Food

Where to get birthday freebies in Austin

A bakery display case filled with an assortment of cupcakes in various flavors and colors. The cupcakes are topped with sprinkles, frosting swirls, and other decorative elements. Behind the cupcakes, there are several full-sized cakes stored under glass covers. Labels indicate flavors like lemon and strawberry, and the store interior features teal accents

What’s better than cake on your birthday? A free slice of cakefrom SusieCakes. | Photo by ATXtoday

Happy birthday, feliz cumpleaños, joyeux anniversaire.

No matter how you say it, both of our City Editors and ATXtoday’s birthdays fall in autumn, so we want to share the celebration.

Everything is better when it’s free — and best when it’s free on your birthday. Keep this (mostly) local list of freebies in mind when your birthday comes around.

Eats

Bao’d Up | Download the app to snag one free Bao on your birthday.
Kerbey Lane | Earn a free pancake or small queso on your birthday when you sign up for rewards.
RA sushi | Celebrate your birthday and half birthday with a $20 gift certificate twice annually when you sign up for emails.
Snarf’s Sandwiches | Insider club members can grab a sign-up welcome gift and a free sandwich on their birthday.
Taco Cabana | Birthday visitors at Taco Cabana — which first opened in San Antonio in 1978 — can get a birthday coupon and $5 reward after signing up for the loyalty program.
Torchy’s Tacos | Rewards members can get a surprise birthday reward and free half order of queso just for joining.

Treats

Amy’s Ice Creams | Sign up for the Scoop Group email newsletter for a free scoop of your choice during your birthday week.
Garbo’s | Grab a lobster roll or meal of your choice and get a free birthday whoopie pie to celebrate.
Juiceland | Rewards members get $5 off for their birthday.
Sprinkles Cupcakes | Depending on your rewards status, you can get anywhere from one to a baker’s dozen free cupcakes for your special day.

Things

Alamo Drafthouse | Victory members can get a free pizza on their birthday.
Dave & Buster’s | You know what they say, no birthday is complete without skee-ball. Get $10 of free game play when you spend $10 on your special day.
Kendra Scott | Get your bling on with 50% off any one item in the store during your birthday month — simply show your ID and sign up for rewards.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Austin Sketch Fest | Now-Sat., Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | Austin Scottish Rite Theater | $20+ | Catch more than a dozen comics — including Mo Collins and Girl God — at this funny fest.
Beauty and the Beast Cocktail Experience | Now-Fri., Dec. 23 | 7 p.m. | Wanderlust Wine Co., 610 N I-35 | $47 | This 90-minute cocktail adventure will have you solving puzzles, exploring the castle, and creating your own bespoke cocktails. 🍹

Friday

Read 3 Big Texas Read-In | Fri., Sept. 30 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Stop, drop, and tune in to hear Camila McConaughey read her childrens’ book, “Just Try One Bite.”
Marvelous Makers Market | Fri., Sept. 30 | 5-9 p.m. | Sour Duck Market | Free | Shop local handmade goods while you nosh on scratch-made food + drinks.
Gorillaz | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Moody Center | $100+ | The virtual rock/hip-hop band is stopping in Austin for one night. 🎧

Saturday

Austin Record Convention | Sat., Oct. 1-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center | $5+ | Stock up on vinyl at this sale containing more than one million 45s, LPs, CDs, and collectibles from 300+ sellers. 💿

Sunday

H-E-B Free First Sunday | Sun., Oct. 2 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum | Free | Experience the traditional textiles, art, dance and culture from each Mexican state with free admission. 🇲🇽

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

90º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain ☀️

Community

Amid a dry season and heightened fire danger, the Travis County Commissioners Court has issued a burn ban that will remain in effect until Oct. 26. (Austin American-Statesman)

Closing

Clarksville legacy drugstore Nau’s Enfield Drug is closing its doors after more than 70 years in business. The store cites the shuttering of its soda fountain, labor shortages, and property upkeep for its closure. (Austin American-Statesman)
After lasting pandemic woes, East Austin cafe Gelateria Gemelli — which is known for its small-batch gelato and cocktails — is closing permanently on Mon., Oct. 31. (Eater Austin)

Opening

San Marcos-based casual counter-service restaurant Industry is coming to East Austin at 1211 East 5th St. and plans to offer brisket tacos, chile relleno, queso, brunch, and draft cocktails in mid-October. P.S., they’re hiring. 🌮 (Eater Austin)

Austinite

Austinite Bill Corrigan has been running marathons for 20 years, but the London Marathon will be his first after his ALS diagnosis. Bill will race alongside 50,000 competitors on Sunday. 🏃 (KXAN)

Edu

Austin metro area schools are using more solar power than all other Texas school districts combined. Of the 8,409 schools using solar power nationwide, 139 of them are in the Lone Star State, and 72 in Central Texas. 🌞 (KXAN)

Concert

Circuit of the Americas is adding a few more stars to its F1 Aramco U.S. Grand Prix — taking place Fri., Oct 21-Sun., Oct 23 — concert lineup. Post Malone and Interpol have been added to the post-race concerts alongside Ed Sheeran, Green Day + more than 20 local artists. 🎸 (KVUE)

Real Estate

In the market for a penthouse with views of the Austin skyline? The Austonian at 200 Congress Ave. has a three-bedroom, three-bathroom modern condo with 180-degree views listed for $6 million.

Sports

We want to make sure that you’re catching all the sports coverage you need to join the conversation. As the fall season gets going, tell us what kind of sports content you want to see in ATXtoday. By completing the survey, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win team-branded swag up to $100 in value.

Community

Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the ATXtoday Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻

Travel

Have you ever dreamt of staying in a castle? This fortress in uptown Waco, TX is fit for royalty (at an affordable price) and is only a few blocks from the Silos. If you’re willing to splurge a little, this castle-like mansion on Lake Travis is the way to go.*

Listen

Trainual CEO Chris Ronzio recently chatted with Tony Jamous (CEO of Oyster®), who is leading the charge in making a global workforce more feasible through remote work. Listen to their conversation to learn how. 🎧*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Food

What to eat at ACL 2022

ACL attracts nearly 500,000 visitors each year. | Photo by ATXtoday

Austin City Limits Festival weekend one is barreling around the corner — Fri., Oct. 7-Sun., Oct. 9 — and we’re already getting excited to chow down on some festival food. With more than 30 festival food vendors signed on, ACL takes its eats seriously.

First-timers to the festival are marked with 🆕, while eateries with 🔥 are our recommendations.

Asian fare

BBQ

Cool down

Handheld

Pizza

Savory

Sweet

Tex-Mex

Stay tuned for upcoming guides about navigating ACL 2022.

+ MORE EATS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Figi.

Editor’s pick: Today is National Coffee Day, so I’m going to try out the new Mañana Dos in the Seaholm District. I’ve been to over 50 coffee shops in Austin so here’s my challenge to you: Email me the coffee shop you’re currently gatekeeping. ☕️

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’ve got five things to enjoy at the Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Dayten Rose, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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