Birthday deals and freebies around Columbus

If you like to celebrate your birthday all week (or all month), we’ve gathered up a huge list of local birthday freebies and deals for free meals, beauty items, clothing discounts, and more.

Celebrate your birthday with some special treats this year! 

Some of my favorites are Jeni’s Ice Cream, Starbucks, Red Robin, Panera, and Sephora – but there are dozens and dozens more!

Most require sign up for an email or text club, or registering in an app. You may need to sign up a month or more before your birthday in order to get in the system to receive the birthday deals.

Most will also send you a coupon for a freebie or discount on the day you sign up for the emails, as well as throughout the year and for an anniversary.

You may want to sign up for only a few at a time to space out your welcome email freebies before they expire.

Even if you forget to sign up for the email clubs, it never hurts to ask if they have any special offers if you are dining out on your actual birthday. Most places will happily bring out a dessert for you to enjoy.

If you don’t want your email inbox flooded with emails throughout the year, you can want to create a separate email address for these signups, or have them sent directly to a subfolder.

Kids Only Birthday Freebies

Barnes and Noble

Join the Kids Club and kids 12 and under will get an offer for a free cupcake or cookie on their birthday at Barnes and Noble. You’ll also get 30% off list price on any one kids’ book or toy for your children upon signup.

Benihana (Polaris)

Kids 12 and under can join the Kabuki Kids program for a special email certificate for their birthday to redeem for a free souvenir mug at Benihana with the purchase of a Kabuki Kids meal.

Build-a-Bear

Build-A-Bear Bonus Club members can take advantage of the year-long Count Your Candles birthday program, where kids 14 and under can “pay their age” for the new Birthday Treat Bear at Build-a-Bear during their birthday month, plus special birthday celeBEARation extras.

California Pizza Kitchen

Kids under 10 will receive a free CPKids Meal from California Pizza Kitchen when you sign them up for CPKids.

Chuck E. Cheese

Get 500 free e-tickets when you get the app and sign up. They’ll also get birthday and 1/2 birthday rewards at Chuck E. Cheese.

Dessert and Coffee Shops Birthday Freebies

Baskin Robins

Free scoop of ice cream on your birthday with the Baskin Robbins Birthday Club. Add up to 5 members to your birthday club account.

Cinnabon

Free 16 oz cold brew on your birthday at Cinnabon.

Coldstone Creamery

Buy one, get one free Cold Stone signature creation loaded to your account 7 days before your birthday.

Dairy Queen

$3 off a blizzard cake, or buy one, get one free blizzard on your birthday

Dippin’ Dots 

Free cup of Dippin’ Dots for your birthday

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Rewards members enjoy 3X POINTS on any purchases made the day before their birthday, the day of their birthday, or the day after their birthday

Graeters Ice Cream

Free Graeters sundae on your birthday with the Sweet Rewards program. Guests must have made at least 1 purchase within the last 12 months or have earned at least 1 point (spend of $0.01) in the Sweet Reward program. 

Great American Cookies

Free cookie cake slice at Great American Cookies with purchase

Jeni’s Ice Cream

Free single, standard, or trio ice cream at Jeni’s on your birthday at scoop shops

Happy Birthday to you with free Jeni’s Ice Cream!

Krispy Kreme

Free donut and small Coffee or Fountain Drink at Krispy Kreme on your birthday. Birthday Rewards are valid from the 1st day of the birthday month until the last day of the birthday month.

Menchie’s (Dublin)

$5 in Menchie’s Money added to your mySmileage account

Nothing Bundt Cakes

(Dublin, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Reynoldsburg)
Join the eclub for a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes on your birthday. These are so amazing and perfect if you just want a bit of cake for one or two! They even have a super tasty gluten-free option!

Rita’s Italian Ice

Free regular Italian Ice from Rita’s for your birthday and half birthday. These expire 6 days after receipt.

Starbucks

Free drink or treat with Starbucks Rewards for your birthday.

Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap by email and you’ll receive just one email a day the latest information on free and cheap events. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Restaurant Birthday Freebies

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

Free dessert if you mention it’s your birthday

Applebee’s

Free dessert or appetizer at Applebees when you sign up for the email club

Abuelo’s (Easton)

Receive a free appetizer after your first visit just for signing up. Receive a free entrée for your birthday for visiting Abuelo’s at least twice a year. Get ready for special rewards like double points, instant wins, bounce backs and more!

Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Perks (Eastland and Easton Malls)

Free pretzel on birthday, and other rewards through the year. Download the My Pretzel Perks app

Arby’s

Free 12oz. milkshake with any purchase (plus free roast beef at signup).

Average Joes 

Free boneless wings on your birthday, and a Free Order of Pretzel Bites in your first email

Beef O’Brady’s (Hilliard)

BOGO Free appetizer from Beef O’Brady’s

Benihana (Polaris)

$30 birthday certificate from Benihana during your birthday month.

bd’s Mongolian Grill (Easton and Dublin)

Get a FREE Bowl at bd’s Mongolian Grill for your birthday, with the purchase of any bowl! with BD’s rewards app. Plus, get a FREE Starter or Dessert just for joining. And after you redeem that first reward, get $10 OFF your next purchase.

Bonefish Grill (Polaris and Dublin)

A FREE order of Bang Bang Shrimp or Jen’s Jamaican Coconut Pie at Bonefish Grill for your birthday

Brio Tuscan Grille (Easton and Polaris)

Certificate for free food for your birthday through the Brio e-club

Boston Market

Free individual dessert at Boston Market for your birthday with purchase of any create your plate meal

Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza (Arena District and Marysville)

Free dessert for your birthday through MyBostons Rewards, plus other freebies and deals when you sign up and through the year. 

Buca di Beppo

Birthday gift from Buca di Beppo (and free pasta on signup)

Buffalo Wild Wings

Get 6 free wings from BW3’s during your birthday month

California Pizza Kitchen

Free birthday dessert at California Pizza Kitchen with CPK Rewards™

Captain D’s Seafood Restaurant (NE and SE Cbus)

Free meal on birthday (and a free dessert each month with D’s Club)

Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Hilliard and Polaris)

Free dessert at Carrabba’s with purchase of an entrée

Cheesecake Factory

Free dessert (or dessert embellishments) from Cheesecake Factory on your birthday.

Order a piece of cheesecake, and they’ll personalize the plate with “Happy Birthday” (or Anniversary, Good Luck, etc.) and the guest’s name written in chocolate or caramel. They’ll decorate the plate with candy confetti and place a candle on top. 

If you didn’t save room for dessert, they offer a complimentary birthday sundae with a tiny “scoopette” of vanilla ice cream, fudge, and top it with a crown of whipped cream, confetti pieces and a candle.

Chick-fil-A

Birthday freebie/discount at Chick-fila-A varies per franchise, check the Chick-fil-A One App

Chili’s

Free dessert on your birthday at Chili’s

City Barbeque

Free dessert in birthday month from City Barbeque with happy bday email

Cooper’s Hawk (Easton)

Wine Club members get $15 Birthday Reward (for primary AND secondary Members on the account). Non-members may get a free dessert; check location.

Cracker Barrel

Free dessert at Cracker Barrel on your birthday; inquire at restaurant

Culver’s

Join MyCulver’s and receive coupons and a special offer on your birthday and a BOGO FREE Value Basket when you sign up.

Denny’s

Free Grand Slam on your birthday with Denny’s Rewards

Dickey’s Barbeque Pit (Lewis Center and Delaware)

Free Big BBQ Sandwich or other reward loaded to your account

Einstein Bros Bagels

Free egg sandwich with purchase at Einstein Bros Bagels on your birthday.

Fazolis

Free Dessert for your birthday at Fazolis

Firehouse Subs

Free medium sub on your birthday

First Watch

Free entree via the e-club. You should receive an email about 2 weeks before your birthday with an offer

HoneyBaked Ham

Free sandwich with Honeybaked Rewards

Hot Head Burritos: Free food for your birthday through rewards club

Houlihan’s (Upper Arlington): Free entrée on your birthday

Hungry Howie’s Pizza: FREE Medium 1 topping Pizza with $5 minimum purchase when you sign up for email club

IHOP: FREE full stack of our famous Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity^® Pancakes (also on your anniversary)

J Gilbert’s: Complimentary entree, up to $25

Jason’s Deli: $5 coupon for your birthday

Jersey Mike’s Subs: free sub sandwich and drink on your birthday

Logan’s Roadhouse: Free dessert

Longhorn Steakhouse: free dessert

Marie Scramblers: Free meal on your birthday with coupon from Marie Club to use within 7 days of your birthday

Marco’s Pizza: A FREE Medium One topping Pizza.

Max & Ermas: Special treat on your birthday with the Good Neighbors Club

McAlister’s Deli: Free sweet treat

Mellow Mushroom: (Polaris and Dublin) $5 coupon

Melting Pot: free chocolate fondue

Mimis Cafe: Free dessert or baked good

Moe’s Southwest Grill: receive free burrito

Morton’s Steakhouse: free dessert or food (varies)

Noodles & Company: any entree

O’Charley’s: free dessert

Olive Garden: free dessert or appetizer

On the Border (Easton): free Brownie Sundae or Bowl of Original Queso with the purchase of an entrée.

Orange Julius: BOGO coupon on your  birthday

Outback  Steakhouse: free dessert on your birthday

Panera Bread: free pastry/dessert via My Panera

Perkins (Hilliard): free Magnificent Seven for adults. Kids will receive a free Kid’s Meal!

P.F. Chang’s: free appetizer or dessert of your choice to enjoy any time during your birthday month

Pita Pit (campus area): free 22 oz. Fountain Drink (and free combo upgrade when you join e-club)

Pizza Hut: A free dessert with your order.

Qdoba Mexican Grill: receive a free entree with the purchase of an entree when you sign up for the e-club.

Quaker Steak & Lube: $5 OFF your check of $25 or more and a free Dessert through the e-club

Quiznos: free cookie plus other coupons through the e-club

Raising Cane’s: Join the Caniac Club and get free food on your birthday and anniversary

Red Lobster: free appetizer; different locations have different promotions through the e-club and My Red Lobster Rewards App

Red Robin: free birthday burger through the Red Robin Royalty program; locations may offer different promotions

Refectory: $20 towards two dinner entrees or $10 towards two bistro dinners

Rodizio Grill: Special promotion for your birthday

Ruby Tuesday: Free burger or free garden bar entree

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: Free dessert

Sbarro: free slice of pizza via Slice Society program

Scrambler Marie’s: free entree on your birthday (or 6 days after) with the MarieClub membership.

SmashBurger: Join the Smashclub email and/or get the app, and get a special birthday offer.

Smokey Bones: Free dessert

Sonic Drive-in: free creamslush, tater tots, or medium drink

Spaghetti Warehouse: Free entree and dessert via email club

Steak ‘n Shake: Members will receive a FREE Double ’n Cheese ’n Fries* when they join, and a FREE Specialty Milkshake* on their birthday!

Sunny Street Cafe: Free entree through e-club (coupon good for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after birthday)

Tanuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar (Powell): Free dessert and you get to wear an awesome creepy “head” while they sing to you

Ted’s Montana Grill: Free dessert for birthday; appetizer for anniversary

Texas De Brazil (Arena District): $20 off dinner for two

Texas Roadhouse: free sidekick of ribs or appetizer

TGI Fridays: free dessert

Tim Horton’s: Special treat on your birthday

Waffle House: Free waffle

Which Wich: Free regular sandwich

Wendy’s: varies, but reportedly a free frosty or $1 off combo

Beauty Birthday Freebies

Sephora: Enjoy a free beauty item from Sephora on your special day when you sign up as a Beauty Insider.

Aveda: Free gift when you visit one of its stores. Sign up for emails. Joining the Pure Privilege Program will also earn the birthday reward.

bareMinerals: Free eyecolor at boutique or online; gives Friends and Benefits (FAB) members a gift customized to your personal profile. Plus, pick any day of the year to get 15% off your purchase.

Ulta: Free beauty gift for ULTAmate Rewards members

Fashion Birthday Freebies

American Eagle Outfitters: get 15% off during your birthday month with Aerewards

Champ’s Sports: Sign up to be a VIP and receive a birthday offer

The Children’s Place: 20% Coupon on your Birthday and Your Child’s Birthday through MyPlace Rewards

DSW rewards: $5 certificate to use during the month

Famous Footwear: Special birthday offer if you join the Famous Footwear Loyalty Program and spend more than $200 annually (Gold status)

Gap: 25% off with Gapcard

Kendra Scott: 25% off fine jewelry or home item, 50% off any other item, in store only, anytime during your birthday month. Discount applies to one item only. Discount was valid on clearance item on our visit. Items purchased with birthday discount are not eligible for returns. Must show I.D. and present birthday email, or sign up for email list in store.

Kohls Rewards: $5 reward, and a bonus $10 off $25 purchase coupon (reportedly – offers may vary)

Jcp Credit Card: Birthday reward (never worth it to open a store credit card account for a reward, but if you already have one, make sure you’re getting a reward.

Old Navy: Sign up for email updates and get a discount around your birthday

Victoria’s Secret: $10 credit for Angel Card members

Other Stores Birthday Freebies

Ace Hardware: Discount coupon on your birthday (in the past, $5 off $25)

The Container Store POP program:  coupon for a free gift

CVS: Register for a CVS ExtraCare Card and get ExtraCare Bucks every year on your birthday

Hallmark Crown Rewards:  Coupon and a free card (reportedly)

Petco Pals Rewards: Free treat and coupon on your pet’s birthday

Sports Clips: free haircut

World Market: 15% off

Entertainment Birthday Freebies

Dave & Buster’s: A coupon for $10 worth of free game play is emailed to you one week before your birthday if you have registered your Power Card online.  You have until 30 days after your birthday to use the promotional coupon.

Shadowbox Live: Free ticket during birthday month once you’ve signed up.  You’ll get tickets offers (including free tickets) throughout the year.

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