This being a college town, there is no end of music bars, small concert halls, and pool pubs. A good source of information is the free weekly Providence Phoenix (www.providencephoenix.com).
The Performing Arts
The Opera Providence (tel. 401/331-6060; www.operaprovidence.org) stages three or four productions a season at various locations, including the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The Rhode Island Philharmonic (tel. 401/831-3123; www.ri-philharmonic.org) usually appears at the Providence Performing Arts Center or the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Big-ticket touring musicals on the order of Rent, Lion King, and Evita, as well as traveling dance companies and other attractions, are showcased at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St. (tel. 401/421-ARTS; www.ppacri.org), while new plays share space with Ibsen and Shakespeare at the Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St. (tel. 401/351-4242; www.trinityrep.com). The Dunkin' Doughnuts Center, 1 La Salle Sq. (tel. 401/331-2211), between the Convention Center and the Holiday Inn Downtown, hosts stellar performers and acts, Bruce Springsteen, among them, along with up-and-comers.
The Club & Music Scene
The Green Room, 145 Clifford St. (tel. 401/351-7665), usually has DJs Wednesdays and Thursdays, live rock Fridays and Saturdays, and a comedy showcase on Sundays.
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St. (tel. 401/272-5876), formerly at 239 Westminster St., still hosts a variety of live concerts. The Call, 15 Elbow St. (tel. 401/751-2255), showcases mostly regional bands, supplemented by acts in the attached Century Lounge, 150 Chestnut St. (same phone). At the Custom House Tavern, 36 Weybosset St. (tel. 401/751-3630), an open mic is on Monday and Wednesday, with live jazz or blues on Saturday and Sunday. Connected to the popular Café Paragon, Club Viva, 234 Thayer St. (tel. 401/272-7600), has food from the same kitchen, but in a lounge environment that turns into dance club on weekends.
Many restaurants in the city engage musical groups 2 or more nights a week. These include CAV. At the Trinity Brewhouse, 186 Fountain St. (tel. 401/453-2337), live jazz and blues share attention with boutique beers, a pool table, and a deck.
Movies
For art-house films and midnight cult movies, there is the Avon Cinema, 260 Thayer St., near Meeting St. (tel. 401/421-3315). Curl up in the comfy sofas at the Cable Car, 204 South Main St. (tel. 401/272-3970) for an art-house flick accompanied by free popcorn refills.
