Aguadente exceeded every expectation and delivered one of the best Latin dining experiences I've had here in Rhode Island. The tacos were outstanding--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared with high-quality ingredients. The frijoles dip was rich, creamy, and incredibly addictive, making it the perfect way to start the meal. The mole was exceptional, with a deep, complex flavor that showcased the care and authenticity put into every dish. To top it all off, the mezcal shots were smooth, unique, and a great complement to the meal, adding an authentic touch to the overall experience. Beyond the incredible food and drinks, the atmosphere, service and specially the people made the evening even more enjoyable. If you're looking for authentic Latin cuisine with outstanding flavors and a memorable dining experience, Aguadente should absolutely be on your list. I highly recommend making a visit--you won't be disappointed! The Gal and the Guy from California read more

Aguardente - A must visit for excellent food and drink! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

My friend and I came here on Father's Day expecting it to be packed, which it was, but there were still a few tables available, both inside and outside. At their front patio, they had the World Cup game playing, but the back patio felt cozier so we opted for that. The inside though was a strong second since the lighting is very low, creating a cool and calm environment. Walking through the restaurant to get to our table made me realize that each table is unique, no two are decorated the same or have the same furniture. It was a hot day but the overhead mesh cover blocked out a lot of the sun. Our waitress made us feel very welcome from the start and told us about their drink and food specials. My friend ordered Guatemalan beer as well as a Spanish beer. For food, we ordered the plantain fries, octopus, calamari, and shrimp salad, and grilled lamp chops. The seafood salad came out first. According to the menu, it was going to be paired with cornbread. It looked like sourdough bread but had a far denser consistency. I was expecting the salad to have lots of shrimp to act as a filler but surprisingly, it was about 60% octopus, 25% calamari, 10% shrimp, and 5% onions. The seafood was very flavorful, tasted fresh, and cooked perfectly. The portion size was great for two. Next came the plantain fries, which I was least impressed with as it was essentially fried plantain chunks. I think it would have been better if they were cut into smaller pieces that can be easily dipped and consumed in one bite. The plantain was gently ripe, so just a little sweet and the dipping sauce was like a less sour sour cream. Lastly, the lamp chops came out and the presentation was wonderful. They were a bit skinnier and less tender than that I was expecting, but flavor wise they were good. We enjoyed the food, ambiance, and service here. read more

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Wow. If you're looking for a spot that has amazing food, beautiful art and design aspects, friendly service, and plates to share, Aguardente is the place for you. A friend and I came in and put our names on the waitlist, waited for about 45 minutes at a bar down the street, and then had some of the most fulfilling tapas ever! We got a Prosciutto & Salpicao board, the Queijo de Cabra, and Frijol Dip. I also got a nice portuguese red wine that paired well with some of the cheese we received. We sat in a very sweet and cozy nook and enjoyed every minute! I will be back when it's warm out and the front patio is open! read more

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What a beautiful and inviting space. The inside is filled with Spanish tiles, cozy seating areas and a gorgeous back-lit bar area. We had a pitcher of the daily special margarita which was grapefruit, cherry and rosemary. We tried it with aguardente (a Portuguese liquor) rather than tequila. The taste was refreshing and light. For food we shared nachos, codfish fritters and queijo de cabra (a baked goat cheese appetizer). The codfish fritters were perfectly crispy and soft inside with a delicious creamy dipping sauce. The nachos were a smaller appetizer portion. The chips were fresh and delicious. The baked goat cheese came with toasted bread and a tangy tomato and onion sauce. Staff was attentive and friendly. I definitely want to go back to try more things! read more

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Our friends took us to Aguardente when we were in town and we enjoyed our meal here. It's tapas style so everything is shareable but you can also get plates for yourself. We got a smattering of things and some of my favorites were the rellenitos and the lupini beans of all things. I don't know why but something about the bit of crunch from the bean and the spicy oil it was marinated in really worked for me. My husband and I shared the seafood paella and it was huge! Definitely could have fed at least two more people. Service was good. It was crowded for a Sunday night but we managed to get a table outside on the patio without a reservation. read more

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Food was amazing! Services even better. The staff truly made you feel welcomed. Can't wait to go back read more

Aguardente - Marinated Olives - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

After making reservations at another restaurant, we drove there only to discover they were closed--even though we had received confirmation for our 7:00 PM reservation. Needless to say, it was a disappointing start to what was supposed to be a special family evening. Thankfully, a quick call to Aguardente in Fox Point changed everything. The person who answered explained that they weren't taking reservations that evening, but they did have one outdoor table left if we could make it there in time. Despite the challenges of navigating Providence during the World Cup festivities and the Cape Verde Festival in the Fox Point area, we managed to get to the restaurant and secure that last table. We are incredibly grateful to the staff at Aguardente for helping turn our evening around. Our daughter and son-in-law were hoping to enjoy one last dinner with both families before leaving on Monday for a special assignment in South Carolina, and the unexpected closure of our original restaurant had left everyone feeling frustrated and disappointed. From the moment we arrived, the team at Aguardente made us feel welcome. The food was excellent, the drinks were wonderful, and the service was outstanding. Most importantly, they helped transform what had begun as a stressful evening into a memorable celebration with family. Thank you to everyone at Aguardente for your kindness, hospitality, and professionalism. You made our families smile and created a special memory during an important moment in our lives. We highly recommend Aguardente and look forward to returning. -- A very grateful family read more

Aguardente is easily one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Providence. Their tapas and small plates are all unique and with amazing flavors. The staff is also always so friendly and helpful, especially when trying to pick which wine pairs best with each plate! Their outdoor patio and outdoor seating options also make for an amazing summer meal! Our friends and I were fortunate to get one of the outside tables, and it made for a wonderful, relaxing summery vibe! Highly recommend this restaurant all around!! read more

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AMAZING! It's our favorite restaurant in Providence, and I am finally writing a review! We usually take friends and family here because the food and drinks are so good, the atmosphere is great for any occasion, and I love being able to share a bunch of dishes for everyone to try. Some of our favorites is the (sorry I don't know the official menu names) baked goat cheese, stuffed avocados, empanadas, and pastel de nada for dessert. You really can't go wrong with anything you order! We tried the cactus tacos for the first time too, which were delicious and exciting to try something new! The servers are always super friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the dishes. If you have any questions, definitely ask. Aguardente is a must stop if you are in the area! read more

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Amazing food, service, and generous hospitality. The atmosphere is lovely as well. Can't wait to visit again ! : )

Excellent service and the food was so delicious! I love the tapas style- I'll definitely be back! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Ambiance reminded me of a contemporary Portugal. Service was spectacular. The server was attentive and welcoming. She had great recommendations. Food was to notch especially the empanadas and pasteis de bachalu (fish cakes). The cocktails were spot on and fresh takes on classics. The only down side... It's small. Parking can be challenging. Minor things to what you get from this experience. We'll worth it. I'll be back... soon read more

Aguardente - Pasteis de bacalhau (L) and empanadas (R). Batata fritas with doing sauce (C). - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Have been looking to try this place for a long time and finally came here for lunch with two other friends. The restaurant is beyond amazing! The interior is chic and colorful. We sat in the back patio and it was private and breezy. The service was fast and friendly. We got 8 dishes to share. Most dishes are very flavorful, the fava bean stew is very well seasoned. The razor clam is also very tasty. Many dishes come with various carb components and they're very filling. The fresh farmer's cheese has a texture like silken tofu which was very refreshing. The seafood paella and octopus are also good with sizable portions. We only got espresso flight to share and I loved the chocolate and coconut flavored ones. There are many more dishes I'd love to come back and try with a bigger group. Overall an amazing experience! read more

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Delicious, authentic, affordable, and fresh. I've been in a few times and always enjoy it. Servers are always great, ingredients are noticeably fresh, indoor seating has a nice laid back almost "speakeasy" feel, outdoor seating is clean and quiet. The menu really nails staying true to Portuguese and Latin roots without completely alienating diners with less adventurous palates. I always order way more than I can eat and am still pleasantly surprised by the bill. Great spot for a date night. read more

Really impressed by this place and looking forward to trying more from the menu. It's very cozy and charming, with character and authenticity. The drinks were tasty with a great presentation. The server gave great menu suggestions! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Quaint little spot with delicious food and great service! Tapas always means you get to try many things. We started with the fava beans and the nopal salad. Fava beans were well seasoned and tender. Nopales came with onion and cheese as well as tortilla chips. Could have used a bit of salt, otherwise quite fresh and tasty. The star was the baked goat cheese in a bath of tomato chunks served with bread. Next favorite was the octopus, which was perfectly tender and well charred. My wife enjoyed a pisco cocktail and I had a glass of pet nat wine. Both paired well. No room for dessert. The restaurant is tiny with a large patio however we were glad to sit indoors as it was blazing hot and humid outside. Lots of interesting murals and artwork on the walls. read more

Good food, but unfortunately this will be my last time here. For the first time, I was asked to leave the table because we stayed "too long" after eating. The manager told me the table was reserved for someone else -- unbelievable. Dining out should also be about enjoying time and conversation with friends, not feeling rushed to leave. read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

FINALLY. came on a thrusday with no reservation around 7:40pm and was seated immediately. weather was immaculate and we sat in the back patio. our server was on it as soon as we ordered. we blinked and fresh food was on the table. the ensalada de nopales freaking slapped. i missed nopales so much. i enjoyed the tin codfish and goat cheese dishes, and i regret not ordering something sweet to drink. but i'm a grandma and sugar would have kept me up on a work night. the octopus was 8/10. it was deliciously flavored, i just wanted more of a sear on the exterior. still would order it again. will absolutely be coming back here again and again. read more

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When friends come to visit from out of town & we want to go out for dinner, Aguardente is usually on my list of places to go. I love tapas-style eating with friends - More to try & more to share. Aguardente has a plethora of seafood options & even a tinned fish section of their menu. If you're not a seafood lover, you'll still have plenty of things to choose from, but you might miss out on some of their most popular dishes - like their seafood paella. One of my favorite items on the menu is their Queijo de Cabra - a tomato saucy, spicy, baked goat cheese goodness that you can dip bread or vegetables into. My only qualms about the food is that some of the dishes I've ordered in the past have been salted to the heavens. A big carafe of ice water is necessary for a meal at Aguardente, & if the servers are too busy to fill up your carafe (which happens frequently) you may feel like you're going to pass away for a little bit. But you'll persevere. I really prefer sitting outside at Aguardente since it's SO loud inside. The outside patio is magical! It's like a little enchanted garden, & if you're lucky enough to snag one of the couches, it feels like you're in your own little world. Oh - Make a reservation. Otherwise you might be staring down the barrel of an hour+ wait. read more

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We absolutely love it here! As someone who is of Portuguese descent and a huge Mexican food lover, this place hits the perfect fusion of both worlds. You can really taste the family influence and authenticity behind every dish -- it feels like home, but with a fun twist. The Prego no Pão is one of my favorites -- perfectly seasoned steak on soft bread with that classic Portuguese comfort, but elevated in a way that keeps me coming back. We also can't get enough of the seafood dishes -- especially the paella and grilled octopus -- and the chouriço always brings that familiar Portuguese flavor I grew up with. The small plates are perfect for sharing, and trying different things each time has been so much fun. Plus, the touches of Mexican flavor throughout the menu just make my heart happy. The cocktails are always a hit -- fresh, flavorful, and so well-balanced. On top of all that, the décor is beautiful, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the touches of their family history all over make it so charming. Everything from the food to the drinks to the overall vibe is just excellent. Great addition to the city and one of our favorite spots I will add I have also gone with a baby, and while it's not stroller friendly they staff were very kind and patient with a baby learning to eat and making a little bit of a mess read more

This was my first time at Aguardente. The inside area is pretty small, with a lot of small tables with chairs on one side and a built in bench on the other. There is also bar seating and an area lifted with a little more table seating. The inside decor is very fun though. There is additional seating outside, which looks really nice for warmer months. We had the paella and meatballs. The flavor of the meatballs and sauce was really excellent, and just a little spicy. We did need to ask for bread to soak up the sauce though. The paella was different than others I've had before, without the crunchy rice. They also have a few mocktail choices, which is always nice. read more

Aguardente - Place setting - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Great service and delicious food! This restaurant is tapas focused. We enjoyed a lot of the dishes. My personal favorites were the clams, octopus, and the pasteis de Bacalhau. My husband loved the lamb chops and the seafood paella. Would definitely go back to try the other dishes! read more

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Absolutely outstanding, from the warm service, offering my wife a few wines to try until she found one she likes, to the fast delivery of the food to the table. Food was outstanding start to finish. Highly recommend the poblano tacos and the lamb chops were out of this world. I'm just upset this is our first time here. Can't wait to go back read more

The food was amazing I ordered different appetizers and I was impressed with all of them. The service was great, the bartenders were very friendly. I also tried the provocative drinks on the menu. The ambiance was great, the decor is very cozy and it has a positive energy, I sat at the bar and it was an amazing experience, if your looking for a place with really good drinks and delicious appetizers you should visit this small cozy spot right of Wickenden street.. read more

Coming back again to say how much I love this place! Great for a romantic evening with your love or a chill spot to catch up with friends! The ambience is great, food is delicious and well portioned and the Latin playlist is great. I visited twice recently and love that they are playing a lot of songs from the new Bad Bunny album, DTMF. read more

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Fantastic food and service, very unique menu and the outdoor seating when the weather gets nice is so cute! read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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The best Martini I've had with fig and rosemary .... The food is fresh and different! The service and the vibe exceptional . Fair prices ... Coming from Miami where we have great places I have to say .... They should bring this place for us to enjoy !!! read more

On our list for a while, we finally pulled the trigger and were able to get two last minute seats at the bar - the most comfortable bar seats we've been in. The bartender and waitress were incredibly helpful making suggestions for both food and drinks. We shared 4 plates each one delicious. By far the most interesting were the corn mushrooms served with tortilla chips. For dessert we decided take the waitresses advice and go outside the box with the sweet plantain with black beans, fried and served with espresso infused chocolate sauce and we weren't disappointed. Definitely want to come back and try more of the menu soon. read more

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We went here for a birthday brunch. The food was wonderful. It was unique and flavorful. The flights of espresso martinis we had were beautifully displayed and tasty. Our server was super attentive to our party of six. She made sure we had everything we wanted and needed at all times. The location was gorgeous. I can see why my friend picked it to celebrate her special day. We had a really nice time and will certainly be back. read more

I really liked the ambiance of this restaurant. It's small and intimate. My friends and I shared their stuffed avocado, plantains, Spanish meatballs, and farm cheese bread dish. The stuffed avocado was super creamy and a little too cheesy. I would have liked it if there was more chorizo or a friend egg to go with it. The plantains were typical, and the meatballs were pretty fine too. read more

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Food, service,ambiance , everything is just perfect every time I visit this restaurant , I'm amazed of all the traditional Mexican dishes they have very unique and authentic . So delicious. It makes me feel in Mexico City every time I visit this place. read more

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Delicious and affordable Portuguese food! Overall, such a great time. Their interior and patio are beautiful, their food was yummy, and the service was great! My friends and I got their most popular item, the seafood paella ($20) as well as their queijo fresca ($10) & tula fries ($6). My personal favorite was the queijo fresca! It came with portuguese corn bread which was so good, i've never had anything like it before! The seafood paella wasn't the best paella i've had, but it was flavorful and well seasoned. Plus for the price you can't beat it! Overall, if I was in the area again, I would stop by! read more

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Are you looking for a dining experience that has excellent food and a great atmosphere? Don't look any further! Aguardente is a GREAT place for date night or groups to get together. I would recommend to always make a reservation ahead of time! I've been here twice and thankfully always had a reservation. I've seen groups of people get turned away because the restaurant was fully booked. It is very easy to use Resy for reservations. There are different tables you can choose and they are explained on Resy - the bar, indoor table, indoor nook, loft, patio nook, or patio table. Bar has tall seats at an oversized bar; Indoor Table has traditional dining table with one bench seat and one chair seat; Indoor Nook has comfy lounge chairs with side tables and a small coffee table; Loft has cozy lounge chairs and couch with side and coffee tables; Patio Nook has large outdoor seats and side tables surrounded by foliage; and Patio Table has traditional dining table and chairs under glowing pergola. Both times I've reserved the indoor table. For drinks, I have tried the Hibisco-rita-Hibiscus tea margarita with Aguardente and a sugared rim and the Sintra Sangria Summer White which has Aguardente, Ginja, muddled pineapple, orange and lime. Both were very good. For tapas, I've ordered a couple of different items and everything is delicious. The tapas that make me wanting more is the Aguacate Relleno, the Pasteis de Bacalhau, and the Plato de Huitlacoche. You must get the Aguacate Relleno which is Avocado with pan fried chorizo and melted Oaxaca cheese topped with arugula and cilantro crema. Everything about this dish is delicious and AMAZING! The avocado is fresh and holds all the other components. The Pasteis de Bacalhau is Codfish Fritter served with creamy cilantro. Every bite of the fritter and the cilantro sauce is flavorsome. The Plato de Huitlacoche is a mix of different mushrooms. This dish is really good and a nice green to balance the other flavors. Other dishes I've had is the Seafood Paella - A Portuguese take on paella with little necks, shrimp, mussels, squid, and paprika; Almondegas - Traditional Spanish Meatballs with chouriço, sautéed in garlic and onions; Prosciutto - Served with crostini, roasted red peppers marinated in smoked paprika, garlic and olive oil & a taste of Quesijaria De S. Romao Seia cheese; Grilled Chouriço, Alheira & Morcela - Three different traditional Portuguese grilled sausages: meat sausage, bread sausage, and blood sausage. This is a great dish to try the different types of grilled sausages if you have never tried it before. It is not dry and flavored really well. For desserts, I've had their Tres Leches Cake and Pastel de Nata. The Tres Leches Cake is authentically prepared, moist cake with hints of vanilla, topped with a hibiscus drizzle. The Pastel de Nata is a traditional crispy pastry filled with custard, served warm. Both of these were very good. Aguardente opened its doors near the end of 2021 and I hope it'll be here for a long time. Service is always wonderful. You will not be hungry after. I am looking forward to the next time I can come visit. read more

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We have lived in Providence for over five years but only recently went to Spanish and Portuguese tapas restaurants. (I can't believe that it took so long as we eat out regularly.) This on was the fourth in a couple of months. The place is lively and nicely designed with a good vibe. We started with two Margaritas and shared four dishes which worked out very well. The tacos nopal, aguacate relleno, costeletas borrego and batatas fritas were all delicious. In spite of being full we ordered a pastel de nata for dessert. And ended with another drink and an espresso. Our server, Kelly, was cheerful and attentive. The check was comparable to the other tapas we had visited. We enjoyed all of them and plan to return again soon. read more

Aguardente - An assortment of dishes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Here's what you're going to do: 1) Make a reservation between 4-6pm on any weekday to feast on their taco & margarita deal ($3 tacos and $15 margarita pitcher that can serve 3-4 people) 2) Try to get a table on the patio (don't worry, it's enclosed & heated & brightly lit!) to escape the noisy interior of the restaurant 3) Order 2-3 rounds of tacos & tapas and be sure you try the Plantain Cups & giant, stuffed avocado 4) Finish off your meal by signing their guest book and leaving some drawings of donkeys 5) Plan on coming back with more friends and a big appetite; this is a restaurant you'll want to try on repeat! Thank you to our kind server (Riley, I think) for helping us have a magical, celebratory evening! read more

Aguardente - Signing the guest book at the end of the meal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Cozy Portugese nook offering flavorful bites and tapas We picked out more dishes than I can name, but there were definitely some notable highlights. Lamb lollipops-- tender with such a great crust; they practically fell off the bone. Since we had a larger party, we ordered two dishes so that everyone could have a lollipop, but it would have been even better if we'd had a plate to ourselves! Mussels--doused in a spicy tomato sauce: this plate of mussels had us licking every drop of garlicky goodness off those plates. The sauce made for the perfect vehicle to soak our slices of bread in. Pulpo-- perfectly cooked, sauteed with tons of onions and colorful bell peppers Huitlacoche-- I was surprised to find this delicacy in Providence. I can't recall any other time I've seen it on a menu, so we had to go for it. It's a fungus that grows off of corn. Back when the Aztecs were around, it was presumed to be prized occurrence because it signified a bountiful harvest even if it destroyed the ears of corn it feeds off of. Here, the huitlacoche (corn smut) was cooked with onions and had a nice chewy texture. I didn't notice much smokiness and I can't say I love it, but it was an interesting culinary adventure to experience. read more

Aguardente - Huitlacoche - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We were looking for a special spot to celebrate our five year anniversary AND our first date night out after having a baby so we wanted somewhere special and Aguardente was perfect. I love trying a variety of different foods so the tapas style was perfect. We started out with a few but ordered more as we went and the servers were very accommodating and helpful. We particularly liked the queijo fresco but enjoyed our other tapas as well. We finished off our meal with some tasty pateis de nata. They also had a variety of mocktail options which I greatly appreciated. I was able to have a special occasion drink without any alcohol! As others mentioned I definitely recommend a reservation. We made ours on the later side for a Saturday night so ended up at the bar, but there are lots of options that are well described when you book online. The interior was cute but I would definitely love to sit outside next time if we reserve a little further in advance! read more

Aguardente - Pastel de nata - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

This was my second time at Aguardente and I had such a good time. I brought my partner and we enjoyed many small plates and drinks. We sat at the bar, and our bartender was very enthusiastic about the Aguardente flight. She even offered an extra pour of one that she personally enjoys. The highlight of our meal was certainly the chorizo stuffed avocado! Dreamy and delicious read more

Great ambiance- sat out in the nook area on the heated patio! Friendly service and delicious food. I didn't get a picture of the little necks (Amêijoas à Portuguesa) but they were delicious! Great place for drinks and tapas style sharing food...would definitely love to come back and try some of the other dishes- great place for special or romantic occasions! *If it's a weekend, I would try to get a reservation although they do accept walk-ins and we got lucky, the place was packed! read more

Aguardente - cocktails (Aguardente Manhattan in back, Debaxio da Figueira in front) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We stopped in here while we were in town to grab a drink. It's a smaller space but we were lucky to grab a spot at the bar. VERY clean and such a cool aesthetic. We got the margarita flight which was fantastic, great flavor pairings and I loved that we got to try a little bit of everything instead of having to pick one drink. We wanted to see more of the city so walked out after this but the menu looked awesome and definitely a cool spot for appetizers and drinks. read more

Aguardente - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island