A Side of Fresh Air

22 scenic spots for outdoor dining and drinking.

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Whet your whistle, al fresco style, at one of these five waterside watering holes.
22 Portside
Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, 841-8884, 22bowens.com
An upscale tiki bar of sorts plopped smack in the middle of always-bustling Bowen’s Wharf, 22 Portside is a people-watcher’s paradise. Perch on one of their sleek chairs, pinot in hand, and watch the world—and tourists galore—go by.

Table 28
28 Water Street, East Greenwich, 885-1170, table28.com
With two outdoor bars, one covered one not, this is a martini-lovers Mecca. Throw in live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday and a prime view of E.G.’s ever-eventful waterfront (who doesn’t love to watch women in stilettos navigating from ship to shore?) and you’ve got a winner.

Coast Guard House
40 Ocean Road, Narragansett, 789-0700, thecoastguardhouse.com
The food may be ho-hum, but the scene is anything but. Clamor for a stool at one of the two packed outdoor bars, and scope the late-day surfers at Narragansett Town Beach. You literally can’t get much closer to the water.

Thames Waterside BAR & Grill
251 Thames Street, Bristol, 253-4523, thameswaterside.com
In Rhode Island-speak, this is where the old Goff’s used to be. Since the new owners took over much has changed: new sun-shielding awning, new plantings, new chairs and tables, new(ish) menu. The one thing that hasn’t changed, of course, is the rocking view (so long as no boat is docked in front) of Bristol Harbor and the Poppasquash mansions.  

Hot Club
575 South Water Street, Providence, 861-9007
It’s impossible to leave this old-school favorite off a list like this. Where else in our fine city can bikers and yuppies share an icy brew? Okay, maybe “share” is too strong a word, but this no-frills bar with a full frontal of the Providence River is a must-visit post-work (or ride) hangout.