Birthdays in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer a wealth of complimentary opportunities for consumers. By signing up for loyalty programs, email clubs, or rewards programs in advance, individuals can access free food, drinks, merchandise, and unique experiences. This guide details verified offers available to residents and visitors, focusing on categories such as dining, retail, and entertainment. The information is derived from compiled local deal resources, and consumers are advised to confirm details directly with participating establishments, as offers and requirements can change.
Understanding the Basics of Birthday Freebies
Many businesses in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region structure birthday offers as part of their customer loyalty or email marketing programs. These promotions are typically designed to reward customers for their ongoing engagement. A critical factor for success is advance registration; numerous programs require sign-ups to be completed at least several days, and sometimes up to 30 days, before the birthday date. Registration often involves providing a name, email address, and sometimes a birth date. Offers are frequently delivered via email coupon, a physical postcard, or a digital code redeemable in-store or online. It is essential to note that eligibility can vary by location, and some deals may be restricted to specific age groups or require a minimum purchase.
Dining and Restaurant Offers
The Twin Cities boast a diverse culinary scene, and many restaurants celebrate customers' birthdays with complimentary food and beverages. These offers range from free appetizers and entrées to full meals and desserts.
Local and Regional Restaurant Chains
Several local establishments offer substantial birthday rewards. Acapulco Restaurante Mexicano provides a free entrée for members of its Xperience Rewards loyalty program, with locations in Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake, Maplewood, New Brighton, Ramsey, Stillwater, and Woodbury. Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill & Bar offers a free appetizer upon registration for its e-club and a free entrée on the birthday. Registration must be completed at least ten days before the birthday, and participants must be 21 or older. This offer is available at locations in Baxter, Mankato, Plymouth, Waite Park, and Willmar.
Lindey’s Restaurant in Arden Hills presents one of the largest birthday deals: a $25 credit towards dinner at the steakhouse, received via a postcard in the mail after signing up online. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, several pubs and restaurants offer monetary credits. Joining the Pub Club at The Local Minneapolis, The Local West End, or Kieran’s Irish Pub yields a $10 credit upon registration and a $15 credit on the birthday. The Freehouse, part of the Blue Plate Rewards system shared with Groveland Tap, provides a $10 credit on the birthday, with the note that only one credit is issued between the two restaurants.
Other local dining options include Nadia Cakes, where signing up for the mailing list earns a coupon for a free cupcake at Maple Grove or Woodbury locations. Red’s Savoy Pizza members of the Thank You Rewards program receive a $15 bonus on their birthday. Park Tavern’s e-Club offers a freebie, typically a drink or dessert, at its St. Louis Park location. Skinner’s Pub in Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, and St. Paul provides a free entrée for birthday celebrants. Crooked Pint Ale House in Apple Valley, Chaska, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Savage gives a free Juicy Lucy of choice upon signing up for the Crooked Rewards program. Green Mill’s rewards program offers a certificate for a small one-topping deep-dish pizza.
National Chain Offers
National chains with locations in the Twin Cities also provide birthday benefits. Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards members get free wings on their birthday, typically a 6-wing order. Denny’s Rewards members receive a free Grand Slam breakfast on their birthday. Firehouse Subs’ Firehouse Rewards program offers a free medium sub for those who join on or before their birthday; parents can also register kids for this promotion. Jersey Mike’s myMikes rewards program provides a free birthday sub and drink, but the member must be part of the Email Club at least 24 hours before the birthday to receive the coupon. The coupon is valid for one year.
Nothing Bundt Cakes eClub members receive a birthday offer. Caribou Coffee Perks points members get a free drink on their “bou” day. Chipotle Rewards members have been offered free beverages for their half birthdays. Houlihan’s email club members at Eagan and Chanhassen locations receive $10 upon sign-up and a free entrée on their birthday.
Retail and Shopping Rewards
Beyond dining, various retailers in the area offer birthday discounts, credits, or free items.
Home, Hobbies, and Specialty Goods
IKEA Bloomington’s IKEA Family program provides two “surprises” on a birthday, valid for the month, which include $10 to IKEA and a free dinner item at the IKEA restaurant. The LEGO Store at the Mall of America offers a free, custom build-your-own minifigure on the birthday. Build-A-Bear Workshop gives a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase. Legacy Toys provides a $5 credit and allows kids to pick a free toy from their in-store birthday box. Yankee Candle sends members a coupon for a free gift. At Home gives its members a 15% off coupon.
General Shopping and Thrift Stores
Target Circle members receive a 5% discount on a single purchase. For thrifters, Arc’s Value Village offers a 20% off coupon for a purchase of up to $50. Additionally, Arc’s Value Village adds $5 to a Village Rewards account when a member shops in-store within 30 days of their birthday.
Beauty and Personal Care
Ulta Beauty’s Ultamate Rewards members get a free gift during their birthday month and double points on all purchases. Bath & Body Works rewards members can choose a free item (up to a $9.95 value) with any purchase during their birthday month.
Unique Experiences and Entertainment
Some of the most memorable birthday freebies in the Twin Cities are experiential, offering entertainment and activities at no cost.
Comedy and Music Venues
ACME Comedy Company in Minneapolis allows you and three guests to attend a free show during your birthday month. Tickets must be reserved online for Wednesday/Thursday 8 PM or Friday/Saturday 10:30 PM shows. Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret in Chanhassen offers a free dinner and show ticket to the birthday person during their birthday month.
First Avenue and its associated venues (7th St Entry, Turf Club, Fine Line) provide arguably the best deal: free admission for you and a guest to any show on your actual birthday, including sold-out shows, plus a voucher for a free bottle of champagne. This offer does not apply to shows at the Palace Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theater, or Surly Brewing Festival Field.
Family and Activity Centers
The Crayola Experience at Mall of America offers free admission within seven days of your birthday. A valid ID or birth certificate is required for presentation. Broadway Pizza’s Kids Birthday Club, for children 10 and under, sends a postcard during the birthday month for a free pizza, ice cream sundae, and a birthday gift.
Gaming and Casinos
Grand Casino, through its Grand Rewards program, offers birthday benefits at its Mille Lacs and Hinckley locations. These can include food discounts, sweet treats, birthday match points, and Grand Play Mystery Swipes (ranging from $5 to $125 based on rewards tier). Hinckley also offers Spin to Win specials and tier-based rewards.
The Strategist's Guide to Maximizing Your Birthday Haul
To successfully collect these freebies, advance planning is essential. The key is preparation, often requiring sign-ups 30 days or more before the birthday. Consumers should create a dedicated email address for loyalty programs to manage communications and avoid inbox clutter. It is also advisable to read the fine print for each offer regarding age restrictions, purchase requirements, and redemption deadlines. Some offers, like those from Broadway Pizza for kids, are specifically for younger age groups, while others, like Grizzly’s, require participants to be 21 or older.
Conclusion
The Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area is rich with birthday freebies spanning dining, retail, beauty, and entertainment. By proactively joining rewards programs and email clubs, consumers can access a wide array of complimentary offers. The most valuable deals often come from local restaurants and unique venues like comedy clubs and concert halls. Success hinges on early registration and careful attention to each program’s specific terms and conditions. Consumers are encouraged to verify all details directly with the participating business, as offers and eligibility criteria are subject to change.