Beer Towns » Providence
DRAFT Beer Town: Providence
By Noah Davis
Little Rhody may be our tiniest state, but when it comes to beer, bars, art and activities, its capital proves size doesn’t matter.
Appeared in: March/April 2008 Issue
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Beer Bars:
Bars:
Sleep:
Dine:
Do:
Other:
Bars
Wickenden Pub320 Wickenden St
Providence RI
“Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer…” At the Wickenden Pub, not
only are they on the wall, but you can drink them. And those that do (not all at once, of course) are rewarded with their name on the Wall of Shame. Now that’s a feat worthy of a song.
401.861.2555.
Captain Seaweed’s
162 Ives St.
Providence RI
At this neighborhood spot, you’ll find a mix of ancient, hard-nosed locals and Brown students seeking a good time. Pull a stool up to the bar, grab a reasonably priced pitcher, and listen to the stories of real Providence. You won’t be disappointed.
401.261.9220.
Wild Colonial Tavern
250 South Water Street
Providence RI
This spacious bar lies in an old brick building just feet from the Providence River. On weekends, it’s packed, but during the week the tables are free, the pool table open and the dart boards available. With 30 bottles to choose from and a dozen more on tap, you’ll find something great to sip.
401.621.5644.
Doherty’s East Avenue Irish Pub
342 East Ave
Pawtucket RI
Featuring almost 20 taps and 70 bottled beers, Doherty’s is one of the city’s better beer bars. The establishment’s new owners recently decided to focus on increasing the selection of microbrews, a choice that any beer connoisseur will appreciate. It’s off the beaten path, but worth the trip.
401.725.9520.
Red Fez
49 Peck St
Providence RI
The beer selection at this restaurant/bar combo leaves something to be desired, but upstairs at the Fez is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It pairs the hipness of Brooklyn with the prices of Providence. With $2 Schlitz pints and ’Gansett bottles for $2.50, you’ll feel like one of the cool kids without breaking the bank.
401.272.1212.
Brewpubs
Narragansett60 Ship Street
Providence RI
Founded in 1890, this brewery has recently experienced a revitalization at the hands of
former brewmaster Bill Anderson and High Falls Brewing Company. Be sure to ask for it by its signature slogan—“Hi neighbor. Have a ’Gansett.”—and you’ll sound like a local.
Coastal Extreme Brewing/Newport Storm
307 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI
In 1999, four Colby College grads did what any group of beer-loving friends should: They started a brewery. The result, Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, produces Newport Storm beers, including Hurricane Amber ale and Regenschauer Oktoberfest. The brewery tour is a can’t-miss.
Trinity Brewhouse
186 Fountain St.
Providence RI
This downtown Providence brewpub has at least six house-brewed beers on tap at all times. Highlights from the state’s largest brewery include the unoriginally named yet thoroughly enjoyable Rhode Island IPA, the Point Break Pale Ale and the Russian Imperial Stout. Hit the brewhouse before catching a hoops or hockey game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, then swing by afterward to celebrate the victory.
Union Station Brewery
36 Exchange Terrace
Providence RI
The highlight of this brewpup is its staff. The crew here is friendly, knowledgeable about beer and, best of all, willing to give samples. Thanks to them, you’ll feel like a regular the first time you pass through the doors, and the beer, courtesy
of John Harvard’s, isn’t too shabby, either.
Coddington Brewing Company
210 Coddington Highway
Middletown RI
This brewpup/restaurant is located just miles from Providence in Middletown, R.I. Featuring everything from a Czech pilsner to a raspberry cream ale, the seven-barrel brewery offers a taste for all palates.
Dine
Federal HillProvidence RI
A trip to Providence isn’t complete without a stop by Federal Hill, the city’s Italian neighborhood. Recommending one specific spot is an exercise in futility, as some of the best pasta this side of Sicily lines the streets. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least suggest the pizza at Caserta’s and the dessert and coffee at Caffe Dolce Vita.
Al Forno
577 South Main Street
Providence RI
Another of the city’s famous Italian restaurants, chef-owners Johanne Kileen and George Germon have been crafting fine culinary concoctions since 1980. They specialize in simple food that somehow wouldn’t taste nearly as good if you made it yourself. Go for the grilled pizza, stay for the Grand Cookie Finale.
Julian’s
318 Broadway
Providence RI
This restaurant defines artistic Providence, featuring tabletops covered by album art, a pierced and tattooed wait staff and paintings from the town’s up-and-comers lining the walls. The inspired food is damn good as well. Finding the restaurant is the hardest part, as the only acknowledgement of its existence from the street is the letter “J” with a star next to it (and a line of people outside).
Connie’s & Nikki’s Restaurant & Creamery
526 Pawtucket Avenue
Pawtucket RI
After a night out, there’s nothing like a good, hearty meal to start the day off right, and Connie’s is the best spot in town to get your breakfast on. The tiny place is short on frills, but boasts service with a smile and the city’s greatest breakfast platters at prices that make you wonder how it stays in business.
401.725.2540.
Do
WaterFireProvidence RI
A dozen times a summer, the Providence River lights on fire, and not because it’s polluted. Artist Barnaby Evans created 100 basins rising from the water that each hold a small bonfire. The strange spectacle is best viewed from the riverwalk, where thousands of people mingle, watch street performers and drink Dell’s frozen lemonade.
Pawtucket Red Sox
1 Columbus Ave.
Pawtucket RI
Fenway Park’s an hour up I-95, but for sheer value, you can’t go wrong catching a game at McCoy Stadium, home of the Boston Red Sox’s triple-A team, the Pawtucket Red Sox. You’ll see the stars of tomorrow up close and personal at the beautiful stadium. Plan ahead and you might even catch a player from the major league club on a rehab assignment.
Newport
Newport RI
The historic seaside town’s a short jaunt from Providence, featuring some of the best beaches in New England. The Cliff Walk offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and huge mansions on the other. No car? No worries. Just take the Water Ferry from Providence to Newport and back.
Thayer Street
Thayer Street
Providence RI
Thayer Street’s the place to go for all your quirky shopping needs. The retail center of Brown University features everything from independent bead stores to an Urban Outfitters and enough restaurants to feed the hunger you’ll develop. Don’t miss the Brown Bookstore, which holds thousands of tomes you never knew you needed.
Trinity Repertory Theatre
201 Washington Street
Providence RI
You will find few regional theaters better than “Trinity Rep,” as locals call it. From Shakespeare to its yearly production of “A Christmas Carol,” more than 160,000 visitors attend its plays each year, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be one of them.
Other
RISD224 Benefit St.
Providence RI
Art in Providence begins at the Rhode Island School of Design, where stars of the future collide with past masters in the school’s museum. From elaborate costume jewelry to photo-realistic paintings, the offerings will please even the most stringent art critic. The rest of us will just enjoy the show.
AS220
115 Empire St.
Providence RI
This quirky art space in downtown Providence has poetry readings one night, death metal the next and art exhibits on the walls. Both can be hit or miss, but are always entertaining.
David Winton Bell Gallery
64 College Street
Providence RI
This Brown University gallery hosts between six and eight major exhibitions every year. The permanent collection includes prints and drawings from luminaries like Rembrandt, Matisse and Goya, and photographs taken by Walker Evans, Aaron Siskind and Harry Callahan.
www.brown.edu/Facilities/David_Winton_Bell_Gallery.
The Providence Art Club
11 Thomas Street
Providence RI
Founded in 1880, the Providence Art Club’s one of the city’s oldest galleries, and it takes pride in that history. This past November, it held its 103rd annual Little Pictures Show & Sale, featuring original art for under $250. Presumably, a century ago, the price limit was significantly lower.
Bert Gallery
540 South Water Street
Providence RI
This might be a first in the art world: a gallery with a sense of humor. Featuring exhibits with titles such as “I could paint that,” Bert Gallery laughs at the artistic community while showing off some of its best work. After spending some time there, you’ll feel like you’re in on the joke.
Sleep
Providence Biltmore11 Dorrance Street
Providence RI
Located in the heart of downtown, the Biltmore Hotel has been a Providence fixture since 1922. The highlight is the glass elevator that runs up the middle of the L-shaped building, not to mention $10 million in recent renovations that brought comfort to the hotel’s historic feel.
The Westin
1 West Exchange St.
Providence RI
Another of the city’s old guard, the Westin is connected to the Rhode Island Convention Center and the Providence Place Mall. With more than 500 rooms, you’ll find one to suit the needs of any trip. You can see the Trinity Brewhouse from some of the rooms, so you’ll always know beer is within reach.
www.starwoodhotels.com/westin.
Hotel Providence
139 Mathewson Street
Providence RI
This one-year-old hotel combines the charm of old town Providence with modern amenities. The seven-story building features 80 rooms, but the attentive staff gives the place the feel of a boutique hotel. Best of all, it’s within walking distance of everything downtown Providence has to offer.
Mowry-Nicholson House
57 Brownell Street
Providence RI
This B&B is in a renovated house originally built in 1865 and formerly owned by two of Providence’s manufacturing barons. Before converting into a hotel, the building found itself on the Providence Preservation Society’s Top 10 Endangered List. Now, it’s a beautiful, quaint establishment with top-notch personal service, providing a perfect home base from which to attack the city’s attractions.
Radisson Hotel Providence Harbor
220 India Street
Providence RI
No one would confuse the Providence Harbor with Sydney’s majestic bay, but Little Rhody’s biggest city offers some pretty water vistas just the same. The Radisson is one of the few hotels featuring rooms with views of the water, making it easy to watch the boats as you plan your day.
www.radisson.com/providenceri.
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