So I heard you’re looking for a birthday deal?
If there’s one day a year to be showered in free things, it’s the day of your birth. So for those of you lucky enough to celebrate your special day in the Great City of Houston, I scoured the internet for the best and the biggest birthday deals to get the party started.
Now go forth and get those free gifts… and a very Happy Birthday to you!
34 Birthday Freebies in Houston
1. Alamo Drafthouse: Free movie ticket
Movies and Birthdays go together like popcorn and butter. Sign up for their Victory Rewards Program and you’ll get a free movie ticket for your special day! As a rewards member, you’ll also get perks like discounted tickets, and food & beverage offers, as well as invitations to sneak previews of new releases, exclusive screenings, free movies, and more. Sounds like a win-win to me!
2. Anthropologie: Birthday reward
Looking for a new birthday ‘fit? Join Anthro Rewards for a special reward on your birthday (hello, discounts), plus other perks like free shipping, and exclusive promos.
3. Au Bon Pain: Free hot or cold beverage AND bakery item
Birthday breakfast = covered. Join their newsletter to get this double freebie (and a free travel mug when you sign up).
4. Auntie Anne’s: Free pretzel
I don’t know about you, but I’m always in the mood for a warm, buttery soft pretzel. Download the Pretzel Perks app for a free one on your birthday!
5. Benihana: $30 gift card
Join the Chef’s Table Rewards to receive a $30 gift certificate for everyone’s favorite interactive dinner experience. (Certificates can only be redeemed during dinner hours, Monday through Thursday after an initial $30 purchase… a perfect excuse to get some friends together for a midweek hibachi break!)
6. Buca di Beppo: Free birthday gift
Birthdays are the perfect time to splurge, and what better way to splurge than with a family-sized bowl of cheesy, saucy pasta? Join the eClub and receive a $10 gift… not to mention a free gift for your birthday.
7. Chipotle: Free chips and guac, queso blanco, or salsa.
Yes, we know guac is extra… but not on your birthday! Join Chipotle Rewards and get free chips and dip on your birthday AND after your first purchase as a member.
8. Coldstone Creamery: BOGO Coldstone Creation
If you’re feeling generous on your birthday, grab a friend and head to Coldstone and buy one of their signature Coldstone Creations to get one free! Join the My Coldstone Club Rewards to receive your reward.
9. Dave & Buster’s: Receive $5 game play credit
Dave & Buster’s doesn’t play games when it comes to their rewards club—er, then again maybe they do. Receive $10 when you join their online fan club and another $5 on your birthday.
10. Dessert Gallery: Free slice of cake
As the only single-location restaurant on this list, this sweet shop is going above and beyond to let its customers know they’re appreciated. Members of the news list will receive a little slice of made-from-scratch bakery magic on their birthdays.
11. Dickey’s Barbeque Pit: Free Big Barbecue Sandwich
Dickey’s is joining in the birthday celebration by offering up a free Big Barbeque Sandwich when you join the Big Yellow Cup Rewards program.
12. DSW Shoes: $5 off, plus extra coupons
DSW VIP members receive amazing coupons and deals on shoes year-round, not to mention the $5 gift and extra goodies they send you for your special day.
13. First Watch: BOGO entree
The only thing better than brunch is a free brunch (more cash to spend on mimosas, if you ask me). If you join the First Watch Sun eClub via email, they’ll send you a coupon for buy one get one free brunch entrees for your special day.
14. Fuzzy’s: Free dessert
Download the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Rewards app to earn points and free food with every purchase. They’ll even send you a sweet treat on your birthday!
15. Gamestop: Birthday gift
Gamers probably figured this one out a long time ago, but the Gamestop PowerUp Rewards Program is a must for earning rewards on all your favorite programs. Sign up for either of their rewards programs and you’ll get a free birthday gift.
16. Hard Rock Cafe: Free entree
For those of us living the dream and traveling on our birthdays, hit up the Hard Rock Cafe located at IAH airport, Terminal B to be exact. The Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty program has amazing rewards at participating locations (including the Houston airport outpost).
17. IKEA: Free restaurant meal and $15 store gift certificate
If you, like me, are obsessed with home decor and would happily spend your birthday wandering about the food & furniture Mecca, IKEA just sweetened the deal. Join the IKEA Family for a free meal at their world-famous food hall and a sweet coupon for store discounts (kitchen section, here I come!).
18. Jason’s Deli: $5 gift card
Fun fact: The Original Jason’s Deli is located right outside of Houston in Beaumont, TX. Whether you venture out to Jason’s first or hit up one of their other 27 Houston-area locations, this is a perfect place to spend your $5 reward. Sign up for Deli Dollars Rewards to receive your gift.
19. Kolache Factory: Free kolache
If kolaches make you as happy as they make me, you should certainly kick off the happiest day of the year with a hot, savory pastry. Join the Kolache Factory eClub via email or the Kolache Factory Loyalty Program via text to receive your free birthday kolache.
20. Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut
While you’re on your birthday breakfast kick, you might as well add a hot, fresh donut to the mix. You’ll get a free donut for signing up for Krispy Kreme rewards, and again any time during your birthday month!
21. Landry’s (The Downtown Aquarium, Brenner’s Steakhouse, Bloom & Bee, Grotto, Kemah Boardwalk, Pleasure Pier, and more!): $25 birthday reward
If you take advantage of one birthday deal, make it this one. Joining Landry’s Select Club will get you a $25 birthday reward that is valid your entire birthday month at any Landry’s Inc. restaurant. Head to the website for a complete list of locations.
22. Nothing Bundt Cakes: Free Bundlet mini bundt cake
It’s your birthday! You can have your (free) bundt cake and eat it too! Join the eClub for a free mini bundt cake.
23. Panera Bread: Free birthday pastry
The My Panera app offers tons of perks (like a tasty welcome reward) and a surprise on your birthday. Sweet, right?
24. Papas Restaurants (Papadeaux, Papasitos, Papas, and more!): Free birthday surprise
All you have to do to earn birthday rewards from these prestigious restaurant group is to sign up for promotional offers from your favorite Papas restaurant. And let me tell you… Pappasitos tortillas are some of the best around. Pass the fajitas, please!
25. Petco: Free bag of treats for your pet’s birthday
Your furry friend deserves a birthday treat too! Petco Pals Rewards will give your pet a free bag of treats to celebrate their birthday (or their Gotcha Day, if you’re into that).
26. Redbox: $2 or more off your rental
Do you love the nostalgia of a classic DVD? When you make a Redbox account, the more you rent, the more rewards you receive on your birthday. Not so obsolete now, are they?
27. Schlotzsky’s: Free sandwich
Schlotzsky’s is all about customer appreciation. I once camped out on Guest Appreciation Day and earned free sandwiches for a year—it’s a thing! Download the Schlotzsky’s app and earn points for free food and a special reward on your birthday.
28. Sephora: Free birthday gift
For fans of beauty, Sephora has one of the best rewards programs out there. Not only do you get a choice of a birthday gift, but the options also change each year and include prestigious brands like Tatcha, Laura Mercier, and Charlotte Tilbury.
29. Smashburger: Birthday freebie
Join the SmashClub for a free birthday side, burger, or combo depending on how often you dine. And really, who doesn’t love a free burger?
30. Taco Bell: Free Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze
The Taco bell Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze has a cult following for a reason, so if you haven’t tried it yet, here’s your chance! Download the app for a free one on your birthday and tons of other freebies year-round. Free tacos, anyone?
31. Texas Roadhouse: Free birthday appetizer or sidekick of ribs
Special occasions call for a steak dinner, and a steak dinner in Texas means rounding up your friends for a trip to Texas Roadhouse. Join the VIP Club for a free birthday appetizer or sidekick of ribs. My vote is the Cactus Blossom, in case you were wondering.
32. Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Free smoothie
If you’re feeling a bit fruity on your birthday, join the Tropical Rewards program and head to Tropical Smoothie Cafe where a free smoothie is just an app away (their words, not mine).
33. Whataburger: Free Whataburger
We couldn’t have a Texas freebies list without including Whataburger in the mix! Download the MyWhataburger app to receive a freebie when you join and again on your birthday. Yeehaw!
34. Zoe’s Kitchen: Free slice of YaYa’s Cake.
Zoe’s Kitchen is rolling out the red carpet with their ZK Rewards Program where you can earn stripes that are redeemable for Amazon gift cards (!!) and other ZK freebies—like a slice of YaYa’s cake on your birthday.
Oh, and Happy Birthday!