Question of the Day - 01 November 2006

In July of last year we last did a survey of birthday giveaways and it's remained such a a QoD FAQ that we felt it was about time to revisit the subject. Here's what we found:

CASINO BIRTHDAY PERKS

• For those, like your daughter, who are celebrating their 21st birthday, there's a company called BlackJackBirthday.com. For $35 (plus $3.95 s&h), they'll sell you a special VIP pass, valid for your birthday plus 60 days, that includes the following: VIP admission and no cover to Studio 54 at MGM Grand, Coyote Ugly at NY-NY, Ice nightclub (200 E. Harmon, off the Strip), and Drai's After Hours at Barbary Coast, plus various production shows around town. If your birthday's actually on the 21st of the month, the pass is free (faxed proof required). The only (sensible) catch is that you have to pledge not to drive while in Vegas. For more information, visit www.blackjackbirthday.com

• Boulder Station: The Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant still offers a free dessert with valid ID.

• Four Queens: Players club members receive 2-for-1 at Magnolia's Veranda.

• Nevada Palace: The players club will give you a free T-shirt, coffee mug, and a balloon that's worth double pay on royal flushes on any you hit that day.

• Poker Palace: If you're a players club member, you'll get a voucher in the mail for two free meals at Maddy Paddys.

• Sam's Town: Get two nights at a special rate during the month of your birthday (on-line and for out-of-state residents only), plus everyone (i.e., locals too) gets a free T-shirt, margarita, and dessert Willy & Jose's.

• Silver Nugget: If you're in the players club, take your pick from two bowling sessions, $5 in blackjack chips, or an $8 dinner voucher.

• Santa Fe Station: Anyone with a valid ID gets a free $25 table-game bet on their birthday

  NON-CASINO BIRTHDAY PERKS & FREEBIES

• André's, 401 S. Sixth St.: If you give them notice, this well-loved downtown diamond owned by chef André Rochat will decorate the menu and your dessert plate with "Happy Birthday" -- and may even throw in some free birthday cookies.

• Rosemary's, 8125 W. Sahara Ave.: With notice, they'll decorate one of their (delicious) desserts with a candle and "Happy Birthday."

• Top of the World, Stratosphere: For $30 and with advance notice, they'll decorate one of their famous desserts for you.

• Todai, Desert Passage (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood): With valid ID and a full-paying companion, the birthday boy/girl gets a free meal (lunch or dinner) at this upscale all-you-can-eat Japanese sushi and seafood buffet.

• Maggiano's (Fashion Show Mall, opposite the Wynn): Get $10 off any purchase of $20 and up (sign up with their dining club -- for free -- in advance of ordering).

• Hooters (casino and non-casino locations): Get a free song and a T-shirt.

Those are all the principal Las Vegas-specific venues we know of that offer you something special on your birthday (yes, we know Hooters is a national brand, but we have the only Hooters casino).

Of course, plenty of other national chains in this town also offer birthday goodies for those with valid ID. Here are some examples: Whitehall Jewelers – free $50 gift certificate; Applebee's – free dessert; Marie Callendar's – free slice of pie; Baskin-Robbins – free scoop of ice cream; Famous Dave's BBQ – get a free meal if you sign up with their dining club; IHOP – free meal; Joe's Crab Shack – free slice of cake; Romano's Macaroni Grill – free dessert; Outback Steakhouse – free dessert and a song; PF Chang's – free dessert or cheesecake; Red Lobster – free slice of cake and a song; Round Table – free personal pizza; TGI Friday's – free dessert and a song; Tony Roma's – free dessert.

So now all we need is someone offering free colonic irrigation and liposuction so we make it to our next birthday!