Happy Friday and happy birthday weekend to America.
The timing also works nicely because Team USA is still alive in the World Cup. They take on Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday night, which means we get at least one more chance to gather around a TV and support the boys in red, white, and blue.
And because this is technically a birthday party: George Washington was apparently an ice cream guy. Mount Vernon records show the Washingtons served ice cream to guests, and their estate inventory included multiple ice cream pots. So if you have ice cream this weekend, it’s not dessert. It’s patriotism.
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— First Sip Fuquay Team
THE SHORT LIST
Start Here: Your Weekend Lineup
If you only read one thing this week, make it this. The biggest stuff happening across town this week:
First Friday in Downtown Fuquay-Varina - Friday, July 3, 5:00–9:00 PM: Late-night shopping, dining, downtown sipping, and live music on Broad Street. Basically the easiest excuse to wander around town with a drink and call it a plan.
USA vs. Belgium at My Way Tavern - Monday, July 6, 8:00 PM: Best overall World Cup watch-party pick. They’ve been leaning into the USA soccer energy, and if you want jerseys, yelling, and actual game-day drink specials, start here.
Aviator Hangar Bar Fourth of July Menu - Saturday, July 4, starting at 4:00 PM: Aviator is rolling out the holiday food lineup with 10 wings for $10, white bean chili with cornbread, garlic bread, or crackers, and pizza available too. Add live music and a big beer, and that’s a pretty strong Fourth of July move.
USA! USA! USA!
⚽ Where to Watch USA vs. Belgium
Image Credit: USMNT
The U.S. is still alive, which means Monday night plans are now officially soccer plans. USA takes on Belgium in the Round of 16 on Monday at 8 pm, and Fuquay has a few solid places to post up. And yes, that red card last game was complete BS.
Best Bet: My Way Tavern
Best overall watch-party pick if you want the most intentional World Cup setup. They’ve been leaning into USA soccer promos, watch-party energy, and game-day drink specials.
$6 Nutrl
$5 Michelob Ultra Zero
$5 Truly Wild Berry
Best for: jerseys, yelling, and the closest thing to a true USA watch party in Fuquay
TCB - The Corner Biergarten
World Cup-friendly beer garden setup
Big screens
German beer
Bavarian pretzels
$2 off pints has been promoted around World Cup games
Best for: beer, pretzels, and a more casual watch-party feel
Duke's Kitchen and Taphouse
World Cup “Tastes of the World” food feature
USA-themed Cali Club Wrap has been featured
LIVE TUNES
🎶 July 4th Weekend Music Calendar
Image Credit: Nicholas Vernon Music
This week’s live music calendar is heavy on Friday, heavy on Aviator, and then mostly coasts into the holiday weekend. First Friday brings three downtown sets to Broad Street, Aviator has music spread across multiple stages, and Sunday gives you a few low-key afternoon options if you’re trying to ease back into real life.
Here’s this weekend’s lineup:
Friday, July 3
Matt Crowe at Broad Street Parking Lot - Friday, 6:00–6:55 PM: Part of the First Friday downtown lineup, aka an easy pre-dinner Broad Street stop.
Pam Ross at Broad Street Parking Lot - Friday, 7:00–7:55 PM: Another First Friday set downtown.
Drew Johnson at Broad Street Parking Lot - Friday, 8:00–8:55 PM: Closing out the First Friday music lineup.
Nicholas Vernon at Aviator Taphouse - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Patio-beer-friendly live music at the Taphouse.
Sonic Blues at Aviator Pizza & BeerShop - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Blues-leaning set if you’re grabbing pizza and beer.
Josh Rhyne Duo at Aviator Ready Room - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Duo set on Aviator’s Ready Room side.
Country Mile Wide at Aviator Hangar Bar - Friday, 8:30–11:30 PM: Late-night country set at the Hangar Bar.
Saturday, July 4
Longleaf Soul at Aviator Amphitheater - Saturday, 4:00–7:00 PM: A Fourth of July afternoon set at Aviator’s outdoor amphitheater.
Ry Lloyd at Aviator Taphouse - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Evening acoustic set at the Taphouse.
Red Beard Junction at Aviator Pizza & BeerShop - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Saturday night bar-band slot on the Pizza & BeerShop side.
Motel Keys at Aviator Hangar Bar - Saturday, 8:30–11:30 PM: Late-night Hangar Bar set if you’re keeping the Fourth going.
Sunday, July 5
Open Mic Jam at Oaklyn Springs - Sunday, 2:00–5:00 PM: Recurring Sunday open mic, all performers welcome.
Jason Bunch at Aviator Taphouse - Sunday, 2:00–5:00 PM: Acoustic, pop-rock-leaning afternoon set.
Joe Conroy at Aviator Hangar Bar - Sunday, 2:00–5:00 PM: Sunday afternoon live music at the Hangar Bar.
Joe Hero at Big Daddy's Roadhouse - Sunday, 2:00–5:00 PM: Roadhouse-style Sunday afternoon set.
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FRIDAY NIGHT
🎸 First Friday hits the night before the Fourth
Image Credit: FV Downtown Association
First Friday | Downtown Fuquay-Varina | Friday, July 3, 5:00-9:00 PM
First Friday falls on July 3rd, so you get live music in the Broad Street parking lot, shops staying open late, and local restaurants running specials all the night before the holiday. The Fuquay Writing Music & Film Society is involved in the music programming this month, and you can check out the line-up in our music calendar in the section above. Plan to park once and wander. Starts at 5:00, runs until 9:00.
THE REST
Honorable mentions for the week
20% Off Beer Pitchers at The Mill — Saturday, July 4: The Mill's regular Saturday deal is a solid holiday weekend move.
$4 Mimosas at The Mill — Sunday, July 5: Recurring Sunday special, easy recovery brunch option.
Brunch Specials at Aviator Brewing — Sunday, July 5: Craft beer brunch pairings at the Hangar Bar to close out the long weekend.
$2 Off N.C. Drafts & Kick the Keg at The Mill — Tuesday, July 7: $2 off North Carolina drafts plus a chance to win a $15 gift card.
Music Bingo at Oaklyn Springs Varina — Monday, July 6, 7:00 PM: Monthly music knowledge night at the Varina taproom on Broad Street.
Hammered Trivia at Oaklyn Springs Varina — Wednesday, July 8, 7:00 PM: General trivia over craft beer if the back half of the week needs a reason to get out.
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market — Saturday, July 4, 8:00 AM–Noon: Downtown market runs as usual even on the holiday weekend.
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