In the Minneapolis area, a variety of businesses offer complimentary items and experiences to customers celebrating their birthdays. These promotions range from free food and drinks to discounted services and retail credits. To access these benefits, consumers typically need to join loyalty programmes, email clubs, or rewards schemes, often well in advance of their birthday. The availability, specific terms, and required sign-up periods for these offers can vary significantly between different businesses.
Dining and Restaurant Freebies
Numerous restaurants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region provide complimentary food and drink items for birthdays. The type of offer and the method of redemption differ by establishment.
Chain Restaurants
Several national chains with locations in the area have birthday promotions for their rewards programme members: - Denny’s Rewards members can receive a free Grand Slam Breakfast on their birthday. - Buffalo Wild Wings rewards members are eligible for free wings (typically a 6-wing order) on their birthday. - Firehouse Subs offers a free medium sub to members of the Firehouse Rewards programme who join on or before their birthday. This promotion is also available for children registered online by parents. - Jersey Mike’s myMikes rewards programme provides a free birthday sub and drink. To receive the coupon, individuals must be members of the Email Club at least 24 hours before their birthday. - Chipotle has been known to offer free beverages to Chipotle Rewards members on their half birthdays.
Local and Regional Eateries
Local restaurants often provide substantial credits or unique dining experiences: - Acapulco Restaurante Mexicano offers a free entrée to members of its Xperience Rewards loyalty programme. This is available at locations in Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake, Maplewood, New Brighton, Ramsey, Stillwater, and Woodbury. - Houlihan’s (Eagan and Chanhassen locations) provides a $10 sign-up bonus and a free entrée on your birthday for email club members. - Broadway Pizza has a special club for children. Kids aged 10 and under who join the Broadway Pizza Kids Birthday Club receive a postcard during their birthday month for a free pizza, ice cream sundae, and a birthday gift. This deal is available at Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, and St. Paul locations. - Crooked Pint Ale House offers a free Juicy Lucy of your choice upon signing up for the Crooked Rewards programme. Metro locations include Apple Valley, Chaska, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Savage. - Green Mill rewards programme members receive a certificate for a small one-topping deep-dish pizza. - Groveland Tap members of Blue Plate Rewards get a $10 credit on their birthday. - The Capital Grille in Minneapolis provides a free chocolate espresso cake for celebrations. - Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul offers a free 5-inch birthday cake. - Skinner’s Pub in St. Paul provides 4 hours of free beer, a t-shirt, and an appetizer, but requires the birthday person to bring three friends who are purchasing drinks. - Hogan Brothers in Northfield offers a free half hoagie and fountain drink, valid only on the birthday itself.
Coffee and Bakeries
- Caribou Coffee gives a free drink on your “bou” day (birthday) when you sign up for perks points.
- Nothing Bundt Cakes offers a free gift to members of its free eClub, available at its Blaine, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, and St. Paul locations.
- Breadsmith provides a free loaf of English muffin bread for birthdays.
Retail and Shopping Credits
Various retail stores offer discounts, credits, or free gifts to loyalty programme members during their birthday month. - IKEA Bloomington IKEA Family programme members receive two “surprises” on their birthday, valid for the month: a $10 credit and a free dinner item at the IKEA restaurant. - Arc’s Value Village adds $5 to a Village Rewards account when members shop in-store within 30 days of their birthday. Alternatively, Arc’s Value Village offers a 20% off coupon for a purchase of up to $50. - GODIVA Chocolates chocolate rewards club members receive a free offer, which changes from month to month. - Target gives Target Circle members a 5% discount on a single purchase. - At Home provides its members with a 15% off coupon. - Yankee Candle sends its members a coupon for a free gift. - Bath & Body Works allows rewards members to choose a free item (up to a $9.95 value) with any purchase. - Ulta Beauty rewards members receive double points on all purchases during their birthday month. - Legacy Toys provides a $5 credit and allows children to pick a free toy from an in-store birthday box. - Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a coupon for $10 off a £30 purchase.
Experiences and Entertainment
Some local venues provide unique experiences as birthday gifts. - First Avenue & Associated Venues (including 7th St Entry, Turf Club, and Fine Line) offer arguably one of the best birthday deals in the Twin Cities. On the actual birthday, the individual and a guest get free admission to any show, even sold-out ones, plus a voucher for a free bottle of champagne. A valid ID is required. This offer does not apply to shows at the Palace Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theater, or Surly Brewing Festival Field. - ACME Comedy Company in Minneapolis gives the birthday person and three guests free tickets to a show during their birthday month. Requests must be submitted online by 3:00 pm the day before the desired show. - Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret in Chanhassen offers a free dinner and show ticket to the birthday person during their birthday month. - Crayola Experience at Mall of America provides free admission within seven days of the birthday. A valid ID or birth certificate must be presented. - Paradise Car Wash offers a free car wash at its eight Minnesota locations during the week of the birthday, requiring ID.
Gaming and Casinos
Casino birthday offers can include various rewards: - Grand Casino (Mille Lacs and Hinckley) birthday offers for Grand Rewards members include food discounts, sweet treats, birthday match points, and Grand Play Mystery Swipes (ranging from $5 to $125 based on rewards tier) at Mille Lacs, and Spin to Win specials and tier-based rewards at Hinckley.
Specialised Offers
- Uptown Dermatology & SkinSpa in Minneapolis provides a unique special: a discount on Botox equivalent to $1 off for every year of the individual’s age.
Strategies for Maximising Birthday Freebies
To successfully claim these offers, preparation and understanding of the terms are essential. Many programmes require advance registration, sometimes up to 30 days before the birthday. It is critical to distinguish between offers valid on the exact birthday versus those valid for the entire birthday month. Always verify the current terms directly with the company, as promotions can change.
Key Considerations for UK Consumers
While the provided data specifically references locations in Minneapolis and the surrounding area, the principles for accessing birthday freebies are universal. For consumers in the UK, similar programmes exist, often requiring membership in a brand’s loyalty scheme or email club. The key is to research local UK-based businesses, sign up for relevant programmes in advance, and carefully review the terms and conditions regarding eligibility, redemption dates, and proof of identity.
Conclusion
Minneapolis offers a diverse array of birthday freebies, from complimentary meals and drinks at restaurants to retail credits and unique entertainment experiences. Accessing these benefits generally requires joining specific loyalty programmes, email clubs, or rewards schemes, often with a sign-up deadline before the birthday. The specific offers, their value, and redemption rules vary widely between businesses. Consumers interested in maximising their birthday haul should research participating venues, join programmes well in advance, and always confirm the current terms directly with the brand.