Gainesvegas brings the Vegas strip to downtown Gainesville. This awesome event will include a family friendly casino with a variety of parlor games; giant silent auction with a ton of great prizes; Elvis look-a-like costume contest; featured lounge style performances by a local artist; and the opportunity to roll the Pledge 5 dice to win a cruise for two to the Bahamas!
RSVP on Facebook for up-to-date details.
Every First Friday Features:
- First Friday Passport
Your free First Friday passport can be picked up at the Opera House between Lillian’s Music Store and Harry’s Seafood, Bar, and Grille between 5pm and 10pm. The passport unlocks specials at over 35 downtown bars and restaurants! - Monthly Themes
Each First Friday has it own special theme, such as Frost Off, Dog Days of Summer, Mardi Gras, and more. - Raffles
Getting your passports stamped earns you raffle tickets to be used during our huge end of the night raffle. - Music
Experience Gainesville’s music scene at the numerous stages, street venues, the Bo Diddley Community Plaza, and the Sun Center. - VIP Wristbands
Purchase a VIP wristband for $25 to get free food, drinks, carriage rides, valet parking and more! Stop at any of the designated VIP locations and get treated like First Friday royalty. - Block Party
South East 1st Ave, between Main and South West 1st Street, from 5pm to 8pm featuring: casino games, live music, and vendor booths.
Charity Mingle
Starting at 5:00pm, at Lassos’ Steakhouse find out why our community needs you! Learn about several local charity organizations from their directors and staff. Meet charity minded individuals and sign up for one of Pledge 5′s upcoming service socials. Representatives from United Way, Shands Arts in Medicine, The Arc, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, Catholic Charities, Gainesville Rabbit Rescue, and Pledge 5 Foundation will be present!
Board Game Drive!
Donate new and gently used board games this First Friday! Join the cause for a discount on VIP admission: http://www.causes.com/
Participating Businesses
With over 35 participating businesses, First Friday is Gainesville’s largest happy hour! Businesses include: Boca Fiesta, Palomino Pool Hall, The Back Yard, Sarkara Sweets, The Gelato Company, Dragonfly, Sweet Mel’s, Emiliano’s Cafe, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, Lillian’s Music Store, Sharab Lounge, Key West Cigar Company, Speakeasy, Tall Paul’s Brew House, Havana’s Downtown Cigars, 101 Downtown, Vellos Historic Brickstreet Grill, Gainesville House of Beer, Relish Big Tasty Burger!, The Midnight, Lassos Steakhouse, Mochi Frozen Yogurt, The Jones B-side, Flashbacks Lounge, Flackbacks Package, Starbucks, Misty Edge Carriage Rides, Main Street Bar & Billiards Maude’s Classic Cafe, Gift Horse, The University Club, Clockwork Studios Tattoo & Piercing, Ingenue Avenue, Liquid Ginger, Portable Repair Center, and the Hippodrome Theater!
