Foursquare isn’t just for playgrounds anymore. The location-based social networking tool has exploded since its 2009 SXSW debut, and the site is starting to reward its members with more than just points and badges (not that we don’t love the I <3 BK badge, for those who’ve graced 25 different Brooklyn venues). Lately, bars and restaurants from Bay Ridge to Bushwick are offering free drinks, desserts and a few other benefits to their best Foursquare customers.
First, a lesson in Foursquare lingo for the uninitiated. When users let Foursquare know they’re at a certain location, it’s called a “checkin.” If you’re the user who’s checked into a given location the most, you become its mayor. Here are some of the best deals a checkin or mayoralty can buy:
Delia’s Lounge
Show that you’ve checked in to this Bay Ridge restaurant Monday-Friday between 6 and 9 p.m., and receive a free chocolate strawberry for every member of your party. 9224 Third Ave, btw 92nd and 93rd Sts., 718-745-7999.
Project Parlor
This off-the-beaten-path hipster bar is known for dirt-cheap PBR: Show the bartender that you’ve checked in to Foursquare, and you get one free. 742 Myrtle Ave., btw Sanford St. and Nostrand Ave., 347-497-0550.
SarahJames
This homey bar and restaurant will slash the price of your drink in half on your first checkin. 305 Pulaski St., btw Throop Ave. and Marcus Garvey Blvd., 718-928-5590.
The Bell House
The mayor here gets a free draft or well drink. 149 7th St., btw Second and Third Aves., 717-643-6510.
Canal Bar
This bar’s mayor gets their first drink free. 270 Third Ave., btw President and Union Sts., 718- 246-0011.
ISSUE Project Room
The non-profit performance space offers discounted $5 tickets to anyone checking in for the first time. Visitors receive two free tickets on every tenth checkin. 232 3rd St., at Third Ave., 718-330-0313.
Linger Café and Lounge
Customers get a free cup of coffee or tea on their tenth checkin. 533 Atlantic Ave., btw Third and Fourth Aves., 347-689-4813.
Sue Perette
This French restaurants offers its mayor a free Pastifret at dinner, and a free dessert at brunch. 270 Smith St., at Sackett St., 717-643-2861.
Dallas Jones BBQ
The mayor of this barbecue joint—with another location in Manhattan—receives one free drink. 87 Atlantic Ave., at Hicks St., 717- 855-5511.
Floyd NY
This bar “honors” its mayor with one free draft or well drink. Show your screen to the bartender to redeem. 131 Atlantic Ave., btw Henry and Clinton Sts., 717-858-5810.
Galapagos Art Space
The mayor here gets a free cocktail. Show your screen to the bartender to redeem. 16 Main St., at Water St., 717- 222-8500.
Apartment 138
The mayor of this bar—complete with back patio—receives one free drink per day. 138 Smith St., btw Bergen and Dean Sts., 718- 858-0556.
Camp
This bar, known for its fireplace and campground ambiance, provides its mayor with one free drink. 179 Smith St., btw Warren and Wyckoff Sts., 718-852-8086.
Oaxaca
The mayor of this Mexican restaurant receives a half-price meal, and customers checking in for the tenth time get a free taco. 251 Smith St., btw Douglass and Degraw, 718-643-9630.
Ultimate Burgers and Dogs
This burger joint’s mayor gets 50 percent off their order, and customers checking in for the tenth time get free tater tots or onion rings. 243 Degraw St., at Clinton St., 718-797-2121.
Bar 4
At this Seventh Ave. lounge and music venue, the mayor is entitled to one free drink. 444 Seventh Ave., at 15th St., 718-832-9800.
Belleville
This French brunch hotspot gives its mayor a free dessert when he or she orders an entrée or tasting menu. Show your screen to the manager to satisfy your sweet tooth. 330 5th St., at Fifth Ave., 718-832-9777.
Bogota Bistro
The mayor here gets a free classic mojito with the purchase of any appetizer. 141 Fifth Ave., at St. Johns Place, 718-230-3805.
Brooklyn Museum
If you’re the mayor during one of the museum’s monthly First Saturday celebrations, you’ll receive a free year-long membership. Show the membership desk proof of your mayor status to cash in. 200 Eastern Parkway, at Washington Ave., 718-638-5000.
Cornelius
Show the bartender at this gastropub proof of checkin and receive a free “Robber Baron” shot—a “pineapple/vodka concoction.” 565 Vanderbilt Ave., at Pacific St., 718-398-6662.
Union Hall
The mayor of this iconic Park Slope bar/music venue receives one free bar or well drink. Show proof of mayoralty to the bartender. 702 Union St., btw Fifth and Sixth Aves., 718-638-4400.
O’Barone
The mayor at this quaint Italian restaurant receives a free glass of wine. 360 Van Brunt St., btw Wolcott and Sullivan Sts., 347-599-2758.
Brooklyn Bowl
The mayor’s first drink of the night is free. 61 Wythe Ave., btw N. 11th and N. 12th Sts., 718-963-3369.
Bar Matchless
The mayor of this Greenpoint bar—featuring pool tables, live music and foosball—receives a free drink. 557 Manhattan Ave., at Driggs Ave., 718-383-5333.
Mercat Negre
This restaurant offers different tiers of Foursquare rewards: the mayor drinks for free; customers on their fifth checkin can enjoy a free selection from a list of “PICA PICA” tapas; and customers on their tenth checkin get a glass of Sangria to that mix. 63 Grand St., at Wythe Ave., 347-223-4599.
Public Assembly
The mayor of this live-music venue and landmark bar gets a free drink. 70 N. 6th St., at Wythe Ave., 718- 384-4586.
qoo Robata
Get a free draft/well drink on every tenth visit to this sushi bar. 367 Metropolitan Ave., at Havemeyer St., 718-384-9493.
Spike Hill
In one of the odder Foursquare rewards out there, this Bedford Ave. mainstay’s mayor drinks free on St. Patrick’s Day. 184 Bedford Ave., at N. 7th St., 718-218-9737.
Tasti D-Lite
At this location of the frozen yogurt chain, customers who show proof of checkin get $1 off any cup or cone. 193 Bedford Ave., btw. North 6th and North 7th Sts., 718-963-1278.
The Lovin’ Cup Café
The mayor of this hip Williamsburg hangout receives the ultimate Happy Hour special: all-you-can-drink High Life and well drinks, plus $2 a la carte tacos, sliders and fries. The mayor also gets free admission to Cameo Gallery events. 93 N. 6th St., at Berry St., 718-302-1180.
WINDSOR TERRACE/KENSINGTON
The Double Windsor
The mayor of this Prospect Park South bar is entitled to drink at happy hour prices all day long – just show proof of mayoralty to the bartender. 210 Prospect Park West, at 16th St., 347-725-3479.
For a universal guide to Foursquare rewards, take a look at 4squareoffers.com. Did we miss your favorite Foursquare reward?
View Comments (10)
still think 4square is annoying though.
All the kids are doing it though.
Looks like I need to get off my ass and go be mayor somewhere other than my laundry place.
I can check into the Statue of Liberty from my house in Brooklyn. How cool is that? Oh wait, Foursquare is lame.
Free glass of wine at Canaille Bistro!
i tried this for 1 week. i couldn't checkin from my blackberry, i don't see how to checkin on the main site, it's hard to understand, i give up.
We just announced our foursquare special at Brooklyn Historical Society (a VIP tour for ousting the Mayor). Check it out when you check in at the museum!
http://foursquare.com/venue/99564
What is a "mayor"? What does that mean?
Too easy too cheat. Too difficult to compete with employees who become mayors of the places they work. http://www.chicago3j.com/2010/04/a-foursquare-idea-customers-become-mayor-employees-become/
@ Tim, Foursquare is working to make two separate list for employees and patrons which will make it a little harder to cheat. Right now it's up to the establishment to tag their employees so their checkins don't count against the mayorships
@KK, A "mayor" is basically the person who checks into an establishment more than anybody else within a span of the last 60 days. Different establishments offer different prizes/specials for their "mayors".