Showing up for your favorite restaurant should mean more than just a seat at the table—it should come with perks, recognition and real rewards. Loyalty programs aren't new to Angelenos, but let's be honest, they've often felt like forgotten points on clunky apps, offering a meaningless and impersonal experience. Enter Blackbird, a loyalty company that not only rewards people who love restaurants, but also the team behind your favorite spots.
Founded by Ben Leventhal, who also co-founded Eater and Resy, the platform is currently available for iOS and already active at restaurants in Charleston, San Francisco and New York. Now, it's officially made its way to L.A. this October — a move that feels almost inevitable for a city where independent restaurants shape entire neighborhoods. The Westside, especially Santa Monica and Venice, has evolved into one of the country's most influential dining hubs. Blackbird saw this as an opportunity to tap into that community and market to those who appreciate quality dining with local flair.
"L.A diners are adventurous, discerning and deeply loyal – and the city's restaurant culture is rooted in individuality and experience, not chains or standardization," a spokesperson from Blackbird tells Uncover L.A.
"Our mission has always been to support restaurants and the communities they anchor, so launching L.A. next just made sense."
After observing the shortcomings of traditional programs and how the system often works against independent restaurants, Blackbird was developed to benefit both diners and restaurants. Their goal is simple: old school hospitality, new school technology. With marquee partners like Gjelina, Felix, Rustic Canyon Group and Ggiata, the platform enters L.A. with support from the very restaurants shaping its culinary identity.
Now for the fun part, how this app turns loyalty into something you can actually feel. While eateries rely on stamp cards and digital codes, these programs miss the mark on relationship building and offer weak or hard-to-earn rewards. Blackbird's approach is developing a personalized hospitality experience. First, they create an algorithm that matches you with your dining vibe and allows you to DM for reservations straight from the app. (Think dating app, but for food!) To make you feel even more like a VIP, you can even check in when you visit to earn $FLY, Blackbird's currency. The more you show up, the more perks you unlock like welcome drinks, free desserts, priority access to reservations and more.
While the customer is always right, the real power of Blackbird lies in how it champions restaurants and the operators behind them. Instead of forcing businesses to rely on pricey middlemen and bloated fees, the platform streamlines everything, giving restaurants more ownership over their revenue and relationships. It even solves one of the oldest questions in hospitality: Who are your most loyal customers, really? Diners feel recognized, restaurants see repeat guests and everybody wins.
In a city that thrives on creativity, cuisine and culture, Blackbird feels less like a tech arrival and more like a natural extension of how Angelenos dine. Here, the meal goes beyond the table, as guests become fans of the restaurant, the chef and staff. And while diners love showing up and supporting their favorites, outdated systems and lackluster marketing tools haven't always made it easy for restaurants to keep that connection strong. Blackbird changes the game by giving independent restaurants the tools to track loyalty, reward their most devoted guests and build meaningful relationships, all while serving unforgettable meals.
Ready to turn your dining habits into rewards you'll actually love? Blackbird is officially live in L.A. with no waitlists and no fuss. Just download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, be 18+ and agree to the terms, then link a card or Apple Pay to start earning perks at participating restaurants across the city.
