in Albany offers a wing for each year and 50% off a second drink.
Nicolino's Restaurant in Perth offers free dessert.
Golden Corral in Colonie offers a discounted buffet with email sign-up.
Entertainment and Other
Hollywood Video offers a free rental for members, requiring a membership card.
Belleayre Mountain offers free skiing on the birthday. If the birthday falls in the off-season, a free day is assigned. A photo ID is required.
National Birthday Offers
Numerous national brands offer free items, often requiring membership in a rewards program or email club. Some offers are valid for the entire birthday month.
Food and Beverage
Denny’s provides a free Grand Slam breakfast on the birthday through the Denny’s Rewards program.
Red Robin offers a free burger through the Royalty Rewards program. The burger can be claimed any time during the entire month of the birthday.
Jimmy’s Egg Rewards members receive a free entrée (up to $12) on their birthday.
Ben & Jerry’s offers free ice cream for birthdays to members of the Flavor Fanatics rewards program.
IHOP offers a free stack of pancakes.
Chili’s offers a free dessert through My Chili’s Rewards, valid on the birthday or within one week before or after.
The Cheesecake Factory offers a free sundae featuring a tiny "scoopette" of vanilla ice cream, fudge, whipped cream, confetti, and a candle. No sign-up is required.
Capital Grille offers a complimentary dessert with no sign-up required.
CPK Rewards (California Pizza Kitchen) offers a free dessert, with the possibility of upgrading to a free entrée based on points earned.
Dippin’ Dots offers free ice cream through the Dot Crazy! Email Club.
Edible Arrangements offers a free 12-piece array of chocolate-dipped fruit through Edible Rewards.
Applebee’s, Coldstone Creamery, Firehouse Subs, and Moe’s Southwest Grill are listed as national birthday freebies available through other resources.
Retail and Entertainment
Regal Entertainment Group offers free birthday popcorn through the Regal Crown Club.
AMC Theaters offers free popcorn (and potentially more for higher tiers) during the birthday month.
Medieval Times offers free admission with the purchase of a regular admission.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
Most offers have specific requirements that must be met to redeem the freebie.
Identification and Proof of Birth Date
- Photo ID: Required by Bombers, Wolff’s Biergarten, Belleayre Mountain, and generally needed for local tavern offers to verify birth date.
- Proof of Birth Date: Explicitly required by Bentley’s Tavern and implied for all "age-based" wing offers.
Registration and Membership
- Pre-Registration: Mahar’s Public Bar requires customers to stop in and set up an account before the birthday.
- Rewards Program Membership: Required for Denny’s, Red Robin, Jimmy’s Egg, Ben & Jerry’s, Chili’s, CPK, Dippin’ Dots, Edible Arrangements, Regal, and AMC.
- No Registration: Bombers (burrito/margarita), The Cheesecake Factory, Capital Grille, and Bombers (ice cream) do not require pre-registration or membership.
Purchase Requirements
- Minimum Spend: Bombers requires a $20 purchase for the 60-ounce margarita.
- Purchase of Entrée: Many chain restaurants (Macaroni Grill, Houlihan's, PF Changs, Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, Buca Di Beppo, Red Lobster, Cheesecake Factory, Koto Japanese Steakhouse, The Standard) offer a free piece of cake, cupcake, or scoop of ice cream with the purchase of any entrée.
- Purchase of Admission: Medieval Times requires the purchase of a regular admission to receive free admission.
Timing and Validity
- Actual Birthday Only: Most local offers (Bentley’s Tavern, Bombers, etc.) are valid only on the actual date.
- Birthday Month: Red Robin and AMC allow redemption throughout the birthday month.
- Birthday Week: Chili’s allows redemption within one week before or after the birthday.
- Off-Season Adjustment: Belleayre Mountain assigns a free day if the birthday falls in the off-season.
Conclusion
The Capital Region and national chains provide diverse birthday freebies ranging from 60-ounce margaritas and age-based chicken wings to free Grand Slam breakfasts and movie popcorn. While local establishments often require only a photo ID, national brands typically necessitate joining a loyalty program or email club. Consumers should verify current offers directly with businesses, as specials can change.