The Avery

No signs, no food, drinks only. There is something exotic about the allure of these speakeasy-​esque lounges that just works. This place offers exceptional cocktail/​beer selections! And it has a dark and mysterious ambience leaving you feeling like you’re in a scene right out of the movie (From Dusk Till Dawn)! The bartenders were very nice and accommodating. We ended coming back here twice in one night, before dinner and after! The only thing about coming in after dinner was it gets pretty packed and the noise level was loud. It’s a happening spot late at night!

I went here on a date last night and loved this place. It’s tucked behind Seven Stars Bakery, on a street parallel to Broadway. The Avery is situated in the middle of a cobble-​stoned street, and truly one of Providence’s hidden gems in my eyes.
Dimly lit with an option of bar seating or a comfortable lounge section, this is an intimate setting perfect for a date. Although I think it could be a tad brighter. It doesn’t get too loud until about 10 PM on a weekday.
There’s a long list of beers and a moderate amount of specialty cocktails. Bar only. If you’d like to change up the scenery, this is the place to be. Wonderful spot.

Very disappointing for being so highly regarded. The old fashioned was one of the worst my boyfriend and I have ever had. They were served with a large orange slice on the rim & tasted almost flavorless.
The bartenders were rude (which is normal for a lot of speak easy’s) but it was frustrating since they were out of the main gin drink on the menu & all we asked for was a recommendation on an alternative with gin.
We probably won’t be back but hopefully we just caught them on a bad night & others will have a better experience.

Cool ambiance situated in loungo square on the west end. Seems to be a locals spot. I found it odd that there wasn’t a cocktail server on the weekends, a bit of an inconvenience with a crowded bar. The drinks were good. Will def, stop by when I’m in the area!

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!

What a great find! Love it. We didn’t see a sign but you can tell you’re in the right spot from the art deco lights glowing through the windows. The bas-​relief walls and ceiling are a total trip and are alone worth the trip. The bartenders know their trade and can craft up a storm (although the shaking was a little weak — put some passion into it!). I had the Lovecraft’s Lament (genever, St. Elder, blood orange soda, mint bitters, and a prosecco float), which was great. I Love Lassi (cuke vodka, yogurt liqueur, mango nectar, orgeat, and soda water) was refreshing and is really more of a summer drink, so I hope they keep it around for when the mercury is on the rise. The Shift Drink and Nor’Wester were strong but also good. The background music ranged from the 80’s to present and was decent, barring a few hip hop tunes that were out of place even in the eclectic mix,.
If this place had a small kitchen to serve up a few snacks, it would be perfect!

Ah The Avery, a Providence staple. It’s situated right in Luongo Square, across from North. There’s not really a visible sign so you’ll jus have to know that it’s the building right in the middle of that weird intersection. Inside you’ll find a lounge-​like kind of bar, dark wood and equally dark lighting. Hope you like some ladies on the wall.
The place gets pretty busy as dinner time goes on, due in part from the people coming in while they wait to be seated at North. It should be noted that The Avery is far, far more than just a place to wait for a table at North. When it gets especially busy (say, after 7pm) it can start to get challenging to order drinks since there’s usually only 1 – 2 people behind the bar.
The bar stocks a variety of spirits and a decent beer selection. Cocktails are always well-​crafted and tasty. Well cocktails are about $ 5 each so it’s priced fairly well (no pun). Signature cocktails are also very tasty and change frequently.
I love coming here whenever it’s weather-​y. Being in a dark cozy bar with a cocktail has its merits. It also helps that I’m nearby.

Very cool place! You might miss it if you didn’t know where you were going. It’s located in a residential area with little to know signage. In fact — the only reason why even with GPS I knew I was in the right place was by quickly glancing in the windows and noticing the very iconic artwork illuminated from inside. Great spot to bring a small group of friends, but definitely not that big so larger crowds might re-​think coming here. The –only-​reason this bar did not earn the fifth most coveted star, was because upon after telling the bartender that it was my first time at the location, and asking her what the bar’s claim to fame was, she replied «Ugh… the naked women on the walls?» I then proceeded to ask her what made the «I Love Lassie» drink so popular — and she had no idea how to respond. A little disappointing, but the drinks, venue and atmosphere actually make up for her general lack of salesmanship of the bar.

One of my favorite bars, anywhere. The Avery is the perfect, quiet (relatively), neighborhood bar. It’s located in a mostly residential area away from the main drags on Federal Hill. There’s no sign so some people might consider a speakeasy, but the bar is right on Loungo Square in the first floor of a house so its not exactly hidden. The bar is small, dark, and intimate with ornately carved walls and comfy leather seats. The drinks are great. There is a limited, but well curated beer menu that will have a style that suits everyone (just don’t expect 6 different IPAs) and the prices at $ 5-​$ 6 are beyond reasonable. The cocktails are also great, each one being a take on a more traditional drink. Personally I’d recommend their sidecar. Most cocktails are $ 8 – 9 so this is significantly less than you’d pay in Boston. The Avery has become a must visit for me every time I’m in Providence.

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)!

I like this place. I tried to go there 2 years ago but it was too packed, so last night I gave it another shot. It was real nice and cozy inside. The drink was strong and tasty and the bartender was nice. I also really liked the wall. Only one thing I didn’t like was the fact it was pack as always and we had to sit across other people which made my date who’s from Germany a bit awkward. Anyway I guess I’m glad we found A sit at all lol. Will go back soon

We stopped in on a Friday night while waiting for a table at North. That seems to be a pretty common theme here based on the faces I saw in both locations. The drinks menu is varied and every one we tried was a winner. It’s very dark in there and the interior is beautiful. The bar is back lit with large mural light fixtures. The walls are chiseled wood and the seating a comfy collection of banquette, barrel seats and lovely little side tables. The bartenders were cool under pressure and I really appreciate the pocketbook hooks under the bar! Nice touch.
From the outside you would never know this was a bar, or that it was even open! But it’s definitely both. Located in a neighborhood, parking is on the street so be prepared to walk a little bit. This is a beverage only location. No bar nosh here. The Avery is very laid back; a great place to stop for an elegant early evening drink, a meet up with friends or a night cap.

Fabulous lighting, atmosphere and tap beer selection. An incredible space.
No sign out front. You have to know where you are headed to find it. And it is worth the hunt.

Ohhhhhhh dear. What to say. Well let’s start with this, the good stuff. The place is very lovely. I love the out of the way off Federal Hill location, and the wood carvings and Art Deco interior are lovely.
That said, whoever was my bartender tonight, doesn’t know how to make a cocktail. At all. I mean AT ALL. I had something called a «Kentucky Cooler» which I’m sure is their angst riddled variation on a Whisky Smash. Generally these things are made with bourbon, lemon or lime juice and mint, of course… variations are abundant all over cocktail culture. What I was served was a green (this being one of the most… disturbing of things) glass of club soda. Tasted like a green glass of club soda.
a) Mint bitters do not substitute for mint. They don’t.
b) There needs to be a taste… of the base spirit in the drink, that is discernible to the palate. I tasted none of the gorgeous Four Roses Bourbon advertised in the drink.
c) There was almost no syrup, so basically this drink tasted like unsweetened toothpaste.
Sad. This is the first place in Providence I haven’t loved. And I so WANTED to.

This is a really nice place to relax, chat as you wait for your seat to open up at North, or just hang out. I came here on a Thursday evening, and I was actually surprised by how quiet this place was. The ambiance was neat, although fairly bland and without significant character. The bartenders were very nice, although it had looked as if they’ve had a really long day. For drinks, I had a nice cucumber/​mango lassi and a scotch blend. The drinks were decent, but I just don’t remember much.
Overall, this is a nice bar and it may be a good venue to go on a second date, but I think there are definitely many other places that can give you a good run for your money.

Loved this place the minute I walked into it. Felt like stepped back in time with the décor, 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.

I have to say I love the Avery despite the fact I’ve never had a bartender smile at me, or even in my general direction. Maybe one did once. But they do craft amazing cocktails, and perhaps that’s an angsty artisty thing.
But the ambiance! I feel like I’ve stumbled upon some hidden, magical place in the enchanted forest of a JRR Tolkein novel whenever I come here. It’s woody and decorated and dimly lit (as if by torches!) and I just think it’s really super cool. Couches and small round tables. Long bar. I went this past Saturday night and we had our CHOICE OF SEATS (that never happens)(but I won’t question this miracle), so it was very comfortable.
And the drinks! So good! I’ve had nearly everything on the menu – Moscow Mule is a favorite and the St. Avery Cosmopolitan – but the Pink Paradise, which is new, TASTES LIKE PARADISE. I’m not kidding. I used to live there (okay, «Hawaii,» but it’s close enough) and this drink will make you feel like you’re in Hawaii.
Bartenders: next time I come in, could you please give me a fist bump or something to let me know you don’t hate me? It’d be much appreciated.

While perusing Unilocal for a nice cocktail scene for our last night in Providence, I stumbled on Avery’s. This place is really tucked away in what appeared to be the mostly-​residental sector of Federal Hill. The outside was pretty nondescript, so we weren’t even sure we were going into the right place!
We found the space to be warm with dark walls and an amazingly carved mural along the bar and walls. Cocktail menu was diverse, and our drinks were prepared wonderfully. Also, they get bonus points for having proper copper mugs for their Moscow Mules!

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.

Don’t be a Decatur-​hater. Although, by comparison, the Avery lacks that certain dog-​at-​your-​feet charm and best jukebox, like ever, it more than makes up for things by virtue of it’s scariness and smoovness (no typo).
Read any other Unilocal review of this place and it will surely highlight the hand-​carved bar features and low-​key vibes, but I want to talk about the basement. And how scary it is.
The first time I was in this particular building (that is, after it had been magically transformed from the Decatur) it was when the bar had just opened (not as in «grand opening», but opened for that particular day/​night of service). Although I can not seem to recall the exact hour, I know the sun was still shining and the few patrons holding on to their drinks were there, not by choice, but as a requirement. You see, folks that go to the bar this early is akin to their going to work. Anyways, the basement.
A friend of mine was preparing for his short-​lived «sangria night» (a traveling vino showcase of sorts) and asked if I wanted to tag along to cut strawberries or whatever. I obliged.
After first being struck by the fanciful décor, I was whisked away into the bowels of Luongo Square. If you have never been in a basement designed by Armenians, you ain’t never lived. With a narrow, steep stairwell leading to a surprisingly (surprising considering how steep the stairs are) low ceiling, Armenian basements give you just about enough room to steal someone’s shoes — nothing more, nothing less.
I proceeded to mix booze and fruit in wild concoctions — as dictated by my mixology-​obsessed pal — before pouring it all into glass pitchers for deep refrigeration.
When I returned later that night, it was safe to say I got quite smashed off of the red and white varietals. This was quite a few years ago and I like when things stay in place.
I’ve been known to return to the Avery, where you may find me being held in place by a tulip-​filled draft, lost in my own scary-​Armenian-​basement thoughts, while pretending not to stare at the backlit cut-​outs of unnamed ladies, whose bare-​chested displays mock my drunken swagger from behind the bar.
If you happen to stroll in here, you will surely know which dope is me, for I am the one who refuses to make eye contact until after the sun sets.