Blu Violet is No Shrinking Violet in Providence

The Blu Violet Rooftop Bar overlooks Providence. Photo courtesy of Blu Violet

Blu Violet, the buzzy rooftop bar perched atop the Aloft Providence Downtown hotel, is rising above the city’s cocktail scene with a whole new look. The glam-up reveals a sultry speakeasy aesthetic complete with plush seating, low lighting and rich tones (think dark blue walls, velvet curtains, golden accents and burnt orange chairs), for a posh night on (well, above) the town.

But the new decor isn’t the only update; the food and drink also underwent a makeover to match the reimagined space. The food menu features globally inspired small plates from executive chef Benjamin Stroud and creative cocktails from Hannah Turner.

Hannah Turner. Photo courtesy of Blu Violet

Turner first fell in love with cocktail crafting working at a restaurant as a teen when she practiced making cosmos with water, cranberry juice and limes in between serving tables on slower days.

“It opened up a whole new world for me,” she says.

Years later, a bartending gig at a restaurant in Barrington gave her the opportunity to devise her own Sunday night drink specials. She joined the Blu Violet Rooftop team in 2024, where she was given creative freedom for her delicious drink experiments.

Industrious Spirit Company approached Blu Violet Rooftop with the idea of putting a drink on the menu using one of its vodkas. Turner created “The Sweet Escape,” a pear vanilla martini topped with prosecco, and it was such a hit that it became a menu staple. After the redesign, Turner was promoted to lead bartender and beverage specialist where she changes up the whole cocktail menu seasonally.

Maple Whip espresso martini. Photo courtesy of Blu Violet

“I felt very confident going into that role,” she recalls. “It let me tap into a whole different side of my creativity that I really enjoyed.”

She’s inspired by trends and seasonal ingredients, but also enjoys mixing housemade syrups, infusing herbs and bitters, and sourcing unique garnishes.

The bestselling Maple Whip Espresso is her boozy take on a Nitro Bar coffee topped with hand-whipped maple, while the Sage It Ain’t So relies on a blackberry shrub that takes almost a month to prep. A Pear Me Up martini features a Bubs, a Swedish pear candy, for a sweet finish.

Turner and team created a balanced menu. Mezcal lovers delight in The Loophole, while gin lovers order seconds of the Chagroni. Local beer and wine are also available, as well as mocktails. The location is perfect for a girls’ night thanks to the Aperol Spritz Bucket (a steal at $25 with refills for $10) or a crystal Roof Top Tower of rum punch, mimosas or sangria, and the Boozy Blu Violet Peacock served in a tiki peacock mug.

“I want everyone to come here and be able to enjoy themselves,” Turner says. “And not even just with the drinks, but the food, too.”

The menus will rotate by season, but the one thing that’s sure to stay? The incomparable views of the Providence skyline. 191 Dorrance St., Providence, 252-0711, bluvioletroofbar.com

The Blu Violet Rooftop Bar has been redesigned with dark blue and burnt orange accents. Photo courtesy of Blu Violet