This post is all about birthday freebies in NYC.
Who doesn’t love a birthday freebie? Having lived in New York for several years, I’ve been compiling a list of all of my favorite spots to hit on my birthday (or during my birthday month).
Although I’m not at the point of using a spreadsheet, it has become a sort of game to hit as many spots as possible…
I’m not about gatekeeping here, so today, I’m sharing my ultimate list of birthday freebies in NYC and all of the fine print for claiming your gift. Let’s dive in!
Coffee
Cafe Kitsune
This Japanese cafe in the West Village is a prime spot for people-watching. And they’re treating you to a coffee on your birthday!
Offer: Free coffee, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday and 30 days after
Starbucks
We might be New Yorkers, but we’re not above the birthday Starbucks. Treat yourself to the trending drink with all the wild pumps and swirls.
Offer: Free drink, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
Food & Drinks
Liberty Bagels
Start your birthday the New York way – with a bagel! Liberty Bagels offers their famous rainbow bagel with birthday cream cheese for free on your birthday.
Offer: Free rainbow bagel
Valid: On your birthday
Benihana
Who doesn’t love hibachi? Get your birthday dinner covered at Benihana with a $30 gift certificate sent to anybody signed up for their free email club.
Offer: $30 gift certificate, sign-up required
Valid: Entire month of your birthday, for dinner on Monday through Thursday
AweSum DimSum
Stop at the charming AweSum DimSum cafe to enjoy a peach bun on your birthday.
Offer: Free peach bun
Valid: On your birthday
Mamoun’s
Mamoun’s falafels always hit the spot and you get a free sandwich on your special day!
Offer: Free sandwich, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
The Dead Poet
The Dead Poet bar on the Upper West Side is dedicated to celebrating famous poets and writers. So much so that if you share a birthday with a dead poet on their list, you get a free drink! If you share a birthday with somebody who isn’t on the list, you can take a stab at making the case to the bartenders 😉
Offer: Free birthday drink
Valid: On your birthday
Juice Generation
I love the reset that a fresh juice or smoothie gives me. Grab one at Juice Generation anytime during your birthday month.
Offer: Free juice or smoothie, sign-up required and $10 purchase within the past 90 days
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Sweets
Junior’s Cheesecake
New Yorkers go crazy for Junior’s Cheesecake! Get a slice of this legendary dessert on the house for your birthday.
Offer: Free slice of cheesecake with purchase of lunch or dinner, sign-up required
Valid: Within 7 days before or after your birthday
IKEA
Board the IKEA ferry to claim a free ice cream.
Offer: Free ice cream cone, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Krispy Kreme
I love to stop by the Krispy Kreme window in Times Square to grab a donut or two. For your birthday, they’re treating you to a box of 3!
Offer: Free box of 3 donuts, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Ole & Steen
Your birthday cake is taken care of thanks to Ole & Steen, a popular Danish bakery that’s offering a small cake as a freebie.
Offer: Free small cake, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
Edible Arrangements
Treat yourself to a bouquet of chocolate-dipped fruits as Edible Arrangements’ birthday freebie.
Offer: Free chocolate-dipped fruits, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
Sprinkles Cupcakes
If you’re signed up for Sprinkles Perks, you get a free cupcake on your birthday.
Offer: Free cupcake of your choice, sign-up required
Valid: Sent the Wednesday before your birthday and you have 30 days to redeem
Pinkberry
Pile on those toppings because your birthday froyo is on the house!
Offer: Free small cup of frozen yogurt, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
Crumbl
Crubml Cookies are certainly a decadent treat, but what better day to indulge than on your birthday? Check out their website or app for the flavors of the week.
Offer: Free cookie, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Beauty & Wellness
Sephora
Become a Sephora Beauty Insider to get a birthday freebie. I love that the options are for popular brands, and the products range from makeup to skincare to hair care.
Offer: Free beauty product, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Ulta
Head to Ulta for another beauty product sample. I usually prefer the options at Sephora but the Ulta gifts tend to be larger sizes.
Offer: Free beauty product, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
QC Spa
QC Spa is treating you to a birthday spa day! This relaxing spa on Governor’s Island is just a quick ferry ride from Manhattan but still close enough to enjoy the beautiful skyline from the rooftop pool. Visit with a paying friend during your birthday month, and you’ll get free entry to the spa.
Offer: Free admission for one out of two guests
Valid: Any time during your birthday month, Monday through Friday
Shopping
Madewell
This is definitely a favorite birthday freebie! Madewell generously offers a $25 credit that can be used in stores or online. Put it toward a pair of jeans or a gorgeous leather bag, or check out their socks and accessories, which are always a win.
Offer: $25 off any purchase, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
Hudson Yards
Download the Hudson Yards app (HY+ Rewards) and you’ll get a $10 gift card as a birthday gift.
Offer: $10 gift card, sign-up required
Valid: On your birthday
Entertainment
AMC
Join AMC’s Stubs program and get free popcorn on your birthday.
Offer: Free popcorn, sign-up required
Valid: Any time during your birthday month
And that wraps up 20+ birthday freebies in NYC.
I hope you’re able to hit all of these spots and take advantage of the fun offers before, on, and after your birthday 😉