Out and About

Your guide to Raleigh's First Friday

We compiled a list of some of the First Friday events going on May 4, 2018.

Posted Updated
First Friday
By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL.com editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — 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.
Elizabeth Bradford
'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

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