The year 2019 offered a variety of complimentary opportunities for residents and visitors in the Philadelphia area, ranging from celebratory food and beverage freebies to structured programs designed to assist families and individuals with limited financial resources. These offers often aligned with specific holidays, community events, or federal initiatives, providing accessible ways to enjoy meals, entertainment, and local products without cost. Understanding the scope and requirements of these opportunities allows consumers to effectively navigate the available options.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Local restaurants and national chains frequently utilized promotional offers to celebrate specific days or events. In September 2019, National Coffee Day provided a focal point for numerous establishments to offer discounted or free beverages. Participating locations included Homegrown Coffee and Creations, which offered $1 any-size coffees; Dunkin' Donuts, which provided a buy-one-get-one deal on hot coffee; and Godiva, which gave away free 12-ounce hot or iced coffee at cafe locations. Wawa extended a free cup of coffee to Wawa Rewards members, while Sheetz offered free cold brews of any size or flavor for customers ordering through the app. Krispy Kreme combined offers by providing free coffee along with a free glazed doughnut, and 7-Eleven offered $1 any-size coffee through the 7Rewards app.
Holiday celebrations also drove free food offers. For Mother’s Day in 2019, various Philadelphia region restaurants provided complimentary items such as pizza, arepas, mango cheesecake, and flowers. Specific offers included free pizza slices at SliCE Fishtown during a weekend-long anniversary celebration, available without a purchase requirement. While the source material lists a round-up of ten Father's Day offers—including free water ice, pizza, soup dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and root beer floats—the specific venues providing these items are not detailed in the available documentation.
Event-Related and Seasonal Promotions
Community events often serve as a catalyst for local freebies. The Blue Cross Broad Street Run in May 2019 allowed participants to access various complimentary items by presenting their race bib. At the post-race after-party at FDR Park, runners received a complimentary beverage via a coupon attached to their bib, redeemable for a craft beer or Truly Hard Seltzer. Additionally, specific local businesses extended offers to runners: Philadelphia Brewing Co. provided a free pint of ElectroLyte beer to bib holders at their Frankford Avenue location, and Bluebird Distilling at The Bourse in Old City offered 1-ounce pours of their spirits.
Tax Day in 2019 also prompted several hospitality offers, specifically targeting the stress associated with tax filing. Kimpton Hotel Palomar and Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia offered a "File, Sip, Stay" package priced at $1,040, which included an overnight stay in the Presidential Suite, a bottle of champagne, and an in-room couples' massage. This package was available from April 15-22, 2019. Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Portland, Oregon, offered a different promotion where accountants could show proof of profession to have taxes and fees on the nightly rate covered, along with a free drink. Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh allowed guests who showed proof of owing money on taxes to receive a bottle of red or white wine for $10.40.
Community Support Programs
Beyond commercial promotions, Philadelphia operates federally funded programs to address food insecurity. The city’s free summer meal program, which began in mid-June and ran through August 23, 2019, provided free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to children and teens aged 18 and under. Notably, these programs required no income limits, identification, or proof of citizenship. The initiative was a response to data indicating that 20% of families in the School District of Philadelphia reported facing food insecurity.
Affordable Access to Culture and Attractions
Philadelphia offers several avenues for accessing cultural attractions and services at a reduced cost or for free. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance’s Funsavers program sends half-price ticket offers to e-subscribers for various shows and events, including theater, music, dance, and museum exhibitions.
For individuals with disabilities or those holding a Pennsylvania ACCESS Card, Art-Reach offers the ACCESS Philly program. This program provides access to 50 Philadelphia-area museums, theaters, and attractions for $2 per person, covering the cardholder and up to three guests. The program is free for PA ACCESS cardholders and costs $75 for anyone who identifies as having a disability.
Additionally, shoppers in the region benefit from a specific tax exemption: there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Philadelphia, with exceptions for furs, formal or ornamental wear, and accessories.
Local Business Highlights
Specific local businesses offered unique freebies and events. Evil Genius Beer Company in Fishtown hosted a Mother's Day Brewery Tour and Tasting on May 12, 2019. The event included a private tour, a flight of five Evil Genius Lab Exclusive beers, and a Q&A session for two people at a cost of $35. The King's Collar Shirtmaker in Ardmore, PA, offered special Mother's Day gift certificates for shirts.
Conclusion
The landscape of freebies in Philadelphia in 2019 was diverse, encompassing food and beverage discounts tied to national holidays, event-specific rewards, and essential community support programs. While many offers were time-sensitive and linked to specific dates such as National Coffee Day, Mother's Day, or the summer months, others provided ongoing value through cultural alliances and tax exemptions. Consumers looking to utilize such offers in the future should monitor local news outlets and official brand announcements for time-sensitive details and eligibility requirements.