Tell Amanda Yarbrough it’s your birthday, and she just might start singing. She might even hand you a free dessert. Yarbrough, Olathe junior, works at Applebee’s, 3900 W. Sixth St., where people celebrating their birthdays are serenaded and given free mini-desserts.

Applebee’s isn’t very strict about confirming birthdays, so some days, Yarbrough says, she sings a lot.

“Once it’s one person’s birthday, everyone kind of remembers that it’s their birthday, too,” she says.

If it’s your birthday—or if you say it is—Applebee’s is just one of the many establishments around Lawrence that wants to help celebrate. When your birthday rolls around, grab your ID, make sure you’ve signed up at the right websites, and then head to some of the following establishments on an empty stomach for some birthday treats.

Bring your ID

Not all places are as trusting as Applebee’s, so make sure you have your ID handy. Some of the best deals—and meals—around town are only available if you have proof that it’s your birthday.

Head to Biember’s BBQ, 2120 Ninth St., and show them your ID to receive a free pulled pork sandwich on your birthday. Make sure you thank Jim Biemick, owner of Biemer’s.

“We’re just trying to do something nice on their birthday,” Biemick says.

Or, if you’re in the mood for another kind of meat besides pork, hit up Jersey Mike’s, 1601 W. 23rd St., for a free sub.

Sign up early

Sometimes getting free stuff on your birthday requires a little planning.

Alvamar Golf Course, 1809 Crossgate Drive, offers a free round of golf during the week before or the week after your birthday. But you have to sign up first. Head to www.alvamar.com to sign up to receive a coupon valid the week before and after your birthday.

David Dunn, head golf professional at Alvamar, says giving away a round of golf for someone’s birthday makes a lot of sense.

“It’s a way that helps us promote our product to people, and we get to give something back to the customers that support us at the same time,” he says.

A birthday gift from Dunn Bros. Coffee, 1618 W. 23rd St., also requires a little thought in advance. Sign up for a RoastmasterRewards card for frequent visitors anytime and receive a free drink on your birthday.

A twist on the birthday treat

Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts St., offers a special birthday treat to customers who share the brewery’s birthday, February 23.

“We give them a kind of rousing birthday party as well,” says Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Company. “We’ll let them bring in a party of folks, usually within a three-day time frame of the 23rd, and they get a discount based on their age.”

For example, Magerl says, a customer who is 22 years old receives a 22-percent discount. He says the oldest customer to take advantage of the discount was 89 years old, so everybody in the party got 89 percent off their bill.

“It’s always fun to see who’s going to be the oldest person on that day,” Magerl says.

“As long as they’ve got an ID that proves it’s their birthday, we’re game for it.”

Don’t worry if your birthday isn’t February 23, Free State still wants to celebrate with you.

“We don’t try to embarrass anyone. Usually what we will do is we’ll provide a serving of ice cream with birthday candles plopped in the middle of it,” Magerl says. “It’s just a nice homemade ice cream and it draws attention. Everybody likes to see people enjoy a birthday.”

Come hungry

Bobick Sarraf, owner of Bambino’s at the Grove, 1801 Massachusetts St., was raised to believe that birthdays are important. That’s why his employees get to take their birthdays off (with pay) and why he gives free dessert to people who eat at Bambino’s on their birthdays.

“We don’t advertise that anywhere, so there’s not a real business reason,” Sarraf says. “We’re not expecting people to come in here just for their birthdays or anything. It’s just what we do.”

Cary Strong, one of the owners of Aimee’s Coffee House, shares the same philosophy. Aimee’s, 1025 Massachusetts St., offers a free expresso drink to those celebrating their birthdays.

“We do it because it seems like you should. There’s no deep reason for it,” Strong says. “It just seems like somebody deserves a drink on their birthday.