First Fridays

What a fun event and great way to get the community together! Local art on display, music, food, and merchandise on sale. Good vibes, friendly atmosphere, and non-​pretentious. Wish there was more time to explore and hope to come back someday.

I went to First Fridays again for the first time in 4 years. Everyone was really nice and I got a chance to meet some great people. I will be attending again on August 7^th! I will be setting up at 2001 Baltimore so come on down and see me.

As luck would have it we were downtown Kansas City on a Friday night. As we were driving home I mentioned to my friends as we traversed the Crossroads District that this is where First Fridays takes place on the First Friday of the Month. She was quick to point out that it was Friday and the first Friday of the month at that. So we drove around a little, Unilocaled some and wound up around 18^th and Wyandotte. We had no problem finding a place to park, but did have some trouble figuring out which places were open. A gallery which had a sandwich board outside and signs saying open was actually closing, and the map store which also said «open» was closed as well.
This was my second First Friday after participating in August. There were far fewer people this time and it’s likely due to the January chill in the air. Still there were several galleries open as well as a hair salon displaying artwork. At a dentist’s office we saw some amazing jewelry and crocheted items. We also visited several work /​studio spaces as well. A lot of small businesses I’d likely have missed were open and so First Fridays did a good job of highlighting these businesses for us.
We did get a cup of wine at the dentist’s office but no food. There are a lot of restaurants downtown now but they seemed oblivious to First Friday. Also we never found the food trucks so we have reason to try again — we decided April might be a good time — and will happily return in the Spring.

I have been going to First Fridays for about a year, but have friends that have been attending for years. It’s really a great showcase of Kansas City art, music and food combined with people watching and sometimes just plain oddity. I’m so glad that I have left the JoCo bubble to discover it.
Matt E. has a great review that tells about all the spots to hit. The Pitch has a map that you can get which shows you the addresses of all the spots so you can plan out your evening before you get there. Or you can just wander around.
I love the food truck area — the Truck Stop — it is at 21^st and Wyandotte. I usually start there for a bite to eat. They have music and a beer garden for those so inclined. Here is their facebook page. They are there April through October.
After I hit the Truck Stop, we go to some Art Galleries, check out either Hammerpress or Christopher Elbow Chocolates (depending on which side of Main we hang on — see Matt E. review) and then try to follow up with a drink at Extra Virgin or Snow & Co. if it’s not too crazy crowded.
It’s just a delightful, relatively inexpensive evening. Get out of your comfort zone and try it! You will like it!

I’ve only known about First Fridays for less than a year and I am hopelessly addicted to every aspect of it. My friends and I have a great time wandering through the streets of the Crossroads taking in live music, art museums, street performances, and some great people watching. There’s no real agenda; you simply go wherever the music takes you.
My favorite part of First Fridays? The food trucks, of course! Kansas City’s best food trucks all park in the same area so you can enjoy their food at the same time. Shout out to my friend Stubbie, who actually parks in front of Hammerpress. Be sure to stop by and order a dirty chai!
First Friday’s is a huge collage of everything wonderful about Kansas City. After taking a Crossroads tour a few months back, I can speak knowledgeably of the area and love showing people around the place that I call home.

A fun and depending on how you do it, inexpensive evening on the town. Always a great time wondering the streets of the Crossroads District enjoying various artist and a huge variety of styles. A huge selection of restaurants through out the area to appeal to any budget and taste. Certain times of the year you will find various food trucks in the area to add even more options. There are many other local shops in the area, fresh bread, artisan chocolates, a farmers market, etc. It is just a great experience overall!
Food, drinks, art, and a bunch of great people, what better way to spend a Friday!

Hooray for First Fridays!
Seriously, one of the coolest things you can do in Kansas City. BUT, you have to know how to do it! There are two completely different experiences to be had at First Fridays, and you have to decide which one is more your style. And the dividing line between these two experiences? Main Street.
First Fridays, West of Main
— — — — — — — — — — — –
This is the more established side of the Crossroads, and the side that a majority of people hit up when they attend First Fridays. On this side you will find:
— Established galleries with higher price tags, and safer but more consistently quality art
— The lions share of the restaurants and bars in the neighborhood
— The Truckstop, a great collection of food trucks
— Massive, obnoxious crowds
— A steady flow of street performers
— Very hard to get free booze
Places not to miss:
— Leedy-​Voulkus Art Center
— Blue Gallery
— Hammerpress
— 18^th Street
— Method
— Drinks in the beer garden at Grunauer
First Fridays, East of Main
— — — — — — — — — — — -
This side is definitely what you would call «up and coming,» and is certainly not for everybody. There is quite a bit more space between galleries, and places that were once there might be gone the next month. Things are going to be much more avant garde. On this side, you will find:
— A number of wood workshops that have been opened up for events
— Small galleries that are a bit more cluttered and chaotic, but with edgier art
— A ton of surprises
— Free or cheap drinks at most every spot.
Places not to miss:
— Christopher Elbow, where on First Fridays chocolates are only $ 1 a piece
— The alleyway behind Mercy Seat, as there are generally bands playing
— Mood Gallery
— Slap and Tickle
Both sides are a ton of fun, but due to the limited amount of time you have to enjoy First Fridays, you really can’t do both properly. I suggest picking a side and then next time going the other way, and deciding for yourself which is more your style!

That’s right, I’m a fan. I’m a fan of the concept, the execution and most of the experience (I’m not a fan of crowds, however without crowds, there can be no thriving art walk, can there?)
It seems a love it or hate it bit of «local flavor» and I get what the naysayers are nay-​saying, after all, I can be quite the curmudgeon, too. But… before visiting KC a couple years ago, I wasn’t even aware that such a monthly event took place in other cities. In New Y