Out and About

Your guide to Raleigh's First Friday

We compiled a list of some of the First Friday events going on Sept. 6.

Posted Updated
First Friday
By
Caitlin Zanga
RALEIGH, N.C. — It only happens once a month, but First Friday is a great way to see experience downtown Raleigh. The next First Friday event is Sept. 6.

Events run from 6-9 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and involve tons of galleries, restaurants and other venues in downtown Raleigh. 

All places participating in First Friday will have flags outside. 

Our Best Bet for this month's First Friday: 
If you're a fan of video games and music, head to The Architect for two video game tribute bands: D&D Sluggers and Eight Bit Disaster. They'll also have some First Friday drink specials.

There are so many other First Friday events, we had to make a list of them all. Browse through the listings below:

Food and drink (All First Friday deals are 6-9 p.m. unless otherwise noted) 

Babylon - $35 three-course prix fixe menu
Bia at Solas - Half price appetizer with purchase of entree
The Big Easy - Half price dessert with purchase of two entrees
Bolt Bistro & Bar - $5 select martinis and seasonal sangria, $8 flatbreads and sliders
Brewmasters Bar and Grill - Fire sale on select craft brewed beers (open until 2 a.m.)
buku - Flight of wines from different parts of the world for $15
Busy Bee Cafe - $2 local of craft beer draft line
Caffe Luna - Free bottle of San Pellegrino with purchase of two entrees
Capital Club 16 - Half price appetizers from 5-7 p.m.
Centro - $2 off tequila flights
Crema on Fayetteville - Free cone with purchase of ice cream
Cupcake Shoppe - Buy one get one half price
Deep South the Bar - $2.50 PBR cans, $5 Disco Lemonade
Dickey's Barbecue Pit -  Free regular dessert ($2.75 value) with purchase of barbecue meat plate and drink or one free kid's meal (12 and under) per paid adult meal
Dos Taquitos Xoco - Free queso dip with puchase of an entree
Five Star - $5 appetizers and $5 wine specials by the glass
Irregardless Cafe - Half price bottles of house wine
Isaac Hunter's Oak City Tavern - $4 glasses of house wine, $4 select local drafts and new local artists featured monthly 
Jibarra Modern Mexican - Half price bottles of premium Spanish and South American wines
Mo's Diner - Half price bottle of wine with purchase of two entrees
PieBird - $3.50 draft beers
Posta Tuscan Grille - Half price appetizer with the purchase of two entrees
The Remedy Diner - $5 glasses of wine
Rum Runners - Free admission until 11 p.m., half off all shots, $3 beer special and $6 double Long Islands
Sono - Monthly featured ramen dish for $13 from 5-7 p.m. and $8 Coconut Lemongrass Sake Cocktail
Square Rabbit - Buy one dessert, get one of equal or lesser value for free
Tir na nOg Irish Pub - $3.75 microbrew bottles
Troy Mezze Lounge - Special First Friday menu featuring kebabs, lamb, vegetarian dishes and great drinks
Tuscan Blu - One free dessert per table
Woody's at City Market - Half price appetizers and wings from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; 20 percent off appetizers from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; $3.50 Jose Cuervo shots and $5 Jagerbombs (open until 2 a.m.) 
Zinda - Free appetizer with purchase of two entrees
Zydeco - Dinner and drink specials and half off appetizers at the bar with purchase of a beverage

Other deals (All First Friday times are 6-10 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

Alter Ego Hair & Nails, 119 E. Hargett St., Suite 200 
What? Salon that specializes in hair care and exhibits art
Special: Monthly art exhibits and music and dance performances
Artcraft, 406 Hillsborough St.
What? Commercial art, large scale works, paintings, sculptures, photography, and more by co-op artists
Atomic Salon, 905 W. Morgan St. (Hours 7-10 p.m.)
What?: The Triangle’s only rock-n-roll vintage hair salon featuring art exhibits on First Fridays
Benelux Cafe, 309 Blake St.
What? A specialty coffee and tea cafe inspired by the food of Holland, the beer of Belgium and the people of Luxembourg
Special: Monthly artist meet and greet and rotating art exhibits, food and drink specials
Burning Coal Theatre Company, 224 Polk St. 
What?: Small professional theatre company with classic shows and modern plays
Special: $5 off any fully priced ticket ($25) on First Friday shows with an advance reservation (shows typically run from 7:30-9:30 p.m.)
Cardinal Club, 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 2800 (Hours 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
What? Local juried art on display and great views of downtown
Special: Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar for guests to enjoy
City Market, 200 E. Martin St.
What? Houses multiple First Friday venues
Special: Live outdoor music
City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St
What? City history museum featuring receptions and rotating art exhibits
Special: Admission for the museum and all special events are free
Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W Martin St.
Special: First Friday admission is free. Programs include after-hours access to galleries, hands-on activities at the creation station, music by local DJs, food trucks and a cash bar.
Crazy Combs Salon, 828 Wake Forest Rd. (Hours 7-10 p.m.)
What? Hair salon and art gallery with vintage clothing and local crafts in historic Mordecai neighborhood
Deco Raleigh, 19 W Hargett St, Suite 108
What? A collection of unique decorative items
Special: Refreshments, entertainment and artist meet-and-greet
Estate Boutique, 300 W Hargett St.
What? Trendy men's boutique carrying the latest apparel
Special: In-store discounts up to 50 percent
Feelgoodz Treehouse, 206 S Wilmington St.
What? A conscious-casual footwear brand
Special: $19 off any purchase of $50 or more
High Cotton, 19 W Hargett St.
What? 100% cotton bowties and apparel for gentlemen, handmade in North Carolina
Special: Free gift with purchase
LGBT Center of Raleigh, 411 Hillsborough St.
What? A safe and welcoming resource center for the LGBT community and friends
Special: Monthly art exhibits
Lisa Stewart Designs, 300 Blake St., Suite 7
What: Handcrafted leather, fine art and gifts made in Raleigh
Special: Free gift with purchase of $75 or more
Marbles Kid Museum (Hours 5-8 p.m.)
Special: Create | Innovate every First Friday night at Marbles as part of downtown Raleigh’s monthly art celebration ($5 per person, members play free)
The Montague Building, 128 E Hargett St.
What? A collection of full-service marketing and multimedia companies
Special: Art and refreshments by Giant Head, Triangle Blvd, El Toro Interactive, and Motion Adrenaline
Moon and Lola, 208 S Wilmington St.
What? Upscale jewelry and accessory boutique
Special: 15 percent off merchandise storewide
The Morning Times, 10 E Hargett St. (Hours 6-11 p.m.)
What? Coffee shop and gallery serving hand-crafted beverages and food
Nora and Nicky's Designer Resale, 19 W Hargett St., Suite 104
What? Luxury and designer consignment specializing in high-end labels
Special: 10 percent off your entire purchase with purchase of jewelry from the guest jewelry designer
Oak City Cycling Project, 212 E Franklin St.
What? Independent bike shop selling new and used steel bike frames and fun
Special: 10 percent off "squirrely" t-shirts and water bottles purchased at the shop
Ornamentea, 509 N West St.
What? Fine beads and jewelry making supplies
Special: Free jewelry project from 6-8 p.m. 
Raleigh Screen Print, 316 W Cabarrus St.
What? Custom t-shirt shop printing with water-based inks
Special: $10 t-shirts printed live all night
Raleigh Wine Shop, 126 Glenwood Ave.
What? Fine wine and provisions
Special: 10 percent off of bottle purchases from the WineStation to drink on-site or to go
Rosenberry Rooms, 709 Hillsborough St.
What? Everything you need for your child's room or nursery
Special: 15% off all in-stock art
Simkin, 718 B W Lane St.
What? Hair studio and gallery space
Special: Complimentary wine and appetizers
Stitch & Holly Aiken Bags, 20 E. Hargett St.
What? Holly Aiken designs beautiful bags and the place also contains contemporary art
Special: 10 percent off all bags
Triangle Downtowner Magazine, 402 Glenwood Ave.
What? The Triangle's most popular magazine
Special: Enjoy local art, music and drinks
TRIG Modern, 328 W Jones St.
What? Design consultancy showroom and gallery featuring home furnishings, lighting and art
Special: Featured artist on-site during the monthly exhibition opening
VanNess & Fellows Tattoo Boutique and Gallery, 226 E Martin St.
What? A one-of-a-kind art gallery, boutique and custom tattoo studio
Special: 10% off all terrariums
Vault Yoga, 234 Fayetteville St
What? A yoga studio in a bank vault featuring monthly exhibits
Videri Chocolate Factory, 327 W Davie St., Suite 100
What? Freshly-made chocolate and confections
Special: Free wine and beer, 10 percent off all chocolate products
Vintage Church, 117 S West St. (Hours 7-10 p.m.)
Special: The gallery hosts monthly art exhibitions featuring local or regional artists
The Wine Feed, 18 Glenwood Ave. Suite B (Hours 6:30-9 p.m.)
Special: Wine tasting ($10 general admission, $5 members)

Art on display

There are also some art exhibits happening throughout downtown. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has a list of the exhibits and a complete rundown of the galleries and museums participating in First Friday.

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