There's A New-ish Speakeasy In Providence And It's The Cat's Meow
Photo Courtesy Of Me
You don’t need a copy of The Great Gatsby (or even a Google image of Leo DiCaprio from the 2013 film…at this point I’ve lost count of how many memes that picture of him cheersing into the camera has been turned into) to get in to the new speakeasy at 422 Atwells Ave in Providence. If you’re looking for somewhere nifty to go with your friends or significan other, or for the purposes of impressing a date, The Royal Bobcat is the cat’s pajamas.
Photo Courtesy Of The Royal Bobcat Instagram
The service was vg. We were greeted immediately after walking in the door and given menus. (Now, I can’t speak to customer service back in the 1920’s, but guessing that nothing was put in writing in terms of a menu, in case the joint was raided by the cops or something.)
Even better, none of the bathtub gin or moonshine that actual speakeasies were known for back in the Roaring Twenties! What you’ll find instead is a nice selection of cocktails. (I had a Cosmopolitan.) In addition, according to the menu, you can add a twist of absinthe to your mixed drink of choice. (For the record, Hemingway, Joyce, Picasso, van Gogh, and Poe all drank absinthe. It was outlawed in the US in 1912, but is once again legal to imbibe as of ten years or so ago.) There are also tons of beers and wines, bubblies (pretty sure flappers and champagne were synonymous), and an impressive list of non-alcoholic drinks for the teetotaler in your group.
Photo Courtesy Of Me
The interior is plush (thx to some velvet upholstery here and there) meets old time-y with a dash of whimsical (no doubt you’ve seen the ads in your feeds for those companies that will turn your pet’s photo into a Royal, Renaissance, or Victorian portrait? a close look at most of pictures along the back and the side wall where the piano is situated is a must then) and a decidely upbeat soundtrack.
Get there soon - before everyone you know on FB and Insta starts checking in.
PS ~ I also noticed that Bobcat Goldthwait, the comedian, commented on at least one of the bar’s IG posts. Not sure if there’s any connection or he just stumbled across it because BOBCAT is in the name, just throwing it out there.
*The Royal Bobcat is located in Providence at 422 Atwells Avenue on Federal Hill.