In Defense of Ogie’s: Why Providence needs places like this

Every city has that one neighborhood spot that feels like a little oasis — the place you can wander into and instantly run into friends, grab an affordable drink, and feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. For me, and for many people in Providence, that place is Ogie’s.

So imagine my surprise when I heard about a petition floating around online trying to shut Ogie’s down. Yup, you read that right — a petition to close a beloved small business that’s been part of the community for over a decade.

The petition, on Change.org, has about thirty signatures. That’s it. Thirty. But the language is harsh, and it personally names owner Dan Becker, who also happens to be the guy behind The Duck & Bunny (another Providence staple for years), Great Northern Barbecue, and The Royal Bobcat. Becker has spent the last fifteen years building businesses that create jobs, give us spaces to gather, and add a spark of creativity to our city. To see him — and Ogie’s — being targeted like this feels off.

When I sat down with Becker, he was as candid as ever. He’s been running bars and restaurants long enough to know not everyone will love what you do. But the energy behind this petition? It blindsided him.

“All of a sudden, beginning of last year, somebody starts calling the cops multiple times,” he told me. “The police and fire have always been cool with us. They’d come by, do their decibel checks, and say, ‘You’re fine.’ But then it became clear one person was just calling nonstop — threatening to call the mayor, making it into a big thing. Next thing I know, I’m being fined and even forced to shut down for a Friday night. That cost us around ten grand.”

Ten grand. For one night. Over a complaint that, as far as city records go, doesn’t even hold water.

And yet, Ogie’s keeps showing up. Becker and his team applied for special permits, got everything above board, and even voluntarily kept the music low and ended events early. Their Sunday DJ sessions, for example, wrap up before midnight. “We weren’t trying to rub anything in anyone’s face,” Becker said. “We wanted it to feel like Café del Mar in the ’90s — just chill, watch the sunset, have a tiki drink. That’s it.”

If you’ve ever been to one of those Sundays, you know exactly what he means. The vibe is relaxed, the music down-tempo, and people are usually just hanging out with friends, not raging until sunrise.

And Ogie’s isn’t just about music. It’s about affordability and inclusion. “We always have $3 cans of beer and $3 tater tots,” Becker reminded me. “We’ve tried to keep prices down even after the pandemic, because we want anybody from the neighborhood to be able to afford something here.”

That neighborhood-first mentality runs deep for Becker. Before Ogie’s even opened, he met with the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, listened to their concerns, and made sure the bar would fit into the fabric of the community. He also set up a fund in his late father’s name to support residents across the street in Wiggins Village — because for him, being a business owner has always meant being a good neighbor.

Which is why this petition feels so personal. “I’m offended that not only is my business on it, but my name is personally on it,” Becker said. “At no time has this person ever reached out to us. Not once. Instead of talking to us, they’re dragging us through the mud.”

And here’s the thing — Ogie’s is more than just a bar. It’s a place where people celebrate birthdays, engagements, even weddings. It’s a spot for first dates that have turned into marriages. It’s where you end up after a long week because you know you’ll find your people there. In Becker’s words: “When someone tells me they met here, and now they’re married with kids — that’s everything. That’s what it’s all about.”

Providence has already lost too many venues in recent years — Dusk being one of my most heartbreaking closures. The last thing this city needs is to push out one more creative space that gives people jobs, joy, and a safe place to gather.

Look, I get it. Cities are complicated. Noise is a real issue. People want their peace and quiet. But we can’t let one person’s crusade decide the fate of a neighborhood institution. Especially not in a city that prides itself on being “the Creative Capital.”

Becker put it best: “One person should not have that much power in this city — to just keep calling the police, threatening to call the mayor, and putting up petitions online. Why not just talk to us first? Ninety percent of the time, we’ll do what people ask. We don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable.”

At the end of the day, Ogie’s is Providence. It’s messy and fun and quirky and welcoming. It’s affordable beer and crispy tots. It’s the place that feels like home even if it’s your first time walking in.

So if you love this city, if you love small businesses, if you love the idea of having spots that aren’t just soulless chains but real community hubs — support Ogie’s. Speak up. Show up. Have a drink, order the tots, tip your bartender.

Because losing places like Ogie’s? That’s not just about one bar closing. That’s about losing a piece of Providence itself.