One of my favorite Providence bars. Small, intimate, and cool. The Avery draws a good mix of folks, and whatever the circumstances I never feel too over or under dressed there. The real star of The Avery is the decor. The beautiful art-deco carvings covering the walls are the one thing everyone who's ever been to The Avery notices and remembers. Even though the lighting in there is so low it's sometimes darker than a black steere's tuchas on a moonless prarie night, you can't help but appreciate the time and talent that went into creating such a beautiful interior. Other than that, it's got the same stuff as most other bars. You know, you give someone money and in exchange they pour you a beer or mix you a drink. The bartenders have always been friendly, and the drinks have always been alcoholic. The prices are good, especially when you consider that in a bar what you're really paying for is the ambiance. In this case, you get so much ambiance that your drink is a god-damn bargain. read more

The Avery is an Olde Time Saloon that you've been looking for in Providence. This is the bar you want to bring your coworkers to when it's your turn to pick the happy hour location. With a full page of specialty drinks that will class up any occasion and a large selection of beers will help if no "classing-up" is desired. read more

Went here for the first time last night, 11/15/21. Great atmosphere! Small and delightful with a pleasant bartender. I would highly recommend this place for a relaxing night out. read more

Every citizen of or visitor to Providence should visit this iconic bar. Super cool, intimate atmosphere and reasonably priced cocktails--what more could you want? Even around 6pm it was pretty busy, especially since it seems to serve as a kind of overflow for the North crowd on chilly nights. There was only one person working the bar so don't expect a cocktail waitress. You know the party scene in The Shining? I kind of felt like I was being transported to that set. If that sounds appealing to you, find your way to The Avery (and go early)! read more

Ah, the Avery. Stop #1 on my favorite West Side pub crawl. What a wonderful way to begin the night. Relax from the long, hard day you just had and ease into the night. Soft, black leather couches pressed against the warm, wooden walls of the Avery offer an intimate, yet comfortably spacious setting to chat (or perhaps flirt) over a couple of martinis. The dim, almost amber lighting just barely reveals sensual carvings of nude women covering the walls. You sink a little in your chair as you relax, just listening to the music. Stevie Wonder, and then that Pixies song you had almost forgotten about. The biggest question on your mind: should you try something from their wonderful craft beer selection, or have another martini? read more

I always feel a little too scummy for the Avery, like I need to run a comb through my hair and pinch my cheeks in the rearview mirror before I step out of my car and into the sleek bar with its golden lights and dark wood paneling. Lately when I have been to the Avery it has been packed. This is a shame as I think this bar is at its best when it's nearly empty. It's a nice place to bring your pals who are swanky and/or distinguished, the sorts of folks who cringe at sticky tabletops and $2 beer. If only they offered artisan cocktails with muddled basil and blackberries (etc!)! If you stay til closing, they always aim a couple of floodlights directly into the bloodshot eyes of the patrons and play "Blinded by the Light" at top volume. I can't decide if this quirk is charming or annoying, but it doesn't matter either way. It's a given. read more

I went here for the first time last night after being impressed by all the positive reviews on yelp, i was not disappointed! The ambiance was awesome! Perfect winter bar, dark, cozy and warm. On the walls are beautiful relief murals of cities on wood, and there is really nice illuminated glass work behind the bar. The only light in the bar comes from these warm, yellow glass installations. Just tops. Drinks were strong and cheap! Cocktails are five bucks! The bar seems like it should be really expensive, but then it is not! The crowd knows this. A bunch of young hipster-types in their twenties. Clientele was definitely mixed, though, a few older couples chatting it up too. I'd say this is a nice place for just about any type of person to come, unless you are appalled by 'dark and loud.' There is limited seating.. some bar seating and the interior is lined with booths, but the space is small, which is kind of nice because the interior is quite intimate... If you are patient you can probably snatch up a booth and chair at some point, but i imagine that on weekends it gets harder to do so and you very well may end up standing. This is my new favorite winter spot. My other favorite place is hot club, but it really is a summer location. I am glad I have a summer and a winter bar now, life is great. go. read more

No food, no sign, but it's a pretty classy and comfortable place to grab a drink. If you can get into the Avery when it's not crowded, this is an ideal place to come with a date or a small group of friends for some good drinks and a giant menu of whiskey. They've got a setup of comfortable leather seats surrounding little drink tables, in addition to probably about 20 stools around the bar. Sadly, the Avery is tiny, so these seats fill up fast. Now if you're into the bar scene, it's more likely on a given night that all the bar scene hubbub is what you'll find at the Avery, especially closer to last call. You'll probably end up standing up while you drink (which isn't my cup of tea, but I know plenty of people who appreciate that). So depending when you go, the scene can totally change at the Avery, which I think makes it ideal for all different types of people. As for the decor, it's simply a beautiful bar. From the intricate carved woodwork to the dark leather seats and the glowing bar, it's absolutely got the right vibe going on. read more

Very disappointing for being so highly regarded. The old fashioned was one of the worst I've had from a place known for nice cocktails. They were served with a large orange slice on the rim & tasted very bland and watered down. The bartenders were rude but most frustrating was that they were out of the main gin drink on the menu & all we asked for was a recommendation on an alternative with gin only to met with a very unfriendly demeanor. We probably won't be back but hopefully we just caught them on a bad night & others will have a better experience. read more

The Avery is a spot where I bring a date that I really want to impress.. I think thats happened once since I have discovered this place about a year ago. The last thing you want to do is bring someone "unworthy" and soil the awesomeness that is the Avery.. The walls themselves are like a work of art.. hand carved design in beautifully stained wood compliment the conservative yet perfect furniture and overall low-key atmosphere. Above average cocktails and reasonably priced beers round out this bastion of slick.. I gotta get back soon.. Ive gotta meet a worthy lady !! read more

I am very disappointed. We asked the bartender if she had pineapple juice (for a jungle bird), to which she scoffed. 'of course we have pineapple juice'. Okay, can we have a jungle bird? 'what's that?'. I explained it was lime juice simple syrup and Campari with dark rum and pineapple, something the previous bar was happy to create. She immediately walked away to make the drink--She preceded to shake rum, pineapple juice and serve it in a highball - fine. I should be okay with it because most bars don't know the drink. I proceed to order a Negroni after she comes back and she stares at me as if dumb founded--I ask if that's alright because quite honestly it was an 8 second stare. She asks me very pointedly why I didn't order that in the first place--to which my explanation is she walked away pissed immediately. I did not say that- I say I was just trying to be pleasant as she was busy. I thanked her and I tipped more than I should have. I understand why people are in distress behind the bar--I've been there. I've NEVER been treated like this before, and quite honestly I was excited to experience a neighborhood bar of a higher quality. It is not quality. 2-15-20 read more

Even knowing what I was looking for, I still had trouble finding the Avery. It's *that* nondescript. It's a large purple building right in an open "courtyard" of intersecting streets, right off broadway in Providence. This is a very cool area, as it escapes the regularity of the Hill and the messy pretentiousness of the downtown bar scene. The beer selection here is shocking; I'd heard it was a "beer guy" kind of spot, and was still shocked to see Old Rasputin Russians, Young's Double Choco Stout, and an amazing BBC porter. (the latter two being on nitro) I could have stayed here all night and not had the same thing twice. Definitely a grown-up after work crowd; well dressed guys and girls murmured softly in the dimly lit recesses on the plush sofas, enjoying the mellow ambiance and the intricate artwork and decor. The only reason this spot doesn't get a 5 star (and it is currently my favorite bar in the P-rov, I will head back here frequently) is the early closing time (sucks for weekends) and the lack of food. A small tapas menu would definitely boost this place....as it was, our group had to leave and find local grub. Wonderful beer, friendly staff, and a great environment has the Avery at the top of my list. read more

The Avery is one of my favorites. I believe it stays so because I do not frequent it as much as other watering holes on the west end. Many a first date has occurred at the Avery. This is also the first place I've stumbled through ordering a manhattan, which is unbelievably strong more often than not. Their cocktail list is impressive and seasonal, and their beer offerings are fantastic as well. This is a dark sexy place to introduce people to the bar scene of Providence at before moving on to Lili's, Justine's, or more crowded sort of places. The staff has always been fantastic, one bartender even ran my glasses out to me when I left them on the bar (hey, I don't need them for up close and she was pouring liberally) My boyfriend at the time also knocked over a drink attempting to pick it up, and they replaced it without blinking and eye and didn't charge us for the spilled libation. read more

When I first was trying to find this place my GPS took me to a piano store called Avery Piano (...I thought maybe it was a piano bar. I know nothing). Then I thought it was taking me to a residential neighborhood, which it was, but nestled right in there was the Avery. It's quite the gem-- the entire place is covered in carved wood with great intricacy and admiration for the female form. It's very hip, I wish I were cooler. I found myself staring at a stranger at another table who looked like the exact female version of Napoleon Dynamite, if Napoleon Dynamite texted on an iPhone. Exact. However, despite my excitement and the rave reviews, personally, I really did not like my cocktail. It was a Green something or other (not actually green)... and it was way too sweet for me, yet breathtakingly strong-- something about that combo just didn't work. I think next time I will go with the other folks and try the St Germaine cosmo-- I agree with Sarah C., they should really change the name. Maybe we can all charm them into it. I'll definitely be giving it another shot because the ambience was just bar none (see what I did there). read more

The Avery is a hidden gem on the west end of Providence. It's in the middle of a residential area and one could easily drive by without noticing it. However, once you're inside you could imagine you're in a lounge in the middle of NYC. The decor is gorgeous and the lighting is dim. They recently added a nice martini list and all the bartenders (especially JR) mix a mean cocktail. These strong drinks come at a pretty low price and the service is always friendly. Speaking of JR (the owner), he is a super nice guy and remembers anyone who visits there more than once. All in all this is definitely one of the best bars in Providence. read more

This is a great speakeasy!!! The decor is spot on, the drinks are fantastic and the staff is excellent. It may be a tad on the dark side but, the underside of the bar is lit so if you need to read something you can. read more

Oh Hello Avery! I like this place. It's a small quaint local bar. Closes at midnight. An easy jump off point if you want to continue your evening somewhere else. It's classy, interesting, and has unique decor. The prices are good, and it gets a mixed crowd of people. It's a great place for a date, or to hang out with your friends. The music is always so good. :D I personally like to go to the Avery when there is a medium sized crowd. You get to meet new people, but not have to shove through bodies to get to the bar/bathroom. read more

Funky and cool rebuild of one of the best neighborhood bars anywhere around. Big props for pouring the memorable and future classic Juliet 484 Stout from RI's own Revival Brewing Company. Great beer. Turn the lights up a bit will ya? read more

Williamsburg North. From what I'm told, one of the only places to get a proper cocktail in Providence. Sketchy looking neighborhood, which is apparently on the come. Good drink menu and limited snacks. Came in for a pre-dinner drink. Place was pretty empty when we arrived but was packed when we left after two. Beautiful decor and ambiance, juxtaposed with the guy who tried to get the bartender to "play some Santana on the jukebox! C'Mon!" read more

The avery happens to be one of my favorite providence bars. Its just hard enough to find that it isn't overcrowded. And, the decor is super swanky. After falling head over heals in love with Moscow Mules this past summer, my wallet has been a bit...dry. Thankfully, the Avery came to my rescue with fantastic cocktails at a fraction of the price of lower-quality establishments. All around, super solid The only downside is that the place is pretty narrow and, overall, not huge. Depending on where you stand, you can be in for a long evening of getting bumped by people passing through the bar. Small price to pay, in my opinion, but something to consider. If you have a larger group, I would suggest that you try to snag one of the clusters of chairs OR a prime spot tucked behind the door. read more

Probably my favorite bar in Providence, and it gets five stars, mostly because it can be described in one word...sexy. The location seems a bit odd - you could pass by this nondescript building if you weren't paying attention. But once you step inside, you will be spellbound by the dim lighting and beautiful carved wood walls. It is a great place to snuggle up with someone special in a corner booth or meet up with friends. They make some great craft cocktails - it is, for example one of the only places in Rhode Island my boyfriend has found where he can get an Aviation, which is a pre-prohibition cocktail (and boy, are they YUMMY). My only complaint is that I wish this place was open past midnight! I love you, Avery. read more

We came here after a drink at Lili Marlene's where we heard the bartender mention that it was partially owned by the same person. Excellent cocktails and we met a very nice older gentleman who we talked with for quite awhile. Eric was really appreciative of the bartender giving him tastes of the beer before he ordered it. Very nicely curated beer selection and the cocktails were very yummy. I had a Lovecraft's Lament and a Honey Crisp and both were completely different but absolutely delightful. We got there before it got really packed and had a great time but wow, does it fill up. read more

I love this place. It's a nice change of pace when you're looking for something that's not a dive bar or sports bar. It has an upscale atmosphere without the upscale prices or upscale attitude. You can feel comfortable at the Avery dressed up for dinner or wearing your T-shirt and jeans. The beer and cocktail selection is excellent. Got a question about a certain beer on tap? Just ask and the knowledgeable, and friendly bar staff will fill you in and might give you a sample to see if it's right for you. read more

**EDIT** I was contacted by JR who I assume is the owner and he informed me that they actually do have food and they will be advertising it better in the future! It is limited to chips/dip and pita and hummus because of state laws but that is exactly what I was hoping for nothing heavy just something light! This easily changes my review to five stars and I will absolutely be going here more often! Thanks JR! I will leave this review the same just so it can be read it was four stars before being contacted by the owner. The Avery was voted top bar in the state by RI Monthly Magazine, and honestly I can see why. We will start with some bad but work our way to the amazing! One of my main concerns with this place was the size. It was pretty small and on a busy night the Avery must get PACKED. Luckily for us we went on a Sunday night around eight so it was pretty dead but we still felt a little claustrophobic. The ONLY reason this place does not get five stars, in my book, is because of the lack of food. I love to go out and drink and talk with my friends, but I occasionally get the munchies. Isn't it good business practice to serve some sort of food at a bar? Even a salad that doesn't require any cooking? I know I would A) spend more money at the bar and B) be drinking more because I have something to soak up the alcohol. That aside, the Avery is awesome. My girlfriend and I went out for a quick drink to end our romantic night and I was certainly satisfied with the Avery. This is definitely a place you bring a date, with the dimmed lights and the soft music making for a perfect romantic "getaway". However, make sure you know the person and how much they drink before hand because the drinks are a little pricey for the amount you get in your glass. As usual when we went to the bar my girlfriend wanted something fruity but couldn't decide what she wanted. The bartender gave her a nice list of cocktails and me a list of beers (it always makes me chuckle when that happens because I always ask for the mixed drink list, never a beer list but I don't mind). After thoroughly going through the list she still could not see something fitting, so she asked the bartender to make her something he thought she would like. This is always risky, especially at a place where the mixed drinks are a little higher price. When I watched the bartender mixing her drink I was delightfully surprised to see the copious amounts of alcohol, compared to the minuscule amount of juice being poured into the tumbler. That being said the bartender was highly skilled because you couldn't taste the alcohol in that drink! My girlfriend was extremely happy with her drink and it definitely "got the job done". I decided I had to get some hard cider because they had it ON TAP! That made me extremely happy because what kind of summer is it without some cider? All-in-all this place was awesome, we had a great experience and would definitely go back. Now if they were to only put some sort of food on their menu, we might become regulars!! read more

The Avery is a very nice bar with artistic decor. The last time I went in there on a Thursday though it was so loud you had to scream at the person next to you, not my idea of a good time and a bit ridiculous for this little bar. Stuff like that is a major pet peeve of mine. If you want it so loud I can't talk to anyone, I don't need to be there. We walked in and walked right back out. I was there once before when it was quieter, much better. I am not much of a drinker so I can't comment on their drinks, which I know is one of the things people like about this place. read more

I wonder how many people have to complain about the same bartender in order for the owner to actually do something about It. Just to add to everyone else's complaints about this same female bartender, we were visiting from out of the state and decided to stop here to grab a drink. When we walked in the bartender gave us a stank face as we were carrying a newborn which granted, may not be ok in Rhode Island but a grown up would've said this rather than making the face she did. After serving us she said "the owner isn't here but for future reference you can't be here with a baby" I nodded rather than escalating the situation as I have been a manager in customer service for 10 years and took issue with her mannerisms. She then essentially shooed us to the outside to avoid having the baby inside and continued to make an annoyed face to another patron which I'm surely she had a lot to say when we left. She is a disgusting human being that lacks any sort of respect for other humans and should not be serving the public in any manner besides manning bathrooms where her interactions are at a minimum. Speaking of, if it's a rule, whether or not the owner is there shouldn't matter, you shouldn't have served us if It was actually a rule. This bartender is rude and I will make sure that everyone I know is informed to stay away from this bar especially during my wedding weekend in Providence. read more

I'm hesitant to give this establishment 5 stars... only because i'm selfish and i don't want this place to loose it's hidden gem feel. The atmosphere is very laid back and chill but a little swanky with the wood carved surroundings. The Left Bank Martini is by far one of the best drinks i've ever consumed (if not THE best ever) and the Cucumber Mojito is pretty good too. I love going there on Sunday evenings since it's not very crowded and you can still hear the person across from you while sitting comfortably in the leather chairs. I know the old adage "if the music's too loud, then you're too old" but, The Avery has got it all just right. read more

I have only one gripe with this place - the dimness. This is THE darkest bar I have ever been in - and considering that I love dive bars and that this bar has giant windows, I'm not entirely sure how they manage it. I'd like to see my drink and my friends, but hey! Otherwise, I enjoy the Avery a lot. Their Scotch and whiskey/whisky menu is very large and quite reasonably priced, which was the original reason I came. The reason I keep coming, though, is the cocktail menu. This place has some of the most imaginative cocktails in town. Also, the walls are EXCELLENT. read more

Loved this place the minute I walked into it. Felt like stepped back in time with the decor, feeling, ambience and set up. Sometimes it feels like there not open with how dark it can be inside. Seen many people pull up and look in the windows to see lol. It's quiet and the seating is pleasant and nice and intimate if you want. Bartenders are helpful and friendly and offer many suggestions. This night was a Moscow mule night and was one of the better ones I ever had. It's clean and friendly and never had a problem when there with loudness or unruly people. read more

My friends and I were planning on eating at North but of course there was wait.. But no fear, the Avery is next door! This bar is very clean and makes you feel classy. It has a bar but also some comfy chairs on the other side that you can lounge in. I got this grapefruit cosmopolitan and it was amazing. It was fruity and fresh. I will definitely be back for more! read more

The Avery - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

There's a reason RI Monthly Magazine named The Avery the top bar in the state. The place is gorgeous, the bartenders are top-notch, and the drinks are strong and decently priced. Co-owner J.R. mixes a -mean- Aviation cocktail, and is knowledgeable about his eclectic collection of craft beers and single-malts. The furniture is leather-upholstered and very classy, and the decorative motif of nature vs. industry is beautifully done. The Avery never gets -too- crowded, and because it's in a residential neighborhood, it closes at midnight, which is great since it tends to keep the obnoxious drunks away. read more

As Allison says, the Avery is the place first dates are made of. Go there, you'll see. The staff are super nice. The lighting is that perfect glow. The woodwork will give you something to talk about if your date turns out to be hella boring. And the drinks are never a miss. Now, this is not to say that the Avery isn't just a great place to hang with a few friends. The seating makes that easy, and there is something behind the bar for everyone. I'm a big fan of their cocktails, including their twist on the cosmopolitan. It may just be better than the original. The Avery has been added to my rotation of favorite late night haunts. read more

I love this place. They are right in front of Luongo Square where you can bring your dog to chill too.

Stepping into this place, is like stepping into a scene from a Ayn Rand book. The art deco walls and cutouts are fantastic and really create a great atmosphere. The beer prices are super cheap (at least compared to DC) and have a decent selection of Belgians (Leffe, Hoegaarden, Stella), and more conventional beers (Guinness, Smithwicks, Harpoon) on tap. I know they are trying to go for more of a lounge feel than a bar atmosphere, but they really need to turn up the lighting just a tad. I had to be inches away from the tap handles to see exactly what beers they had. However, the two girls behind the bar were friendly and fast and overall this was a pretty cool place. read more

Neighborhood bar + cool owner + great ambiance = The Avery This is a perfect place to grab a good beer (please do not go looking to kick back a bunch of coors) with some friends. Their beer selection is fantastic and i always go in and see what new craft beers they are offering. The crowd is always great and i always seem to run into some friends and neighbors. It's funny because this is such a little thing but something that makes the place so great! Plainly said...this is a great place to get a drink with friends. read more

Great experience here! We were there before they opened and the bartender opened up just for us. He was friendly, helpful, and awesome in general. Great drinks- excellent Sazerac. I love the cozy deco atmosphere! It's unlike anywhere else. read more

I've gone to The Avery several times while I was living in Providence. It was conveniently located down the street from where I was living so it was a perfect spot to walk and grab a drink. Great ambiance, drinks, people. The owner is a very nice guy and is always very pleasant. Cannot wait to swing by next time I'm in town again! read more

This is my type of bar! I went to college in upstate NY and this reminds me of the dark narrow bars of Saratoga Springs. A Long bar that runs the whole length of one wall and lots of seating along the other side. Not a huge place but thats the charm! The bartenders are mixing some of the best drinks in PVD. The Avery is out of the way and I like that it's relatively unknown. I want to keep it that way but at the same time I want give it accolades. I like to visit Ama's fill up on great Japanese food and head to the Avery for drinks. When friend ask where should we go this is always my first choice! read more

Honestly- one of our favorite watering holes in Providence. Packed or empty; weekend or Tuesday night; after-work or the last stop of the night- I have never had a bad experience. The ambiance is beautiful. Carefully crafted using local flavor (and local artists)- inlaid wood, cast clay on the walls, and dimly lit for an utterly romantic or clandestine feel (depending on what your motives are). Granted- we are regulars- but JR always makes us feel welcome (also a talented DJ, on the side). The majority of the staff knows their cocktails and brews- and are very 'aware' as well. (I've had Mike grab me to check on a friend who had disappeared outside that he was worried about.) We have brought business colleagues, friends, and family- everyone has loved it. In fact, my parents have even gone to the Avery on their own when they visit from out of state and we have to ask them to entertain themselves for one night. No food, and a bit off the beaten path- but a jewel in the West End. read more

This is by far my favorite bar in Providence. I love the decor, the music, the clientele, the cocktails, and the beer list. I love that it's tucked into the middle of a neighborhood (just blocks from my house) where no one would expect it to be and no one can find it because it doesn't have a sign. But it's the Avery, so it doesn't need a sign to be hopping on a Friday or Saturday night. Just a reminder that it closes at midnight because of said neighborhood regulations, but that's fine with me because then I can get a good night's sleep after a good night out. read more