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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
The Warehouse Food Hall
370 S 8th St • 986-999-4081
Food & Beverage
Something tasty is happening at The Warehouse Food Hall this First Thursday. We’re kicking off our first-ever SAVOR, and you’re invited. Dig into $5 small plates from every corner of the food hall, crafted by the vendors you know and love... plus a few you’ll be glad to meet. This is your chance to sample the goods, try something new, or build the ultimate dinner lineup. Your taste buds are in for a night.
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.
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Art Source Gallery will host the opening reception for Inspiration on Public Lands, a solo exhibit by Idaho-based artist Heather Hainsworth, on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 1516 W. Grove St. in Boise’s downtown Linen District. The exhibit will run through the month of September.
Hainsworth’s collection of contemporary landscape paintings draws inspiration from her time spent exploring state and federal public lands. "Public lands are some of the greatest jewels of our country,” Hainsworth said. “They inspire creativity, provide access to nature and preserve vital ecosystems and history."
The opening reception will feature live music, refreshments and a chance to meet the artist. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.artsourcegallery.com or follow Art Source Gallery on social media.
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!
Hillcrest Bank
800 W Bannock St • 208-344-5528
Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join us at Hillcrest Bank for a fun-filled First Thursday, where families can enjoy exciting activities, delicious drink refreshments, and a chance to win great prizes in our raffle! It’s our way of saying thank you for being part of the community. Bring the whole family and celebrate with us – we can’t wait to see you there!
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.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Art Music Food & Beverage
"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!
Pennecard Real Estate
121 N 5th St • 208-861-8295
Shop Music Food & Beverage Activity
PINTS, PIZZA & POP-UPS!
While you're out soaking up the First Thursday vibes, be sure to stop by Pennecard Real Estate! Have a pint on us, a taste of pizza courtesy of Wise Guy’s Pizza Pie & treat yourself to a little sparkle from Infinity Permanent Jewelry & Piercings, who will be on site. You’ll be entered into a raffle for a FABULOUS prize - just for stopping by! Can’t wait to see you!
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!
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
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!
House of Wine
1008 W Main St • 208-297-9463
Shop Food & Beverage Activity
Come join us at House of Wine for our exciting “First Thursday” event in September!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer selections for a free three wine tasting from the local favorite Indian Creek Winery!
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!
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!