First Thursday
Presented by Columbia Bank
February 2, 2023, 5pm - 9pm
Treat yourself to a fun night with your favorite downtown retailers, services, watering holes and restaurants by browsing the listings below and making a plan to enjoy the places that make Downtown Boise the special place that it is.
Experience First Thursday!
Visit Downtown Boise the First Thursday of each month to experience art, shopping, dining, live music, family activities and entertainment in a special and unique way you’ll only find Downtown.
Our local merchants plan exciting, engaging in-store events including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits, and trunk shows. Stop into your favorite establishment or check out someplace new!
Events typically run from 5:00 – 9:00pm, 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.
2023 First Thursday's are possible thanks to:
Art Source Gallery
1615 W. Grove St. • 208-331-3374
Art
ART SOURCE GALLERY DELAYS GRAND OPENING
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Art Source Gallery will not be able to welcome our friends and patrons on First Thursday, February 2,” according to Genie Sue Weppner, Gallery President. “As anyone who’s worked on building or renovating will know, there can be last-minute issues that take longer than expected to resolve.”
The Gallery plans to celebrate with Grand Opening festivities on March 2, when the annual Emerging Artists Exhibition will showcase the finest work of local high school students.
Until the Grove Street location is open for business, visit the Gallery website www.artsourcegallery.com where new work is always available. The Gallery Annex on Concourse B at the Boise Airport is open for shopping to ticketed travelers.
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Tasting Activity
Join us this 1st Thursday for a fun night of making Valentine's Day cards for all the special peeps in your life! We supply the supplies you supply the creativity and love!
We will also be offering $2 off flights all night and a special "cocktail" made with our bourbon barrel-aged Speakeasy cider!
View Free Public Art at Freak Alley Gallery (F.A.G)
Alley: 8th & 9th and Bannock & Idaho St •
Art Activity
Freak Alley Gallery aka F.A.G is the Northwest's Largest Open-Air, Multi-artist Mural Gallery, located between 8th and 9th street and Bannock and Idaho in Downtown Boise.
StretchLab
119 Broadway Ave • (208) 383-4810
Shop Dine Activity
Join VOXN, STRETCHLAB & MCU SPORTS for a night out at The Warehouse!
When
Every Thursday in February from 5pm-8pm
Where
The Warehouse Food Hall- 370 S 8th St Boise, ID 83702
What
Get your shopping on: VOXN Clothing will be offering a 20% discount during event hours
Get your stretch on: STRETCHLAB will be offering free assisted stretches and going over the benefits of PNF assisted stretching.
Get your wax on: MCU SPORTS will be offering free on-site ski/snowboard waxes for the first 25 pairs of skis or snowboards (equipment must be in good condition – ie. clean and free of rust or damage).
Once you've waxed, stretched, and shopped... don't forget to dine & drink at one of The Warehouse's ten eateries and two bars!
Boise Contemporary Theater
854 Fulton St • (208) 331-9224
Art Shop Activity
First Thursday Happy Hour: Discounted beer, wine, and tickets are available Thursday, Feb 2, 5-6 pm. Art by Boise artist, educator, and innovator Sue Latta [suelatta.com] will be on display in our lobby for your viewing pleasure while enjoying discounts on tap beers from Payette Brewing Co. and wines from Hayden Beverage. Buy directly from our box office and get $20 tickets to any preview night for Sweat and 20% off tickets to any Sweat performance (excluding opening and closing night). Also available are coffee from Dawson Taylor and treats from The Chocolat Bar, City Peanut Shop, and Blue Hen Cookies. Mingle over discounted drinks, take in Sue Latta's art, and get discounted tickets from our box office to stay for SWEAT by Lynn Nottage which starts at 7:00 pm.
Re-POP Gifts
210 N 10th St • 208-991-6112
Shop
Don't drive angry, it's Groundhog Day!
Rise and shine campers, our first First Thursday of 2023 happens to also fall on Groundhog Day, to celebrate we're letting Punxsutawney Phil decide the sale!
If he sees his shadow it means 6 more weeks of winter and you get to stock up on socks, winter hats, & scarves with 25% off.
If he doesn't see his shadow spring comes early! Take 20% off all short sleeve tees and shirts including RSVLTS!
Either way, get jump on spring cleaning with a free Swedish Dish Cloth with a purchase of $25 or more, plus our free signature tote bag when you spend $50 or more.
We're also giving away a free button-of-the-month to all customers just for stopping by!
Rewards members get double rewards points!
We'll be open until 8 pm.
City of Boise Department of Arts & History
150 N Capitol Blvd • (208) 608-7050
Activity
Join us in-person or virtually for an uplifting exploration through storytelling and images of the places and spaces throughout Idaho where LGBTQ+ people have built and shaped their lives. While the assumption exists that if one wants to be out in Idaho, one must come to Boise, Dr. Lisa McClain, Professor of History and Gender Studies at Boise State University, along with graduate student and teaching assistant Rachel Taylor, describe this community’s journey from the 1970s onward, examining where they stayed, came home to, traveled through, created, or used temporarily to find one another, building community in many places within the Gem State.
These free, hour-long events take place at 6 p.m. (MT) in-person in the Maryanne Jordan Council Chambers at Boise City Hall and virtually over ZOOM with automated live subtitles. Pre-registration is required to join virtually. Cash bar available for in-person guests. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Learn more and register for the virtual events at www.boiseartsandhistory.org/learn/fettuccine-forum.
Extended Happy Hour Specials at Richard's Restaurant & Bar
500 S Capitol Blvd • (208) 472-1463
Art Dine Tasting
Extended Happy Hour in the Bar from 4-9pm. That means discounted beverages & bar bites – $2 off all wines by the glass and cocktails on our list, plus $2 off select apps!
We're connected to the Inn at 500, where you can drop your car for free valet (or park in our covered parking garage for free) and then enter through the lobby to view art by local Idaho artists and unique glass fixtures by Boise Art Glass.
MCU Sports
822 W Jefferson St • (208) 342-7734
Shop Dine Activity
Join VOXN, STRETCHLAB & MCU SPORTS for a night out at The Warehouse!
When
Every Thursday in February from 5pm-8pm
Where
The Warehouse Food Hall- 370 S 8th St Boise, ID 83702
What
Get your shopping on: VOXN Clothing will be offering a 20% discount during event hours
Get your stretch on: STRETCHLAB will be offering free assisted stretches and going over the benefits of PNF assisted stretching.
Get your wax on: MCU SPORTS will be offering free on-site ski/snowboard waxes for the first 25 pairs of skis or snowboards (equipment must be in good condition – ie. clean and free of rust or damage).
Once you've waxed, stretched, and shopped... don't forget to dine & drink at one of The Warehouse's ten eateries and two bars!
Capitol Contemporary Gallery
451 S Capitol Blvd • 208-384-9159
Art Tasting
Capitol Contemporary Gallery is pleased to announce a new exhibition titled, Intangible, by Jon Morse and Lorelle Rau. Jon Morse will present large abstract paintings and sculpture, and Lorelle Rau will exhibit collage works on paper from a new collection.
Please join us at the gallery on First Thursday, February 2nd from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The artists will be in attendance, and we will be serving wine by 3100 Cellars. The show is free, open to the public, and runs through February 28th.
Silly Birch
507 W Main St • (208) 344-1889
Music Dine 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!
Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery
610 W Grove St • (208) 426-0538
Dine Tasting
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.
Voxn Clothing
778 W Broad St • (208) 392-1112
Shop Music Dine Tasting Activity
Join VOXN, STRETCHLAB & MCU SPORTS for a night out at The Warehouse!
When
Every Thursday in February from 5pm-8pm
Where
The Warehouse Food Hall- 370 S 8th St Boise, ID 83702
What
Get your shopping on: VOXN Clothing will be offering a 20% discount during event hours
Get your stretch on: STRETCHLAB will be offering free assisted stretches and going over the benefits of PNF assisted stretching.
Get your wax on: MCU SPORTS will be offering free on-site ski/snowboard waxes for the first 25 pairs of skis or snowboards (equipment must be in good condition – ie. clean and free of rust or damage).
Once you've waxed, stretched, and shopped... don't forget to dine & drink at one of The Warehouse's ten eateries and two bars!
Humpin' Hannah's
621 W Main St • (208) 345-7557
Music
Humpin' Hannah's first REGGAETON PARTY in Downtown Boise.
》Feb. 2nd, 2023
》NO COVER ALL NIGHT so bring a friend or bring the whole crew!
Taking the stage will be:
》Lenny Len and Dj Fresh
Mixing the best hits by Bad Bunny, Karol G, J. Balvin, Ryan Castro and more!
Drink specials: $3 Wells, $3 Shots, $3 Beers!
Come enjoy some delicious drinks and join the great high energy vibes!
Doors open at 9pm
Valid I.D required
621 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702
Art In The Alaska Center by Chi E Shenam Westin New Painting on Aluminum & Copper
1020 Main St • 208-440-2107
Art Activity
New body of works: Skies of Idaho and Night in the West- a nocturne study of the mountains and deserts of the West. I will have a sky-wall of paintings. High mountain Aspens on metal.
I'll be doing live painting during the event.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Shop Music Activity
Treat yourself to a fun night in Downtown Boise!
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be!
Studio Tours: 5pm—9pm
Dance Demos & Newcomer Mini-Group Class @ 7:15pm—8pm
Two Introductory Private Lesson Package available for $75!
No partner? No problem! Our certified instructors are your dance partners!