While you’ll never confuse South County for Miami, New York, or even Providence when it comes to nightlife, there are enough spots to keep you occupied as you head out in the evening. These pubs and clubs give you the chance to get out and dance after a day at the beach, so you don’t have to return to your vacation rental as soon as the sun goes down.
These venues vary in atmosphere, as some are restaurants that turn into nightclubs after dinner, and others are live music venues that encourage you to get up and have a good time. Here’s a look at some places to dance the night away during your South County vacation.
Bon Vue
The Bon Vue Inn is nestled away in Narragansett’s Point Judith neighborhood, almost halfway between Roger Wheeler and Scarborough state beaches. Don’t let its unassuming location fool you, though, because this venue is a great place to party if you’re in the mood.
You’ll find live music and dancing every Friday and Saturday night throughout June, July, and August at Bon Vue, and you’ll see more events in the fall, as well. There’s also a DJ every Thursday night, playing every type of music imaginable into the early hours of the morning.
Despite being a little out of the way, Bon Vue is popular with the college crowd in the offseason, too, so there’s always something going on at this little pub in Point Judith.
Ocean Mist
Ocean Mist is popular all day long because of its central location between South Kingstown Town Beach and East Matunuck State Beach, two of the region’s busiest oceanfront areas. You can stop in for lunch, dinner, or a drink anytime and feel right at home from the moment you walk through the doors or belly up to the outdoor bar.
However, it’s an entirely different atmosphere at night, as Ocean Mist has live music and dancing on many Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights throughout the year, making it one of South County’s pre-eminent party destinations. The venue hosts musicians and bands from all genres, so have a look at their upcoming schedule to see if there’s something you can dance to coming in the near future.
The Knickerbocker Cafe
If you want to dance to some live music, you won’t want to miss The Knickerbocker. This venue in downtown Westerly is perhaps the region’s best-known music center, attracting nationally-recognized acts throughout the year.
The Knickerbocker has been in business since 1933 and has gained a significant following in that time. It’s popular and stylish, but the audience trends a little older, so you won’t have to worry too much about things getting too rowdy.
As a bonus, if you love the idea of dancing but don’t know how to do it, the venue offers free dance lessons on Wednesdays, followed by a concert.
There are shows throughout the year at The Knickerbocker, Wednesday through Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check them out during your South County holiday.
Paddy’s Beach Club
You don’t have to stay in downtown Westerly to do some dancing, either, as Paddy’s Beach Club is located near Misquamicut State Beach and provides an oceanfront spot to get your groove on. This establishment has live music every Monday night and a DJ on Monday and Saturday afternoons, so you can get your dancing in during the day if you aren’t into staying up late.
There are other events at Paddy’s throughout the year, too, so keep an eye on their website to see if there’s something you want to attend.
Cut a Rug in Coastal Rhode Island
You’ll have enough options to keep you busy if you feel like going out to dance during your South County vacation. These aren’t the mega clubs you’d find in larger centers, but they’re charming venues that fit perfectly with the region’s laidback attitude.
There’s a vacation rental with your name on it close to many of these venues, too, so you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get home after a night on the town. Book your rental early to ensure it’s near the dance spot of your choice.