Honoring Service: Free Food and Discounts for Cincinnati Veterans and Active Duty Members
Many companies offer discounts and free meals to acknowledge active, retired, and inactive service members of the armed forces on Veterans Day. Below is a list of restaurants, entertainment venues, transportation services, and more that offer free or discounted options to honor veterans and their families. Veterans and their family members can enjoy complimentary meals and food options at various locations to celebrate their service, and they’ll find plenty of options to get free food on Veterans Day.
Veterans and active-duty military personnel must present their military identification to receive these discounts and free meals. Numerous restaurants nationwide will be offering free food specifically for Veterans Day, making it easy for veterans to participate in these promotions. Enlisted reservists, retired veterans, and other service members may all be eligible for these military discounts as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
Use the links below to jump ahead to a desired section:
- Restaurant Discounts
- Entertainment Discounts & Events
- Free Haircuts
- Retail Discounts
- Free Transportation
*Call ahead to confirm that Cincinnati veterans eat free. Participation may vary by location. Some locations have not yet announced their specific discounts for 2025, but have had them in the past.
Restaurant Discounts for Cincinnati Veterans
Applebee’s
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can select a complimentary dine-in meal from a limited menu on Veterans’ Day.
BIBIBOP Asian Grill
Veterans and active-duty military personnel with a valid ID receive a complimentary bowl with in-store purchases.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Veterans and active-duty military who dine in-store will receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie.
Bob Evans
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can select a complimentary dine-in meal from a limited menu on Veterans’ Day.
Chili’s
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can select a complimentary dine-in meal from a limited menu on Veterans’ Day.
Golden Corral
Veterans and active-duty military personnel are invited to enjoy Military Appreciation Night on Monday, November 11, from 4 p.m. to close, with a complimentary “thank you” meal.
Gold Star Chili
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a complimentary meal of their choice (up to $12 off their order with proof of service).
Hofbrauhaus Newport Brewery & Restaurant
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a free meal valued up to $20. This offer is valid for dine-in only through November 17.
IHOP
Veterans and active-duty military get free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancakes or Pancake Combo on November 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dine-in only at participating restaurants.
Little Caesars
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a complimentary Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo while supplies last.
Melting Pot
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a complimentary 4-course meal with the purchase of an additional 4-course meal, as a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.
Moerlein Lager House
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a free meal from a select menu. Available for dine-in only.
O’Charley’s Bar & Grill
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a complimentary entrée from a special menu, available for dine-in only during lunch.
Starbucks
Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee.
Wings and Rings
Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free dine-in lunch combo available all day.
Related Article: Cincinnati Veteran Assistance Programs
Free Entertainment and Events for Veterans
Cincinnati Museum Center
November 9 to 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and retired military personnel can receive free Museum Admission. $3 off admission for veterans and active military to its featured exhibition, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. with the code VETS online.
Military family members receive $1 off Museum Admission, and military members receive $20 off Memberships (these are year-round discounts). The discount does not apply to OMNIMAX or parking.
Cincinnati Zoo
November 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All members of the military — active and retired — will receive free admission to the Zoo on Veterans Day. The offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family.
Krohn Conservatory
November 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Veterans and active-duty military personnel will receive free entry
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Veterans Day Commemoration
November 11, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
This year’s program will honor Hamilton County veterans with a keynote by Colonel Richard L. Bevington, Jr. (Ret.), wreath presentations, patriotic performances, a color guard ceremony, and a community reception with refreshments, oral history recordings, and keepsakes for veterans.
Free Haircuts for Veterans
Great Clips
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a complimentary haircut that day or a complimentary haircut card to use at a later time.
Sport Clips
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a complimentary haircut at participating locations.
Related Article: A Guide to Cincinnati’s Metro Veterans Program
Retail Discounts for Cincinnati Veterans
Kohl’s
Veterans and active-duty military can receive 30% off qualifying in-store purchases during Veteran’s Day Weekend.
Target
Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a 10% discount in-store and online from October 27 to November 11. To use it, shoppers must add their military status to a Target Circle account.
The Home Depot
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can enjoy a 10% military discount on select in-store items throughout the year. Eligible participants receive a maximum annual discount of $400, which resets each calendar year.
Walgreens
Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy 20% off. Walgreens also provides free flu shots for VA-enrolled Veterans.
Free and Discounted Transportation for Veterans
Metro
Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy free rides. Veterans must present a US Department of Defense-issued military ID card, a Veterans Affairs ID card, or a state-issued driver’s license with a veteran designation.
Ride a WAV Cincy
Veterans and active-duty military receive 10% off all WAV rides on Veterans Day. To book a ride, call 859-918-9900.
Related Article: Access and manage your Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and health care
Veterans are the heartbeat that keeps this country strong and thriving. If there are any restaurants we have missed that offer free or military discounts to Cincinnati veterans, please let us know at The Voice of Black Cincinnati.
*Many retail stores were pulled from Veteran Day Discounts.
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