Rhode Island Bars/Eateries

Julian's is very good and great beers, but a little tight depending on when you go. What Cheer is more in the line of bar food (wings, chili, dogs) with a twist. Very good, but not where I'd go for dinner per se. I've never been to Rogue Island, but have heard good things and you're sure to grab some locals. I really like Pizza J on Westminster (owned by Julians) - solid beers, great pizza and a little less pricey than Julians. Right around the corner (walking distance from Pizza J is Long Live Beer Works - solid beers as well. I think they are having a can release tonight so it might be busy. Next to Long Live is the Slow Rhode restaurant - supposed to be good, but I've never eaten there. Right up the block is North (not the bakery) has very good food http://www.foodbynorth.com
and right across from North is The Avery - cool bar. Have fun!

 

I can confirm that Slow Rhode is very good. Have about a half dozen beers on as well. Pizza J would be my recommendation in truth. That is a pretty good choice for a pre-concert place to get some good food and beers and move through relatively quickly (unlike Julians).

 

Sorry - can release is next Thursday.

 

I like What Cheer. Julian's is likely to be packed as another poster noted already. Another choice is North, a restaurant with a lot of buzz, across the street is The Avery, a pretty decent bar. Both are in Luongo Square.

 

Stop drinking while posting, jeez.

 

bumping this thread

I'm going to be coming to Rhode Island fairly regularly from Chicago this year, primarily staying in Providence. Appreciate everyone's recommendations on the bars/eateries in this thread.

I'd love to visit some breweries as well, from what I've seen Long Live Beerworks, Proclamation Ale Company & Tilted Barn seem to be the best bets. Any other recommendations?

As far as bottle shops/liquor stores for NE options to bring back to Chicago, I saw High Spirit Liquors & Yankee Spirits. Are those my best bets or are there any true craft beer bottle shops in the area?

thanks!

 

Depending on how far afield you can go, Grey Sail in Westerly and Beer'd in Stonington, CT. Big thumbs up for Yankee Spirits in Attleboro.

 

Yes to the breweries you posted and Yankee Spirits. I would also venture to Nikki's Liquors on Branch Ave in Providence on your first or second trip, very nice craft selection although EVERYONE ELSE knows how good they are so limited bottles don't stick around long if you know what I mean.

Nikki's also has a nice little vintage room with cellared bottles that aren't marked up a ridiculous amount. On a lark I just picked up a 2011 Victory Dark Intrigue last week.

 

Eno Fine Wines is a store I dig. The Dorrance is a higher end place with good food, beer and cocktails. Right by the aformentioned Fete is a speakeasy called Justine's. Good and cheap cocktails. I haven't been yet but The Dean Hotel has a few bars: Faust is a German beer bar and The Magdalenae is a cocktail bar which has some good beer. You can get to Boston in about an hour via train from Providence Station and Trillium is a short walk from South Station.

 

Note before reading: my food choices are a little different as I'm a vegetarian. That said, I'll note if a place is totally veggie and you can skip if that's not your thing.

I like WhatCheer for their rotating beer selection but I haven't been in a while.

Julio's should be good, and I have enjoyed some beer there. But there just tends to be an issue when I go - they tap out and don't replace the kegs. I know this happens sometimes, but it's happened the last 3 times I've gone. Still worth checking out, just a point of frustration.

If you want a large selection of beers, the Malted Barley near Grant's Block is good for that. I've been a few times and the selection hasn't changed much. But with the sheer number of taps, you're likely to find something.

If you want to try something a little different, check out The Grange. It's down the street from Julio's. It's an all vegetarian/vegan place and they always have good craft on the beer list. The food is pretty good too.

Another place that's a little different is AS220on Empire St. They are a weird little hipster art venue and concert hall that also has a small restaurant next door. They had decent pours when I went. The pricing isn't bad and the food I had was great. The mac and cheese dish I had there was amazing. This place is NOT a vegetarian restaurant but I go there because usually half the menu (or more) is. But when I last went I think the special was some pork shoulder thing.

My favorite restaurant is Veggie Fun which is a vegetarian/vegan asian fusion restaurant. Don't let that scare you. Not much for beer on tap that I remember but amazing General Tsao. And it's walking distance to The Eddy, a great (but small) cocktail bar that makes a damn good Manhattan and Boulivardier.

A lot of people like the Trinity brewery. I've never gotten food there. The beer is okay in my opinion, never had anything that blew me away but I look to be in the minority on this establishment, so I'd be in the wrong to skip it.

If I can think of any more, I'll update or add a new post.

 

Ok, Julio's is a liquor store in Westborough, MA. Julians is a bar/restaurant on Broadway on the west side of Providence. It is good for sure. Their sister restaurant, Pizza J is on Westminster on the west side as well and they have a nice selection of beers there too (plus good pizza).

What Cheer has new owners now and I am not sure of how good it is now. I have not heard good things but sources may be biased. I wouldn't necessarily seek it out though.

Wild Colonial is good but can be a bit pricey. I do like the atmosphere though.

In general, I'd skip Trinity. It should be so much more than it is.

The Avery is an amazing bar with a small but solid beer list and solid cocktails. Prices are super reasonable for the type of bar as well.

Rogue Island in downcity has some good food (although I'll be honest I was only there for brunch) and a nice draft list. Prices aren't too bad for the location either.

 

If you go to the Avery, try dinner across the street at North.

 

FWIW, here's my quick take:

Julians is THE place to have good beer in Rhode Island. Pricey on some beers, crowded at times, hit or miss service, but a CURATED tap list served in tip-top condition. Add fun, creative food and a fun, creative environment, and this is my top choice. Get there early if it's Friday or Saturday and you'll be fine.

I went to What Cheer once. All the seats were taken, the tap list seemed uninspired (chosen as much by distributors as the cellarperson?), and the condition of the beers I had did not impress me. Did have a fun, personal atmosphere, but I have not been back to give it its 2nd chance yet.

Also went to Rogue Island once. Cool list, great condition, but stingy and unclear on the pour sizes. Food was hit or miss, and some of it was overpriced, but I'll have to go back before making up my mind.

The Grange is awesome. On the fancy side, and all or almost all vegetarian/vegan, but great food and beer.

My beer store of choice is High Spirits, who pack a lot of quality and great prices into a small space. Bottles is also a really good shop in Providence. Nikkis is talked about quite a bit, but personally I haven't had much luck there. Yankee Spirits in Attleboro is great, as long as you are willing to sift through a lot of really old beer to find the good/fresh stuff. Be sure to ask if you are looking for something specific, since they tend to keep the limited stock stashed away for customers who know what they want.

As far as breweries, Proclamation is the standout in terms of quality and originality. Grey Sail and Foolproof have some hits, too. I haven't had enough Tilted Barn to know about them.

 

Another vote for the Grange. Went last Friday and they had MBC lunch on tap. Food is so good, you do not miss the meat.

Harrys Burger Bar is always a hit. The Atwells location has a bigger beer selection and put more toppings on the sliders.

More obscure, but Churrascaria Marques in Cumberland has amazing grilled octopus on fridays. The beer selection is feeble (Carlsberg), but it's on way to Yankee spirits and the octopus is killer.

Yankee, Nikkis liquors, and Eno are good picks. Trillium canton is about 30 min north across border.