A Year Older? Celebrate With Restaurant Birthday Freebies All Over New York City.

By Hilary Sheinbaum Sat., Dec. 29 2012 at 10:00 AM

Categories: Incredibly Cheap Eats

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Living in New York isn't cheap, but at least celebrating a birthday here doesn't have to be pricey. From sweets to snacks and appetizers to alcoholic beverages, simply showing an ID with your date of birth can earn you some food freebies around town. Try out this bunch below.

Drink
Cheers -- surviving another 365 days in NYC calls for locally brewed craft beer. As long as you're 21 years young, NY Beer Company will proudly provide you a pint, including pours from Brooklyn Brewery, Sixpoint Brewery, Bronx Brewery, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., and Blue Point Brewery, among others. (321 West 44th Street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues in Hell's Kitchen)

Appetizer
Nuchas, which bakes fresh artisan empanadas, offers the Portobello, a veggie pocket of warm mushrooms, spinach, onion, mozzarella, and fresh herbs. Wrapped in soft spinach dough, the half-moon marked with a "P" on its crunchy crust makes the mixture of greens and melted cheese a savory snack. (Broadway between 44th and 45th streets in Times Square)

Dinner
Not only are Haru restaurants located throughout Manhattan, they offer birthday boys and girls a $20 gift certificate for simply joining the Haru Access program. For an appetizer, try the King Crab Dumplings with spicy soy vinaigrette. The Spicy Titanic Roll involves salmon, avocado, and caviar -- though no promise of Leonardo DiCaprio. (Multiple locations)

Dessert
Los Angeles might have had Sprinkles first, but that doesn't mean New Yorkers didn't fall in love at first sight (and smell). By registering with the Birthday Club (plugging in a valid e-mail, date of birth, and a few more details), concrete-jungle cupcake connoisseurs can redeem a cupcake on the house. The offerings change with the days of the week, but fret not -- there are always the standard flavors, like chocolate marshmallow. As if the cinnamon-sugar flavor (a lightly spiced buttermilk cake with cinnamon sugar) wasn't enough to celebrate. (780 Lexington Avenue, between 60th and 61st streets, on the Upper East Side)

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