Nightlife isn't of the raunchy, rollicking, south Florida variety, but the bars don't close at sunset, either. Among the prime candidates for a potential rockin' good time is Captain Nick's, on Ocean Avenue (tel. 401/466-5670), opposite the Block Island Grocery. It has pool, 3 more bars, and a large dance floor inside, as well as dollar beers, cheap burgers, and live music most nights in season out on the terrace. A block away, McGovern's Yellow Kittens, on Corn Neck Road (tel. 401/466-5855), also presents live bands in summer, inside or out on the deck. Darts, pool tables, foosball, and video games help fill the winter nights. Pub food, pool tables, video games, and foosball are also attractions at Club Soda, on Connecticut Avenue (tel. 401/466-5397), supplemented by live music once or twice a week.
Ballard's has live rock or pop most afternoons out on the terrace and nightly inside. An occasional live-music venue is the lounge of the National Hotel, on Water Street (tel. 401/466-2901). Yachtsmen and other sailors docked or moored at Champlin's Marina settle in on the end of the main dock at Trader Vic's, at New Harbor (tel. 401/466-2641). The bar is downstairs, with a DJ or band out on the deck most afternoons. In addition to the sunset drinks and tapas on the front lawn of the Atlantic Inn, many visitors settle in on the porch of the equally well-situated (and less expensive) Narragansett Inn, on Water Street (tel. 401/466-2626).
Island residents try to keep Mahagony Shoals, on Payne's Dock at the end of Water Street (tel. 401/466-5572), to themselves. What they come for is the barbed humor of Wally McDonough. He sings Irish folk ballads and banters with the audience, invariably giving better than he gets. Wally occupies his corner Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, as well as Fridays, when he feels like it. Get there around 10pm.
