Lifestyle

Best Birthday Freebies in Los Angeles

January 21, 2014 by Brian Champlin

Let’s start with an awful truth: getting older sucks. But if there is a silver lining to the increased stresses and fine lines that come with age, it’s that every year you can count on getting some awesome free stuff on the anniversary of your birth (unless you have no friends, which, well, then it’s just horribly depressing. No offense loners).

Given that birthday freebies are one of the few solaces of the aging process, we thought it useful to put together a small compilation of some of the best free birthday offers in the City of Los Angeles, with a focus on smaller/regional chains. It might not make getting older that much better, but at least it will inject some no-cost fun/food into your life.

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Check our list below!

Happy Birthday Cake

Credit: Will Clayton via flickr

Free Entre at Veggie Grill

See website for locations.

One of the highest rated vegan / vegetarian chains in the city, if you’re into the healthy fare. Generally 4 stars+ across the board at their locations. To redeem, just fill out a comment card to join their mailing list and they’ll send you a coupon for a free birthday meal. Given the quality and specialty nature of the food, this is one of the best deals in the city. Period.

Free Pizza at Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria

7353 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046 Neighborhood: Hollywood (323) 851-8111

Pizza is awesome. Period. Always. Free birthday pizza? Even better. Let the folks at Big Mama’s know it’s your birthday and they’ll pony up a free pie.

Free Entre at Truxton’s American Bistro

Two locations:

8611 Truxton Avenue Los Angeles, California 90045 Phone: (310) 417 – 8789 Fax: (310) 417 – 3430

AND

1329 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica, California 90404 Phone: (310) 393 – 8789 Fax: (310) 393 – 6630

Get a free entree with valued up to $20, plus a free dessert of your choosing when you sign up for their online mailing list. Four stars on Yelp over hundreds of reviews. Parking and wait times can be a hassle but sandwiches are totally bomb.

Free Birthday Cupcake at SusieCakes

See website for locations.

Even if you don’t have any friends and no one wants to get you a cake, at least you can sign up for their mailing list and get a free birthday cupcake every year.

Free Boot of Beer at Wirtshaus

345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90036 (323) 931-9291

For the beer enthusiasts, find check out this Yelp rated four star German restaurant near Beverly and La Brea. Bring a group of 10 or more during your birthday month, then you will receive a 2 liter boot filled with beer! And please don’t hold us responsible if you’re not able to finish.

Free Birthday Ride on the Catalina Express

The process is simple.
– You pre-register online and you will receive an email confirmation from which you will download and print your birthday pass.
– Then make a reservation online or call 800-995-4386 and give them your birthday promotion code from your free pass.
– Bring your free pass and valid photo ID.
– Relax and enjoy the ride.

Birthday Coupon at Le Petit Beaujolais

1661 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 255-5133

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Yelp rated four star French Cafe in Eagle Rock. If you visit on your birthday, as verified by your driver’s license, you get a $10 gift certificate to use at a future meal. Boom.

Free Entree at Hennessey’s

See website for locations.

During the week of your birthday, show up with your ID and you get a free dinner entree. Deal valid on Thursday Nights from 5PM. L.A. County locations are in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach.

General Tips for Getting Free Birthday Stuff

Tip number one, always ask! You’ll always be surprised how willing people will be to hand over free stuff when they find out it’s your cake day.

Tip number two, always check that deals are still valid before you go to business to redeem birthday freebie in question. Go to website, make a phone call, do your due diligence. It seems like common sense, but I’m always surprised by the whiney entitlement of people who complain about inquiring about birthday freebies at a restaurant only to find the offer is no longer valid. To paraphrase Louis C.K., how quickly must you feel the world owes you something that you found out existed only 10 seconds ago. Don’t be that guy.

Tip number three… have fun! It’s your birthday, afterall, so you shouldn’t have to work at it to find free stuff. If all else fails, make your friends do it for you. That is, if you have any (see sarcastic reference at beginning of this article).

Additional Information:

There are many, many corporate chains that offer year-round birthday freebies for you to take advantage of, with most requiring some sort of email registration in order to redeem the freebie. LifeHacker did a great job compiling a massive list of these, which I have  compiled here.

Follow the link to the LifeHacker article to sign-up for any of these offers below:

American Eagle Outfitters 15% off coupon
Applebee’s Free dessert
Arby’s Free milkshake (with purchase)
Aveda Free gift
Baskin Robbins Free ice cream
Ben & Jerry’s Free ice cream
Benihana $30 gift certificate
Boston Market Free dessert with meal
Buca di Beppo Free brownie
Buffalo Wild Wings Free dessert
Caribou Coffee Free drink
Chili’s Free brownie sundae
Cinnabon Free gift
Cold Stone Creamery Buy one creation, get one free
Columbia Sportswear 20% off coupon
Cracker Barrel Free dessert
CVS $3 in CVS ExtraBucks
Dairy Queen Buy one Blizzard, get one free
Del Taco Free Premium shake
Denny’s Free Grand Slam breakfast
DSW $5 gift certificate
Dippin’ Dots Free Dippin’ Dots
Dunkin’ Donuts Free medium drink
Einstein Bros Bagels Free bagel
Famous Footwear Free gift
Friendly’s Free sundae
Fuddrucker’s Free burger (with purchase)
IHOP Free meal
Jamba Juice Free juice or smoothie
Jason’s Deli $5 coupon
Joe’s Crab Shack Free appetizer
Krispy Kreme Free donut
Macaroni Grill Slice of cake
Maggie Moo’s Free ice cream
Marble Slab Creamery Free ice cream
Orange Julius Drink coupon
Panera Bread Free gift loaded on to your loyalty card
Pinkberry Free yogurt
Red Lobster Free gift
Red Robin Free burger
Sephora Free gift
Smashbox Free cosmetics gift set.
Sonic Free creamslush, tater tots, or drink
Starbucks Free drink or food plus a 15% off coupon for StarbucksStore.com
Steak ‘n Shake Free Double Steakburger
Taco Cabana Free flauta plate
TCBY Free yogurt
T.G.I. Friday’s Free dessert
Tony Roma’s Free entree
ULTA Free gift
Wendy’s $1 off a combo
World Market 10% off coupon

For some other options, check out this L.A. Times article with over 100 additional ideas for freebies/coupons you can get on your birthday for Los Angeles areas businesses.

If you have any Los Angeles birthday freebie tips to contribute, let us know in the comments below!

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