Rhode Island, despite being the smallest state in the country, boasts an extensive list of exceptional venues for private events. Its strategic location between NY and Boston makes it an ideal choice for events and gatherings of various types and sizes. To highlight some of the highly recommended event venues in the state, I’ve curated a list of 19 event spaces that are trending RIGHT NOW in Rhode Island. Explore these top-notch venues that offer impeccable food, facilities, and amenities for any occasion!
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Family Friendly Event Venues in Rhode Island
1. Hope Events on Main 1005 Main St, Pawtucket, RI 02860
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As you step into Hope Events on Main, you are greeted by an enchanting atmosphere that seamlessly blends modern elegance with timeless charm. The venue boasts a versatile space that can be transformed to suit your unique vision for the perfect wedding day or any other special occasion. Whether you envision a grand affair or an intimate gathering, The Hope Events on Main team is a dedicated team committed to bringing your dreams to life.
Tables and linens for a wedding at Hope Events on Main
Reserve Hope Events on Main: https://restaurent.com/venue/hope-events-on-main/
2. Atrium on Main 285 Main St, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Atrium on Main is perfect for any event. The spacious 1500sqft event space can be transformed to fit your needs and style! Not only can you rent our dining room for your big parties like weddings and networking events, but we also have a 1700sqft event space downstairs and are no stranger to hosting birthdays, baby showers, and everything else you can imagine! If you’re curious about the space feel free to stop in for a tour on weekday mornings. The Atrium on Main has a coffee shop serving up drinks and delicious pastries when the venue is not reserved for an event. Available parking lot on site.
Downstairs at The Atrium on Main decorated for a birthday party
Reserve Atrium on Main: https://restaurent.com/vendor/atriumonmain/
3. Machines With Magnets 400 Main St, Pawtucket, RI 02860
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Discover an arts haven just outside Providence, Rhode Island. Machines with Magnets is a unique venue since 2007, blending an established art gallery, music performance space, and a welcoming patio. Impeccable service, diverse bar offerings, and a standing capacity for 200 guests. Perfect for your special occasion, offering contemporary art exhibits, A/V amenities, and a seamless planning experience. Your special occasion begins here, where creativity meets celebration!
Wedding guests watching a beautiful ceremony at Machines With Magnets
Reserve Machines With Magnets: https://restaurent.com/venue/machines-with-magnets/
EXPLORE 100+ VENUES IN RHODE ISLAND: Find the best venue for any event
4. Maria’s Cucina 477 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Maria’s Cucina is the perfect spot in Providence, RI to hold your next special event! We are conveniently located near Federal Hill at 477 Broadway Providence, RI 02909. We offer a large parking lot with plenty of off-street parking. We do all types of events, from political fundraisers, anniversaries, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, corporate events, collations/bereavements, Etc. Our second level can seat up to 70 people. The first floor is available based upon your event, up 60 seated or 125 buffet style or cocktail party. (Handicap Accessible). We offer both sit down/plated service, buffet style options. Your choice, either off the menu or customize select menu options
Street view of Maria’s Cucina with outdoor patio seating
5. Waterman Grille 4 Richmond Square, Providence, RI 02906
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Offering a setting that is unlike any other in Providence, Waterman Grille is situated along the Seekonk River in a former bridge gatehouse that dates back to 1871. Waterman Grille offers an array of custom spaces for your private event, each highlighting the dramatic and romantic character of our historic building. From small intimate parties to corporate meetings or social gatherings to formal celebrations and wedding receptions, our choice of three private event rooms and outdoor patio space will be sure to accommodate all your event needs, up to 150 people. No matter your preference, you will be pleased with our unique location and our ability to accommodate all your event requests.
6. Mill’s Tavern 101 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903
Mill’s Tavern is known for its extensive and award-winning wine selection and was the recipient of Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence.
Celebrate your family, friends and business associates with a classic and comfortable atmosphere for Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Receptions, Holiday Parties and more! Our inviting space is enhanced with personalized menus and professional, attentive service. Our menus change seasonally based on the best local meats, seafood and produce. Create a memorable intimate gathering in our charming private dining room that can accommodate up to 25 guests. Larger parties can be accommodated throughout the restaurant. Our space is ready to host up to 125 of your guests! We love hosting birthdays, wedding rehearsals, baby/bridal showers, graduation parties and corporate dinners!
7. Provence Sur Mer 39 Touro St, Newport, RI 02840
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Provence sur Mer is a unique event space in Newport’s historic Washington Square. Housed in a mid-1800s building, surrounded by iconic structures, our venue offers a distinct experience. Enjoy our exceptional outdoor garden and patio area with landscaping, seasonal decor and stone fire pit. Inside, our French-inspired design includes a Baby Grand Piano, elegant bar, gas fireplace, and more. Provence sur Mer is the ideal location for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events!
The Bar at Provence Sur Mer
Reserve Provence Sur Mer: https://restaurent.com/venue/provence-sur-mer/
8. Cassarino’s Restaurant 177 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
From office events to birthday parties, any celebration can benefit from great food and attentive staff. Contact Cassarino’s Restaurant when you’re looking for Providence events and catering you can trust. We’ve been the premier restaurant for delectable Italian cuisine since 1988. With over 30 years of experience, you can trust our top-tier customer service to make your event stand out. Make sure it’s the best one yet with Italian food from Cassarino’s Restaurant. We provide catering for all occasions and events. Ask about our exceptional menu today! Located in the Historic Federal Hill of Providence, Rhode Island, and is sure to be a hit with all of your guests. There is a reason people trust Cassarino’s with their party and event needs!
9. La Forge Casino Restaurant 186 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Established in 1880, the restaurant overlooks the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. A view, special to La Forge, that reflects the rich history and heritage of Newport, Rhode Island. We are open year round, serving our guests daily, as well as offering bespoke private dining areas to Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Outings, Bus Tours and other Group Functions. We have long been the premier choice for many of Newport’s social gatherings such as the Miss Rhode Island Pageant, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, The Newport Rugby Club, and Newport Hospital to name a few. Whether your group is 15 or 150 people, there is no event too big or small. We take a lot of pride in the execution of every event we orchestrate and can even cater your off-site event for any number of guests. Our picturesque setting and abilities to customize events are only limited by our guest’s imagination!
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La Forge Casino Restaurant dining room
Reserve La Forge Casino Restaurant: https://restaurent.com/venue/la-forge-casino-restaurant/
10. Saje Kitchen 332 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Saje Kitchen is a contemporary American restaurant fused with southern Inspirations open from brunch until dinner. Saje Kitchen would be honored to provide our services for your next event! Each event is bespoke to your tastes and needs, to provide the best experience possible for you and your guests. Whether it’s a birthday party, baby shower, office function, or any other special event, we’ll do our best to accommodate your desired date and any requests you may have to make your party/celebration memorable.
Experience Bistro 22, where the timeless allure of rustic comfort meets the warmth of family-friendly charm. Prepare to create unforgettable memories at your private event or large party in our contemporary eatery. Indulge in our culinary delights crafted from fresh seasonal ingredients, combining cherished old classic dishes and dishes with a modern Italian flare. Our superb wine selection will elevate your celebration to new heights. Whether you choose to revel in our inviting indoor ambiance or bask in the delightful outdoor seating, every moment at Bistro 22 will be filled with exceptional flavors and cherished moments. Book your event with us and ensure an extraordinary experience that will be remembered for years to come!
12. WXYZ Bar 191 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903
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WXYZ Bar. Serving inventive drinks, craft beers and small bites, our inviting restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Providence is ideal for unwinding with friends or networking with colleagues. WXYZ Is always serving up new and inventive drinks every day of the week. We are available for private and semi-private bookings for small to large parties. We offer a full bar and small bites to accompany your delicious drinks. WXYZ can also handle overnight accommodations as we are located in the Aloft hotel in Providence RI!
WXYZ Bar lounge seating
Reserve WXYZ Bar: https://restaurent.com/venue/wxyz-bar/
13. Thirsty Beaver 288 Atwood Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
The Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grub; a stylish yet classic pub-staurant set in a distinctive & vibrant log cabin. The perfect space for family friendly and nightlife events. The Thirsty Beaver has 5 locations across Rhode Island and Mass in Cranston, Smithfield, North Kingston, Westerly, and Foxboro.
14. The Event Factory 144 Metro Center Blvd, Warwick, RI 02886
The Event Factory is a crafted event space designed to enhance your vision for any special occasion. The venue has multiple conference or rehearsal rooms with stages of multiple sizes, along with open space rooms with theater style seating, a prep/catering kitchen, and lighting and sound packages. The Event Factory is the perfect blank canvas for Weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Milestone Birthdays, Corporate Events, Dance Recitals and More.
15. The Centredale Revival 2025 Smith St, North Providence, RI 02911
American comfort food and cocktails – The Centredale Revival will make the perfect welcoming atmosphere for your next event. The venue can be transformed into a spacious layout to allow for mixing and mingling at a networking style event. There is even a small stage for the host to say a few words or for a DJ/music performance. The tables and chairs can all be brought back out to create a space for enjoying all the food their great menu has to offer at your next family event like a birthday party or reunion.
Brick backdrop wall at The Centredale Revival
Reserve The Centredale Revival: https://restaurent.com/venue/centerdale-revival/
16. Long Live Beerworks 40R Sprague St, Providence, RI 02907
At Long Live Beerworks we are passionate about brewing great beers and creating a comfortable and welcoming environment in which to enjoy them! Our prime location on Providence’s West End / South Side border is accessible to many visitors. The building features lots of natural light, exposed brick and carefully considered architectural touches, including a mezzanine with lots of seating. It is the perfect venue for your next gathering!
The bar at Long Live Beerworks
Reserve Long Live Beerworks: https://restaurent.com/venue/1378/
17. Rooftop at the G 100 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903
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Rooftop at the Providence G is Downtown Providence’s premier rooftop restaurant and lounge that is weatherized and open year-round. Guests can enjoy stunning and unobstructed views of Providence’s famous skyline perfectly paired with a distinct food and drink menu, and live entertainment! The perfect venue for your next party or corporate event.
Views of the rooftop on a summer evening
Reserve Rooftop at the G: https://restaurent.com/venue/rooftop-at-the-g/
18. Moonshine Alley – Music City 52 Pine St, Providence, RI 02903
Music City is the ideal choice for your group gathering & dining experience. Ambiance, food & drink, and entertainment… all with that southern twang!
Whether you’re hosting a birthday or holiday party, corporate event, or just gathering with friends & family for a night of Nashville, Moonshine Alley is sure to impress!
19. 345 by Plant City Speakeasy and Cocktail Bar 345 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903
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345 by Plant City is a plant-based and vegan speakeasy lounge & mixology cocktail bar. Located next door to the main Plant City building, the intimate bar and seating area is a cozy home for creative small plates and innovative drinks. The rotating menu features an ever-changing array of eclectic concoctions, fresh mocktails, and elevated snacks. The space is perfect for those looking for a stylish, sleek, and elegant get together, while making sure that all of the products they are consuming are plant-based and ethically sourced. We love hosting events for charities, networking, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate events!
Plant City Speakeasy and Cocktail Bar
Reserve 345 by Plant City Speakeasy and Cocktail Bar: https://restaurent.com/venue/345-speakeasy/
Consider these event spaces the next time you’re planning a holiday party, birthday party, bachelorette party, bridal shower, business dinner, company get together, brand activation or investor meeting!
Four Rhode Island hospitals — Newport, Miriam, South County and Westerly — received top marks in the fall report from Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit that grades hospitals on safety.
The Washington, D.C.-based Leapfrog assigns hospitals letter grades based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as Leapfrog’s own surveys. Rhode Island’s hospitals didn’t perform much differently than they did in spring 2024 (The Miriam and Newport have consistently earned A’s the past two years), with two notable exceptions. Westerly’s A is its first since 2022. Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, which has received nine consecutive A grades, dropped to a B.
Kent Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital also received B grades. The embattled Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center both earned C grades.
South County Hospital’s good report card was a boon to Dr. Kevin Charpentier, the vice president and chief medical officer at South County Health, the hospital’s parent company.
“It’s more than a score — it’s a promise to our community of prioritizing the highest level of patient care,” Charpentier wrote in an email.
The score was also a bit of good news amid an ongoing dispute between the hospital’s administration and its staff. A September letter sent by doctors and nurses to the South County Health’s board of trustees detailed escalating tensions between providers and management, with doctor resignations, service cuts and growing patient backlogs among the signatories’ concerns.
Landmark’s B left its CEO Mike Souza disappointed.
“We take quality very seriously and our team has already put plans in place to address the areas needing improvement,” Souza said in an emailed response to Rhode Island Current. “Our community will continue to receive great care and our expectation is that we will return to an ‘A’ grade in the near future.”
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Leapfrog aggregates 30 metrics to assess how well hospitals care for patients as well as prevent bad outcomes, like infections and falls. The grades are given to roughly 3,000 hospitals, not including VA hospitals or children’s hospitals. Hospitals that lack enough data for multiple metrics are also excluded.
Lisa P. Tomasso, senior vice president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, said via email that the trade group was pleased with the state’s performance. But she added that the grades, while insightful, are “not comprehensive, as they exclude factors like social determinants of health, community-level health challenges, and systemic issues like Medicaid reimbursement rates.”
But grades still hold value. Robert Hackey, a professor of health sciences at Providence College, said that “hospitals that don’t do well tend to poke holes in whatever rating methodology that’s used.”
“If you look at the hospitals in Rhode Island, for the most part, we’re performing very well,” Hackey said. “Yeah, we obviously have two low performers. It’s Fatima and Roger Williams. And there’s a common thread there. They’re both owned by Prospect and they’re both for-profit institutions, yeah. And they both struggle.”
A representative for CharterCARE Health Partners, the Rhode Island subsidiary for Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, did not respond to requests for comment. Facing growing debt, Prospect has sought to unload many of the hospitals in its portfolio, including the two safety net hospitals in Rhode Island. A proposal to sell Roger Williams and Fatima to a new, nonprofit owner, received conditional approval from state regulators in June, but the status of financing required to complete the transaction is unclear.
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Hackey said it’s a bad sign when hospitals ignore questions on Leapfrog’s survey — something both Fatima and Roger Williams Medical Center did when it came to inquiries about nursing and leadership. Our Lady of Fatima Hospital’s ‘C’ grade is indicative of ongoing quality issues at Prospect Medical Holdings’ hospitals in Rhode Island, says Providence College Professor Robert Hackey. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)
Meanwhile hospitals owned by the state’s largest health care system — Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan Corporation — all performed well. Rhode Island Hospital, the state’s flagship hospital, received a B grade despite demonstrating below-average prevention rates of blood and urinary tract infections and falls causing broken hips, as well as less-than-stellar marks for hospital leadership and communication about medicines with patients.
Since 2021, Rhode Island Hospital has received C grades more often than not. The B is evidence that things are improving, said Dr. Dean Roye, senior vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at the hospital. The Leapfrog grades “help us pinpoint areas” to work on, Roye said. He added that a reorganization of quality and safety departments across Brown Health’s properties was another factor in Rhode Island Hospital’s improved grade.
But Hackey is eyeing another Brown property, the A-graded Miriam, for a surgery he has scheduled for December. He explained with a laugh that checking the Leapfrog ratings was one of the first things he did when deciding where to have his surgery.
“The goal of this is to have a more educated healthcare consumer,” he said.
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Above average results
Leapfrog uses the percentage of A grade hospitals in a state to determine a state’s national ranking. Almost 61% of Utah’s hospitals received A grades, giving it the top slot nationwide. The top 10 states all sported at least 40% A grade hospitals.
An A grade indicates hospitals that prioritize safety, said Alex Campione, program analyst for the Leapfrog Group, who noted that about 32% of hospitals nationwide achieved this grade. Rhode Island was over the national average with 44% of its hospitals receiving an A grade.
“Each year more than 250,000 people will die in hospitals due to preventable errors, injuries, accidents, and infections,” Campione said. “We estimate that, at the very least, 50,000 of those lives could be saved if all hospitals performed like A hospitals.”
Rhode Island placed fourth nationwide in Leapfrog’s spring 2024 scores, also with 44% at an A grade, but it was pushed out of the top five this time around by three states that rose with higher grades: California, North Carolina and Connecticut. Connecticut was the only other New England state to crack the top 10. Vermont fared worst of all, and was ranked 48th nationwide, tying for last place with North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. There was not a single A grade hospital in any of these states.
Grading the graders
But a bad report card might not be the final word on a hospital’s quality. A 2019 article in New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst graded the graders, and gave Leapfrog a C-, the second lowest of the four systems reviewed. The study noted that Leapfrog had a detailed framework for measurement, with a unique focus on the hospitals’ “culture of safety.” But it also relied on its proprietary survey for a good chunk of its data — a problem, the authors thought, since Leapfrog grades hospitals the same regardless of whether they complete the survey.
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Dr. Karl Bilimoria of the Indiana University School of Medicine, who chairs the school’s surgery department and leads its Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, led the 2019 study. He wrote in an email Tuesday to Rhode Island Current that Leapfrog’s efforts still leave something to be desired.
“Leapfrog has many issues with their methodology and their general approach that persist and they have been the least receptive to improvement suggestions and the least adaptive to changes in the science of quality measurement,” Bilimoria wrote.
Asked about Bilimoria’s idea that Leapfrog is not responsive to suggestions, spokesperson Lula Hailesilassie said by email that the public is regularly invited to submit feedback on proposed changes to its surveys. Comments on the 2025 survey are open through Dec. 13, 2024.
PROVIDENCE — The application period for Rhode Island’s charter schools opened this week, giving families a shot at roughly 3,000 seats projected to be available at charter schools next year.
A blind lottery for available seats will be held on April 1. Charter schools are in high demand in Rhode Island, with roughly 11,000 families submitting 30,000 applications for 2,500 seats lasts year. (Families can apply for more than one school.)
There are about 13,000 Rhode Island public school students currently enrolled in 25 charters, some of which are larger networks with multiple schools.
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Despite the demand, teachers unions and other public school advocates have sought to block the expansion of charter schools, concerned they are financially hurting the traditional public school system. School funding follows each child from their home school district to the charter school.
In this week’s episode of the Rhode Island Report, Chiara Deltito-Sharrott from the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools talks about the future of charter schools in Rhode Island, and provides a rebuttal to comments made by Maribeth Calabro, the head of Rhode Island’s largest teachers union, in an episode earlier this month.
Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.
United Way of Rhode Island accepts initial donations from the Fund’s sponsoring energy companies. (courtesy: United Way of Rhode Island)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — United Way of Rhode Island announced the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund has begun for the 2024 through 2025 season.
The fund helps families that need assistance paying their home heating bills but are not eligible for federal or state assistance.
Since it was founded, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has aided over 48,250 Rhode Island homes.
United RI says any local households in the state that are in need of funding assistance for energy are encouraged to contact a local Community Action Program agency, or to call the 211 helpline for help locating a CAP agency.
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GNEF eligibility is determined on total income not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level, and provides up to $825 per household each heating season depending on eligibility, fuel type, and need.
United RI said in addition to sponsors, the fund relies on Rhode Islanders who donate through the “Warm Thy Neighbor” campaign.
Donations can be made through the yellow donation envelope enclosed with monthly energy bills, or by scanning the QR code on the envelope.
Additionally, donations can be given through phone by texting “WARM” to 91999.
For more information, visit United Way of Rhode Island’s website here.
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