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    Grad Center Bar

    4.4 (70 reviews)
    InexpensiveLounges, Dive Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Grad Center Bar Photos

    GRAD CENTER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Hipster
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Grad Center Bar

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    Inside
    Donnell W.

    Advisory: this is a student establishment. The Grad Center bar is one of the best advantages of being a student at Brown. My friends and I visit weekly and the bartenders here are absolutely top-notch professionals. My two personal favorites are Ray and Jesse! I typically either order a few shots of Jameson or a glass of Narragansett off tap. I've never had a bad experience here and would recommend it to anyone. There are a few Providence locals who visit the GCB. I'm unaware of the charge for entry for non-Brown students but I was told that one does exist. Nonetheless, the prices at the GCB are unmatched in all of Providence. It's a greatly ran establishment and their service is premiere. I would also caution that the GCB can become somewhat overwhelming on Thursday and Saturday nights. The bar is usually packed during the school year.

    Bar interior, menu lit up by black lights.
    John G.

    Much nicer place than I expected, though it gets crowded on weekends. $5 cover for non-members or $35 to join for the year. Fair prices. Great selection of beers and surprisingly well-rounded assortment of liquors with knowledgeable bartenders and a casual atmosphere. Clearly frequented by the college students which makes the atmosphere more communal and laid-back.

    Wall art
    Vicki C.

    Great "speak easy" atmosphere as there are no signs outside. Super chill ~ we both loved the vibe + Bill the bartender. Had a cheese board, 2 warsteiner hefeweizens & a green tea shot. Great art on the walls, dark ambiance, what's NOT to love!

    games!
    Valerie C.

    Update!!! Their Woodchuck Cider on tap has become my favorite drink here. You can order it by the glass or pitcher. If you want to actually find seats with whoever you come with, do NOT show up late on Thursday nights (after 9:30pm)- it's packed. Get there early!

    Julia S.

    Listen, even if I weren't a broke college student I would still come here - and that says a lot. Whether you're looking to throw some darts around, play pool, or relax on some lounge chairs, the GCB has you covered. For the low price of a $35/yr membership, you can get access to cheap booze, and great company. 10/10 would come back.

    An iguana smoking a cig. Yeah.
    Kay R.

    Such a fan! Okay, here's why (yes, yet another 'numbered' list): ONE: Totally Chill. Capital 'C' very intentional. TWO: Cheap. Great beer. Fantastic cocktails. And vino. At reasonable prices. Why? Because it is a private club. That's why you pay a membership - to help keep the prices low! THREE: No sign. If you've seen my list, you know. Any bar worth serving a decent pint does not NEED a sign. Boo-yah. Head down the sketchy driveway two blocks from the substation on Power Street - head round the dumpster and into the unmarked door - just down that hall and passed the restrooms is the GCB. FOUR: There is an iguana smoking a cigarette in the tank as you enter. Yeah, it's fake. But the entire bar is like that - random and cool. The ORIGINAL art from the dry wall transformed into a poster series: "Providence RI, where it rains 2 days out of 3, except for the rainy season when it snows like a bi*&^, where Friendship is a one-way street, the rich folks live on Power, but most of us live off Hope". My favorite PVD quote of ALL time! No idea who said it - but there it is, on the GCB wall. And then a bunch of low key room off that with a similar kitschy vibe. The cocktail napkin collage - the board games tables - the pool table - the dart boards. Yeah, pretty cool interior. FIVE: Cool bartenders. They may actually check IDs, but think of it as a compliment to how young you look! Patrick. I heart you. Great conversation, great sense of humor, great beer recommendations - take their advice! SIX (yes, I got all the way to 6): I just love it. I do. Not my scene Fri and Sat. But during the week, I proudly handed over the $30 for an academic year (not calendar year FYI) membership (Brown Grad Students have automatic membership and unlimited guests, the rest of us get 3 guests with a membership). Good to know: 'cover' aka one-day membership ($5) and academic-year (including summer) membership ($30) are cash only. For your bar tab, cards: $10 minimum. Simple menu: cheese, pizza, meat, chips. Music - can be cool and is always bartender's paylists. Expect the unexpected. Use the Shazam app on your smart phone if you want to know what you're listening to. Choose to drink real beer if you come here, otherwise the bartenders have license to heckle you - as they (will and) should. You'll be fine, and you'll love it - promise.

    people sitting at the bar
    Ben H.

    Great bar next to Brown. Cheap drinks and very casual - a classic dive. $3-$6 for a beer. Pool table, darts, games, and pinball. Know that you need to have a membership or pay a $5 (cash) cover to order. Worth it to support something local and a nonprofit not owned/run by the University.

    Lagavulin for two.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I love this place! So many good times here. Great selection, decent prices. I really feel like I came of age in this basement bar.

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Super nice staff! They always make great conversation and the vibes are never bad at the GCB!

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Review Highlights - Grad Center Bar

    Brown graduate students have a membership by default at this bar, anyone else can pay a modest fee to join.

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    Rooftop at the Providence G - Rooftop Burger

    Rooftop at the Providence G

    3.1(430 reviews)
    0.5 miDownCity
    $$

    A fun Cinco de Mayo private event last night at the Rooftop at the Providence G! The atmosphere was…read morelively & festive, with great energy all night long. The food stations were a huge hit: delicious tacos, loaded nachos, assorted pizza, unique egg rolls & a trio of churros with chocolate & dulce de leche sauces. It was a fun mix of options, so there was truly something for everyone. The staff was friendly & easy to find whenever we needed anything, which made the event run seamlessly. One unexpected highlight was the view! I don't usually think of Providence as having a standout skyline but it looked absolutely beautiful from the rooftop. A great venue for private events, celebrations or just enjoying a different perspective of Providence!

    We had one of the most disappointing dining experiences we've ever had here. After being seated,…read moreour waitress greeted us, brought water, and said she'd be back shortly to take our drink order. When we arrived, we were also told the table was reserved at 7:15 p.m., so we understood we needed to move efficiently and had no issue with that. Unfortunately, after dropping off water, our waitress never returned. We waited approximately 25 minutes without anyone checking on us -- no server, no manager, no acknowledgment at all. Eventually, we decided to leave. What made the experience more frustrating was the pricing. The cocktail menu listed drinks averaging around $18 and mocktails around $14 -- among the highest we've seen in Providence -- yet we never even had the chance to order or try anything. There was also no bread service or any effort to engage with us while we waited. We understand that restaurants get busy, but being completely overlooked for that long -- especially after being told to hurry due to a reservation -- was unacceptable. Very disappointing experience overall.

    Photos
    Rooftop at the Providence G - Inside area on second floor

    Inside area on second floor

    Rooftop at the Providence G - Margherita Flatbread

    Margherita Flatbread

    Rooftop at the Providence G - Rooftop patio

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    Rooftop patio

    Medici

    Medici

    2.6(7 reviews)
    0.6 miDownCity

    I visited Medici Lounge for the first time today for the RI Tacos and Tequila Fest with a friend…read more Overall, it was a fun afternoon and I'm grateful we were able to go. The venue itself is spacious and handled a large crowd well. The multiple margarita stations were a great touch and added to the experience, though a few could have used a bit more ice as the day went on. There was a long line for tacos and at one point we had to wait for fresh batches, which slowed things down a bit. I also wish there were more options for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. That said, we enjoyed connecting with a mix of new vendors and familiar faces, which made it feel like a great local event. The nachos from Casa Azul Taqueria were definitely a highlight. We also loved the photo booth, it was hysterically fun trying to switch props in three seconds. Another standout was making succulents with @sassysucculentsri, such a fun and unique addition to the event. Medici staff were friendly and kept things moving during a very busy event, which I appreciated. The music added to the energy, though it was a little loud at times. One small note, GPS brought me to the wrong entrance, but signage helped once I got close. It was a fun experience overall. A few tweaks would make it even better, but I'd absolutely check out another event here.

    Came here for tacos and tequilas. It had some great genres and the drink samples we had were all…read moretasty. Checking in was easy to do and I loved the Photo Booth. Bar was well staffed. A few more seats or tables would have been nice. Tacos were very yummy, but the line was super long and they ran out when we finally made it to the front. The ones we finally got (steak---not sure if that was meant to be the only option) was delicious.

    Photos
    Medici
    Medici
    Medici

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    Icon Lounge

    Icon Lounge

    1.5(4 reviews)
    0.7 miDownCity
    $$$$

    review on my phone... this is the draft…read more 4 stars in providence 2 stars per my life time experience 3 stars for this review -=Intro=- LISTEN UP! I was a former Chicago Nightlife promoter for 10+ years. Therefore i may have a bit of a bougy taste... What!? i'm just saying. this may be the best nightclub/lounge in providence, but clearly i've experience better. -=Parking=- Parking is always an issue when going out. We drove around for a sold 20 minutes and ended up valeting it. At the end of the night, the valet service was quick and promot -=Decor=- whoa! i think i like what i see... the decor of any venue speaks for itself.. therefore this new little lounge was yelling modern, clean, edgy and fun to my face... and i was yelling back with my dance moves! oh yeah! The owner did a fabulous job on the decor... i just hope they keep it clean -=Bottle Service=- Getting bottle service here was a bit confusing... I walked up to a random table looking at the bottle menu and expected someone to come to my attention... but that didn't happen. luckily i knew one of the cocktail waitress what was working and order a bottle of henny ($275). They service the bottle of Henny with orange juice, cranberry juice and pineapple juice; this is a bit odd since you would expect this from a clear liquor such as belvedere or gray goose... but what ever, they need to work on their protocol behind the bar... Regarding the Cocktail/Waitress Service, our service was awesome! give these girls a raise! clearly made our bottle service worth while. -=Entertainment=- Coming from a guy, they had a sexy and seductive dancer on two pedestal.. haa-ba haa-ba! Please reference the pictures attached. ^_^ -=Dance Floor=- Is it me, but guys in rhode island dont dance? So i felt a bit out of place busting a few moves...

    This club was trying too hard... cover and drinks too expensive for the experience once we got…read moreinside. the people inside are trying too hard too. icon lounge tries to be a trendy, hip nightclub but it's just blah. no excitement, nothing that makes this place stand out. just people standing around wearing mini dresses trying to look hot. every girl in there had a mini dress with their underwear showing and the guys stood around with attitude in their fashion button down and jeans uniform. i felt like i was in a bad jersey shore episode, only without the comic relief or fun. music was ok. drinks were not good and too expensive, and like i already said, the place and the people in it were trying too hard to be hip. boooooring.

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    Icon Lounge

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    Grad Center Bar - lounges - Updated May 2026

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