Birthdays should be treated with fanfare, and these 15 local restaurants agree. Show up for breakfast, lunch or dinner and claim tasty treats including a free milkshake, free cookie and plenty of free drinks to toast to the big day.
Keep in mind, a lot of chain places offer free goodies on your birthday, too, often with loyalty programs or signing up for a club. While we love that, after diving into the belly of cheap offers, we decided to narrow down this list to freebies and deals available at independent institutions and local mini-chains.
Now, having the restaurant sing “Happy Birthday” to you, that’s another topic entirely.
Park Burger
Visit any of the four Park Burger locations and get a free milkshake to go with that burger on your birthday. Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, strawberry and more.
Various locations; parkburger.com. Savings: $5.75 to $6.25.
American Elm
Book a table for a nice dinner or sidle up to the bar during happy hour at this Berkeley restaurant. Then, if you can prove it’s your birthday, the staff will treat you to either a glass of bubbles or dessert.
4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver; amelm.com. Savings: around $13.
Curtis Park Deli
Head to this beloved neighborhood deli in Boulder, Cherry Creek and Curtis Park for a fresh sandwich and a free cookie on your birthday. All you need to do is tell the cashier while you buy a sandwich and show identification.
Various locations; curtisparkdeli.com. Savings: $1.50.
Flight Club Denver
Denver’s official dart bar offers customers a birthday cocktail on their special day. It’s called The Vicuna, and is a play on a Pisco Sour, made with pisco, mango, clove, lime and egg white. Just show your ID to redeem and feel free to talk about it as much as you want.
1959 16th Street Mall, Denver; flightclubdartsusa.com. Savings: $15.
Adrift Tiki Bar
Eli Imadali, Special to The Denver Post
A “Hurricane” cocktail at Adrift Tiki Bar, a Polynesian island-inspired bar on south Broadway in Denver, on April 29, 2022. (Denver Post file)
Come for a free dessert or free shot on your birthday, stay for a punch bowl and fire show. The gratis shot will most likely be either your choice (within reason) or the daily mystery shot. As for dessert, there’s always a scoop of Little Man ice cream available, as well as the vegan lemon leche cake, the current selection.
218 S. Broadway, Denver; adriftbar.com. Savings: $6 to $10.
Orchard Town Center
There’s not just one birthday deal, but many at this Westminster conglomerate. First up, take a Paint & Sip class and get one free drink while you create a masterpiece. Next, head to 3 Margaritas for a free sopapilla with the purchase of a meal. Windfall Brewing Co. will pour a beer, non-alcoholic drink or hand out dessert free of charge on your special day. Finally, Aloft Hotel is offering one free glass of wine or beer. These are just the food- and drink-focused places at the town center that don’t require signing up beforehand. There are even more freebies at the retail shops.
14697 Delaware St., Westminster; theorchardtowncenter.com. Savings: more than $20.
MAKfam
Order a plate of salt and pepper tofu or any other culinary delight and get a free shot on your birthday. Really, any excuse to enjoy this food is encouraged and reason for celebration.
39 W. First Ave., Denver; makfam.co. Savings: around $6.
Snarf’s Sandwiches
Though Snarf’s is a mini-chain, the first iteration opened up in Boulder in 1996. Fast forward to today, and Jimmy Seidel’s little sandwich joint now operates dozens of Snarfs in the state and beyond. Sign up for the free loyalty program, which includes a free sandwich during your birthday month.
Various locations; eatsnarfs.com. Savings: around $12.
Hiro Japanese Buffet and Hot Pot
Head to Aurora for an all-you-can-eat buffet on your birthday at this emporium of Asian delights. Laden the plate with sushi, oysters, whole shrimp, stir fry, beef skewers, tiny cakes and more. All you need is a friend or paying adult, and an ID to prove it’s your birthday.
2797 S. Parker Road, Aurora; hirojapanesebuffet.com. Savings: $13.99 for lunch, $21.99 for dinner.
G-Que Barbeque
Make your birthday a meaty one. At all six locations of G-Que, a Colorado proud company, when you sign up for the rewards program you will receive a voucher for $15 on your account. It’s only available the week of your birthday, so don’t sleep on miss out on the free pork spare ribs, pit-smoked beans, fries and jalapeno sausage.
Various locations; gquebbq.com. Savings: $15.
Buckhorn Exchange
Join the birthday club at Denver’s tried-and-true steakhouse — you know, the one with all the taxidermy. Once a member, the birthday person receives a discount on an entree based on how old he or she is. Someone turning 50 will get 50 percent off, etc.
1000 Osage St., Denver; buckhorn.com/birthday-club. Savings: a percentage off an entree, dependent on age.
Crafted Concepts
A complimentary dessert is given at all four places in chef Jen Jasinski’s Crafted Concepts restaurant group. That includes Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Stoic & Genuine and Ultreia. The birthday person also receives a card signed by the staff, a sweet gift indeed.
Various locations; craftedconceptsdenver.com. Savings: about $10.
The Original
What’s better than a free hot fudge sundae? The birthday treat at The Original in McGregor Square comes with a brownie and a festive sparkler. While the decadent dessert is gratis, it’s only for those dining in for brunch.
1600 20th St., Denver; theogdenver.com. Savings: The dessert isn’t on the menu, so it’s priceless.
Call Me Pearl
Call Me Pearl is the elegant cocktail and small-bite bar inside the Rally Hotel lobby. Coming here for a drink always proves special, but on your birthday the bartender will whip up a custom drink as a gift just for you.
1600 20th St., Denver; callmepearlbar.com. Savings: around $15.
Quinto Neighborhood Pizzeria & Tap House
Pizza, beer and a slice of homemade cake may just be the recipe for the perfect birthday. This cozy shop in Westminster has all that; the dessert, such as the lemon olive oil cake, is free on your birthday.
10443 Town Center Drive, Suite 600, Westminster; quintopizzeria.com. Savings: $6 to $14.
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