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.
Don't miss out on the fun, receive an email reminder by filling out the form here.
Thank You to Our 2023 First Thursday Sponsors:
TheGym Eighth & Main
800 W Main St • 208-789-0477
Activity
Join Boise's exclusive downtown fitness center for SOCIAL HOUR!
Free equipment orientations
Refreshments & a good time
Small group class (spots limited)
Come say hi and work out with us!
- Located on the corner of 8th and Main -
Join Our Waitlist at BoldHue!
910 Main St •
Art Shop Activity
FIRST and only
AT-HOME SHADE
MATCHING DEVICE
BoldHue revolutionizes the beauty industry with an approach to beauty that is completely customizable, for every unique individual. Our patented technology is one of a kind, just like you.
Follow our story & view our viral videos on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@boldhue
Join our waitlist at https://www.boldhue.com/welcome
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Music Activity
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be!
Dance Demos & Newcomer Mini-Group Class
7:15pm—8pm
General Studio Tours (No classes)
5pm—9pm (Stop by any time!)
Two Introductory Private Lesson Package available for $75!
Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery
610 W Grove St • (208) 426-0538
Food & Beverage
Enjoy happy hour cocktails this Thursday & everyday from 4-6pm. Get a 2 oz pour of gold medal winning Vodkas, Gin, Rums & Whiskey made by us on site instead of someone's well booze from who knows where. Today, each of our locations is a popular choice for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, or a drink on the patio. With food that’s unique to Idaho and handcrafted cocktails that are unique to Bardenay, it’s an experience worth coming back for.
Silly Birch
507 W Main St • (208) 344-1889
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Happy Hour from 3pm-8pm!
Enjoy a live DJ on Thursday evening!
What bar would be complete without a few games to blow off steam? After you grab a drink, feel free to ask any of our staff to borrow a pool cue or set of darts and play away!
Erma Hayman House
617 Ash St • 208-608-7050
Food & Beverage Activity
Treat yourself to a fun night by making plans to visit the Erma Hayman House on First Thursday!
Starting on June 1 and every first Thursday through October, swing by 617 Ash Street anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. to learn more about Erma Hayman, her house, and the River Street Neighborhood, while enjoying light appetizers and refreshments from local vendors.
This event is free and open to the public. Parking near and around the house is limited. Please plan ahead to find parking or use alternative transportation.
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage
ART SOURCE GALLERY 20th ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION
Every year, Art Source Gallery showcases artists who live and create in the Pacific Northwest. The Exhibition is open to all fine artists from Idaho, Washington and Oregon who work in two- and three-dimensional visual media, and who are not members of the gallery.
Cash awards for Best of Show for 2- and 3-dimensional work, plus First, Second and Third place will be presented during the opening reception on July 6. Enjoy the musical stylings of Midnight Jazz Cats, wine by Indian Creek Winery, and snacks.
This year’s juror is Tilley Bubb, currently the City of Boise's Cultural Planner. Bubb is a co-founder of Surel’s Place and teaches design thinking at Boise State University. Her own work is primarily encaustic (hot wax) painting. The public is invited to select the People’s Choice award to be presented at the end of the show. All art will be on display and for sale at the gallery throughout the month of July.
Art Source Gallery is a collaborative of nearly 50 artists in all media, located at 1516 W. Grove St. in Boise’s Linen District. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, with an Annex on Concourse B open to all ticketed passengers at Boise Airport. For more information call 208-331-3374, or visit the website
Richard's Outdoor Red Umbrella Bar
500 S Capitol Blvd • (208) 472-1463
Food & Beverage
First Thursday is even better outside! Richard's Red Umbrella Bar, located on the 2nd floor outdoor Plaza at the Inn at 500, will be open every First Thursday (weather permitting). Happy Hour pricing, a special cocktail menu, and apps hot off the grill! Open seating, great views of downtown, and always free covered parking and complimentary valet.
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Food & Beverage Activity
Free Bingo!
Win some cool prizes, make some new friends, drink some cool drinks, get a little tipsy!
View Free Public Art at Freak Alley Gallery
Alley: 8th & 9th and Bannock & Idaho St •
Art Kid-Friendly Activity
Freak Alley Gallery is the Northwest's Largest Open-Air, Multi-artist Mural Gallery, located between 8th and 9th street and Bannock and Idaho in Downtown Boise.
Handlebar Trike Races
1519 W Main St • (208) 344-0068
Food & Beverage Activity
Free to play!
Join us every Thursday at 8pm for indoor racing!
Our trike creations are made in-house with a new trike every month.
Prizes for top 3 winners.
No pre-registration required– just show up!
We carry 24 unique craft beers on tap.