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Game On!

April 7, 2023

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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About

Downtown South Bend is celebrating sports and games this First Fridays with a "Game On!" theme. Enjoy free Behind the Scenes Tours at Four Winds Field in advance of their April 11 opening day, board games at Barnaby's, & Chicory, discounts at Unique Boutique for sports fans in their team's gear, a new brew at South Bend Brew Werks in honor of the Cubs, sports comedian Costaki Economopoulos at The Drop with a Meet & Greet with him at Four Winds Field prior,  Super Smash Bros Tournament at the Bendix LAN Center, and sports-themed food at Fiddler's & Woochi!

 

Plus, in honor of the recent Season 3 release of Ted Lasso, we are having some "football" fun on the Gridiron with the South Bend Lions. Perhaps we will even see Coach Lasso!

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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!

 

FREE PARKING

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Parking (on-street and in City-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends.  For full details on downtown parking options, click here

Entertainment and Activities

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501 W. South St.

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Opening Day for the South Bend Cubs is April 11th, and we have a special treat for this First Fridays  - free behind the scenes tours at Four Winds Field! From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. you will be able to take a tour which includes both the home and visiting locker rooms, the 1st Source Bank Performance Center, the Team Store, and the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop deck.

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There will also be a special FREE Meet & Greet with comedian Costaki Economopoulos from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Home Plate Suite during the stadium tours. Costaki will be headlining two shows at The Drop Comedy Club this First Fridays (see info below.) Meet Costaki, get autographs & photos, purchase merchandise, and buy tickets to one of his First Fridays shows if they're not sold out. 

120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Visit the South Bend Museum of Art this First Fridays for the reception of the University of Notre Dame MFA Exhibition exhibit. Admission is free to this exhibit and the exhibits and galleries. The 2023  Scholastic Show is also still on display and will be up through April 29.

111 N. Main St.

7:00 pm. & 9:00 p.m.

In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Aloft Hotel and features amazing comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night! This First Fridays they will have headliner Costaki Economopoulos for one night only - two shows. He is a sports commentator and stand-up comedian, best known for being a regular guest on the syndicated Bob & Tom Show. That segment has spun off into “Quick Snaps" on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and podcast.

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There will be a special FREE Meet & Greet with Costaki at Four Winds Field before the show April 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Home Plate Suite during the stadium tours (see info above.) Meet Costaki, get autographs & photos, purchase merchandise, and buy tickets to one of his First Fridays shows if they're not sold out. 

 

DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night 9:00 p.m. show. 

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Howard Park

7:00 pm. to  9:00 p.m.

The VPA Adult Recess Event and Great Egg Hunt have been rescheduled to April 7. This FREE event is open to anyone 21+. Come hang out, enjoy the live music, have some drinks and food from food trucks! Registration for the Great Egg Hunt portion of the event is now full.

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127 N. Main St.

8:00 pm. to  11:00 p.m.

Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen this First Fridays, and check out Fiddler's Hearth baseball tees which will be for sale!

1025 Northside Blvd

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Country florist will have their camper “shop” in front of the wine bar this Friday with lovely fresh bouquets and plants for your Easter weekend. Also enjoy live music by Lucas Miner 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Ted Lasso Craft Activity at DTSB Tent

The Gridiron

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Stop by the DTSB Tent on the Gridiron to make your own customized "BELIEVE" sign to take home and hang up for inspiration. We will also have a drawing for a free pair of SB Cubs tickets!

120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

The Bendix LAN Center Powered by Xfinity - in partnership with Michiana Smash and the Garage Arcade Bar - is hosting a Super Smash Bros Tournament this First Fridays in the Bendix Lan Center, located on the lower level of the Century Center. There will be both a Super Smash Bros Melee and Ultimate tournament. Participation is free and cash prizes will be awarded. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and registration must be done online at this link by 6:30 p.m. Walk-ins are allowed prior to 6:30 p.m. as well. The Garage Arcade Bar will host a 21+ after party with live music by Satellite 40.

713 E. Jefferson Blvd. 

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Barnaby's invite you to come dine and play board games this First Fridays. They will have some board games available and welcome families to bring their own games.  

105 E. Jefferson Blvd. 

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Chicory Cafe will have board games and chess boards out, plus live music by Craig Turner from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

321 S. Main St.

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Bring out your inner diva at South Bend Brew Werks with karaoke this First Fridays (and every Friday!)

111 N. Main St.

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Live @ Aloft in the WXYZ bar will feature DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes.  Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge. 

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The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause sold donated to their featured charity of the month.   Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.

305 E. Colfax Ave.

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Fire Arts Inc. invites the public to the opening reception of their Annual Juried Show - "Vernal Reawakening." As time passes and life seems to emerge from a cold darkness, there is a sense of hope. A metamorphic time of rejuvenation, reinvention, reimagination, Spring returns. What is your vision for a new Spring season? Fantasy or reality, it is a time of rebirth or revitalization.

Online Contest

5:00 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday

Dear Evan Hansen comes to the Morris Performing Arts Center April 25-30, and now is your chance to win two tickets to the opening night show!

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A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in.

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Winner of six Tony® Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

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Enter to win by clicking the link below. The contest opens at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evening. DTSB will contact the winner next week.

Retail and Dining Specials

NOTE: First Fridays drink specials are available for anyone 21+ throughout the day on First Fridays, for the operating hours of participating businesses.  

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119 N. Michigan St.

5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Woochi will be offering 50% off their special themed cocktail & sushi roll this First Fridays:

The Halftime Treat for $6 (normally $12) and the Grand Sumo Roll for $10 (normally $20) with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, crabmeat, cucumber, avocado wrapped in seaweed and spicy mayo and unagi sauce.

127 N. Main St.

5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Get a sweet sports-themed dessert at Fiddler's Hearth this First Fridays - the Ballpark Sundae with popcorn ice cream, salted butter caramel sauce, brown butter blondie, peanut brittle, and butter cotton candy!

Friends of the Library Book Sale

333 S. Michigan St.

12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Library Book Sale is back open!  Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

50% off April Specialty Drinks at St. Joe Coffee Co. 

305 S. Michigan St.

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The St. Joe Coffee Co. - the new coffee shop located inside the St. Joe County Library's Community Learning Center - will be featuring 50% off their April specialty drinks: the Birthday Cake Latte with cupcake syrup, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles; and the Blooming Lemonade: lemonade with blackberry and lavender syrup. 

122 S. Michigan St.

10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Unique Boutique International - located just east of the South Bend Chocolate Cafe - will be offering 50% off to sports fans wearing their team's cap or shirt/jersey this First Fridays.  

121 S. Niles Ave.

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

We Welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Perry Vine! They recently opened inside the Emporium Building and will be doing tastings this First Fridays, with one free tasting per customer. Additional tastings are $1.50. If you plan to buy a glass you’re welcomed to BYOM (bring your own meal) and dine in the atrium area adjacent to our store — please note seats are limited. They will also have bottles for sale! Bring back your clean bottles and receive 10% off your next purchase!

321 S. Main St.

4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

South Bend Brew Werks will release a brand new lemon göse (sour beer w/ coriander, sea salt and lemon) this First Fridays called Go Cubs Göse. If the weather is good they will also have their cornhole boards out..

231 S. Michigan St.

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participants - Dainty Maid Co. Food Hall! They will have special extended hours for dinner on weekend nights including First Fridays, with dining options from Oak + Ash, The Beard & The Boss, Smashed, Propaganda Pizza, Hall Pass, and a Roaster Called Revenant.

321 S. Main St.

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participant - Salon Nouveau - located in side the Hibberd Building across from the library in downtown. They will be offering special discounts this First Fridays.

Ongoing First Fridays Promotions

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Barnaby's

713 E. Jefferson Blvd.

$4 pints every First Fridays; also featuring a First Saturdays special each month: any large 2 topping pizza, an order of breadsticks, and a pitcher of pop (or a 2 liter on carry out orders) for only $22 plus tax.

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Bruno's

131 S. Michigan St.

Get one 14″ 1-topping pizza for $15

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Chicory Cafe

105 E. Jefferson Blvd.

16 oz. Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands for $5​

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Ironhand Wine Bar

1025 Northside Blvd.

Live music by Lucas Miner and 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc​

South Bend Chocolate Cafe 

122 S. Michigan St.

2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo

Tippecanoe Place/Studebaker Grill

620 W. Washington St.

1/2 price appetizers In the Studebaker Lounge 

NOTE - Studebaker Brewing Co/Tippecanoe Place will be closed this First Fridays.

Unique Boutique International 

122 S. Michigan St.

50% off the entire store 

WXYZ Bar at Aloft 

111 N. Main St.

Buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off; plus monthly Cocktail for a Cause, with $1 from every cocktail sold donated to their featured charity of the month.

SPONSORS

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