Our local merchants plan exciting, engaging in-store events including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits, retail trunk shows, live music, family activities, and entertainment in a special and unique way you'll only find in Downtown Boise. Stop into your favorite establishment or check out someplace new!
Events typically run from 5–9pm, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing below for individual hours and details.
Idaho Building
280 N 8th St •
Art Kid-Friendly Activity
Who: Third Shelf: A Placemakers’ Cooperative Library
What: Book Swap! Book swaps are opportunities for Third Shelf members to exchange books with each other, to browse some of our collecive placemaking library, and welcome new people to the community. All are welcome!
Where: Idaho Smart Growth 280 N 8th St. Suite #210
When: Every 1st Thursday starting March 6th 6-8pm
Why: Third Shelf was created as a resource sharing, agency building, and community networking infrastructure project for placemakers. Members use a booksharing app to connect and exchange their collective books becoming a physical library distributed on member bookshelves throughout the community.
Website: thirdshelf.org
Instagram: @third.shelf
House of Wine
1008 W Main St • 208-297-9463
Shop Food & Beverage
Come join us at House of Wine for our exciting “First Thursday” event in August!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer selections for a free three wine tasting from Proletariat Wine Company!
The festivities begin at 5pm and last until 8pm. This is a free event and no registration is required. We look forward to welcoming you!
Saltbrush
506 W. Grove • 208-717-2588
Food & Beverage
Curated list of a $10 First Thursday cocktails! Let our mixologist wow your pallet
Mixed Greens
213 N 9th St • (208) 344-1605
Art Shop Food & Beverage
Join us this week for 1st Thursday from 5-8 pm!
We will be sampling Noble Mick’s refreshing summer mocktails!
Flourish Bakery will be here sampling their delicious goodies, YUM!
Sublime Apothecary will be popping up with their tallow body products!
The Humane Society will be here promoting their “Toast for Tails” event!
And… with any terracotta pot and succulent purchase you can have one of our artists on staff personalize it for you at no extra charge!
Lenses & Brushes
404 S 8TH ST, L100 • 2085902612
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
The Found Camera Project – First Thursday Gallery Showing
Date: August 7, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Location: Lenses & Brushes
Discover the results of a community-wide photography experiment!
Over fourteen days, black-and-white disposable cameras were hidden throughout downtown Boise—each one waiting to be found, used, and returned. Participants captured moments, scenes, and surprises from their unique perspectives, creating a spontaneous visual diary of our city.
Join us for First Thursday to view the developed photos, and see how a simple camera can connect strangers and spark creativity.
Come celebrate curiosity, connection, and the unexpected beauty in everyday life.
The Lively
505 W Bannock St • 208.209.5503
Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
Kick off your summer with First Thursdays at The Lively—where the drinks are fabulous, the food hits all the right notes and the music sets the mood. We’re turning up the energy with live music and an extended happy hour to make your Thursdays anything but ordinary. Come early, stay late, and let the good times flow!
Boise Brewing
521 W Broad St • (208) 342-7655
Art
Art Show at Boise Brewing – All August!
Boise Brewing is hosting an art show by local artist Zinnia Barnes all month long in August! Zinnia’s bold, playful artwork will be on display for everyone to enjoy. Her art brings good vibes, big energy, and a unique style that’s all her own.
Meet the Artist – August 7, 5–7 PM.
Come say hi to Zinnia in person on Thursday, August 7 from 5–7 PM at Boise Brewing! It’s a casual meet-and-greet where you can chat with the artist, check out her work up close, and maybe even grab a piece to take home.
The Flicks
646 Fulton St • (208) 342-4288
Music
BILL COFFEY AND DAVE MANION LIVE-5:30-7;30
Grab your drinks and food from our Rick’s Café counter and head out to the patio to enjoy music by BILL COFFEY AND DAVE MANION. No cover charge, it is a gift to our Flicks fans!
Eureka!
800 W Idaho St • (208) 286-4410
Food & Beverage
All can enjoy this delicious deal every First Thursday of the month from 5pm - close
$14 Single Smash Burger served with signature fries & any beer from our permanent tap list.
Additionally, every Thursday we are pouring $10 Buffalo Trace Old Fashioneds, all day long!
Acero Boards and Bottles
801 West Main Street • 208-801-6896
Food & Beverage
Board & Bottle is making its First Thursday debut! Join us at Acero from 5-9 PM for our Board & Bottle special: enjoy a bottle of wine from our curated selection and a delicious bruschetta board of your choice for just $35. Sip, snack, and celebrate the night with us!
Re-POP Gifts
210 N 10th St • 208-991-6112
Art Shop Kid-Friendly
Come celebrate your birthday with your friends at Re-POP! If your birthday is in August, or if you know someone who was born in August, bring them down to party it up this First Thursday!
If it's your birth month, you and your friend will receive a special treat - 15% off your entire purchase*!
And that's not all! As an extra bonus, if it's your birth month, you will also receive a birthday treat bag filled with surprises. So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate your special day with us at Re-POP Gifts LLC!
*cannot be combined with other offers, some exclusions apply
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Music Food & Beverage Activity
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be!
7:00pm—7:45pm
Free Dance Demos & Newcomer Group Class
7:45pm—8:30pm
Free Guided Social Dancing
No partner required — or bring your friends. We love to see couples who want to dance together, too.
Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
JUMP (Jack's Urban Meeting Place)
1000 Myrtle St • (208) 639-6610
Art Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
THURSDAY AUGUST 7TH | 5-8PM | JUMP BUILDING | ALL AGES | FREE
This month, we've got a sneak peek into our Local Artist Showcase happening on August 16th, as well as tons of fun, educational, interactive, and family-friendly activities! Plus, the official LAUNCH party for Boise Design Week will be happening from 5:00 - 10:30 PM in the sixth floor PIONEER Room!
JUMP Room:
Local Artist Showcase Preview: Artist Talks & Activities | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
• ANA ROBINS | Activity: Custom Tarot Card | Participants will paint on small card-sized canvases following writing and painting prompts geared towards a few selected tarot cards to create their very own tarot card.
• DAMON & MICHAEL BRADSHAW | Explore the world of mythical water creatures through three creative stations
- Station 1: Color-a-Creature (Ages 3+)
Activity: Pre-drawn sea monster coloring pages
- Station 2: Fold-a-Serpent (Ages 7+)
Activity: Origami sea serpent folding
- Station 3: Blank Page Challenge (All Ages)
Activity: Design your very own river monster from scratch
• DAVID COWAN | Through Space & Science
Participants will receive paper, coloring materials and craft supplies to design their own space habitat or closed system while learning about the four basic elements of an Environmental Control and Life Support System, the critical systems of a spacecraft that allow the astronauts to live to on board.
THE LOFT & 5th Level Lobby:
Sticker Making Contest | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Local Dance Performance
• Watch performers from Starbelly Dancing
THE DECK
HAPPY[ness] Hour | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
• Live DJ: TENN∀NT (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
• BOGO Drinks (per person)
• $5 Bites by Chef Anna
• Trivia Challenge (start: 6:00 PM)
• Music Bingo (start: 7:00 PM)
• Slide Rides (5:30 - 7:30 PM)
MOVE STUDIO
Open Mic by Nick Badasci (Studio Community Project)
• A family-friendly open mic stand-up comedy event where aspiring comedians can perform 2-7 minute sets at a microphone as an accessible means of training/trying out comedy/storytelling in front of a live audience.
LOBBY (ALL MONTH):
Jaialdi Decor & Activities | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
• Basque Craft at the craft table
• Sheep Wagon from the Basque Museum
PIONEER Room:
Boise Design Week: LAUNCH | 5:00 - 10:30 PM
Join newly established Boise Design Week for the LAUNCH party of the future week-long inspirational, networking, and community-building event. With the goal to become a five-day event in 2026, Boise Design Week: LAUNCH brings together designers covering all industries and aspects of design, with the goal of bringing together the community in creativity, innovation, and design.
The LAUNCH party will feature local speakers, community exhibitors, refreshments, and more. Stick around after the lectures for and after party where we open the stage for creative leaders, play backyard games, sing karaoke, and more!
• 5:00 PM : DOORS OPEN
• 5:30 - 6:00 PM: OPENING REMARKS | Alex Caves | Boise Design Week Founder
• 6:00 - 9:00 PM: GUEST SPEAKERS | Hear from local experts in their industries
- Product Design & Development: Nate Pavitt | Product Developer / Entrepreneur | 6:00 - 6:30 PM
- Filmmaking: Greg Wilson | Director / Cinematographer / Photographer | 6:35 - 7:05 PM
- Environmental Graphic Design: John Yarnell | Creative Director / Public Artist / Placemaking Advocate | 7:10 - 7:40 PM
- Brand Design & Marketing | Jennie Meyers | Professor / Creative Strategist / Designer | 7:45 - 8:45 PM
• 9:00 - 10:30 PM: AFTER PARTY | After the Main Event the room will transition into a fun, game filled experience, designed to create the perfect networking atmosphere.
- Musical Performance by Tree City Soul | 9:00 - 9:30 PM
- Karaoke with DJ Pho-Tato (Viet Tran) | 9:30 - 10:30 PM
- Games
The Flicks
646 Fulton St • (208) 342-4288
Music
BILL COFFEY & DAVE MANION LIVE ON THE PATIO 5:30-7:30
Grab your drinks and food at Rick's Cafe inside and head out to the patio for live music with Bill and Dave. No Cover Charge--it's a gift to our customers/!
Prost! Boise
274 N 8th St • (208) 336.9395
Music Food & Beverage
Prost! will be offering $1 off Liters and providing live music on the patio between 5pm-8pm
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!
Hemlock
500 S Capitol Blvd •
Food & Beverage
Join us at Hemlock for Happy Hour, every day from 3 to 6 PM! Pull up a seat at the bar and enjoy $7 drafts, $9 wines, and $10 classic cocktails. Hungry? Go for the Hemlock Happy Meal, featuring Boise’s Best Burger and a cold beer for just $20. Prefer something else? We’ve got plenty more snackable bites and small plates on the full happy hour menu.
Plus, free valet parking for all guests!
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Food & Beverage Activity
Bingo Nights every First Thursday and every 3rd Thursday of every month. Free to play. Multiple games played in a night. Starts at 7 and ends roughly around 9 pm. Prizes to be won.
Wassmuth Center for Human Rights
777 S 8th St • 208-345-0304
Art Shop Kid-Friendly
The Wassmuth Center will open its doors after hours to invite the public in to engage with the 28 pieces of our inspiring human rights art collection and catch our visiting exhibition, Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate, on its LAST night in Boise.
Whether you’re seeking reflection, conversation, or inspiration this is your chance to immerse yourself in human rights education through art and connection with our knowledgeable docents.
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Art Food & Beverage Activity
Let’s get crafty! Join us for First Thursday at Meriwether Ciderhouse and unleash your inner artist at our Pet Rock Creation Station — a delightfully low-maintenance way to adopt a new best friend. We’ll provide the rocks, paints, googly eyes, glue, glitter, pipe cleaners, and plenty of inspiration. Whether you craft a rockstar, a punk pebble, or a moss-covered mystery, your pet rock is yours to take home and cherish.
Chandlers Prime Steaks | Fine Seafood
981 W Grove St • (208) 383-4300
Food & Beverage
Gather. Sip. Socialize.
Join us at Chandlers for Social Hour.
Monday through Friday at the bar/lounge from 4-6pm.
Gather and relax with handcrafted cocktails like
our Cosmo or Champagne Cocktail and savor with a
selection of sociable dishes, all offered at $10.
Capitol Contemporary Gallery
451 S Capitol Blvd • 208-384-9159
Art
Capitol Contemporary Gallery is pleased to present Free Range, a new exhibition for the month of August featuring work by Jan Freeman Long and Linda Williams.
Jan Freeman Long’s mixed media abstractions offer a meditative sense of calm through layered textures and composition. In contrast, Linda Williams’ detailed oil paintings explore a variety of subjects with precision and sensitivity. Together, their work offers a vibrant and engaging visual dialogue.
Please join us for the opening reception on First Thursday, August 7, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Meet the artists, enjoy a glass of wine courtesy of Vizcaya, and experience this beautiful new exhibition.
This event is free and open to the public, and the exhibition will be on display through August 30.
Matador Boise
215 N 8th St • 208-342-9988
Food & Beverage
HOURS OF OPERATION
Sun-Thurs 11:00am-11:00pm
Fri & Sat 11:00am-Midnight
HAPPY HOUR 4pm-6pm & 10pm-CLOSE (daily)
Come in and be enveloped by our passion for the most daring of spirits. For brave, fresh Mexican flavors, and beautiful scratch-made cocktails. For the people and the culture of Mexico, where we forge friendships with tequila makers, listen to their stories, and bring them home to share with you, as we guide you through your tequila experience.
The Matador uses all-natural ingredients only, and that includes our carne, pollo, carnitas and seafood. We source the freshest, in-season vegetables and fruits available. Then we take those ingredients and cook them up into creative dishes that taste a bit like Mexico, a bit like the local area, and a bit like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
Our newest Seasonal Menu was just released and features the following items:
* MEXICAN STREET CORN (gf/veg) - Fried corn cob, chipotle mayonnaise, cotija, cilantro, Chile-garlic salt, lime
* WATERMELON SALAD (gf) - Cucumber, queso fresco, mixed greens, Tajin, agave vinaigrette with watermelon
* STEAK & ELOTE TACOS - Served on flour tortillas with Mexican rice and beans. Chile-seasoned sirloin, flame-roasted corn esquites, French fried onions, garlic crema, cotija, cilantro
* GRILLED SHRIMP TACOS - Served on corn tortillas with Mexican rice and beans. Charbroiled shrimp, red cabbage curtido, guacamole, chipotle crema, queso fresco, cilantro
* WATERMELON MARGARITA - Milagro reposado, watermelon, lime, agave, Tajin
* WATERMELON COSMO - Weber Ranch Agave vodka, Grand Marnier, watermelon, lime
* WATERMELON GIN MOJITO - Las Californias Nativo gin, lime, watermelon, mint, soda water
* WATERMELON-LIME AGUA FRESCA - Watermelon, lime, agave, soda water
Situated on historic 8th St in energetic downtown Boise, the Matador has been a part of the city’s restaurant and happy hour scene since 2010. Within easy walking or biking distance from all downtown shops and sights, as well as the Greenbelt and the scenic Treasure Valley foothills, the Matador offers adventures in Mexican-inspired food and tequila when you need a retreat from your adventures outdoors or in town.
The Warehouse Food Hall
370 S 8th St • 986-999-4081
Music
Make The Warehouse Food Hall your First Thursday spot... grab a bite, sip on something good, and settle in for live music. Each month, a local artist takes the stage, setting the vibe while you kick back with craft drinks and plenty of flavor to go around.
Boise Brewing
521 W Broad St • (208) 342-7655
Art
Art Show at Boise Brewing – All August!
Boise Brewing is hosting an art show by local artist Zinnia Barnes all month long in August! Zinnia’s bold, playful artwork will be on display for everyone to enjoy. Her art brings good vibes, big energy, and a unique style that’s all her own.
Meet the Artist – August 7, 5–7 PM.
Come say hi to Zinnia in person on Thursday, August 7 from 5–7 PM at Boise Brewing! It’s a casual meet-and-greet where you can chat with the artist, check out her work up close, and maybe even grab a piece to take home.
Leap Photography
1020 W Main St • 208-703-7360
Art Shop
Life Changes - so should your HEADSHOT. Update Yours On First Thursday!
Leap Photography’s Headshot Special – August 7, 2025
Is your headshot outdated… or do you just dread being in front of the camera? We get it. That’s why Leap Photography is offering a quick and stress-free headshot special during Boise’s First Thursday event.
-15-minute session
-Multiple angles
-Choose your favorite image on the spot
-Just $120 (+tax)
Schedule your appointment today and get a fresh, professional headshot without the hassle.
Spots are limited! Book your session now.
Stretch Zone Boise
112 S 6th St • 208-993-7979
Activity
Stop by Stretch Zone this 1st Thursday for a free stretch and feel the difference assisted stretching can make!
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
First Thursday opening reception of "Think Outside the Jewelry Box - Wearable Art", August 7, 2025 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM at Art Source Gallery, 1516 W Grove St. in Boise, in downtown Linen District. . Meet the artists and enjoy live music, snacks and great art. The exhibit will be open throughout the month of August.
“Think Outside the Jewelry Box - Wearable Art”, features six of the gallery’s jewelry artists. There will be a wide diversity of work showcasing individual styles. For this show each artist has created a completely unique and individual Jewelry Box that will be displayed along with displays of their jewelry.
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Art Food & Beverage Activity
Let’s get crafty! Join us for First Thursday at Meriwether Cider House and unleash your inner artist at our Pet Rock Creation Station!
We’ll provide the rocks, paints, googly eyes, glue, glitter, pipe cleaners, and plenty of inspiration. You bring the creativity (and maybe a punny name or two). Whether you craft a rockstar, a punk pebble, or a moss-covered mystery, your pet rock is yours to take home and cherish.
Radio Boise
1020 W Main St • 208-258-2072
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
Radio Boise is having an "Open Station" in the basement of the Alaska Center on Main St. between 10th and 11th St where we will give guided tours, have live DJs Wendy Fox and Jason D on the air, share snacks and generally chat about the station and community radio from 5pm-8pm. It is hosted by Nichole Marie of The Rapture and Geek Goddess from the Rebel Alliance. This month we are joined by Leap Housing who believe that everyone should have an opportunity to access safe, stable and affordable housing.
Trillium Restaurant
245 S Capitol Blvd • 208-333-8002
Food & Beverage
Join us every First Thursday in Downtown Boise to experience Live Jazz performed by The Ohadi Trio inside the lobby of The Grove Hotel from 6pm-8pm!