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Urban Imbiber

Eric Smith, managing editor of The Providence Daily Dose, shares his perfect itinerary for toasting the season.

Urban ImbiberA perfect day starts, of course, at the Hot Club (575 South Water Street, 861-9007), which opens conveniently at noon, has a great outdoor deck (thereby providing some much-needed sunshine and vitamin D), plus a scenic view of the Providence harbor. I’ve decided that the Bloody Mary is my new summer drink, and the bartenders here make a great version—just in case you’re in need of a pick-me-up. (It’s your day off, remember, so you went out last night.)

After you’ve got enough tomato juice and salt in your system for a proper meal, then it’s off to the west side of town to Chilango’s (447 Manton Avenue, 383-4877) for a veritable mountain of authentic Mexican salsa, guacamole, breakfasty frittata-like egg stuff and a margarita. We’ll stick to one pitcher for now. For traditionalists, The Classic Café (865 Westminster Street, 273-0707) serves breakfast all day.

Before the inevitable afternoon snooze, take a walk around the Armory and play with some dogs in the new Dexter Street dog park to make up for the fact that you can’t fit a dog in your apartment. After a little nap, when it’s nice and cool outside, get yourself ready for dinner and call a friend to hit the lovely Loie Fuller’s (1455 Westminster Street, 273-4375), where you can wash down the duck confit with an amazing array of eastern European beers, or check out the Broadway Bistro (205 Broadway, 331-2450) for fried chicken and waffles. Yes, fried chicken and waffles.

Afterward, head to the downstairs speakeasy at Local 121 (121 Washington Street, 274-2121) for a pepper-infused martini and settle in for one of their many fine film nights (Plan 9 from Outer Space is a fave), or the nightly DJ series that starts at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. on Sunday (really!) through Thursday. While you’re still downtown, catch the best karaoke night in Providence at, of all places, the City Café (79 Dorrance Street, 277-2489). Just don’t let the JWU students crowd you out.

Back toward the West End, there’s still time to run into everyone you’ve ever known, ever, at the E&O Tap (289 Knight Street, 454-4827) and watch a wall-sized skateboarding video, or hit Luongo Square’s beautiful new Avery (18 Memorial Square) which surely must boast the biggest plaster-etched naked ladies of any bar in existence. Finish off the night with a grilled ham and cheese at Lili Marlene’s (422 Atwells Avenue, 751-4996) up on the Hill before the nice long walk home.
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- July, 2008

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