Your guide to Raleigh's First Friday

It only happens once a month, but First Friday is a great way to see and experience downtown Raleigh. The next First Friday is May 4.

Most events run from 6 to 9 p.m. and involve tons of galleries, restaurants and other venues in downtown Raleigh.

All places participating in First Friday will have flags outside.

Our Best Bets for this month's First Friday:

Music, Henna and Mosaics - DJ Gregory Wiggs will start the night off with a variety of music while you browse the designs of Mosaic artist Robyn Johnston at Adara Spa. Binita Dongol will be on sight to create a Henna tattoos (between $5-$15). Get 15 percent off all services and products when you mention "First Friday."

Ultralight 2: Opening Night - Visit the Visual Art Exchange to see ULTRALIGHT 2, an exhibition of artwork about disability created by artists living with disabilities. VAE is offering a platform for artists who identify as living with disabilities to take back the narrative that is so often controlled by the medical field, media, and stereotypes. The exhibition will be up through May 25.

'Entanglements' at The Mahler - Stop by The Mahler to view the amazing landscapes of Elizaberh Bradford, which are rich in color and lines, showing off the beauty of nature that is often overlooked. This exhibit is up through May 12.

There are so many more 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) -

Amorina Gelato - 30 percent off the hot chocolate experience

The Big Easy - Buy one Taste of Louisiana, get one free

buku - $15 wine flights featuring a different wine region of the world each month

Caffe Luna - Free bottle of San Pellegrino with purchase of two entrees

Capital Club 16 - Half price select appetizers from 5-7 p.m.

Circa 1888 - Live music. Free for members.

Crank Arm Brewing - Special bike ride to different first Friday galleries. Ride meets at 6, heads out at 6:30. End at Crank Arm with Poseidon Catering at 8:30 or 9.

Cupcake Shoppe - Buy one get one

Dram and Draught - $5 boilermaker

Five Star - $5 appetizers and $5 glasses of wine

Hibernian - Prime Rib $19.50, $3 Bud Light Drafts, $4 Stella & Blue Moon Drafts

Irregardless Cafe - Half price bottles of Irregardless' fine house wine

Isaac Hunter's - $6 Jameson and $7 house infused liqours. Live music every Friday

Jose and Sons - Rotating dinner or appetizer feature showcasing our unique flavors and live music.

Kimbap - Try the Umma Project Tasting menu for 2 at a value of $62 per person and enjoy half price wine bottles.

Legends Night Club - $5 wine specials

Lucarne - Rotating frozen cocktail

Oak and Dagger - All day $5 HH appetizer specials

The Raleigh Times - Live music and art market

Paddy O'Beers - Select $5 drafts

Pizza La Stella - 5% discount on authentic Neapolitan pizza and wood-fired wings

Raleigh Beer Garden - $3 16 oz. canned beers at the Tree Bar

Shish Kabob - Free hummus sampler and toasted pita with any gyro sandwich purchase

Sir Walter Coffee - $4 craft drafts and $2 off spiked Sir Walter Favorites cocktails. Pop-up events and occasional art shows.

Sono - Half price off selected bottle of wine and sake

The Station at Person Street - $4 Hoppyum Drafts

Taverna Agora - Belly dancers, Greek Bouzouki, and music along with seasonal cocktails and special dinner entrees.

Tonbo Ramen - $3.00 Izakaya small plates and 1/2 price sake

Trophy Tap + Table - Any two tacos plus side for $10

Tuscan Blu - 10 percent off any wine purchase

Vita Vite - 10 percent off all art purchases

Woody's at City Market - 50% off all starters 4:30-6:30pm, 15% off all starters 6:30-9pm, $4 market bar drafts, $4 Fireball, $5 Capt'n Morgan or Kraken Rums.

Xoco Raleigh Mexican Grill - 1 Corona + 1 Tequila = Free taco and queso

Other venues (All First Friday times are 6-9 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

Adara Spa, 608 W. Peace St.
What? 15% off any products purchased and services for future appointments

The Alli, 300 W. Hargett St., Ste. 056
What? 15% off entire purchase, refreshments, gift with purchase on select items

Alter Ego Hair & Nails, 119 E Hargett St., Suite 200
What? Hair and nail salon and art venue in a beautiful loft
Special: Monthly art exhibits and periodic music, dance performances, special events and product or tool specials

Art of Style, 19 W Hargett St.
What? Modern and chic mens + womens boutique venue

Bottega Hair Studio, 301 Glenwood Ave. (Hours 6-10 p.m.)
What? A hair salon with art openings every other month.
Special: Complimentary light food and beverages

Capitol Smoke, 215 W Martin St.
What? 10% off wall art and 25% off cigars

Circa 1888, 412 W Davie St.
What? Enjoy music and drinks after your art walk

City Market, 200 E Martin St.
What? Houses multiple First Friday venues
Special: Live music from March-November

City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville St.
What? City history museum featuring receptions and rotating art exhibits

Deco Raleigh, 19 W Hargett St., Suite 108
What? A collection of unique and local decorative items
Special: Refreshments, entertainment and artist meet-and-greet

Designed for Joy, 1104 W. Cabarrus St.
What? A free signature Designed For Joy gift with purchases over $75

ERA Dream Living Realty
What? A residential real estate brokerage specializing in the Raleigh market
Special: Showcasing local artists' work and hosting musicians

The Eye Institute, 111 Seaboard Ave., Ste. 110
What? Free single vision lens with non-glare treatment when you purchase a frame from an independent frame line

Finds, 520 N. West Street
What? Customizable vintage furniture and one-of-a-kind finds, also featuring local artists and wine

The Flourish Market, 713 Tucker St.
What? Your purchase spreads dignity across the globe!

Google Fiber, 518 N. West Street
What? Rotating local art exhibitions and events

The Gramercy Glenwood South, 401 Glenwood Ave.
What? New clubroom for rotating art exhibits and live music

Gypsy Jule, 207 W Davie St.
What? Exotic, down to earth store that combines the carefree life of a gypsy with the sophistication of the jetset.

HagerSmith Design, 300 S Dawson St.
What? Architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, historic preservation and art gallery

Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Downtown, 600 Glenwood Ave.
What? The premier boutique hotel in downtown Raleigh. Featuring art.

Heat, 400 Glenwood Ave.
What? Free athletic training class followed by music and cocktails

House of Swank, 315 S. Bloodworth St.
What? Home of the raddest NC and Raleigh themed t-shirts and swag.
Special: Featuring local artists and entertainment

HQ Raleigh, 310 S Harrington St.
What? Shared work space for entrepreneurs featuring work by CAM and Artspace

HUE, 300 W. Hargett St. (Hours 6-8 p.m.)
What? Vibrant urban apartment community.

Isaac Hunter's Tavern, 414 Fayetteville St.

The L Apartments, 205 W Davie St.
What? Downtown Raleigh living at it's finest featuring re-purposed art and sustainable living

LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S Harrington St.
What? A safe and welcoming resource center for the LGBT community and friends featuring monthly art exhibits

Link Apartments Glenwood South, 202 N West St.
What? Raleigh's newest, hip, downtown apartment community

Ma Allen Interiors, 1020 Glenwood Ave.
What? Interior design firm featuring top-of-the-line emerging Southern artists and complimentary beer & wine

Marbles Kid Museum (Museum open until 7 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)

Moon and Lola, 208 S Wilmington St. (Hours 6 -10 p.m.)
What? Upscale jewelry and accessory boutique
Special: 15 percent off everything in the store

Nest Raleigh, 414 Fayetteville St.
What? The Nest is downtown Raleigh's newest coworking office space
Special: First Fridays feature networking events

Oak City Cycling Project, 212 E Franklin St.
What? Independent bike shop selling new and used steel bike frames and fun

Port of Raleigh, 416 S. McDowell St.
What? Modern design goods from around the world, for home and lifestyle.
Special: Join us for wine and conversation and shop modern, design-driven, and artful goods for you and your home.

Quercus Studio, 201 S. Salisbury St.
What? Jewelry workshop and gallery

Raleigh Television Network, 310 W Martin St.
What? The city’s digital television network center

Read With Me, 111 E. Hargett St.
What? This children's bookstore and art shop features a kid-friendly activity

The Pour House Music Hall, 224 S Blount St.
What? Raleigh's premier live music venue presenting local and international bands

Triangle Downtowner Magazine, 402 Glenwood Ave.
What? The Triangle's most popular magazine
Special: Enjoy local art, music and drinks

Raleigh Wine Shop, 126 Glenwood Ave.
What? Fine wine and provisions
Special: 10 percent off of bottle purchases from the WineStation and/or tasting wines to drink on-site or to go

Ramble Supply Co., 123 E. Martin St.
What? Home & Lifestyle Boutique supporting artists and makers
Special? Each First Friday Ramble Supply Co. will showcase a different artist

Retro Modern Furnishings, 300 W Hargett St., Suite 24 (Hours 12 p.m.-9 p.m.)
What? Vintage + Upcycled + Handmade Furnishings

Runologie, 401 Hillsborough St.
What? Free gait analysis, local art, beer, apps + discounts. Join us + keep moving.
Special? Free wine, beer, apps and special 1st of the month discounts

SkyHouse, Raleigh, 308 S. Blount St.
What? Your new premier high-rise apartment community in downtown Raleigh.

Stitch & Holly Aiken Bags, 20 E Hargett St.
What? Retail showroom of Raleigh handbag designer Holly Aiken
Special: 10 percent off all bags

Unleashed, The Dog and Cat Store, 329 Blake St. (Hours 10 a.m.-9 p.m.)
What? The best dog & cat supplies at the best prices

Voda Boutique, 725 Tucker St.
What? Voda [Vo~Dah] not just a retail space, a state of mind

Wells Fargo IMAX Theater at Marbles, 201 E. Hargett St.
What? NC’s only 3D-capable giant screen featuring Hollywood films

White-Holman House, 206 New Bern Place
What? Including Iron Oaks Realty and Inclusion Studio with rotating exhibits and complimentary refreshments.

Art on display

There are also several 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.

311 West Martin Street Gallery & Studios, 311 W Martin St.
What? Gallery featuring 20 working artists and regional artist exhibits monthly

Artspace, 201 E Davie St. (Open until 10 p.m.)
What? Visual art center with artist studios, exhibits and educational programs

Block Gallery, 222 W Hargett St. (Open until 7 p.m.)
What? Gallery exhibiting contemporary local artists​

CAM Raleigh (Contemporary Art Museum), 409 W. Martin St. (Hours 6-10 p.m.)
What? Exhibitions on view, make and take art, DJs, food trucks, and more
Special: Free admission thanks to community sponsors

The Carter Building, 12-22 Glenwood Ave. (Hours 6:30-10 p.m.)
What? A collection of art studios, retailers, and service providers

The City Gallery, 118 S. Person St.
What? Vintage Church's gallery hosts art exhibitions, serves artists, and loves Raleigh

Gallery C, 540 N Blount St.
What? Contemporary and historic NC artwork and fine picture framing services

Linda Dallas' Art Studio, 606 N. Blount St.
What? The studio showcases paintings, prints, note cards, crafts and gifts.

Litmus Gallery & Studios, 312 W Cabarrus St.
What? Features local artists and open studios for touring

Local Color Gallery, 311 W. Martin St.
What? Co-op of women artists—fine art, glass, functional pottery, sculpture, and jewelry

The Mahler Fine Art, 228 Fayetteville St.
What? A full-service fine art gallery

Moondog Fine Arts,721 W. Morgan St.
What? Neighborhood art gallery and workspace made up of five local artists who have joined together to create a working studio

North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St.
What? Explore North Carolina’s past and learn about its people.

Nicole's Studio and Art Gallery, 719 N Person St. (Hours 6-8:30 p.m.)
What? Fine art, art workshops, glass art, jewelry, and custom framing

Studio R.E.D., 20 Glenwood Ave.
What? Working artist studio and gallery

United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, 410 Glenwood Ave.
What? New location in Glenwood South exhibiting art curated by the VAE

V L Rees Gallery, 311 W Martin St.

Visual Art Exchange, 309 W Martin St.
What? Creativity incubator and gallery featuring emerging artists and a retail shop