Originally uploaded to flickr by dpstyles
Facebook? Been there. Twitter? Check. Foursquare? Um, what’s that again? For those of you who aren’t familiar (no, not you, those other non-tech savvy people among us) Foursquare is a location based social networking app. Basically you can check in and see where your friends and people nearby are. You earn points for checking in, the more you do it, the more points you earn, all in pursuit of earning badges and becoming “Mayor” of your favorite place(s). That’s my explanation anyway. If you want the technical version, you can check it out here.
And no, Foursquare isn’t just a creepy way to stalk people. Various businesses (including many on the Hill) participate and offer discounts when you “check-in” to their establishment. And in the shameless spirit of self promotion, The Hill is Home is on foursquare. You can follow us here and get our tips for various places in the neighborhood.
I know what you’re thinking, what’s in this for me? The discounts! The specials! The feeling of superiority to other patrons not wise enough to take advantage of these deals. One of the most popular specials is the “Spend $5, Get $5 off” check-in. You pay with your American Express card and get a one time $5 statement credit. This popular special is currently being offered at The Sweet Lobby, Cava, Capitol Hill Super Market, Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill, Acqua al 2 and Pitango Gelato, just to name a few.
Other specials are more specific. Like the one currently offered at Smith Commons, where a Monday night check-in gets you a complimentary DC Brau with your food order, and a Tuesday night check-in gets you a Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier with your entrée.
Also on H Street, The Liberty Tree has a Loyalty check-in special, where you buy one beer and the second one is free, as well as a Mayor special – 10% off your check!
Wisdom is currently offering a Loyalty check-in special. Visit twice in seven days and get 15% off your entire tab.
This is just a small slice of what Foursquare has to offer. I’m not a paid spokesperson. Have I convinced you? Join us!