Wickenden Pub

Wickenden PubWickenden Pub
Wickenden PubWickenden Pub
Bar, Eatery

320 Wickenden St
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903-4469
United States

(401) 861-2555 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
29
pDev:
11.72%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bignick:
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Reviewed by bignick from Massachusetts

4.09/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This is one of my favorite places in New England to have a beer. It appeals to me both because they have a pretty good selection (12 or so lackluster taps and 80 or so very good bottles) and because it has the "charm" of a college bar. That is to say, it is a young crowd, and they offer some very large glasses. The last two times I went there I had a 34 oz of fresh Harpoon IPA and a 34 oz of Red Seal Ale for $7.50. Unfortunately, these were both the best beers on tap at the time, but the bottle selection is quite broad and expansive. The tap list is rotated occasioanlly, but I do not think the bottle list does. This place is an institution; it has been in existence for over one hundred years, and at its current rate, it is not going anywhere.
Feb 13, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.46 by coachp73 from Rhode Island

Dec 10, 2017
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Reviewed by BFrie from North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4.25
Small front bar, that opens up into a larger dining area and I think an upstairs. The sliders are very tasty. Beer selection was great, although it left me wanting more. Not much on draft, I think 10-12 if I recall. More in bottles and cans.
Oct 10, 2017
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Reviewed by jtrevor4 from Rhode Island

4.78/5  rDev +19.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Am in there most Wednesday's from September through March. Kenny the bartender is great and really knows his beer. Rotates quality beers on his taps throughout the year.
Dec 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.86 by Doomcifer from Rhode Island

Nov 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by AllieJ76 from Rhode Island

Jun 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BColton1 from Rhode Island

Jun 08, 2014
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Reviewed by Celtics76 from Rhode Island

3.46/5  rDev -13.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3
As soon as I walked in here, I was blasted by a strong odor that was very ammonia-like. Perhaps they cleaned the bathrooms, which would be the first time.

Anyway, I always enjoy a dark, Irish-pub like atmosphere and this one delivers. Obviously you should only come here if you want to throw down a few brews (and/or play darts) so the beer selection is key. What I found is that the selection of beers on tap is very run of the mill (Guinness, Harpoon IPA, Sam Seasonal, etc.) but there is a nice selection of beer by the bottle. I ended up having a bottle of Stone Pale Ale, which tasted fresh.

Service was solid from a friendly bartender, but ultimately this place loses major points due to the mediocre tap selection. As a craft beer fan, I don't go to bars to drink bottled beers.
Mar 21, 2013
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Reviewed by GJ40 from North Carolina

3.86/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
The Wickenden Pub is a casual neighborhood pub that's been doing its thing for a long, long time. It's small and there's nothing fancy about the place but it is extremely comfortable and authentic. They have a small bar, a small area for sitting / standing and a dart board. It's generally dark but they often keep the front door open to let in some light and fresh air.

They haven't changed much over the years and that includes the beer. They have about 10+ on tap and generally feature the high end of the mass produced market such as Bass, Guinness and Sam Adams. They do have a few smaller craft breweries like BBC but not enough. They have lots of bottles too but I never look at bottles when I go out for a beer.

The Wickenden Pub is a great place to relax and have a beer but don't expect too much in the way of craft beer on draft.
Apr 02, 2010
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Reviewed by spoons from California

3.79/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
A classsic dive in providence. This is a great place to learn about and try new beers. Im sure it has turned many a college high life drinker into beer snob.

Yeah, the service isnt so great but if you come on a quite night you can actually sit down and talk to the bartenders and have a decent beer or 6.

They also offer a club so you can get 'free' swag if you come in a drink every single beer they have, even the shit ones. If you went to college in Providence and you like good beer you probably have your name on the wall here.

I highly recommnend this place, just be ready for it to be packed and loud but you can still get a great beer.
Apr 02, 2010
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Reviewed by jmagoni from Rhode Island

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
The Wick is a great little dive bar that attracts a diverse yet chill crowd for the most part. Their draft selection is a little weak IMO, but they have a decent to good selection of bottles, both 12oz and bombers. The bartenders for the most part are knowledgeable and friendly and will often suggest beers for me depending on what I've been drinking. I mostly enjoy going here on a Friday or Saturday night after I get out of work at 10pm and just enjoying a good super sized draft with some friends then hitting up Fellini's a few doors down for a slice or two.
Mar 29, 2010
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Reviewed by CHILLINDYLAN from Washington

4/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A great little dive bar with a good selection. The atmosphere is dark and cave-like, with an old school feeling pub up front with big wooden tables, and a outdoor fenced in patio in the back (always nice to be able to get some fresh air). Sometimes the place would get packed beyond belief, especially on the weekends and raffle nights. I did win the grand prize one night there, that was pretty awesome. But it's best to stick to off nights if you're like me and don't want a loud crowded bar. Good selection of beers, tons of bottles of every variety, a decent tap selection, 13 taps i think. Reasonably priced. They don't have food there, but they've let us bring in a pizza from pizza pie-er (down the street) and drink beers with it. I probably should've started a beer club card there, but never did, i reckon I'd be pretty close to getting my name on the wall.
Feb 28, 2010
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Reviewed by berserka from Rhode Island

3.29/5  rDev -18%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3
I started going to Wickendon Pub in 1995 and completed their 99 beer club to get my name on the wall. I have always credited them with my introduction to "better" beer, which eventually led to home brewing. I recently went there on a Saturday night; too crowded, service wasn't great, had to stand, etc. I recommend the slow nights (Monday to Wednesday) or afternoons.
I have always liked the cave like atmosphere, and the huge TV's kind of ruin that.
Overall, I think it's a great place as long as you go at the right time.
May 09, 2008
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Reviewed by RomanW70 from Rhode Island

2.74/5  rDev -31.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5
I have no idea why this place is rated so high. They have a large but not great selection, it's pricey, the crowd is annoying, and the staff is rude. I've got nothing against the place, but it's definitely not a destination bar in RI. If I'm going out for beer, I'm going to Track 84 or Pitcher's Pub. Wickenden Pub has a large selection of beers, but an unexciting mix of local and common micros, major imports and macros. I've never seen anything on tap that excites me. I know it has a reputation as a great beer bar, but it really isn't that special. I'd much rather to go to Wild Colonial for atmosphere or Julian's for beer.
Apr 17, 2008
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Reviewed by dippy from Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +21.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
This is where I started to discover beer. The pub is dark and dirty looking. It is a great place when the losers from Brown aren't there. This place has everything that you would ever want out of a pub. Beer. It has a lot of beer. 99 different brews to choose from. The bartenders are as kind as they need to be. Free pizza on fridays (get there around the time for The Simpsons and you might get a slice). They encourage trying new beers which I respect.

When I think about openning a bar of my own, this is the bar I would open.
Oct 10, 2007
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Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

3.7/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
I like the Wickenden Street Pub for many reasons. Ted the bartender is a riot. He's just a cool regular guy who seems happy to shoot the breeze when it's not too busy. Tap selection is limited, but it's quality; however, the bottle list is pretty extensive. For a nominal fee, you can also join the beer club and earn some cool prizes. Drink all 99 and get your name on a plaque. The place is also dank, and I like dank. The Wick is definitely not for everyone, but it's a nice place to hang out. Free pizza friday is a plus, although you can bring food in from a number of local restaurants on Wickenden or Hope. Also, one of the regulars often stops by with his giant Mastiff who is about the size of a pony. Just a nice place to hang out and drink a draft.
Sep 05, 2007
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Reviewed by YankChef from Louisiana

3.03/5  rDev -24.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
THe wickenden pub on wickenden street in providence is a great place for a great selection of beers. You can also join the "beer club" and you get a punch card that keeps track of your journey through they're 99 different beers and homemade beer concoctions. My favorite aspect of the pub is actually the micro of the month feature which has a rotating micro craft beer brew that is generally very good. THey also have 10-15 beers on tap with a couple macros, a couple "micro macros" and a few micros.
The bad is the service, the guys ive seen are meat gates. WWE is on constantly whenever i have been there ( 9 or 10 times) WWE is on in the background with the bartender wholeheartedly affixed to the tv. Rude as well and look all pissed off at you when you tear them away from they're precious sports entertainment.
All in all this is still a beer bar with a great selection, even though they hand you a soaking wet pilsner glass no matter what you are drinking to pair with your beverage. This place has a hell of a lot of potential, they just have to work on some serious personel issues.
Apr 08, 2007
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Reviewed by radshoesbro from California

4/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
located right in the center of wickenden st in lovely providence, rhode island. this is a charming little bar that i honesly do not frequent nearly as often as i should. they have a ton of bottled beer (must be 50 plus) and some on tap. the service is a friendly, but no more so than most bartenders. in fact, i've found that some of the worst bars have the best service. but i digress. what i really love about this place is that it attracts a younger crowd, and thus, i fit in quite nicely. the men's bathroom has so very humorous writing on the walls, which i suggest you check out while you're there. my only qualm with the place is that it's a bit on the small side. only four tables and not a very large bar. can't come here with very many people.
May 27, 2006
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Reviewed by ribeer11 from Rhode Island

4.64/5  rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
My favorite bar by far. Good selection, great service. They have a few rotating beers..(bottles) and a seasonal and rotating tap. Everyone there is friendly....and if you go there enough they all know who you are....it's like the Cheers of Providence. I love their Beer Club and am currently on my 5th card. They have recently added a "smoking lounge" out back...it's basically a back yard fenced in...and it now has a Koi pond with a waterfall. This place has a special charm that you either love or don't...
Sep 28, 2005
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Reviewed by slander from New York

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
What exactly is a "Wickenden"? Yeah, I know, you're thinking "Wiccan Den", a place where Wiccans hang, doing their... bidding? Conveniently nestled in a residential neighborhood for optimal Wiccaning, perhaps? Well, I didn't see any of that going on here but I can't discount it.
The bar is located at ground floor level and feels very basementy. The walls behind the bar and behind you when you're sitting at the bar are old stone, seemingly painted dark and varnished 'cause they're all shiny. The front and rear walls are clean dark wood. Ceiling is wood beams with a portion painted and a portion panelled wood. There's shelving behind the bar housing booze and glassware, and a shelf with nothing but 1/2 yard glasses on display. 3 Booths along the wall behind you, 3 tables in the middle of the room, a bar counter with seating/leaning space for 9, and an old dark wood bar that seats upwards of a dozen and a half. At the end of the bar is a full yard glass displayed on the counter and ancient copper pitchers and cups hang overhead and on walls.
13 taps over 3 towers. A few New England micros (Seadog IPA, Newport Storm Amber, Sam Adams Winter & Lager, Harpoon IPA), and then Guinness, Harp, Bass, Newcastle, Rolling Rock, Miller Lite, and a Cider. You can get drafts in 16 ounce, 20 ounce, 1/2 yard, or 34 ounce mug servings. There's a cooler of beers in the front corner near the door. I've reas reviews stating 99 bottles but I can't validate that. I did see a good mix of the standard micros, macros, imports and other (Spotted the Weyerbacher Winter a long ways from home). They've got a curious 99 beer club. I asked to see the card and the 99 beers were pretty much the mix of micros, macros and imports they carry. It's just odd because it was implied that you had to drink specifically these 99 beers, not any 99 beers there. They tout the, "Life is too short to drink crappy beer" motto here, but they force some of that on you if you want to take in the 99 beers for the club (I'm sure I have that wrong and you can just take in any 99 beers. At least, I'm fairly sure that I'm sure).
Service was very good. One of the funniest damn bartenders ever and he wasn't trying. He had a cold and wanted a bowl of hot soup. He poured the soup from a can into a bowl but the bowl wouldn't fit into the microwave so he ended up eating it cold. Kind of defeats the purpose. He also made a "to do" about the selection of new discs loaded into the CD juke box by the guy who comes and changes the discs as we'd never heard of a bunch of them. Just good comedy.
Good CD juke box, Phil's golf game in the corner and a TV at the end of the bar, where we got to watch "The Gauntlet" for a little while ("State line's a lonely place to find out that your own people set you up").
It was pretty quiet on this Friday afternoon. Just Phil and myself and another patron or two. And then Romeo showed up. A bull mastiff, biggest goddamn dog I've ever seen. Thought it was a bear. He let out a resounding bark. He meant that shit, you could tell.
Nov 29, 2004
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Reviewed by MuddyFeet from North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Located in what feels like an ancient basement, the Wickendon Pub has overall on of hte better beer selections in RI. They have 99 bottles and 13 taps, with some sort of beer club where you get free stuff after you try everything. They have a fair chare of macros with all the micros. Also a decent selection of English and Belgium bottles. I've never seen this place even close to full, so I always wonder how the turnover is with all the beer. But I've never had a bottle that has gone bad. In terms of beer knowledge, the owner is pretty good, but the other bartenders were not particularly helpful. The atmosphere everytime I have been there is kind of dead. Never more than 10 people. It is also kind of dark with dark tones, which do not do much for a bright atmoshere. It actually reminds me of some of the basement pubs I have been to in Ireland. Also, I do not think they have any food.
Apr 29, 2004
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Reviewed by ybnorml from Rhode Island

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
The Wickenden pub has been a bar on and off since the 1800's before prohibition. This acounts for the low ceilings and fieldstone walls. I recently did the 99 beer club thing here. Drink 99 different beers have your card punched and get a hat, a t-shirt and a nice golf style knit shit. Also you get your name on a brass plaque put up on the "Wall of Shame". Note the quickest any one completed their card is in 10 days. Of the 10 taps one is now a revolving microbrew. Last month was Long Trail, this month is Archer Ale and next up is North Coast Red Seal Ale. Last night I had a Grittys Best Bitter and ASN Bigfoot. I don't usually stay too late ( I stop in after work) , so I'm not usually exposed to the noise and smoke factor. If you're in there between 4 and 6 you might get to meet Romeo. All the girls love him. Oh by the way I've always enjoyed myself here.
Apr 09, 2004
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Reviewed by etho1416 from New York

4.66/5  rDev +16.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
The wick has the largest selection of beer of any bar in RI. THey have over 100 beers in bottle and about 10 on tap. They have a beer club, that if you drink a 100 of their beers, you get your name on a plaque on the wall. This makes for a great excuse to attempt to drink all thier beers. The selection inlcudes almost every new england microbrew there is plus a large selection of interesting foreign beers. The prices tend to run rather high. every thursday they have a raffle night where they give away a ton of great prizes in a free raffle. The crowd is made up of mostly college kids but tends to be very diverese and friendly.
Feb 22, 2004
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Reviewed by Running4beer from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Fun place. People are friendly, staff is friendly and once in a while you'll get a visit from a Bull Mastiff(big dog) belongs to the owner who joins us just before last call for a drink. Many jokes on the walls in the bathroom(as slothrop states in his review), to the carvings of people's names, slogans etc on the wood tables, the wall of shame for drinking all 99 varieties of sweet brew. Not bright inside just the right setting for a laid back night of drinking, relaxing and meeting new people. Fairly descent selection of beers, there are 99 different types but could be a better 99. Great slogan " Life's to short to drink shitty beer", like I said there's a big selection and they even have some shitty beer if you like that. It does close early and I asked about that it's because the block they are on is considered residential so 1145pm is last call and 12am doors close. This is a good place to get the night started, knock back a few and have a good night out in Providence.
Oct 24, 2003
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Reviewed by vitesse from Georgia

4.14/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
a tiny little pub. lots of dark woods on the interior. located in a funky neighborhood of providence with lots of nice, casual restaurants nearby.

long beer list of 100 or so in bottles. som draugts to, but nothing that's too hard to find on tap. i had orval, leffe and celebrator there.
plenty of american micros, too.

check out their 99 beer club with plaques on the wall.
i went on a sat. afternoon when it wasn't crowded, but apparently it's popular with students on weekend nights. prices seemed pretty fair, also.

one of the top two or three beer establishments in the city. a must-visit.
Jul 23, 2003
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Reviewed by ecoboy from Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I cannot add much beyond what is written here already, other than to say I feel like I have been unable to get to the Wick Pub any other time than when it is crowded and noisy (read: weekend nights.) It's really small. I bet they could move to new digs that were a little bigger, but then it wouldn't be the Wick Pub. Perhaps that's why the locals (and the PC seniors, strange I never went there when I was at Brown) love it so much. They know their favorite days and times to go and can space out their visits fror when they need that beer bar jolt. It is certainly a fun place for younger folks, but being 35 and looking for a low-key environment in which to try new beer doesn't lead me here that often.

The beer selection is unassailable. That's why you should stop in.
Jun 17, 2003
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Reviewed by markman from Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Pretty cool place…decent selection of beer: 99 bottles and 10 or so on tap. The bottle selection, while not outstanding (read "Sunset Grill and Tap" in Boston), did have a few standouts: Celebrator Doppelbock, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, Brooklyn Brown Ale, and Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale to name a few. For the most part, the local type stuff from the likes of Magic Hat, Mercury, Sam Adams, Smuttynose, and Harpoon, dominated the US bottle selections (only one style, usually and IPA or Pale Ale, from each brewery for the most part), there was a Belgian or two, and an evenly distributed selection from the rest of Europe. The draught selection included the now ubiquitous Bass and Guinness along with Harpoon, Sam Adams, and Saranac.

Damn near everyone there had a card for the bartender to punch a hole in to identify how many of the 99 bottled beers he'd had: 33 gets you a t-shirt, 66 gets you a hat or underwear, 99 gets you a "staff" t-shirt and your name (with an original quote) on a brass plate on the wall. It’s a great gimmick I suppose as damn near everybody in there was having their cards punched. It costs $4.00 for the card and you will have to wade through some swill like Corona (well reviewed at http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/75/232/) to earn your name on the wall of fame. It is interesting though that that the back of the shirt says in big bold letters, " Wickenden Pub, Because Life is too short to drink shitty beer"…and that is exactly why I did not throw down my $4.00.

The bartenders were a good bunch of guys; around 5:30 one had 4-5 large pizzas delivered for all to enjoy "on the house" (the place does not serve food though you can buy chips for $0.75).

Overall, I liked the place and would return if in the area; the ambiance was just what a pub should be…dark and smoky with an old bar, and a bathroom that waxed philosophical while smelling of month-old piss…

Cheers.
Jun 07, 2003
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Reviewed by Hobbz from Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Beer tradition in Providence. Simply put.

A small neighborhood feel, yet more than a neighborhood bar, this local has been doing business a long, long time. And even though my frequenting here is less, I savor anticipation, the right occasion and a timely visit.

This is an old building and one can see this from the worn, stone-walled interior: I love it. Large selection of beers, both in bottle and on draft (with some rotation). No Bud and never was. Draft beers are poured in varying sizes: from a half-pint all the way up to 34-oz monsters (they also have 1/2 and full yards).

I prefer this place when not crowded, so as to enjoy the surroundings and beer (and be left alone from the haze...a while back I read a review which stated: "...a healthy mix of students..." Well, I tell you, I wouldn't necessarily use the term *healthy* from all the puff-puffing going on). Ok, I admit that I loathe cigarette smoke, but can mostly live with it (I tend to be less forgiving at home in the US). ** edit: now years into public non-smoking laws **

I give the atmosphere a 4.5... When busy and not in the mood for it, well, who knows how low it can go. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I enjoy going on the Thursday raffle night when loads of college kids descend... The famous Raffleman shines in the spotlight! This is good fun, but not necessarily beer fun.
Mar 14, 2003
Wickenden Pub in Providence, RI
Place rating: 4.01 out of 5 with 29 ratings