2025 Best of Rhode Island Editors’ Picks
See where we wined, dined, played and shopped this year.
INDEX
FOOD & DRINK | SHOPPING | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH & BEAUTY
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ARTS & CULTURE
Leisure time is well spent at these fun activities and attractions.
Staycation Getaway
The Loom Hotel
The newly renovated Loom Hotel leans into its history as a textile manufacturing plant and former Fruit of the Loom mill by paying homage to textiles through design and decor. The rooms — many with views of the Pawtuxet River — are beautifully appointed, and the on-site restaurant, The Brook Kitchen and Bar, serves up a substantial dinner and next-day brunch menus for the full package overnight adventure. 400 Knight St., Warwick, 734-4460, theloomhotel.com
Rhythm Providers
The Providence Drum Troupe
Photograph courtesy of Providence Drum Troupe.
Chances are you’ve seen the Providence Drum Troupe at one point or another: The group of drummers, fire spinners, butterfly wing wearers, stilt walkers and more eccentric characters are often found “activating” events around Rhode Island by encouraging audience members to dance, laugh and even bang some drums with the group. The PVD Drum Troupe keeps the heart beating in our small state. providencedrumtroupe.com
Over-30 Upscale Lounge
Medici Lounge
One of the many questions we get from elder millennials is where to go dancing in Providence. For those of us who are of a certain age and frequented Club Ultra, Prov and The Strand back in the day, that question went unanswered until now. Thirtysomethings now have a place to go where the beats are early-2000s nostalgic with a little trance and techno mixed in — this time, with a fancy martini in hand instead of a watered-down well drink in a plastic cup. 172 Pine St., Providence, 829-9575, mediciprov.com
Santa Experience
Bristol Santa House
Any parent will tell you: The days are long, but the years are short. And the tiny window for a child’s fascination with Santa often speeds up childhood even faster. So make the plans in Bristol. Schedule a Santa visit. See the holiday lights and sights. Wait in the lines. Eat the treats. And bear with the tantrums. The mesmerized expressions that emerge once you reach the North Pole are worth the trip it took to get there. bristolsantahouse.org
Epic Girls’ Day
The Bimbo Factory
Part of the fun at this dance studio meets safe space is taking back a word that was once used to degrade women. Adopted as a term of endearment among these femme friends, guests of the factory learn burlesque history and dance in private or public workshops or simply show up for a hot-pink-fueled, slumber-party-like atmosphere where movie showings and cute pj’s are de rigueur. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., #2130, Pawtucket, bimbofactory.com
Classical-Meets-Casual Music Event
Puddingstone Music Series
Puddingstone Music has created salon-style, immersive gatherings across Aquidneck Island and drawn sell-out crowds in the process. Think: chamber ensembles in a 137-year-old Victorian chapel hidden within a historic cemetery, Grammy Award–winning cellists performing alongside contemporary ballet dancers, a music festival in America’s oldest lending library and the meeting place for the Colonial legislature (the Colony House!). Come for the culture, stay for the vibe. puddingstonemusic.org
The Dusty Planet
Intergalactic Mini-Golf
The Dusty Planet
Nestled inside a nondescript factory building in Olneyville lies a fantastical world of flashing lights, flying spaceships, little green men and dragons. Mini-golf meets Meow Wolf — with some glowing neon paint and glittering disco balls — is the vibe inside The Dusty Planet, the coolest mini-golf course this side of the Woonasquatucket. Drinks, snacks, pinball machines and super-friendly staffers — who just happened to fabricate 99 percent of the course themselves — round out the fun. Wanna play again? Replay rounds are only $4 a person. 39 Troy St., Providence, thedustyplanet.com
Fun Event Venue
The Event Factory
Event venues can be tough to find in Rhode Island unless it’s for a wedding. Thankfully, the Event Factory has everything you need to host a memorable moment like a birthday party, shower, or food- or drink-related event. The space is equipped with a large stage for presentations and live music, large bars in the front and back and several private rooms for smaller affairs. It also provides on-site catering for the complete package. Test it out on a Freestyle Friday or Beats and Brunch with live music. 144 Metro Center Blvd., Warwick, 384-7921, theeventfactoryri.com
Creative Cocktail Pop-Ups
Machines with Magnets
In addition to serving as a music venue, this spot is also a playground for local mixologists to test out their own bar concepts. From Michael Silva of BĀS and Parker Luthman of Play it Cool, MWM gives bartenders the liberty of making the space their own for a night using decor, music and lighting, while serving up specially crafted cocktails that align with the vision and brand for their own bar. 400 Main St., Pawtucket, 753-4049, machineswithmagnets.com
Vineyard Escape
Gooseneck Vineyards
Stop in at Gooseneck’s new digs inside a historic barn in North Kingstown on your way to or from the beach. The tasting room pays tribute to its previous life as a horse barn with oval stalls converted into cubbies, a beautiful bar and cozy nooks for friends to gather. The outdoor patio has lots of seating and a little trailer for drinks and bites. Try the bottles it produces using grapes from European and West Coast wine regions, including Rhody Red from Portugal and the rose from France. Special events include charcuterie workshops and chef dinners while we wait for the vines to produce enough fruit for their own wines. 1340 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown, 229-9862, gooseneckvineyards.com
Hollywood Hype in Little Rhody
Rhode Island Film & Television Office
It’s high time we acknowledge how many films and television shows the Rhode Island Film & Television Office has recruited in the form of traveling camera crews scouting locations and famous actors praising our local businesses. From Hocus Pocus 2 and Ella McCay to “The Gilded Age” and “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” this team, led by Executive Director Steven Feinberg, has brought glitz and glamour, hundreds of jobs and an economic boost to Little Rhody. film.ri.gov
Film Production Company
Verdi Productions
We all know you gotta know a guy in Rhode Island, and it turns out Chad A. Verdi of Verdi Productions knows more than a few. From teaming up with Martin Scorsese on several films, including The Irishman starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, and the upcoming Carthage Must Be Destroyed with Leonardo DiCaprio, to filming Bleed for This, the Vinny Paz story starring Miles Teller, Verdi has proven Rhode Island punches way above its weight in the film scene, coming up victorious every time. verdifilms.com
Collaborative Art Gallery
Angell Street Galleries
Housed in an old dental office, Angell Street Galleries is democratizing art in a novel way: At each show’s opening, founder Tom Petrosino picks two artists at random to show their work in an upcoming exhibit. The newly renovated space has seven “micro galleries” fashioned from old dental examination rooms. Its spring/summer exhibit featured mixed-media works by John Trainor, abstract paintings by S.W. Dinge and black and white photography and intaglios by Vienna Gambol. Open up and say “ahhht.” 324 Angell St., Providence, 263-4104, angellstreetgalleries.com
CHILD’S PLAY
The best businesses and spots for playdates and birthday parties.
Caregivers can feel like a clown in a juggling act when it comes to planning playdates, fun activities and birthday parties in between day-to-day responsibilities like work, school and sports. Outsource the job to one of these fun places, including the kids’ party headquarters The Luxe Lemon and Slime Bar in East Greenwich, where kids can sip frozen lemonade and craft their own slime (complete with glitter, sparkles and scents!). Hire The Sparkle Spa to come to you in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts in a party bus that provides DIY lip gloss supplies, pampering props and mini mocktails bedecked with cotton candy, followed by an LED karaoke dance party. Meanwhile, adults can escape for a few hours by hitting up the Play Town in Bristol for drop-in child care hours that are filled with fun activities for kids. Or schedule a playdate with a friend and head to Smithfield’s The Sensory Play Place, which hosts open play sessions, classes and activities that encourage imagination and develop fine motor and social skills. It takes a village. The Luxe Lemon and Slime Bar, 187 Main St., East Greenwich, instagram.com/theluxelemonandslimebar; The Sparkle Spa, 345-1205, thesparklespari.com; Play Town, 433 Hope St., Bristol, 203-3004, playtownri.com; The Sensory Play Place, 115 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield, 203-3157, sensoryplayplace.com
Line Dancing Location
Mishnock Barn
Mishnock Barn
We might live in the Northeast, but once you step into Mishnock Barn, you’re transported to the South in the best way possible. The barn offers weekly line-dancing lessons where you can enjoy light bites and drinks from the bar while dancing with an all-levels crowd. The cash-only establishment has an ATM, so you really only need to put on your straw hat and cowboy/girl boots and get ready to kick ball change the night away. 200 Mishnock Rd., West Greenwich, 397-3505, mishnockbarn.com
Rad Rollouts
Galactic Roller Disco
With an arsenal of rehabbed roller skates and endless good cheer at the ready, Ainsley Forness is spreading her love of roller sports throughout the Ocean State. You’ll find her and Galactic Roller Disco — her mobile roller rink business — at the Providence Rink holding Pride events and skating lessons for beginner and advanced skaters and hosting roller skate pop-ups and private parties. So dust off that pair of roller skates you bought during the pandemic and go spin your wheels with a roller-skating pro. galacticrollerdisco.com
Inclusive Dance Space
In Your Skin Studio
Salsa, bachata, hip-hop in heels, pole, Afrobeats, contemporary — you’ll find almost every dance style at In Your Skin Studio in downtown Pawtucket, where owner Sada Velasquez doles out confidence like confetti. Whether you want to learn sexy moves on the pole or empower yourself in your first set of Pleasers, In Your Skin is a safe space to get your groove on. 21 Broad St., Pawtucket, iysstudio.com
Kitten Nursery
Tiny Paws Kitten Care of Rhode Island
Tiny Paws Kitten Care of Rhode Island is the state’s first kitten nursery, nurturing and caring for neonatal kittens under eight weeks old. The newly formed nonprofit focuses on the most vulnerable kitties, who must be bottle-fed and monitored closely until they’re old enough for adoption. You can find founder Angela Senerchia at events throughout the state, raising awareness and selling kitty necklaces, keychains and plants (featuring a sticker of Pretzel, the organization’s furry “fundraising director”) to raise critical funds for every tiny paw. You can find more ways to help the growing nursery at its website, tinypawsri.org
Art Celebration Night
Gallery Night Providence
Getting to know Providence’s art scene is easy thanks to Gallery Night Providence. This monthly free event takes art enthusiasts on trolley rides and walking tours throughout the city, stopping at various galleries, public art murals and sculptures. Small bites and wine are offered on a few tours, if loads of art don’t fill your cup up enough first. 484-0726, gallerynight.org
Bach Party Planning
Blush and Coral Hospitality
Newport is the bachelorette party capital of Rhode Island, and for a weekend that’s unforgettable in all the right ways, maids of honor turn to Abby Prescott to pull it off. Prescott founded Blush and Coral Hospitality (aka BACH Newport) to put her party planning skills to work making brides’ bachelorette dreams come true. From delivering custom itineraries, to procuring ring-shaped balloons, to supplying hangover remedies, the business is a one-stop shop for all things bach. It also offers day-of wedding coordination for couples sticking around for the big day. Newport, blushandcoral.com
Nostalgic Night Out
Little Lena’s
Calling all ’90s kids: For a double chaser of nostalgia with your vodka cranberry, head up to Woonsocket and party like it’s 1999. With cocktails like Lady of the Night (served in a mini garbage bin) and Christmas at Memere’s, and vibes reminiscent of a Lisa Frank notebook, this is where grown-ups go to have fun. Skipped lunch? Snacks like dino nuggets, Dunkaroos, tater tots and cafeteria-inspired pizza will bring you back to the lunch bell (minus the weird cafeteria smell). 144 North Main St., Woonsocket, 306-5072, littlelenas.com
Social Standout
Curls & Cuisine
This multifaceted Instagram account first caught our eye when local influencer Kate Powers visited the Fairy Tea Room in Warren. The Massachusetts transplant started the account in May 2023 while getting to know the Ocean State and asking locals what staples she should check out. Since then, Powers has amassed nearly 36,000 followers, and now they come to her for the recs. She also uses the platform to spotlight Black-owned businesses and outline unique date itineraries. instagram.com/curlsandcuisines
COMEDY CALLOUTS
Laugh till it hurts!
The Ocean State just keeps getting funnier. 2025 saw the debut of the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot (lilrhodylaughriot.com), a new live event that brought some of the industry’s biggest stars — think: Leslie Jones, Kevin Hart and Jonathan Van Ness — to our front door. The four-day festival was an instant hit, but it’s got a way to go before it catches up to the Rogue Island Comedy Festival (rogueislandcomedyfest.com), the OG fest that’s been cracking up Aquidneck Island since 2015. With real star power and a down-home feel (comedy show in a barn, anyone?) this festival proves the state punches above its weight on the comedy scene. No one knows that better than Matt Rife (mattrifeofficial.com), the twenty-nine-year-old comedian who moved to Little Rhody in 2024. Since putting down roots here, Rife has made regular appearances at comedy clubs in the area, most notably the Comedy Connection in East Providence. We’re proud to call him an honorary Rhode Islander — just remember you’ve got to put in some time here before you get to make fun of the accent.
’Berg and Tube Bar
Buttonwoods Brewery
Buttonwoods owner and head brewer Morgan Snyder (left) and his brother, Max, share an Underberg and lager while
adding to the cap collection.
If it sounds like an inside joke, it kinda is. That is, until you participate. Get in on the camaraderie at Buttonwoods Brewery, where folks raise a small bottle of herbal bitters called Underberg, then chase it with a glass of lager foam, all in the name of digestion. The ritual is a bonding experience, plus you can help the brewery earn points for Underberg merch — from toy trucks to track suits — by handing over your caps. Never fear, “You’ll never ’berg alone.” 50 Sims Ave., Providence, 203-3065, buttonwoodsbrewery.com
New Brewery
Crafted Hope Brewing Company
East Greenwich residents didn’t have to wait long for a new spot after Linesider Brewing Company closed last year. Siblings Kyle Toste and Kerri Allard jumped at the chance to open Crafted Hope Brewing Company, quickly cementing its status as a local go-to on the West Bay. After a taproom glow-up, the brewery is back to hosting regular events, including trivia, comedy and music nights and rotating food trucks. Grab an NEIPA and settle in with friends, or check out the chalkboard behind the bar to pay a pint forward to a community member. 1485 South County Trl., Suite #201, East Greenwich, 398-0491, craftedhopebrewing.com
Irish Red Ale
Trágmar Ale Works
Guinness might get all the attention, but the Irish red ale at this Bristol brewery is the real deal. Rhode Island’s first Irish pub-themed brewery opened in March, bringing a little taste of the Emerald Isle to the East Bay. Owners Michael Godet, Chris Kerr and Jason Buck sought to emulate the pub culture in Kerr’s home country, complete with trad music sessions and that familiar foamy head. And yes, you can still find IPAs, pilsners, stouts and more styles on draft, so raise a pint of whatever you’re drinking. Sláinte! 87 Gooding Ave., Bristol, 638-0333, tragmar.com
Brewery Bites
Screaming Unicorn
After starting out as a pop-up at Buttonwoods Brewery’s previous location, this local favorite has spread its unicorn wings wide and we’re here for it. Chef Stephanie Rapoza serves up mouthwatering takes on pub classics from inside the Sims Avenue taproom, including smash burgers with tomato jam and super special sauce, Unicorn Fries topped with Parmesan, scallions and roasted garlic aioli and wood-fired pizzas fresh from the built-in oven. Grab a lager from the bar and pair it with some crispy peanut cauliflower or beer cheese nachos for a brewery experience that hits all the right flavors. 50 Sims Ave. (inside Buttonwoods Brewery), Providence, 830-4488, screamingunicornri.com
Whimsical Scavenger Hunt
Happy Unicorn Army
It began as a local mystery last winter: Who was behind the 3D-printed unicorns popping up in bars, windows and street corners in the West End? Before long the attention shifted from the who and why to the mythic creatures’ different colors, sizes, features and accessories (our favorite so far is the mustache and top hat combo). Today, fans can follow along on Instagram for clues on where the latest batch will land. Happy hunting! instagram.com/happyunicornarmy; happyunicornarmy.com
Photograph courtesy of Boozy Book Club/Reilly O’Hearn.
Not Your Mother’s Book Club
Boozy Book Club
Technicolor cocktails, stickers, tarot card readings and swag bags stuffed with friendship bracelets aren’t your typical book club fare — but then again, the Boozy Book Club is anything but. Reilly O’Hearn (@boozybitchez_ri on Instagram) gathers members monthly to discuss a particular book — with coordinating cocktails on the side. Email boozybetchez@gmail.com to join the member list.
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