From free sandwiches to cake-flavored shots, many Uptown eateries and bars offer discounts on popular items for customers’ birthdays.
With the popularity of bars in Athens, there are, of course, many birthday drinks that newly-turned 21-year-olds can enjoy legally.
Lucky’s Sports Tavern, 11 N. Court St., is one bar where Bobcats celebrating a birthday can find a special libation.
That drink is the chocolate cake shot, comprised of Ketel One Citroen vodka and Francesca’s Hazelnut liqueur. After newly-legal drinkers take the shot, they’re given a lemon covered in sugar for a chaser.
“Somehow, it tastes like chocolate cake,” said Dan Stephens, a Lucky’s employee.
Bailey O’Brien and Will Pachan, employees at The Pub, 39 N. Court St., mentioned the bar has a shot purely for revelers celebrating their 21st birthday. The shot, dubbed “Liquor Don’t Lie,” contains Sambuca, tequila and hot sauce.
The Crystal, 34 N. Court St., offers birthday boys and girls the opportunity to take on the shot in an unconventional way.
Nick Wood, a Crystal employee, said the shot-ski is a slightly more popular way patrons celebrate their birthday. Groups of four sit at the bar and simultaneously take the shots from glasses fixed to a single ski.
Other local businesses’ birthday specials are of a more informal nature. Some restaurants have deals or special promotions they offer only when customers specifically say it’s their birthday.
Although Court Street Coffee, 67 S. Court St., doesn’t have a birthday specials policy that is set in stone, Sam Adams, an employee, mentioned the coffee shop will sometimes provide a free medium drink to students who come in with proof that it’s their birthday.
If birthday celebrators are looking to get a bite to eat, they need look no further than Habibi’s Restaurant, 19 S. Court Street. Danny Mercurio of Habibi’s said those coming in to celebrate their birthday can get a special combo with any sandwich and two free sides for a dollar less than the original sandwich price. Plus, they can get free baklava.
Souvlaki’s Mediterranean Gardens, 9 W. State St., echoes this by giving regular customers a free baklava or another sweet.
Some other local businesses have more established policies on celebrating birthdays of customers.
The Pita Pit, 8 N. Court St., allows members to register for a free membership and earn rewards through that program — one of which is, of course, a birthday special.
“If you register for the Pita Card online, you will be emailed a card redeemable for a free pita within seven days of your birthday,” said Adava Gerace, an employee at the Athens location.
The Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., also offers a membership perk for birthdays.
At the most basic level — the “Scorsese level,” which costs $55 for adults and $50 for senior citizens — and all successive membership levels, moviegoers are given the gift of free admission to any movie of choice on their birthday, according to Jordan Froomkin, assistant manager at The Athena.
In order to capitalize on all these birthday deals, of course, Bobcats should be sure to carry their IDs to prove it really is their birthday.
@tiffanytouville
tt315212@ohiou.edu
This article appeared in print under the headline "Businesses celebrate customers' birthdays"
