Actually, I have higher standards for myself than to make a living serving toxic chemicals to people.

I mean I've been there dozens and dozens of times. You'd think I'd catch on at some point. You kinda sound like a bitter rival bar owner or something.

Maybe they successfully suckered you, and you didn't catch on.

I've been to Freeplay multiple times and didn't realize there was a dance floor upstairs. Thanks for shaping my weekend plans!

That sucks that happened to you. I go there fairly regularly and that has never happened. And I've never heard of it happening to anyone else. So whoever else is reading this, the hot club is a perfectly fine establishment. Especially if you want to be by the water.

I think you mean boombox karaoke bar

I thought I saw a sign for balut last week when I was in there!

Avoid The Hot Club. They will add drinks to your tab and you can't do anything about it but pay their tax.

Oh I hear ya - I just moved back to Providence from Brooklyn. The transit situation is not ideal, though it could be much worse. I would say hit the Amtrak from wherever is closest to you (because driving on 95 is just a fucking nightmare in either direction) and get a cheap airbnb for the night - the further in advance you book, the cheaper it is. I used to work in Boston and commute from Providence and yeah, going out with coworkers after work was a very dangerous game of transit chicken where if you lose you get to take an $85 Uber ride.

I feel like I've explored this option and it always comes back to having plenty of transit options to get to the show in Cambridge but having extremely limited options past midnight or whenever the show lets out. I'm coming from south county so getting to providence is half the trip. It's very frustrating after living in SF where it was a short bus ride to see any show. Honestly it feels easier to take the NYC overnight trip from Kingston station but I'm not made of money and if I was I'd still be in Cali.

Needle and thread. Pseudo-speakeasy type vibe. Good drinks. Nice charcuterie boards and oysters if you want something light before going out.

they also serve good hot food so even if they don't have balut still worth checking out imo

Definitely check out May Day

The Strand or The Met for live music! Have fun!

The best party clubs are the gay ones. Ego is the big one. And then Dark Lady. I tend to prefer Dark Lady as I'm in my 30s, and it's more drag queens and slightly older crowd than Ego which has every baby gay. I like the rooftop on Providence G when I want more dressed up and some food. My favorite has to be freeplay it's an arcade bar with old arcade games that are all free with cover. Way cooler than Dave and busters. They do have a dance bar attached upstairs, but I didn't care for it.

As far as restaurants, my favorite restaurant is Raphaels on Broad street in Providence. They've had a couple different names but they serve Nigerian food to die for.

Gullivers Tavern

Providence doesn’t really have a club scene

These are actual night clubs with music, dancing and lights.

The Salon

Fish Co

Hot club

The dark lady (lgbtq+)

Ego (18+ I think, lgbtq+)

Freeplay has a dance floor upstairs

Alchemy

Colosseum (18+ not the best crowd but always always busy and lively on the weekends)

I love how being a grown adult who is afraid of cities is now a flex for these people. I wish you all the best driving from one parking lot to another in perpetuity 🙄

I’m actually in a lower level and cannot hear anything above me. Unfortunately, the walls are a different story. But it’s mostly quiet!

I like the young balut , the ones in the Asian store does not compare to the ones in Manila.

These have to be the ugliest apartment buildings I’ve ever seen. What an eye sore.

I know your type 😏😏🤦🏿‍♂️ you're probably from Warwick somewhere 🥺

I don’t frequent night clubs, since a lot of them have violent crime surrounding them and I don’t dance, so I can’t help much on that front, BUT we’ve got some neat bars!!

Hot Club isn’t a club, it’s more of a dive, but it has a dope deck and is just so iconic Providence. It’s my favorite and they have surprisingly good food (basics like burgers and chicken tendies). They do have a DJ on the weekends when it gets later, too, so you could still theoretically dance. No cover fee.

Boombox is also a lot of fun, if you like karaoke. No cover fee but I believe they charge $1 per song.

EDIT: for food, not sure what kind of cuisine you’re looking for but some of our favorites are Los Andes (somewhat overhyped but good Peruvian and Bolivian — huge portions), Tallulah’s Taqueria (think Chipotle, but fresh), and Troop (funky vibe, dressed up street food — they usually have a DJ or live music on weekends, check their social media).

Not sure if it’s your thing, but we also have a lot of breweries. My personal favorites in the city are Bayberry Beer Hall (be warned it’s on the pricier end, but they also have good food) and Moniker.

As far as activities go, the RISD museum is free on Sundays and actually really well-curated.

Omg this looks so disgusting I have GOT to try it