Birthday freebies: Forty-plus things you can get free on your birthday

You say it’s your birthday? How about commemorating the occasion with a complimentary meal, coffee, cocktail or heaping plate of sushi or chicken wings?

Family and friends aren’t the only ones ready to spoil you on your special day. Businesses in the Capital Region and across the country are eager to lavish you with deals and free offers.

Below are more than 40 things you can nosh on, sip and savor for free, simply for being born. Many of these complimentary deals were curtailed because of COVID. It’s not a bad idea to call ahead and be sure the gratuitous gift is currently available. Be sure to visit the Shopportunist online - timesunion.com/shopportunist - to see a full list of birthday freebies and deals. 

Local restaurants:

The Barnsider, 480 Sand Creek Road, Colonie: Receive 50 percent off a birthday entree with the purchase of another entree of equal or lesser value. 

Bentley's Tavern, 4 Hemphill Place, Malta: Receive one wing for each birthday you've celebrated. Good only on your birthday. 

Bomber's Burrito Bar, multiple locations: You'll get a 64-ounce margarita on your birthday when your party spends $20. 

Bootlegger's on Broadway, 200 Broadway, Troy: Join the email club and get a coupon for a complimentary appetizer or other free treat. 

Casey's Restaurant, 77 Washington Ave., Rensselaer: Receive either a free lunch or dinner on your birthday (maximum discount is $20). 

The Century House, 997 Loudon Road, Latham: Sign up for Century Club Rewards and get a $15 reward coupon emailed to you to be redeemed during your birthday month.

DZ Family Restaurants (Boca Bistro, Forno Bistro, Chianti Il Ristorante in Saratoga Springs): Join their preferred guest program and get a $20 gift certificate that can be used on your birthday at any one of their restaurants.

The End Zone Sports Pub, 227 Park Ave, Mechanicville: Get a free drink on your birthday. 

Hill Street Cafe, 180 Madison Ave., Albany: Get a free jumbo liter of beer on your birthday. 

The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, 79 N. Pearl St., Albany. Enjoy a complimentary 32-ounce Mason jar filled with a mixed drink. 

Katie O'Byrne's, Erie Boulevard, Schenectady: Indulge in a free fishbowl of rum punch on your birthday. 

Nostalgia Ale House, 113 Route 9P, Malta: Grab a complimentary drink of your choice on the house during your birthday month. 

The Olde English Pub & Pantry, 683 Broadway, Albany: Receive a giant teacup of beer. 

Peabody's Sports Bar & Grill, 39 Phila St., Saratoga: Get 10 wings for free on your birthday. 

Peddler's Bar & Bistro, 16 Old Route 9, Clifton Park: Enjoy a complimentary entree, up to $15 value, the day before, day of, or day after your birthday. 

Rusty Nail, 1781 Route 9, Clifton Park: Receive one wing for each birthday you've celebrated. Good only on your birthday. 

Wasabi, 63 Putnam St., Saratoga Springs (Colonie location opening soon): Enjoy a free all-you-can-eat sushi entree on your birthday. 

Wolff's Biergarten, 895 Broadway, Albany: Enjoy a free Das Boot (2-liter beer) on your birthday. You'll need to show ID and place a $40 deposit on the boot. 

Chain and regional restaurants:

Applebee's: Sign up for their email updates and get a free treat on your birthday. The deal varies year-to-year, but expect a free entree or dollar-off coupon. 

Auntie Anne's: Sign up for Pretzel Perks and get a BOGO free pretzel coupon around your birthday. 

Ben & Jerry's: Become a "Chunk Spelunker" and receive a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.

BJ’s Brewhouse: Sign up for Premier Rewards Plus and get a free Pizookie (a warm cookie with ice cream) on your birthday. 

Buca di Beppo: Register for their eClub updates and receive $10 just for signing up, plus a free Colossal Brownie Sundae on your birthday. 

Bruegger's Bagels: Join the eClub and receive "a little something" on your birthday. 

Carraba's Italian Grill: Join the Amici Club, and receive a special offer on your birthday, likely an appetizer or dessert. 

Chili's: Join their email club and instantly get free Queso & Chips, plus get a free dessert on your birthday. 

Cold Stone Creamery: Join their club and get a coupon for free ice cream on your birthday.

Dairy Queen: Join the Blizzard Fan Club and get a BOGO free treat on your birthday.

Denny's: Join their rewards club and receive a free Grand Slam on your birthday. 

Dunkin' Donuts: Sign up for the DD Perks Rewards Program and receive a free drink for your birthday. 

Great American Cookies: Sign up for Cookie Club and receive a $3 coupon and a surprise for your birthday. 

IHOP: Join the IHOP Birthday Club and a coupon for a free full stack of pancakes with any topping. 

Jersey Mike's: Sign up online to get a coupon for a free sub and drink. 

Johnny Rockets: Join the Rocket E-Club and receive a free hamburger on your birthday. 

Longhorn Steakhouse: Sign up for Longhorn Rewards and receive a free dessert on your birthday plus 100 bonus points. 

Menchie's: Join the mySmileage rewards program and get a $5 credit to use toward a frozen yogurt on your birthday. 

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Join Moe's Rewards and receive a coupon for a free cup of Moe's Famous Queso, plus a free burrito coupon each year.

Panera: Sign up for MyPanera Rewards and receive a coupon for a free sweet treat.

Red Lobster: Join their rewards club and get a free gift on your birthday. 

Red Robin: Join the Red Robin Royalty club and get a free burger for your birthday. 

Smashburger: Sign up for the online newsletter and get a birthday coupon for a free shake, burger or meal. 

Starbucks: Join Starbucks Rewards and you will receive an in-app coupon good for one complimentary handcrafted beverage, complimentary food item or ready-to-drink bottled beverage. 

TCBY: Register online to receive a coupon for a free frozen yogurt on your birthday. 

Texas de Brazil: Sign up and just for joining you will receive $20 off the purchase of two regular dinners combined. Also receive deals near birthdays, anniversaries and throughout the year. 

Texas Roadhouse: Get a free appetizer when you sign up for their e-newsletter.

Which Wich: Subscribe to the Vibe Club and get a coupon for a free sandwich on your birthday.