July’s First Friday is a celebration of the town’s reopening after lockdown, with events on 2nd July happening in a dozen locations across the town between 5-8pm. All events are free. Watch out for a few surprises along the way, and for other shops staying open late.
First Friday is brought to you by The Bus Cafe, Little Bit, Marine Studios, and Dan Thompson Studio.
Covid 19 regulations are still in force so please wear a mask if possible, wash hands (most venues will have handwash available), remember social distancing, and respect rules venues have in place. Some venues may change their offer or close at short notice because of Covid 19.
‘Westonville’ (Nayland end):
Sun Deck: open 5-8pm, with DJs (after party at Bar Nothing)
The Bus Cafe: small plates pop up evening. Walk-in only
Po’Boy and Pork & co will be open until 8pm
Write In at the TS Eliot Shelter with Whisky & Beards: Nayland Rock Shelter, 5-8pm
‘Heavy’ – Open School East alumni group show: Nayland Rock Hotel, 5-8pm
Old Town and Harbour Arm:
GB Pizza Co, Marine Drive: open until 10pm
Beach Buoys, Marine Drive: special price on cod & chips or vegan alternative
Little Bit, Broad Street: open until 8pm
Eclectic Art Gallery, Broad Street: open until 8pm
Margate Bookshop, Market Place: open until 8pm
Artisans and Adventurers, King Street: open until 8pm with FF discounts
King’s Emporium: pre-First Friday sale, all vinyl half price. Open 11am-5pm
Money Art Gallery, upstairs in Old Kent Market: with 60 artists, open until 8pm
Margate Movement Artists Collective: window of Margate Independent Foodbank, Duke Street
‘The Missing Star’ by Lunatraktors live: Olby’s Creative Hub and livestream
‘Food meets Art, Resort x Barletta’: Turner Contemporary Terrace
Treble Performing Arts: performances in Old Town
Daisy: pop up cocktail bar at Mala, Harbour Arm offering FF discount
Boondocks: Harbour Arm. Open until 8pm, 10% off and free fizz.
Naomi Gayle: sound bowls. 4.30-6pm. Venue tbc.
Cycle del Mar: meet 8.30pm, Market Place
Les Animaux, Lombard Street
High Street:
‘A Place In-between’ by Anka Dabrowska: Primark building, open until 8pm with a chance to meet the artist
Milk and Cookies: special offer, open until 8pm
‘AsWasIsNow – The First Edition’ by Dave Smith: Rhodes Gallery, The Centre open 5-8pm
Celtic Floor Muscles: Elsewhere, The Centre, after the Sundeck shuts down
Union Crescent:
Carl Freedman Gallery: open until 8pm
Northdown Road & nearby:
Cliffs: open until 8pm, small plates from the Bus Cafe
Lovelys Gallery: open 5-8pm with summer exhibition preview
‘Colours of Margate’: limited edition poster by Dan Thompson, free from Lovelys Gallery
‘Domestic Bliss’ exhibition by Ty Locke: 137 Northdown Road 6-9pm
Kavel Rafferty – “Where Were We’: Resort Studios, Athelstan Road, 5-9pm
Cliftonville (seafront side):
Roost, Cliff Terrace: 2 for 1 on any cocktail with a meal
Hera, Ethelbert Terrace: open til 8pm
Ant C: Faith In Strangers
Twitch Rock n Roll Party: Bar Nothing, Cliff Terrace, after the Sundeck shuts down
Let’s hope most of these places offer something better to view than the Turner Centre, always good for a laugh.
The majority of these businesses have nothing extra, or unusual to offer, they are simply trying to gain extra income, by staying open later.
And who can blame them for wanting extra income? The event may not appeal to all, but it will to some. But that’s what life is about – diversity. Take the Euros or Wimbledon as other examples – loved by some, hated by others!. So good luck to everyone taking part – I hope it is beneficial to you and that those who do attend have a lovely evening.
it is great to see local traders working together to encourage shoppers back in to town, good luck to all taking part