bouncers accused my friend of being "too drunk" when he was completely sober. discriminatory and off-putting in so many ways.

security guard groped me so hard i almost fell over, then staff refused to let me in because i "had too much to drink". i am 20 and had nothing to drink. me and my friends were on the list and i think they just didn't want ALL of us to get in for free because we're under 21. staff then encouraged my friends to go in without me and leave me, a young woman, alone on the streets. awful experience i will never go back. wish it was possible to leave zero stars. read more

the dj was amazing! plenty of space for dancing, sitting, standing, and everything in between. the lighting and atmosphere was beautiful, and a great place for dancing! the bartenders are all very nice and pour heavy, plenty of entertainment options from Thursday-Sunday. Drag, Dancing, Comedy, and a room full of love and acceptance, a great place for LGBTQIA+ and all your friends who are willing to go! read more

One of the first clubs in Providence I started frequenting and it's an absolutely amazing spot. Bright neon lighting everywhere, all kinds of mirrors. Age demographic mostly college aged, very much a circuit party scene. Great fog machines. Music is a little iffy depending on the night but overall a great place to party. read more

The security guards at this place are horrible, ignorant, abusive, and on top of that, they are very crooked. They threw a colleague of mine out and he hadn't even been in for 10 minutes. They said they confused him. This place is getting worse and worse. It's really bad there. Boston is a good idea today, at least for me read more

Ableist security guard, wouldn't let my friend in because she has autism. We are amazing friends so we didn't go in either, ego lost money tonight, the gays lost a lesbian tonight. I love ego most of the time, tonight they were different, homophobic even. They would not like arcane. Sorry i am a lady kisser and sorry my friend is neurodivergent. read more

EGO Providence - Ableist security guard. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Used to frequent Ego years ago. Went this past Saturday as a friend was in town from Philly. We stopped at Free Play arcade bar prior and had 2 drinks. My friend unzipped her overstuffed purse to pay cover causing a Tide stick and a sani wipe to fall out. The bouncer (MIKE is what he told me his name was when asked) told us we couldn't get in due to this after the girl already swiped my card. What a joke! We weren't buzzed or acting inappropriate. I will NEVER give Ego business again and will certainly spread this to my fellow LGBTQs. This place sucks and has certainly changed. Ego should look at their staff and hold them accountable for their absurdity before they go out of business. Went to another gay club after and not one issue. read more

35$ for a cover and you can't even give me a free cup of water? The bartender was completely rude about this too. It's also way too crowded in there, 0% chance the fire Marshall would have approved the capacity on pride night. The fire Marshall also wouldn't like you not allowing us out of exits clearly marked with "exit" and making us pinch our way across the entire building just to escape. The music and lights are cool but I'm not coming back, first and last time after this experience. read more

Good music. Limited drink choices because it's 18+ so they only serve the basics. No drafts. I had a good time, but wouldn't return because it's 18+ and not my scene. I'm happy young LGBT+ people have a fun place to go. read more

I've been coming here for several years all throughout college. I went back with a friend for a night of dancing and Ego once again did not disappoint. Safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, songs are good, vibes are good. I love it here. read more

Honestly I would love to say this place is great for the lgbt plus community but it's not.if you come with people that don't look gay or aren't local or not seen in club before you're likely to be refused. You will be patted down and bags searched by female guards which seems odd for the guys. One of the djs just uses a YouTube dance mix instead of their own work. The only great thing to go see are the drag queens and kings read more

The bouncer literally turned us away because we were men and said we looked straight.

The staff members were extremely disrespectful - the security staff outside made rude comments about my friend both to their face and behind their back and the bouncers inside were smug, dismissive, and apathetic when they accused another friend (who had not drank there that night and was evidently upset, but not disruptive) of being wasted and demanded that she leave after she retreated to the bathroom to privately deal with the news of the death of a close family friend. Independently, the experience was negative - there was no regard for Covid despite the current spike in cases in Providence (it was excessively crowded and vaccination was neither required nor recommended for entrance) and the space, particularly the bathrooms, was unclean and unkempt. read more

Went to EGO for the first time last night with friends. Although my experience inside the club was okay, getting in was another story. As many have said, the security guards at the front have the audacity to manhandle you and touch you EVERYWHERE. The lady at the front was full on grabbing my ass and boobs. Also, the girl at the door on the inside was a total b*tch. I wanted to see if my friends were coming in behind me and she shoved me with her elbow which was extremely rude. The staff here sucks, but the vibe was okay. read more

Really poor experience. We hopped out of our Uber giggly and excited to go in, when the bouncers accused us of being too drunk to go inside the club. Mind you everyone in the group was 21+ and nobody had been drinking. Then one of the bouncers accused me of hiding something INSIDE MYSELF in my pants....???? Bouncers wouldn't even engage in conversation, just made assumptions and wasted their own time by turning down money, but they'll let the 18 year olds in so that they can feel them up. Weird vibes. read more

Was literally thrown into the street as a woman by a woman bouncer for standing my ground when asked to wait for my Uber in the dark across the street. When I reached out to management, no response. Wildly inappropriate and unnecessarily embarrassing experience at what is sadly the only queer nightclub in the area. The fact that multiple patrons have had this exact same experience makes me sick. Negative 5 stars. Do better when representing this community!! read more

If I could give -1 stars I would. My friends and I went to ego last night for pride. I spent $40 to enter a different section of the street that was considered the club. In heavy heavy rain. On the line to get in a lady tells me that they will hold on to my pepper spray and when I leave I can have it back. A moment later the most rude security guard I've ever met throws my pepper spray away. I told her what I was told and that I'd really like to grab my spray and just leave at that point. As I looked into the garbage she grabbed my arm really hard and pushed me. It hurt. I haven't been physically abused like that since my mother in my childhood. She kept pushing and hurting me so I snapped and told her to leave me alone. Then management went to talk to her about kicking me out but they had zero power because this guard said I was being aggressive. This was one of the worst experiences of my life. I want to sue this place. I hate it. read more

Reliable place to dance the night away with young people. Mostly top-40 music with College-aged crowd. But still fun with your own group of people and seeing attractive gogo dancers. Not 5 stars cause the outside is crummy looking and not a good representation of the fun you may have inside ;-) read more

If I could leave a -100938374738288373747483 star review I would. This is the most judgmental club around. I went with a friend who hasn't come out completely to the public and wanted to go out to a gay club for the first time and experience it. He dresses straight and isn't your "typical gay guy" they wouldn't let him in because he didn't look gay, once we tried to explain It to the bouncer and they still didn't let him in. Isn't this supposed to be a place where everyone should feel good and safe!? The bouncers excuse was that there has been multiple males that have become aggressive, so what now because some men were aggressive now everyone that doesn't fit the typical gay guy with feminine mannerisms can't get in? They judge you based on how you look and act that is discrimination. read more

If I could leave a 0 star review I would! They wouldn't let my friends in because they look straight! This place has gone down hill and they suck! Don't go here they discriminate and are not inclusive! Never coming back even though this was my ride or die club! read more

Music is current and lively and the energy is good, hard to find in New England. The venue is fun and the location is convenient. The drinks are generally not great, but overall this is an exceptional dance club for anywhere north of new york. read more

I like EGO and it fills a necessary and important place in Providence's nightlife. It's a dance club, so anyone expecting a gay bar scene should check out Stable, Mirabar or Alley Cat! I come when I want to dance, and have always had a pleasant time with the bouncers. I haven't gotten wasted enough to need them to bounce me. Great outdoor smoking/hangout area with coat check and small bar, and the two bars inside are well stocked and reasonably priced/poured. I wish EGO had a gender neutral bathroom, because I have a few friends who definitely prefer them. It'd be more inclusive for trans* patrons, too. Having the Chris Harris Presents muscle behind their promotions means they always get the RuPaul's Drag Race queens, as well as the most insane pRIde and holiday parties. Definitely check EGO out for pRIde. read more

how do you not have a black box to check ids but are 18+..? broke. or wanting the discretion to refuse whoever you want. idk but make sure to bring at least two things with your pic and bday and let's all pray they invest in a black box soon--or get glasses or learn about other state ids, or whatever. until then, ew. also i hate you for making us stand in torrential rain to make room under the awning for the nonexistent line while we searched for another form. hex worthy. read more

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE this place!! First time bringing my gay best friend to a club, he had a BLAST! So glad EGO was the first club that he got to go to!! Definitely coming back here again w/ him and some more of my friends! Everyone was so friendly plus the workers! Got packed FAST!!! the drinks was strong bc I asked for it like that and they DEFINITLY DELIVERD!!! The show that they put on was to die for but couldn't really see it all that much bc it was soooo packed!! They have a place for ur stuff only 2$ first club that ever had that. read more

Depending on the night here it all varies. With my one weekend visit in Providence, I'd say Saturday is the best day to go to.

Was super excited to go to my first alternative club with my significant other that I'm dating now. He was able to get in before me and my friends showed up. When we arrived we were told we were to straight and my boyfriend and his friends were lucky to get themselves a refund but supper disappointed that I could not have my moment. read more

Went here with a group of friends to celebrate one of our friend's engagement, needless to say, the place was so unwelcomingly crowded that when his fiancé arrived shortly after us, he couldn't even make it across the floor to meet us. It took him no joke 10 minutes squeezing and pushing past people just to get to us. When we ordered drinks they were skimpy at best, when I asked if there was alcohol in mine the bartender got pissy and said, "well isn't somebody a princess." We ended up leaving and going to Alchemy which was a little better but overall a disapointing night. read more

This is such a bummer because EGO "could be" so incredible, but it needs some major improvements. The biggest one being a "limit" to how many people are allowed inside. There were so many people inside when I went that I kept looking for fire exits just to be on the safe side. Way too crowded. There were moments when I simply couldn't move. And, the people. The clientele may be 18+ but "the rudeness factor" hovers around 1.2million. Pushing, shoving, spilling drinks on people (no apology), lots of attitude, side-eyes, and... wait for it... body odor. It just stinks. Even when you're trying to leave (allowing for more space) people refuse to move, even when you're shouting "excuse me, please" so sooner or later, you're shoving, too. It's tight, hot, rude, and pretty miserable. Claustrophobics beware. The sound system is also an issue - the bass seems broken (you can certainly feel the beat... banging into your spine). The two stars are for the bartenders and the drag queens/performers. All were very friendly, smiling, professional, fun and just plain nice. I'm also avoiding the dreaded one-star review because EGO truly "could be" a great venue, but it needs some better management, a safer fire code, air conditioning, fewer people being let in, and a better sound system. read more

I feel like I have to give EGO a good review based on all the hate I'm seeing in previous reviews! I've always had a good time here! It's definitely a club, not a casual bar scene. They have a good outside area to smoke or get some fresh air and a drink if you've been dancing too hard! I've never had a bad time here, but it does get going LATE! It seems like its empty then all the sudden it gets busy. Drinks are reasonably priced and everyone is there for a good time read more

EGO is by far the only club I enjoy going to in providence. Twerk Friday's are always a good time with a mix between Latin, Rap, Afrobeats, and Top 40 music. Saturdays are more pop/techno remixes. I personally prefer Twerk Friday's because it's consistently good. This club is also mostly for college students tbh. Whenever I have a friend from out of town visit PVD I always try to take them to Ego to have some fun. read more

Pretty busy gay club in downtown providence. Twerk fridays are my favorites. Saturdays are pretty OK but if you want more music where you can dance definitely check out Fridays. Drinks are moderately priced. Overall an good club to go to with friends. read more

decent place kind of a hit or miss. but everytime I've been the security and very aggressive and rude. I understand they need to do their job but everytime this one bouncer does a lot of feelin up to the point where I was uncomfortable read more

Searched gay bars/clubs online and based on reviews it recommended this place "EGO", but it was a 'bust'. It was a Friday night and the theme/special was "Top 40/Latin Night but the music didn't even match the night. The place was dead based on what I consider "popping". at 11:30 pm. There was 34 people; 21 girls and 13 guys, which included 3 of us. No entry after 1 am which means it should have been at least somewhat busy. The bass was loud on the music in which you could hear the blown out speakers. I would definitely not recommend this to anyone for $10 a person, as it was a waste of money. read more

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I've been coming here for a while and all of a sudden when my shirt had a malfunction the staff is going to kick me out of the place? it's stupid as shit because my friends were trying to fix my shirt because my boobs were coming out and the staff kicked us out! i tried to explain that it was an accident and we were fixing it before you kicked us out? moral of the story they're rude as fuck wouldn't recommend read more

When I walked through the door, they confiscated my pepper spray (for personal protection), but understandably so. As I walked up the stairs I asked he bouncer upstairs if I would be able to retrieve it and he said yes, even though the woman at the door said no. I was then followed into the club and asked by the bouncer if he needed to remove me because I was too drunk, this was because I was flinching due to my tourettes. A friend explained this to him and he walked away. We left because of the circumstances. Needless to say this was the worst experience I have ever had at a bar. read more

Great music, especially Twerk It Fridays. I have always had a good time when I go here. I will say there is one bartender that treated me and my friends badly. Saturday night they will have a drag show from 12-1am roughly, with local drag queens and sometimes from Drag Race. Check instagram from events. College kids mostly. Definitely a great place to dance, but it's still Prov soooo... read more

18+ gay dance club in Prov. That being said, the crowd is usually college kids but it really does vary. Complete Destruction and Annie B. Frank are some of the best drag queens in the area who come and perform on Thursday nights. They are such a good time and always keep the night entertaining. The drinks are fine. I wouldn't say they are strong, nor would I say they are weak. They have coat-check during the winter and it's $5, be sure to keep your ticket. They usually bring girls from Drag Race to host their special events and when they come, it's packed! Security at the door is so rude! They literally ripped my hat to the point where it wasn't even wearable anymore because they were inspecting it. I get safety, and making sure nothing is sketchy-- but this has happened TWICE. If the security and door people were better this place would be 5/5. read more

If you like being assaulted by the bouncers and thrown down on a curb then all the power to you. I may have been over served and maybe not my best self but I remember the bouncer picking me up and throwing me then my friend woke me up on the street where she saw him slam me down. I was left unconscious in the street after being thrown by a man who clearly should not be handling anyone including a female who is under the influence and cant fight back. Shame on you. read more

EGO Providence - Dance Clubs Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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This place was noted to be the best of the best here in Providence for a gay club so alas, I had to check it out! I remember this place sponsoring gay pride this year and then hosted the after party. Located right next to PPAC, EGO heads down an alley way just like how Babylon is pictured in Queer as Folk. The club is one giant dance floor with a great sound system and multiple bars around. I have been to a few gay bars around the country and around the world and this place was about average. The BF and I were here aorund 11 and it was moderately filled with primarily straight women. Rather than the typical house/techno music it was primarily hip hop. Perhaps it was just the night I was there? It's conveniently located next to various restaurants and ready for you when you're on your way to get your groove on. It's not the same type of atmosphere of my favorite clubs back in San Francisco/Los Angeles/DC. Perhaps it's the social change sweeping the country that has altered these gay havens or maybe it was just this one night on this one day here in this town. Not sure, but I'm nostalgic for the clubs of yesteryear! read more

Have gone a couple times and have nothing but respect for the gay community, however last week me and my 2 friends were randomly kicked out because the short little spanish bouncer who thinks she's hot shi* decided to go on a power trip. She came up to me and my friends and told us to get out, and when we asked why she made up a story that we were "harassing women" and when i called her out on it, she then switched up and said to me " do you suck dic*" because if i didn't then i didn't belong at ego. If you are straight and go here, you can expect to be kicked out for not being "gay enough" and several other reviewers agree. The security is on a power trip and it's disgusting to make up that someone is "harassing women" all because they don't want straight people in the club. 1 bouncer outside was a nice guy, but beware of the short chunky female one with the hat on. What a sad life she lives. Everyone says the same thing about her. Don't go unless you want to be discriminated against. read more