Love Is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder: You’re definitely going to a brewery on Valentine’s Day. But which one?

Providence went from being lovingly nicknamed New England’s armpit to ranking a solid #8 on Brides.com’s “Most Romantic Cities in the US” in 2019. Apparently, the smoke stacks at Providence Power Station aren’t the only thing steaming up our city. The cultural oasis presents the perfect environment for love to bloom. Whether you are looking for fine dining, a romantic gondola ride on the Providence River or a stroll through the RISD museum, PVD has got date night covered. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, here is a date night guide for the beer lover-lover. 

Union Station Brewery is the longest standing brew pub in RI. And for good reason. This brew pub has adapted with the growing city while staying true to its roots. A night out at Union Station is living proof for a blossoming romance that with the right love and care, your relationship can withstand the test of time. The former train station offers wide open spaces with intimate booths and a classic pub menu. Others might advise you NOT to order fish on a first date; however, I recommend you risk this minor date no-no and be rewarded with the Ale Battered Fish and Chips paired with one of their rotating draft beers brewed in-house. Live acoustic music often softly rings through the pub, giving your date the sweet ambiance of a ’90s rom-com. 

For a more mature romance, perhaps your rom could use the encouragement of a little com. Luckily, dinner and a show isn’t too far from home at Black Duck Tavern and Comedy Connection in East Providence. Adjacent to the club, Black Duck Tavern serves up gastropub-style bites alongside some of Untappd’s most highly rated beers. Owner Dave refers to the app’s consumer ratings for local beer to curate the perfect draft list for thirsty patrons. You’ll rarely find a beer with less than a 4-star rating pouring forth from the taps at The Duck. Along with local favorites such as Ragged Island and Proclamation, Black Duck frequently taps some regional favorites like Fox Farm of Connecticut, Maine Beer Company, and newly distributing in Rhode Island, Fiddlehead of Vermont. Just steps away, you’ll find The Comedy Connection where you can enjoy a good old domestic on tap.

So what if you’re riding solo this Valentine’s Day? I say there’s no shame in drinking alone, although you don’t have to. Bayberry Beer Hall on the West Side of Providence offers an eclectic array of beer from far and wide. Trillium of Canton, Massachusetts and Finback of New York are just a few of the fantastic breweries with which they’re aligned. For those who can’t quite “settle,” flights are available so you can try up to four equally tantalizing tastes. The taproom is flooded with luscious greenery wall to wall to remind the optimistic single that growth is inevitable. Communal tables are a natural way to break the ice and meet new friends and maybe that special someone. One way or another you’ll be be falling in love — even if only with a new favorite beer.