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.
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
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!
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Saltbrush
506 W. Grove • 208-717-2588
Food & Beverage
Curated list of a $10 First Thursday cocktails! Let our mixologist wow your pallet
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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/!
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
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.