I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at the Avery was deeply disappointing. My wife and I stopped in as part of our East Coast road trip, we’ve visited hundreds of cocktail bars and brewery’s across the country and abroad over the years and we always enjoy supporting great local spots. Unfortunately, this visit was ruined and short lived by a bartender who overstepped in an unprofessional and personal way.
Without cause and before we tasted the first drink we ordered she implied my wife was too intoxicated (she was not) and went so far as to tell me I “needed to take better care of her.” My wife was perfectly coherent, happy, and enjoying her evening responsibly. After nearly eight years of marriage, 38 states, 20 countries together, I think I know when my spouse needs my attention and it certainly wasn’t this moment. We had just left a wonderful dinner at Fred. Nearby where the service, staff, drinks, and atmosphere couldn’t have been better!
I understand and respect responsible service, but there’s a right way to handle concerns, and this wasn’t it. The approach was condescending, intrusive, overstepping, and ultimately made for a very uncomfortable experience. Given how many bars and restaurants I’ve reviewed nationwide (almost ALL positively) this stands out as one of the most unnecessarily unpleasant interactions I’ve had.
I hope management takes this as an opportunity to train staff on how to balance safety, liability, respect and professionalism toward their guests, honestly there’s a way to protect the guest and the bar’s reputation at the same time.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Alessandra Tiwari
This is such a cozy bar with excellent decor within a couple blocks of our new home and we absolutely love it. The cocktails are perfectly mixed and they have a lovely patio area as well. It's very affordable compared to my former home. So happy to have a place like this so close.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Rueda
Very cozy, dim lit and warm atmosphere. The drinks were great and the bar tender was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chels Johns
The drinks are excellent, and the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between lively and relaxed. The unique decor adds charm, making it a wonderful place to spend time with friends or enjoy a romantic date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lena Crandell
Don’t be fooled by the classy atmosphere. The bartender was TERRIBLE. I ordered the “Mezcal Old Fashioned” and the drink she gave me tasted like just a mix of bottom shelf mezcal and soda water. It was undrinkable. I felt bad asking her to fix it because she was busy and obviously stressed, so I very politely and apologetically asked if she maybe forgot the agave or something? She then aggressively said “you want more agave?” and proceeded to pour agave syrup all over the top of my drink before I could even respond. Really a shame since the atmosphere and interior design is otherwise very appealing. Makes you think you’re walking into a nice place. I didn’t finish my drink because it was so gross and instead left and went to Courtland Club where I had a great experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Marissa Damiani
Awesome sophisticated cocktail spot in a pocket of Providence. It’s a local favorite & we checked it out while waiting for our dinner reservations across the street. Decently priced, but it’s DARK inside. Can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Zach Miller
Vibe is cool but drinks were only ok and the bartender seems miserable.
Hisashi Oguchi
Cocktails are cheap compared to other towns, and the quality of original cocktails is high. I ordered Cosmo and Old Fashioned. A cocktail bar with a great atmosphere, located in a quiet residential area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Noel
A bit too crowded, cool selection of drinks but not super inventive nor flavorful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cucumber Delight
C J
Great location to have a conversation. Service was slow, a tad bit rude. Drinks were ok, not made well. Fantastic drink menu if mixed correctly. I've been going here since it opened, will always return!
Just moved to providence and the bartender Katie was so friendly and nice! She chatted and we became instagram friends, I quite enjoyed myself! I'm definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
randall c.
The Avery - great neighborhood bar and not on the beaten path. But it has a buzz so has become a bit of a destination spot lately as well. If you enjoy cocktails this is yr place. If you come back a 2nd time the bartender will remember your drink. Each bartender has their own playlist so that goes into the mix too.
The app asks about atmosphere. Well for one you can sit outside in Luongo Square - a pocket park where you can watch the world go by on a lazy afternoon. The other beauty of The Avery is its dim light. One review said it is “excessively dark”; well they should go to Chelos. Art Deco interior is also wonderful. And maybe not an Atmosphere thing but drinks are about $10, which does help my mood.
No food - not even chitos, so don’t go there and get upset no food. 🍻
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Colin Schultz
Cool spot, good drinks however the service is heinous. Female bartender clearly doesn’t enjoy her job and isn’t for customer service. After reading the comments this seems to be a current theme for the last couple years …
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Michael
Great service. Great vibe. Loved everything about it. A hidden gem.
Honestly disrespectful.
I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at the Avery was deeply disappointing. My wife and I stopped in as part of our East Coast road trip, we’ve visited hundreds of cocktail bars and brewery’s across the country and abroad over the years and we always enjoy supporting great local spots. Unfortunately, this visit was ruined and short lived by a bartender who overstepped in an unprofessional and personal way.
Without cause and before we tasted the first drink we ordered she implied my wife was too intoxicated (she was not) and went so far as to tell me I “needed to take better care of her.” My wife was perfectly coherent, happy, and enjoying her evening responsibly. After nearly eight years of marriage, 38 states, 20 countries together, I think I know when my spouse needs my attention and it certainly wasn’t this moment. We had just left a wonderful dinner at Fred. Nearby where the service, staff, drinks, and atmosphere couldn’t have been better!
I understand and respect responsible service, but there’s a right way to handle concerns, and this wasn’t it. The approach was condescending, intrusive, overstepping, and ultimately made for a very uncomfortable experience. Given how many bars and restaurants I’ve reviewed nationwide (almost ALL positively) this stands out as one of the most unnecessarily unpleasant interactions I’ve had.
I hope management takes this as an opportunity to train staff on how to balance safety, liability, respect and professionalism toward their guests, honestly there’s a way to protect the guest and the bar’s reputation at the same time.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
This is such a cozy bar with excellent decor within a couple blocks of our new home and we absolutely love it. The cocktails are perfectly mixed and they have a lovely patio area as well. It's very affordable compared to my former home. So happy to have a place like this so close.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cozy, dim lit and warm atmosphere. The drinks were great and the bar tender was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The drinks are excellent, and the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between lively and relaxed. The unique decor adds charm, making it a wonderful place to spend time with friends or enjoy a romantic date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t be fooled by the classy atmosphere. The bartender was TERRIBLE. I ordered the “Mezcal Old Fashioned” and the drink she gave me tasted like just a mix of bottom shelf mezcal and soda water. It was undrinkable. I felt bad asking her to fix it because she was busy and obviously stressed, so I very politely and apologetically asked if she maybe forgot the agave or something? She then aggressively said “you want more agave?” and proceeded to pour agave syrup all over the top of my drink before I could even respond. Really a shame since the atmosphere and interior design is otherwise very appealing. Makes you think you’re walking into a nice place. I didn’t finish my drink because it was so gross and instead left and went to Courtland Club where I had a great experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Awesome sophisticated cocktail spot in a pocket of Providence. It’s a local favorite & we checked it out while waiting for our dinner reservations across the street. Decently priced, but it’s DARK inside. Can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Vibe is cool but drinks were only ok and the bartender seems miserable.
Cocktails are cheap compared to other towns, and the quality of original cocktails is high. I ordered Cosmo and Old Fashioned. A cocktail bar with a great atmosphere, located in a quiet residential area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A bit too crowded, cool selection of drinks but not super inventive nor flavorful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cucumber Delight
Great location to have a conversation. Service was slow, a tad bit rude. Drinks were ok, not made well. Fantastic drink menu if mixed correctly. I've been going here since it opened, will always return!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Just moved to providence and the bartender Katie was so friendly and nice!
She chatted and we became instagram friends, I quite enjoyed myself!
I'm definitely coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The Avery - great neighborhood bar and not on the beaten path. But it has a buzz so has become a bit of a destination spot lately as well. If you enjoy cocktails this is yr place. If you come back a 2nd time the bartender will remember your drink. Each bartender has their own playlist so that goes into the mix too.
The app asks about atmosphere. Well for one you can sit outside in Luongo Square - a pocket park where you can watch the world go by on a lazy afternoon. The other beauty of The Avery is its dim light. One review said it is “excessively dark”; well they should go to Chelos. Art Deco interior is also wonderful. And maybe not an Atmosphere thing but drinks are about $10, which does help my mood.
No food - not even chitos, so don’t go there and get upset no food. 🍻
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Cool spot, good drinks however the service is heinous. Female bartender clearly doesn’t enjoy her job and isn’t for customer service. After reading the comments this seems to be a current theme for the last couple years …
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Great service. Great vibe. Loved everything about it. A hidden gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Best vibe on the hill.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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