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Old Taverns & New Energy 🌟
Explore Rhode Island’s most historic restaurants and taverns, see what’s in (and out) for 2026, meet the 2026 Who to Watch nominees, + more!
The holidays have officially packed up their lights and leftovers, and Rhode Island is easing back into its regular rhythm. Calendars are filling back in, routines are reappearing, and the urge to leave the house is slowly winning out over staying on the couch. Today’s newsletter is here to help with that reset, serving up fresh ideas, familiar favorites, and a few good reasons to start the week with curiosity instead of dread.
Meet the 2026 Who to Watch Nominees
From compost hubs and creative classrooms to community care and cultural impact, this year’s Who to Watch lineup is proof that optimism in Rhode Island is built by people who show up and get to work. These 2026 honorees are redefining what progress looks like across the Ocean State, giving us plenty of reasons to head into the new year with curiosity, confidence, and hope. Read more online.
What’s In (and Out) for Rhode Island in 2026
According to the Rhode Island Department of State, 2026 is all about showing up, from supporting small businesses year-round and engaging in local civic life to reconnecting with Rhode Island’s history as America 250 approaches. What’s out? Misinformation, disengagement, and the idea that one voice doesn’t matter in a state where community impact is always personal. Read more online.
Newport’s Past, Brought to Life for America’s 250th
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Newport Historical Society is turning history into a living, breathing experience through expanded exhibitions, walking tours, and conversations that connect Newport’s Revolutionary War roots to the world we live in today. From immersive storytelling about occupation and alliance to new spaces honoring Black history, the organization shows that the past is not distant here and is very much alive. Read more online.
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Wednesday 1/7 | Drinks With Artists A community-forward double feature hosted by Michael Rose Fine Art brings creatives together at Jamestown Arts Center from 6–9pm for conversation, connection, and a casual night out with art at the center. Learn more online ⸻ Maya Breuer Trio Smooth jazz sets the tone as the Maya Breuer Trio brings vocals, guitar, and upright bass to The Blue Room from 6–9pm for an intimate evening of live music and laid-back vibes. Learn more online ⸻ Providence College vs UCONN Rivalry energy takes over downtown as the Providence Friars face off against UConn at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence at 7pm for a high-stakes night of Big East basketball. Learn more online |
Thursday 1/8 | Barrels and Bites: A Whisky Tasting Event Whisky lovers can sip their way through a five-course tasting at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket from 7–10pm, where thoughtfully paired bites and bourbons turn an evening at the Old Mill into a warm, spirited winter escape. Learn more online ⸻ NewportFILM | Documentary Film Screening "The Tale of Silyan" NewportFILM brings a quietly powerful documentary to the Casino Theatre in Newport from 7–8:30pm, where a farmer, a wounded stork, and a changing world collide in a visually stunning story about resilience, migration, and unexpected connection. Learn more online |
Friday 1/9 | Rhode Island Cocktail Club Event Sip and socialize upstairs at SÉZN by Plant City in Providence starting at 7 pm, with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, seasonal bites, and an elevated-but-easygoing vibe. Learn more online ⸻ Owls & Ales Event Learn about Rhode Island’s resident owls while enjoying a locally brewed beer at the Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium in Bristol, with live ambassador owls and a guided listen-for-the-wild experience from 6:30–7:30pm. Learn more online ⸻ Providence Bruins • Retro Weekend Throw it back at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence at 7:05pm as the Providence Bruins hit the ice in fan-favorite retro jerseys, complete with 90s and 00s music, themed fan cams, and plenty of nostalgic fun. Learn more online ⸻ Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune The Gamm Theatre brings Terence McNally’s intimate two-hander to life from 7–10pm, offering a tender, funny, and quietly powerful look at vulnerability, connection, and the hope that love can still surprise us. Learn more online ⸻ G-Club Fridays Friday nights get a glow-up at Providence G Pub from 9pm–2am, where DJs, arcade games, late-night bites, and no-cover dancing turn Orange Street into an easy weekly go-to. Learn more online |
Saturday 1/10 | Featured Artist Kickoff at Riffraff Celebrate featured artist Aaron North with an evening of paintings, cocktails, and good company at Riffraff Bookstore and Bar in Providence from 6–8pm. Learn more online ⸻ DarkStar Collectibles Show Cards, collectibles, and a little friendly nostalgia take over the Trinity Brotherhood Club in East Providence from 10am–3:30pm for a family-friendly show packed with Pokémon, sports cards, rare finds, and wallet-friendly deals. Learn more online |
Sunday 1/11 | 90’s Drag Brunch Scrunchies, throwback jams, and fierce performances take over Medici Lounge from 11am–2pm for a totally nostalgic 90s Drag Brunch packed with bold looks, big energy, and brunch favorites served with a side of sparkle. Learn more online ⸻ Kris Hansen Live Singer-songwriter and audio engineer Kris Hansen, best known for his project Viking Jesus, takes the stage at Archive Book + Snackery in Warren at 7pm for a free, intimate night of live music rooted in local sound and storytelling. Learn more online ⸻ Learn to Curl Try your hand at the Olympic sport of curling during a beginner-friendly Learn to Curl session at Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink from 1:45–3:45pm, with instructors from Ocean State Curling Club guiding you every slide of the way. Learn more online ⸻ Vision Board Party 2026 Set intentions and sip something cozy during a high-vibe Vision Board Party at HER Collaborative in Coventry from 9:30am–12pm, where guided meditation, creative goal-setting, and community energy help turn 2026 dreams into something tangible.Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Savoring Rhody’s Most Historic Tables
From pirate-era taverns to former stagecoach stops, this Savoring Rhody route proves that Rhode Island’s food scene has been centuries in the making. Patty J takes readers on a delicious journey through some of the state’s oldest restaurants and taverns, where history, hospitality, and memorable meals have been served up for generations. Read more online.
⭐ Looking for a winter outing that won’t hibernate your budget? Roger Williams Park Zoo is offering half-priced admission throughout January and February, making it the perfect time to bundle up and explore while animals are extra active in cooler weather. Winter Wonder Days run daily from 10am–4pm, giving families and wildlife lovers a fresh-air adventure at a feel-good price.
⭐ Ever wish you could help decide the next great ice cream flavor? Wright’s Creamery is bringing back its Test Batch Club for 2026, a 12-week, members-only program that lets ice cream lovers taste, rate, and vote on experimental flavors inspired by music from January through March. With weekly small-batch releases and limited spots available, it’s a chance to shape the Creamery’s future lineup one pint at a time.
⭐ Ready to take a trip to the Vegas Strip without leaving Rhode Island? Elvis tribute artist Leo Days brings the King’s music to life at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket with a live band and a high-energy show that spans Elvis’s iconic 50s, 60s, and 70s eras. With two performances and no backing tracks in sight, it’s a weekend designed for die-hard fans and casual listeners alike.
#HeyRhodyPhotos
East Greenwich easing into 2026 with fresh snow and zero urgency. ❄️
Photo by @lindabvan
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