Your guide to Raleigh's First Friday

We compiled a list of some of the First Friday events going on Feb. 1.

Posted 5:50 p.m. Jan 29, 2013 — Updated 9:00 p.m. Feb 27, 2013

It only happens once a month, but First Friday is a great way to see experience downtown Raleigh. The next First Friday event is February 1.

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:

Local illustrator Char Reed will be at Benelux Cafe discussing her work and enjoying the cafe's delicious drinks. Reed's pet caricatures are adorable and funny, and you can see more of her work on her blog.

There are so many things going on, we decided to compile a list of some of them:

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

The Daily Planet Cafe - $3 pints and free live music

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

Five Star - From 5:30-9 p.m., get $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 wine by the bottle 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 from 6-11 p.m., half off all shots, $3 beer special and $6 double Long Islands

Square Rabbit - Buy one dessert, get one of equal value for free

Stir Lounge and Nightclub - Exhibits, $5 select wine by the glass and $5 craft-made martinis

Tir na nOg Irish Pub - $3.75 microbrew bottles

Tuscan Blu - Free house salad with any pasta or main course

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.)

Zely & Ritz - Three course prix fixe dinner for $25 per person

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

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

Burning Coal Theatre Company, 224 Polk St

What?: Small professional theatre company with classic shows and modern plays

Special: $5 off your ticket price on First Friday shows with an advance reservation (shows begin at 7:30 p.m.)

Cardinal Club, 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 2800 (Hours 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

What? Local art on display and great views of downtown

Special: Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar for guests to enjoy

CityGate Real Estate, 404 Glenwood Ave. (Hours 6-9 p.m.)

What? Art walk with opening cocktail reception and exhibitions

City Market, 200 E. Martin St.

What? Houses multiple First Friday venues

Special: Live outdoor music

David Wade Salon, 612 Glenwood Ave.

What? Salon that hosts artist receptions

Special: Complimentary food and beverages

Deco Raleigh, 19 W Hargett St, Suite 108

What? A collection of unique decorative items

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

The Gallery at Vintage 21, 117 S West St. (Hours 7-10 p.m.)

What? Gallery with exhibits and live music

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

Ornamentea, 509 N West St.

What? Fine beads and jewelry making supplies

Special: Free project from 6-8 p.m. (this month it's a "'love' word necklace")

Raleigh Wine Shop, 126 Glenwood Ave.

Special: 10 percent off of bottle purchases from the WineStation to drink on-site or to go

Simkin, 718 B W Lane St.

What? Hair studio and gallery space

Special: Complimentary wine and appetizers

Stitch & Holly Aiken Bags

What? Holly Aiken designs beautiful bags and the place also contains contemporary art

Special: 10 percent off all bags

STOREFRONT 4 art and architecture, 704 N Person St.

What? A forum for exploring emerging ideas in art and architecture

Special: All books half off retail price

Vault Yoga, 234 Fayetteville St

What? A yoga studio in a bank vault featuring monthly exhibits

The Wine Feed, 18 Glenwood Ave. Suite B (Hours 6:30-9 p.m.)

Special: Taste eight different wines ($3 for one person, $5 for two people)

Marbles Kid Museum (Hours 5-8 p.m.)

Special: An evening of play and adventure for the whole family! Free for members, $10 for families or $6 for an adult and a child, $2 for each additional guest

NC Museum of History Museum Shop, 5 E Edenton St.

Special: 20 percent off any purchase over $30

Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W Martin St.

Special: First Friday admission is $5 and free for members, or purchase a museum membership and get in free with a friend. This month there will be a book swap, a hands-on activity, a live DJ, a cash bar and Porchetta and Baguettaboutit food trucks at CAM

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.