5 Great Spots for Outdoor Dining in Rhode Island

Enjoy these al fresco experiences while the breezes are warm.

July 20, 2016

Charlestown Rathskeller

489 Old Coach Rd., Charlestown, 792-1000, thecharlestownrathskeller.com
The vibe: This patio awaits in the deep woods, calling your name with live music down back, bonfires, cornhole and horseshoe games. Don’t forget your bug spray!
Summer eats: Start with shucked oysters from the raw bar, then bite into a lobster roll, fish and chips or a fried flounder sandwich. Meat lovers can’t go wrong with a juicy char-grilled cheeseburger like the Cowboy with bacon, cheddar, barbecue sauce and fried onions.
What to sip: In honor of the Fourth of July, tip back the Patriot shot with red, white and blue liqueurs forming striped layers. The Mint Palmer includes Sons of Liberty’s Loyal 9 mint cucumber vodka, iced tea and lemonade, or sip the coldest beer in Rhode Island, thanks to the Rathskeller’s proprietary tap system.

Ogie’s Trailer Park

1155 Westminster St., Providence, 383-8200, ogiestrailerpark.com
The vibe: The newly expanded tiki bar is in full swing for an apres beach party on Sundays. Play cornhole, sit around the bonfire and soak up the retro trailer park scene, Route 66-themed trailers and all.
Summer eats: Tater tots are always a hot commodity, but Ogie’s also offers Sunday brunch all day until 5 p.m., including biscuits and sausage gravy, freshly pressed waffles and hashes along with mimosas and bloody Marys.
What to sip: A scorpion bowl, a tiki drink like the Blue Hawaiian or pina colada, or a concoction churned out by the new slushy machine.

Ciro’s Tavern Patio

42 Cherry St., Woonsocket, 769-3330, cirostavern.com
The vibe: A sprawling oasis in a city setting, day or night. Decked out with a courtyard, large bar, patio furniture and lots of tables and chairs, there’s also an outdoor stone fireplace, two fire pits and radiant heaters to cozy up to when chill temps set in. Live entertainment on weekends plays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and don’t miss the cornhole tournaments.
Summer eats: A seasonal menu includes a lobster roll, fish tacos, clam cakes and chowder, Thai salmon and a raw bar.
What to sip: Try an orange creamsicle from the new slushy machine, or go for a tried-and-true muddled strawberry margarita or the Sir Marty (Hendricks gin, St. Germain, muddled cucumber and ginger ale).

Chair 5

1208 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, 363-9800, dinechair5.com
The vibe: Surfer style is coming on strong at this beach bar and rooftop with views of the ocean. Chair 5’s roof deck is located at the top of the new boutique Break Hotel, and it’s named after a lifeguard chair where locals gather on Narragansett Town Beach. Jam out to live music on Friday and Saturday nights, plus Sunday afternoons.
Summer eats: Mini lobster rolls with dill aioli on potato rolls, and chef Basil Yu’s smoked chicken wings, brined, cold-smoked with mesquite wood, then deep-fried and tossed in a sweet soy glaze.
What to sip: Persephone’s Folly, made with pomegranate liqueur, gin, fresh lime juice and rosemary-infused simple syrup, or the Chai-tini with vodka, coffee liqueur, chai cream and chocolate sauce.

Rick’s Roadhouse

370 Richmond St., Providence, 272-7675, ricksroadhouseri.com
The vibe: This barbecue spot boasts an all-out al fresco atmosphere. Feel free to bring man’s best friend along for the adventure, which might include cornhole or afternoon drinks. Monthly themed Full Moon parties include live music and other fun perks.
Summer eats: Fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, tender pulled pork (smoked twelve to fourteen hours) or fried chicken TV dinners served with mac ‘n’ cheese, bacon braised greens and buttermilk cornbread.
What to sip: The only local place we know where you can get a Margarona, a giant margarita served with two upside-down miniature Coronas in the drink.