Birthday Freebies in Portland - exploramora.com %%

D often likes to say, “You can’t spell Cheap without Chan.” While I always give him the side-eye when he says it, I’d have to admit, I do love me a happy hour, a coupon, and a sale. So, when it came to my birthday, I started to gather information about all the birthday freebies available around town and how I could fill my day collecting on all of these offers.

Through my research findings, it was clear that the old adage “there are no free lunches” is mostly true. Many of the “free offers” are only available if you sign up for a loyalty/rewards club or email list. There are a handful of gracious places that only require that you show your ID (which is why D made me wear my ID around my neck), making it seem like they are just happy to have you stop by on your special day. Bringing a friend or family member along to actually purchase something would probably be more ideal for them though.

One way to keep your ID handy.

If you want to sign up for these clubs but don’t want them to clog up your Gmail box, you can always set up filters so these emails don’t hit your primary Inbox.

Here’s where we went for my birthday!

First Coffee

Dutch Bros Coffee Any drink of your choice at any location | Day Of | Show ID | Multiple Locations

Dutch Bros was founded in Grants Pass, OR and is now the country’s largest, privately held drive-thru coffee company, with over 290 locations in seven states. They give away more than 1M drinks each year and donate over $2M a year to its local communities and non-profit organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, in honor of one of the founding brothers, who passed away after a four-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Second Coffee

Sta rbucks Drink or food item of your choice | Day Of | Sign up for Starbuck’s Rewards | Multiple Locations

If you’re not still boycotting the sale of the Seattle SuperSonics or big corporate coffee houses — conveniently visit one of their 29,000 stores in 80 countries around the world. However, you will be giving up your data to them through their rewards app. Note: you will need to register for their rewards program at least 30 days in advance. It may all be too much work for that $7 Quad Grande, Non-Fat, One-Pump Vanilla, Extra Hot Blond Caramel Cloud Macchiato Upside Down.

Breakfast Appetizer

Pip’s Original Doughnuts A dozen doughnuts | Day of or up to a week after | Show ID | 4759 NE Fremont St. Suite C, Portland, Oregon 97213

If you do anything for your birthday, do this.

(Top to Bottom) The Dirty Wu, Raw Honey & Sea Salt, Candied Bacon Maple, Mango Ghost Pepper (seasonal)

Breakfast

Denny’s Build your own Grand Slam breakfast | Day of | Show ID | Multiple locations

It was Denny’s Country Fried Steak with extra country gravy that kicked off my lifelong love for country/chicken fried steak and led me and my girlfriends to order at least one during every stop on a cross-country road trip in search of the best (Wyoming). Though the freebie is for a Grand Slam (CFS is not included in that), it was time to revisit this old-time classic.

Relaxation Station

Common Ground Wellness Cooperative One-hour soak in the hot tub and use of the sauna | Day of | Show ID – reservations recommended | 5010 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97211

What better way to sweat out the Grand Slam than with a spa soak and sauna?

*Photo from Common Ground since my phone was tucked away in the locker.*

Everett House Community Healing Center One-hour free spa time in the hot tub, sauna, and steam room | Within 4 days (before or after) | Show ID | 2917 & 2927 NE Everett Street, Portland, Oregon 97232

To turn your birthday into your birth week, go to Common Ground on your birthday and then to Everett House a couple days before or after. You’re worth it. Please note you need to be open-minded and mature as both locations are all genders and clothing-optional.

Break from Eating

Glowing Greens Blacklight Mini Golf 13-hole round of golf | Day of | Show ID | 509 SW Taylor St. Portland, Oregon 97204

This place has always puzzled me, from its existence to its location but it is some old-fashioned fun that is great to have around. Others seem to agree as there were a lot more people there besides us (more than 2) than I expected mid-afternoon. I hit a couple of eagles which led me to mini-golf victory but then we also tried ax throwing, which dampened any highs my ego was feeling.

Back to Eating

Helvetia Tavern Cheeseburger with Chips | Day of | Show ID | 10275 NW Helvetia Road, Hillsboro, Oregon 97214

A bit of a drive compared to everything else but a fun lil’ road trip to this hometown favorite.

*What you don’t know is that I had already taken a bite on the other side of the burger.*

The Nightcap

Rogue 32oz beer | Day of |Sign up as a R ogue Nation Citizen at least a day before your birthday | Various locations

This was our last stop of the day and where I started thinking about the fun-filled day we had and what I was going to have to do the next couple of days to work off all the treats I had today. I had plenty of time as it took a while to get through this massive beverage.

*I’d be lying if I said I drank all 32oz on my own.*

Sweet Treats

I so wish we could have made it to any of these locations for a birthday sweet but we were pretty beat and full by the end of the day. Don’t let our failure be yours. I believe in you.

Baskin & Robbins 2.5 oz Scoop of Ice Cream | Day of | Sign up for their Birthday Club | Various locations

Ben & Jerry’s Free scoop | 1 week before to 1 week after | Sign up for Chunkmail | Various locations

The ice cream might not be labeled “artisan” but they are both tasty and you won’t need to deal with “line culture.”

Fat Cupcake Full-size cupcake | Day of | Show ID | SE and Happy Valley locations

I was excited to see this local business, especially since it’s next door to my friend’s Sugar Threads shop. I have a number of my favorite lounge leggings from Jo and she has new inventory of all sorts of cute things all the time. Note that her shop doesn’t have regular business hours but you can join her Facebook group to shop and get info on events and open hours at her brick & mortar.

Other Options

La Provence Fresh fruit tart or chocolate mousse cup with a purchased meal | Day of | Show ID | Multiple locations
R~~ock Bottom Birthday reward (Call to verify) |Day of | Sign up for Rock Rewards | 206 SW Morrison St, Portland, Oregon 97204~~ (No longer in business)
Baja Fresh Free Treat |Day of | Sign up for Club Baja at least 4 days before your birthday | Multiple locations

Celebrate All Month!

Spread out your birthday cheer for several more days with these freebies that you can get after your actual birthday.

Moberi $10 coupon | Week of | Sign up for email list | Multiple locations
Pastini Entree | Week of |Sign up for email list | Multiple locations
Float On Half off float | Week of | Schedule appointment. Must be booked within 1 week of your birthday, either before or after|4530 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Cinemark Small popcorn | Week of | Sign up for the weekly newsletter | Multiple locations
Regal Theaters Small popcorn | Up to 2 weeks after | Sign up for Regal Crown Club | Multiple locations
AMC Theaters Large popcorn & large fountain drink | During month of | Sign up for AMC Stubs Premiere & A-List members | Multiple locations
Einstein Bros. Bagels Egg sandwich or cream cheese bagel | Within 14 days | Sign up for Schmear Society Rewards | Multiple locations
Waffle Window Any waffle on the menu | Up to 2 weeks after | Sign up for their Waffle Club | Multiple locations
Red Robin Any burger | Month of | Sign up for Red Robin Royalty | Multiple locations
Melting Pot Box of 6 chocolate covered strawberries with meal |Voucher expires the last day of the month after your birthday | Sign up for Club Fondue and place your order when making reservations at least 24 hours in advance | 1050 SW Sixth Avenue, Ste, Portland
Ann Taylor $15 coupon off purchase | Almost a month from | Sign up for All Rewards Club which can be used at Ann Taylor or Loft | Online or multiple locations
bareMinerals Make-up gift. Changes each year | Month of | Sign up for bareMinerals Club | Washington Square Mall, Tigard
IKEA (1) Choice of a meatball entree with either DAIM cake or blueberry mousse and (2) Coupon for $10 off total purchase | Month of | Sign up for IKEA Family | 10280 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland
Helium Comedy Club 4 Tickets for non-special shows on Wednesday or Thursday | Month of | Call to make reservations & show ID when picking tickets up. There is a 2 item minimum purchase in the showroom | 1510 SE 9th Ave & Hawthorne, Portland
DSW $10 coupon off purchase |Sign up for member rewards | Multiple locations
Benihana $30 certificate to use towards meal | Join Chef’s Table Club | 9205 SW Cascades Ave, Beaverton
El Gaucho $75 certificate t use towards meal | Join Revelers Club | 319 SW Broadway, Portland