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    The XO Bar

    4.1 (31 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    The XO Bar Photos

    THE XO BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Haley T.

    I love this bar so much. It's the perfect environment to be able to catch up with friends and not have to worry about not being able to hear each other. There's lots of seating options aside from the bar and the service is super quick and everyone is very friendly. The bartenders are also incredibly accommodating and make exceptionally amazing drinks.

    Rose Q.

    We had cocktails and cider. The cider was very good. The smoke show cocktail was sour and smoky, but not sweet, which is very good for me. The blue one I forgot the name, very very sweet. I liked the coconut flavor, but it was too sweet so the flavor didn't show much. I enjoyed the music and the environment. If you want a quite spot, you sit on the other side form the bar. The decor was festive and cute. I loved the sparkle Christmas tree.

    The corner spot at the bar
    Arthur S.

    I went in on a Friday night and was able to get two seats the bar. It was fairly busy and there were plenty of staff on shift. All of the staff were friendly and attentive. The lights were just right for a date night, but I would say it wasn't a romantic type of ambiance with the music and the televisions going. Overall, still a great spot to go get a drink after dinner. The bar has an upbeat vibe and they did a great job with the recent renovations. We got two different drinks and although they were drinkable, I wasn't really impressed, especially for the price. The bill came to $36 for our two drinks and we left craving another drink from somewhere else. Maybe we got the wrong bartender? I've heard so many good things, but I'll have to stick to my favorite craft cocktail spots next time.

    Behind the bar
    Rachel O.

    This is a fun little bar right on the edge of the action on North Main Street. The bar staff is wicked talented. The night we visited, the bartender made a perfect espresso martini for me with decaf espresso. Decaf espresso! Game changer. I wouldn't have survived if it was a fully caffeinated espresso martini. I moved onto a hot & dirty martini which was also perfectly executed - shaken to filth & all. The vibe is a little contradictory - Hip, modern cocktail bar meets sports bar, I think? The prices & product indicate classy, but the lights are a little bright inside & there are TVs on the walls. I'm not a big fan of TVs in intimate bars, but I suppose if you're ISO a more upscale place to watch a game, this could be your place. Maybe I'm misinterpreting it. Still a sweet spot. Push the button in the bathroom!

    Midori Yuzu Sour
    Alex W.

    I stopped by the XO bar for the first time on a Tuesday evening for drinks. The bartender was very friendly, though because there was only one staff member for the whole bar, there were some times when no one was staffing the bar because she had to do something in the back. Thankfully there weren't too many people on a Tuesday night, so I didn't have to wait super long for my order to be taken. The ambiance was very newly appointed with comfortable seating and interesting lighting. I ordered the Midori Yuzu Sour and also the Bourbon Peach Smash. While I liked both drinks (the Midori was my favorite because I love yuzu, and it also wasn't too sweet. The peach was very strong on the bourbon, but still nice), they are on the steeper side for drinks when I'm not sure that I would say they were outstanding or extremely interesting flavor profiles. Great new drinks spot to check out, but I might gravitate a little more to some of the other cocktail bars in the area!

    Sidecar, wasabi mix, Golden Goose
    Stacey B.

    Finally dropped by this neighborhood gem on Sunday. My only regret is not coming sooner! Excellent drinks, friendly and welcoming staff and lovely atmosphere. I've been looking for a place to eventually become a "regular" and think this could be the spot!

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    7 months ago

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    Scott C.

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    1 year ago

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    Scott C.

    Thanks Haley! We’re happy if you’re happy!! Come see us again soon.

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    8 months ago

    Very nice space here, great environment. A little pricy for drinks but not too bad. Would come back again.

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Service is top notch! Drinks are even better! Music is on point and the vibe is perfect! Comfy and chill

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    2 years ago

    Great drinks.. bartender was nice and good... I'd definitely go again.. had a pistachio martini it was good

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    3 years ago

    Drinks were awesome bartender was friendly and made some very creative drinks not on the menu that were delicious

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    Review Highlights - The XO Bar

    I've been getting the espresso martini by default here cause they are quite good...

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    Providence Wine Bar

    Providence Wine Bar

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Visited with a friend and it was a first visit for both of us. We sat down at the bar and were…read moreimmediately drawn in by the casual but classy vibe. My friend knows much more about wine than I do, so he was the decision maker for our wine choices and we ordered a 1/2 bottle of red which we both found to be very delicious. Of course, we had to try some food too and the small bites menu was perfect with something to satisfy nearly every taste. We opted for the meat charcuterie, and it was beautifully presented with enough for the two of us to share. There is also a cheese charcuterie on the menu, but unfortunately there is not an option for a combined meat and cheese plate. We sat, sipped, and tasted for a while and never felt rushed. The atmosphere was so comfortable and we'll definitely consider going back here again.

    I didn't have the best time at Providence Wine Bar…read more This might sound a little haughty, but hear me out: I can drink wine at home. I can browse a liquor store & pick out a bottle that exactly fits my preferences, my mood, & my budget. I can bring it home & uncork the wine, checking the cork for freshness. I can pull out my special glassware & pour myself a glass of wine & enjoy it on my own couch. So why go out to a wine bar, if not for the wine? For me, it's for the ambience & the experience. Both of those things at Providence Wine Bar were lacking. The lights were too bright (overhead & fluorescent) & the music was too loud (& just bad). The employees seemed both bored & nervous, with not much to do to occupy themselves. I was one of the only people in the bar, so I felt like I was under scrutiny - I'm certain this wasn't intentional but it was unfortunately how it came across. I brought a book but couldn't focus because of the lights & the music. I even caught myself with my fingers in my ears, trying to muffle the sounds of 2010s hyper pop. I have nothing against 2010s hyperpop, it's just that there's a time & place for everything, & maybe that isn't at a wine bar at 8 PM on a Wednesday. I just wanted to be done with my glass of wine so that I could leave. All of that being said, I wish them the best. It seems like they need a good manager's touch.

    Photos
    Meat charcuterie
    Meat charcuterie
    Jamon Iberico
    Jamon Iberico
    Gnocchi and sausage

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    Gnocchi and sausage
    Bacaro

    Bacaro

    3.8
    (430 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    I can't believe this is my first time coming to Bacaro! I was very impressed with the experience as…read morea whole. We were a party of three, but it could have been a party of six with all the food we ordered. We had the first reservation at 5 PM. We parked on the street, but you can park in the lot and they will validate your parking for you. The service was a 5/5 and the ambiance can be casual or fine dining. The lighting is perfect for a romantic night out and the view of the Providence River right over your shoulder. We made our own board: Umbriaco di Raboso "Drunken Cow" - amazing cheese, very high quality, sharp, not over powering. Definitely get it! Provolone - sharp very good quality provolone cheese Proscuitto di San Daniele - sliced very thin, soft and flavorful. I was very pleased with the portion size and the flavor. A must have! Spicy Olives - assorted olives with a spicy olive oil. All of the olives were fantastic and there definitely was a good kick from the spice. They threw in the pickles, jams, nuts and honey, all were fantastic. I really liked the blueberry jam. The warm tapas came out at all different times. Fried Bolognese olives - Although these were unique and delicious, I would skip these next time. The Bolognese is just a pinch on the inside of the olive. It would be a game changer if there was a side of Bolognese sauce to dip them in instead. Eggplant - Definitely a must order. Super simple sauce packed with flavor and the buffalo mozzarella is to die for. The pork belly is also a must order. Tons of flavor and not a lot of fat, which surprised me. It was a good sized portion too. Now of the the pizza...we ordered Pizza Salumi. Very thin dough, wood fired for the flavor and the crisp. There is a good amount of sauce, which can make the crust floppy, but it's so worth it! The flavor of the sauce is so good. All fresh and top quality ingredients. The soppressata was perfect, taking this pizza to the next the level. It was cut super thin, as it should, and gave the pizza the flavor a margarita is missing. It would be tough not to order this next time. So just as we should have been walking out of the door because we were so full, we had the duck and the wood fired NY strip to split among the three of us. The duck - The duck dish came with the two legs so it was the dark meat with crispy skin. The duck was flavorful, moist, tender, and had some sort of apple based sauce to accompany it. The mashed potatoes were great and the Gorgonzola chunks were a treat, especially while sipping the sangiovese/cab red wine blend that we ordered for the table. The NY Strip was my favorite. The steak was tender and came with the flavor from that wood fired grill. The sauce was so good that I dipped every piece in it, trying to reserve some for the mashed potatoes. I ordered the steak medium rare + and it came out just how I wanted it. We ordered the lemon tart for my mom's birthday dessert. I would skip the dessert next time, but I always skip dessert. My mother loved it...very fresh and vibrant. I would have to say that Bacaro is my favorite RI restaurant, especially for a special night out. It is also a perfect spot to go and grab a snack or two with friends after work with a drink. It is affordable as you want and can find high end alternatives as well. The bottle of wine was $48 and you couldn't have asked for a better pairing with all of the food. We also ordered an after dinner cocktail, called the Call to Italy...very refreshing for a digestive type cocktail.

    Decided on Saturday night for a Mother's Day celebration…read more I love the idea that they have amazing Tapas for apps! More restaurants should think about this. For Apps we had the Fried Burrata, Sausage Trio, and arancini balls! All amazing!! For dinner I went light as the apps were delicious. Buffalo Mozzarella on arugula and prosciutto with balsamic. My wife ordered the chicken parm also delicious.

    Photos
    Dinner with friends
    Dinner with friends
    Pizza Salumi - yes please!
    Pizza Salumi - yes please!
    Eggplant "Palmigiano"

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    Eggplant "Palmigiano"
    Oberlin

    Oberlin

    4.2
    (324 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    We haven't been back to Oberlin for some time. We had a PPAC performance and were lucky to score a…read morelast-minute reservation on a Friday night. The hostess sat us at a table. We were lucky that another patron decided they wanted a table versus the chef's seat at the counter. For us, this is the perfect place to sit because it lets you take in the whole experience. The ambiance was great. I had the same great Negroni as last time, but also had a new take on an Old Fashioned called the Dinner Jacket. Very yummy! Our server was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered the Kohlrabi Caesar and sesame focaccia again. It was as great as the first time. The focaccia is amazing. My wife ordered the Anolini for her entree, and I ordered the fabulous rack of lamb cooked in the wood-fired oven. It was simply amazing. We ended by splitting the warm apple tart. Everything was fabulous...my rating is the same. Go and enjoy yourself.

    Rating: 4.3 Came to…read moretry this place since i've heard good things about it. We made reservations for mother's day dinner. Parkings are street only and can be tough to come by. Luckily we did make reservation for early dinner so we were able to find parking right away. We got there early so the restaurant wasn't open yet. We took a walk around the Westminster for a bit until the place was open. We were sat down right away. Inside is cozy with dim lights and open kitchen and some tables. They have few outside seating available as well. We started with some appetizer raw fish and combo as well as kohlrabi Caesar. We got black bass and a seasonal fish with combo that included lightly roasted oysters, shrimp and squid. All seafood was directly sourced from local port and fresh. Seafood appetizer was delicious. The caesar was interesting. I've never had kohlrabi but it reminded me of radish and it was tasty. Personally i would have preferred little less salt and olive oil so that flavor of the raw ingredient stand out more but was not too bad. My entree was the seafood risotto. Flavorful risotto with some seafood on top. Was a bit messy to eat because of the shells but was flavorful. The crab and shellfish itself was small and a bit underwhelming but the rice was rich and full of fish flavor. My mother had the cacio e Pepe which was good but she said that nothing comparable to one she had in Rome. I was not a huge fan of the thicker pasta but that's just is personal preference. Service was excellent but the table was a bit small and tight as we were very close to the next table and can hear what others are talking about so not a very privately setting. Overall i did like the place. Food and service were good. But it was not anything exceeding expectation and there were few things that detracted from our experience such as heavy seasonings, small dining space and etc... The price is quite expensive for the amount of food they serve as well. I think it's a good place for special occasions.

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    Bar
    Bar
    Spaghetti Spezzati
    Spaghetti Spezzati
    Restaurant sign

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    Restaurant sign
    Gift Horse

    Gift Horse

    4.7
    (93 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    A chic, modern seafood restaurant with a variety of raw and hot selections. Lots of oysters to…read morechoose from, and most of them are local from RI. Our knowledgeable server helped recommend the types that we'd like, as they knew the specifics about each type of oyster. $2 for happy hour is a deal!! Another must‑try dish is the raw scallops. Not only is it beautifully plated, the taste is intricate with the sesame oil mixed with fresh raw scallops. Btw, they have sake on tap!

    After visiting RISD on their free Sundays, my friend and I were looking for a place to eat,…read morepreferably something refreshing and not too heavy. We decided on the Gift Horse and circled around a couple of times to find street parking (which is also free on Sundays). At the time that we went in, all spots were busy, but we were directed to their standing bar area where we could order a drink and hang out while something became available. Literally 2 minutes later, something freed up. I started with their Silver Spring cocktail ($15) which was very good - refreshing and slightly sweet. For food, we ordered a crudo plate ($18) with a side of sourdough bread ($6), followed by oysters ($18), then the lamb burger ($22), and lastly the crispy piri piti fish (MP - $40). The crudo plate was one of our favorites. We enjoyed all the cuts of fish it came with, but our favorite was the yellowfin tuna as it was firm and flavorful. The toppings of olive oil, capers, onions, etc. were the perfect touch. The sourdough was simply toasted and buttered but oh so good. They have a happy hour for oysters from 4-5 PM where they're only $2 instead of $3 but we missed the window by a little. There is a half dozen order minimum so we did two Quonnie, two Great Salt Pond, and two Wild Goose. That's the order in which we ranked them, from best to less best. The Quonnie were smaller, but they were flavorful and the Great Salt Pond were big and meaty. All were very fresh. There are three sauces to choose from, but we went with the GH Fermented Green Chili Hot Sauce. The RI Lamb Burger was incredibly good. It was advertised as a Bulgarian style burger so we asked about the difference between Bulgarian and I guess American and it came down to the spices used. We enjoyed how juicy and well-seasoned the meat was. I loved the contrast between sweet (pepper jelly and fried onions) and salty (feta). The bread seemed homemade; it was light and fluffy and had a healthy amount of sesame seeds. The crispy piri piri fish came out last and it was not what we were expecting. My friend didn't enjoy it as much, but I liked it. The fish was battered for a crispy finish and sat over a piri piri sauce with two rolls, mustard greens, and potatoes. The piri piri sauce was tasty, not too spicy, with a thicker consistency. The rolls seemed like they were made in house; they were slightly buttery and soft. The mustard greens were good. The potatoes were similar to home fries with onions. The staff was very helpful and explained the food after delivering it. Ambiance is good.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Smoked fish dip
    Smoked fish dip
    Scallop Roll.

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    Scallop Roll.
    Sapphire

    Sapphire

    4.8
    (12 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    We attended a Maison Ferrand cognac seminar & tasting the other night at Sapphire & it was such a…read morefun & unique experience for us. The staff at Sapphire (Melissa, Marc, & Shiv), as well as the guest bartender (Vannaluck), went above & beyond to make the experience interactive & memorable. We were greeted immediately with a French 75 made with cognac - Did you know that the original French 75 called for cognac, as well as many other classic cocktails? No? Neither did I. The welcome aperitif was a great lil' treat to kick the night off with. We were given a mini charcuterie selection to keep us busy until the main event, which began about 20 minutes after we arrived. Vannaluck talked us through the history & characteristics of cognac. We were given 3 small pours of different cognacs to taste as well as a serendipitous, bonus mini pour at the end. Throughout the night, the kitchen sent out a variety of tapas that UTILIZED COGNAC. Cognac glaze, reduction, brine, etc. Fascinating! I went in knowing next to nothing about cognac & left with a decent understanding of the spirit. I've always wanted to do something like this, & Sapphire made it extremely accessible. It was also amazingly affordable. I'm really looking forward to more events like this one. Sign me up, please.

    My husband and I decided to come to Sapphire for a drink...I had really enjoyed the cocktails and…read morethe food during the recent Yelp Elite even, so I told my hubby to check out this place with me. I loved the Jacobean cocktail, so we both got this smooth scotch cocktail...Melissa made the drink with an expertise that few have and while she was making them, we engaged in conversation with Marc, the beverage manager. Both were very engaging and very friendly, making the visit very relaxed and enjoyable....we also got some steakhouse sliders that were outstanding...the meat was just slightly medium, keeping all the moistness and flavor.... Overall a great place for a drink and/or light bites...... The ambiance is inviting and cozy and the patio outside is great for those nice warm Rhode Island evenings....

    Photos
    Sapphire
    Shrimp Tacos
    Shrimp Tacos
    Outside

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    Outside
    Claudine

    Claudine

    4.1
    (16 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    This was our second visit, this time with another couple experiencing it for the first time. The…read moretasting menu was beautifully presented and flavorful, served at a relaxed and comfortable pace, with excellent service throughout. In addition to the four tasting menus, two of us chose the chef's wine pairing and two opted for the non-alcoholic pairing (after cocktails, which they do very well). We also added two Wagyu supplements, caviar for one, and a cheese course. While everything else was strong, we both felt the Wagyu supplements ($65 each) were underwhelming, and although the non-alcoholic pairings were creative and tasty, they didn't always complement the dishes as well as we had hoped. That said, this restaurant is highly recommended. Rhode Island truly needs a high-end tasting menu destination like this, and it's absolutely worth a visit. And very reasonably priced compared to NYC and Boston.

    From the moment you arrive. You are welcome by the Hostes and she will take your coat..after that…read moreyou walk in and you will be received by the whole staff. They make you feel at home.. The service is 5 stars. Literally you are care for at all times as soon as you take a sit. Take in account that this restaurant its a pre-fix menu and you pay ahead of time. We enjoy a kings meal. The ambiance is soft as well as the lighting. Our meal for that day it was delicious. What can I say, you need to try and tell me about it. Note: parking is on the street. I recommend PPAC surroundings. Best choice. Enjoy

    Photos
    Claudine
    Claudine
    Claudine

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    Aurelia

    Aurelia

    5.0
    (11 reviews)
    25.3 mi

    Aurelia is more than a place to have dinner. Its an experience…read more Its a perfectly orchestrated ensemble of food, ambiance, knowledge, and passion. Food. They use only the best seasonal ingredients. Ambiance. What can beat a view of Narragansett Bay watching the sail boats go by? Knowledge. Have a wine tasting with Carl and he will amaze you with the level of knowledge about the ingredients and the wines that are being served. Im pretty sure he spends countless hours studying the wines, the region where it comes from, and how it harmonizes with the food you are about to eat. Carls usually our waiter but everyone here is excellent. Passion. Its the main ingredient that binds everything together. The workers here are passionate about hospitality. They are all there to make sure you have the absolute best experience possible and it shows. From the valet, to the hostess, to the waiters and waitresses they always bring their A game. Its 2026. There's many things I'm not sure in this life. But one thing I am sure of is that when I walk through the doors of Castle Hill (Aurelia) I'm going to have an amazing meal and more importantly an amazing experience. Patron to this amazing establishment for 11 years and counting!

    We had an amazing time here doing the 6 course tasting plus wine pairing to celebrate a birthday…read more Everything was delicious with the lobster and duck standing out the most. Service was great.

    Photos
    Aurelia
    Wagyu Beef!   Cooked perfectly.
    Wagyu Beef! Cooked perfectly.
    Aurelia

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    The XO Bar - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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