NEW YORK, NY-- November 8, 2010 -- Given that we just went global it's only fitting that we'd head to the Capitol of the World, the Big Town, that's right, the Big Apple. Starting today, 50+ NYC businesses will be working with SCVNGR to let customers do challenges, earn points and now get awesome rewards right from their smartphone. Just show the reward in your SCVNGR app and get the goods (things like hotel upgrades, free pizza and brews)!

Take a gander at some of the fun and social challenges on SCVNGR in and around NYC:

• Snap a pic of the beautiful, retro pin-up girl who graces the bottom of Plunge's pool at Hotel Gansevoort
• What's one topping that Revd Up Pi could add to their menu to take their healthy selections to the next level?
• Snap a photo of you cheersing your glass to the Empire State Building at Tonic East on their enclosed heated roof deck
• Consider yourself a beer connoisseur? Give us your best description of a beer at one of the Village Pourhouse's 4 locations. Is it an ale or a lager, heavy or dark, hoppy or... not hoppy?

A sample of some of the awesome rewards on SCVNGR include:

• Room upgrade at check-in at Hotel Gansevoort
• FREE large pizza with up to 2 toppings at Revd Up Pi
• FREE Tonic combo (appetizer platter) at Tonic East
• Enjoy a Bud/Bud Light on the draft of your choice at happy hour at any of the Village Pourhouse's 4 locations

For a full list of participating businesses visit http://scvngr.com/clients including: Amber, Arctica Bar & Grill, Bar Twelve, Beckett's, Brazil Bronze Glow Bar, Burger Burger, Cafetasia, Down the Hatch, The Dubliner, Dukes (2 locations), Entwine, Hotel Gansevoort (including Plunge-Rooftop Bar), Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel (including Plunge-Rooftop Bar), The Gin Mill, Jake's Dilemma, Joshua Tree, Josie Wood's, Latitude, Lucky Strike Lanes, Mark, Mercury Bar East, Murphy and Gonzales, Off the Wagon, Pizza Pizza, Revd Up Pi, SideBAR, Smith's Bar, Social, Stone St. Tavern, The Stumble Inn, The 13th Step, Tonic East, Tonic Times Square, Triona's Bar, Van Diemens, Village Pourhouse (4 locations), Waterstone Grill, Wicked Willy's and 3 Sheets Saloon.

Interested in learning more? SCVNGR will be hosting a Rewards NYC Launch Party at Plunge-Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Gansevoort tonight at 7:30-9:30. SCVNGR is teaming up with Mashable for this event that includes FREE FOOD AND OPEN BAR when you unlock the reward on SCVNGR. OPEN BAR! Forgetaboutit, there's no reason you shouldn't be there. Email John at JJ@scvngr.com if you're interested in attending the event (come on, we don't want John drinking by himself in the Big Apple) or would like to learn more about how you can get your business on rewards.

Grab the free SCVNGR app from the Android Market or Apple App Store. Open it up. Go to places in NYC. Do challenges. Earn points and unlock awesome rewards!