Providence Dive Bar Guide

Nautical Vibes & Live Music Dives

East Coast dive bars inevitably mix great food, unique neighborhood vibes and the occasional nautical theme to great effect. Providence’s selection of dive bars embodies all of those traits to great effect, adding to the mix a strong live music scene that runs through many of the city’s best bars.

But as far as nautical themed dive bars go, Captain Seaweed’s Pub in the city’s Fox Point neighborhood may be the country’s best, a simple brick building that hides an explosion of taxidermy fish and seafaring signage inside and on the dive bar’s extensive back patio. When the Providence weather cooperates, outdoor seating at Captain Seaweed’s Pub is difficult to beat.

The Providence live music spectrum is broad, demonstrated by fellow dive bars Nick-A-Nees and The Scurvy Dog, operating in different parts of the city but with a common devotion to divey live performances. The Scurvy Dog looks a bit like a black shoebox and borders the highway, a hub for punk music that spills out into annual blowouts in the bar’s parking lots. Similarly, The Scurvy Dog’s dive bar oasis downtown also features live music outside but matches it with a weekly bluegrass night that draws big crowds each Wednesday.

Put together, Providence is an excellent example of what East Coast dive bars do well, using specific traits of the region and creating indoor-outdoor spaces that withstand New England winters while maximizing each summer month. Adding a dive bar vibe on top of those great traits creates something special and Providence excels at doing just that.

Dive Bar Map

Providence Dive Bars Not Yet Reviewed

Must Visit Recommendations

Unfortunately, we have not yet been to every single dive bar in the city, but there probably a few more punch cards on our livers, so we’ll make it there soon. In the meantime, the curated list of dives below comes highly recommended by a variety of friends, online sources and drunks.

Cranston

Pontiac Tap

24 Pontiac Ave
Providence, RI 2907
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Fox Point

Captain Seaweed's Pub

162 Ives St
Providence, RI 2906
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Jewelry District

Nick-A-Nees

75 South St
Providence, RI 2903
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West End

The Scurvy Dog

1718 Westminster St
Providence, RI 2909
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Other Dive Bar Options

Bradley Café

571 Admiral St
Providence, RI 2908
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Celtic Pub

755 Broadway
Pawtucket, RI 2861
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East Providence Yacht Club

9 Pier Rd
East Providence, RI 2914
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ETC Lounge

173 Westminster Ave
Attleboro, MA 2703
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Knightsville Pub

1669 Cranston St
Cranston, RI 2920
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Larry's Lounge

2055 Smith St
North Providence, RI 2911
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McShawn's Pub

1336 Cranston St
Cranston, RI 2920
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Merrill Lounge / Broadway Lounge

535 N Broadway
East Providence, RI 2914
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Muldowney's Pub

121 Empire St
Providence, RI 2903
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Mulhearn's Pub

507 N Broadway
East Providence, RI 2914
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News Café

43 Broad St
Pawtucket, RI 2860
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Nolan's Corner Pub

529 Atwells Ave
Providence, RI 2909
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Pub 594

594 Reservoir Ave
Cranston, RI 2910
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Rock's Bar

451 Prospect St
Pawtucket, RI 2860
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The Parlour

1119 N Main St
Providence, RI 2904
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The Whalen

2647 W Shore Rd
Warwick, RI 2889
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Wickenden Pub

320 Wickenden St
Providence, RI 2903
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What Did We Miss?

15 + 15 =

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