Abe's

Bar

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

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.95
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
5
pDev:
7.34%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by rinypa:
Photo of rinypa
Reviewed by rinypa from Rhode Island

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Abe's is awesome. It's friendly, quiet, clean (in a comfortable, not corporate way) and has the nicest bar bathrooms I've ever seen. Nice little patio out back which is nice as the weather gets warmer.

"Beer bar" is one of those terms we all have our own definition of, but for Providence this place is definitely a beer bar. Perhaps not as strong as GCB or Wild Colonial, but they taps they do have here are solid. I haven't seen Fuller's ESB or Loose Cannon (the latter is there because the owner is from Baltimore) anywhere else in Providence.

It does attract an older crowd but that's mainly because the alternative is Wickenden Pub up the street, if you're in search of youth and grime go there.

I'm not sure there's any need for a kitchen. You can order United BBQ in house (not healthy but very good) or just stroll up or down the street to your choice of restaurants.
May 12, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of SUjunkie
Reviewed by SUjunkie from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Went here this past Friday night. Second time I have been here. This little bar has three things that are top notch -
1. Bartender (blond forget her name) who knows her beer and is very friendly. She runs the book club.
2. Dimly lit bar that is very clean, fully stocked and has good music playing on the ipod.
3. United BBQ delivers here. The best BBQ in Providence.

Tap list consisted of Loose Cannon, Rapscallion, Leffe, Guinness, Smithwicks, Magic Hat, etc. Nothing special, but still a solid offering of taps.
This is a nice place that is worth stopping by when in the Wickendon Street area.
Apr 04, 2010
Photo of dirkchivers
Reviewed by dirkchivers from California

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Basically Abe's is an upscale straight bar. They have some interesting things on tap and a tasty selection of bottles. A very relaxed place; a book club meets their regularly according to a sign. I kind of like that. No food but they have a discount at a delivery place nearby to get wings or whatever meat-eaters like. What was exceptional about this place is how clean it was. Maybe the place had just been remodeled, but it whole place gleamed, even in December when the grim is usually an inch deep on the floor.
Feb 03, 2010
Photo of ThirstyBird
Reviewed by ThirstyBird from California

4/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Well I stopped in here on Abe's second day open and revisited last night. The bartender remembered me from six months ago. That's a nice thing. That said we had great service. Now on to the beer. About 30 bottles including some 750s and bombers. The smaller bottles were a bit more mainstream though they had a few craft and interesting import choices. They had 8 taps consisting of Guinness, Smithwicks, Leffe Blonde, Brooklyn Lager, Rapscallion and a few more. I had a Schwelmer Pils in a bottle followed up by a Brooklyn Lager on draft.

You can usually order BBQ from the owners BBQ place up the street though it was closed for the holidays when I was there. The beer seems touch on the pricey side.

I will say that my girlfriend really enjoyed herself with a fancy cocktail so we will likely be back. Though not a beer destination it is a place where you can certainly find a decent brew.
Dec 27, 2009
Photo of Jwale73
Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

3.86/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Abe's (formerly Babe's), located a few doors down from the Wickenden Pub has a nice, neighborhood feel to it. Lots of wood and brass and dimly lit. A large L-shaped bar greets you as you enter and can accommodate about 12 people. The remaining area is split between some smaller tables adjacent to the bar area and then some larger tables and booths beyond a partition wall. Both times I have visited there haven't been too many patrons. There really only seems to be one staff person behind the bar and he is friendly and attentive. No food menu to speak of; just munchies. However, it is my understanding that the owner of Abe's also owns United BBQ on Ives Street, so you can ask for a menu and have it delivered right to Abe's (which I did on a previous visit). On to the tap list - I've been twice and they seem to be rotating a couple taps, but there are 8 or 9 in total. On 10/21 they had Leffe Blonde, Brooklyn Lager, MH Lucky Kat, Smithwicks, Guinness, Rapscallion and a couple other that I can't quite recall. Guinness & Smthwick's being the most common of the bunch. The bar is fully stocked, from wine to spirits, and there is also a small fridge below the level of the bar with some additional craft brews, mostly in bombers, including Stone, Brooklyn, and a few other varietals. Although not a lot of taps, I feel there is great potential if they can get the tap list squared away. It's not bad, but a little random. It would be nice to see some seasonals, as well as perhaps a German tap and another Belgian or a rotation out of the the Leffe. Pint prices seemed a little high to me - $6.50 for a Leffe - however, not exorbitant for the area. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Oct 23, 2009
Abe's in Providence, RI
Place rating: 3.95 out of 5 with 5 ratings