After a long-COVID induced hiatus, First Friday resumes in Auburn, on a larger-scale. There are twenty venues onboard for September, with the BID’s added goal of highlighting pocket downtown neighborhoods. The businesses on East Hill are the focus this month, and Plaza of the Arts & Cayuga Culinary Institute and downtown’s western gateway in October.
BID always encourages the district stakeholder businesses to work together, to support each other and perhaps influence the products & services that they offer. This is exactly what happened with Gretchen’s Confections and neighboring Evolve CBD. A conversation transformed into a new colab CBD chocolate line and the option for CBD infused drinks. Gretchen’s is also now offering Twisted Vegan’s menu items both in-house and to-go.
Additionally, the East Hill hair salons have jumped onboard First Friday with Hairlooms hosting a DJ and Salon 27 offering face painting for families. Reuse Refuge is unveiling their expanded market-style retail space with more eco-friendly vendors, brands, products & refill options, plus multiple discounts and a drawing. At Underground Bottle Shop, view a new display of artwork by artist & musician Brian Francis, then enjoy a fish fry dinner and $5 beer drafts at Moro’s Table, followed by free sweet samples at Moonflower Macaron.
Other venues offer their own spin with free admission & refreshments, food & beverage specials and discounted merchandise to add to this monthly community celebration. Cultural activities include art exhibits, art making & live music. First Friday is organized by the Downtown Auburn BID.
CAYUGA MUSEUM
Tour exhibits All Things Being Blue by Anna Warfield and Flashbulb: Experiencing Memory, plus front lawn music by Flock of Free Range Children.
5 - 8PM ** 203 Genesee Street *** 315.253-8051 **** cayugamuseum.org
PARKER’S GRILLE & TAP HOUSE
Join the start of the State Street Run pub crawl. Event t-shirts for sale a few days before.
5PM ** 129 Genesee Street *** 315.252-6884 **** parkersgrille.com
SHEPHERD’S BREWING CO.
View a display of photographs by Jen Marquart, plus First Firkin beer releases.
4 - 10PM ** 132 Genesee Street *** 315.406-6498 **** shepsbeer.com
MOONDOG'S LOUNGE
Half-off first drink plus music by The Oddz 8 – 11PM. Reservations encouraged, fully vaccinated patrons only.
7PM - close ** 24 State Street *** 315.406-7455 **** moondoglounge.com
CAFÉ 108
View a new display of portrait paintings by artist Victoria (Tori) Fitzgerald.
9AM – 2PM * 108 Genesee Street ** 315.252-2233 ** cafe108.org
NEXT CHAPTER BREWPUB
From 4 – 6PM $1 off house beer/seltzer/slushy and live music by Major Keys Trio 6 - 9pm. Plus dine-in special: $2 off any tab with an appetizer and a pizza.
5 – 9PM *100 Genesee Street ** 315.271-2739 **** nextchapterbrewpub.com
SEWARD HOUSE MUSEUM
Gift shop exhibit by Donna Nicholas, garden music by Bob Keefe & Surf Renegades and refreshments.
5 - 8PM * 33 South Street ** 315.252-1283 *** sewardhouse.org
OCTANE SOCIAL HOUSE
Open mic 5 – 7:30PM, mention “First Friday” and get 15% off your bill. View artwork by Kevin Burke, Todd Tanner, Claudia Finley Lambdin, Bully River Designs & Kaitlynn Grevell.
8AM – 8PM * 41 Genesee Street ** 845.795-8191 *** octanesocialhouse.com
MORO’S TABLE
First Friday fish fry special with fennel coleslaw, lemon caper remoulade, pommes frites & spicy aioli, and $5 draft beers.
4 – 9PM * 1 E. Genesee Street ** 315.282-7772 *** morostable.com
HAIRLOOMS SALON
Music & karaoke with DJ Bob Marinella, plus raffles & refreshments.
5 – 8PM ** 8 East Genesee Street *** 315.253-5279
MOONFLOWER MACARONS
Try free samples of popular macaron flavors from 4 – 6PM. A great way to try before you buy.
11AM – 6PM * 10 Seminary Avenue ** 315.224-2790 *** moonflowermacs.com
REUSE REFUGE
Enjoy 15% off store-wide & enter a patron drawing giveaway. Purchase Heart’s Fire Botanica herbs & receive a free gift. Shop String by Mandy’s hand-made jewelry, clothing & accessories and receive a special offer.
12 – 7PM * 28 E. Genesee Street ** 315.430-9375 *** reuserefuge.com
GRETCHEN’S CONFECTIONS & CAFE
Choose either a free bonbon, or any 12 - 16 oz. beverage for only $1. Plus enjoy a colab special & add 20mg of high quality Evolve CBD to any drink for free.
9AM - 5PM * 25 E. Genesee Street ** 315.400-5224 *** gretchen-s.com
EVOLVE CBD
Enjoy free CBD Gretchen’s Confections chocolates, plus Gretchen’s can add their full spectrum liquid to their drinks as well.
11AM – 7PM * 30 E. Genesee Street ** 315.224-0907 *** evolvecbd.com
SALON 27
Families come for face painting & refreshments.
4 – 7PM * 27 E. Genesee Street ** 315.282-7448
UNDERGROUND BOTTLE SHOP
View a new display of artwork by Brian Francis.
5 - 8PM * 29 East Genesee Street ** 315.252-5696 *** undergroundbottleshop.com
SUBWAY
Enjoy a free fresh baked cookie with any purchase.
10AM – 11PM * 76 North Street ** 315.253-4507 *** subway.com
Attend a sunflower celebration, make your own kissing ball, supplies provided & refreshments.
4 – 7PM * 17 Nelson Street
AUBURN DISCOUNT LIQUOR
Enjoy a complimentary Cupcake wine tasting.
2:30 – 5:30PM ** 21 Seminary Street *** 315.252-3747 **** auburndiscountliquor.com
PRISON CITY FARM BREWERY NORTH
Free live music by Irv Lyons Jr. & the Light from 7 – 10PM in the outdoor beer garden.
7 – 10PM ** 251 North Street *** 315.702-8005 **** prisoncitybrewing.com
First Friday Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/382852709861574/
