In the winter, I often find myself craving comfort. When it comes to eating out, I tend to go to the familiar, steadfast places, the ones that rarely change. As a South Kingstown native, that place for me is the Mews Tavern. It’s a neighborhood bar with classic American foods, an impressive beer list and an inviting atmosphere.
A staple in southern Rhode Island’s dining and “nightlife” scene, The Mews has been a local haunt since it was opened by a couple of fishermen in 1947. Since few leave Southern Rhode Island, generations have enjoyed The Mews’s cozy atmosphere. During December and January, when all the tourists have long left our sandy beaches and the college students begin packing up to spend the holidays at home, us locals reclaim our spots. The Mews’ Dollar Bar becomes packed.
The entrance to the bar is unassuming: the door protrudes from the building’s side and is located on the hill down into the parking lot. When I step into the dark barroom, I feel the memories of this place. It’s somewhat divey, the walls covered in dollar bills. Neon beer signs light up the few windows within and paintings of a cartoon colonial man getting progressively more drunk hang above the booths lining the walls. Most of the dollars have something lewd written on them in Sharpie. Others pay homage to a fun night with signatures of friends, the date, the occasion, commemorated on the tavern walls like some sort of piecemeal shrine to fleeting memories. It feels overly sentimental to say that it’s a building imbued with love: Friends have shared laughs for decades here, couples who would go on to marry have met here. But it’s true, it’s a special place.
Around the holidays, my friends who have moved to the city come home. We always meet at The Mews. Every year it’s the same. I pull open the discrete door to the bar, the icy New England wind pushes me in. I shed my layers as I slide into one of the wooden booths, unloading the weight of my puffer jacket and wool scarf. Cheeks flushed from the cold and chapped lips upturned in a smile, I greet my friends. Cold beers in hand, we cheer. This simple gesture pays homage to our friendship and to all friendships playing out in this old tavern in an old state. Surrounded by dollar bills commemorating nights spent by other friends in the same booth, I can’t help but think of all the tavern-goers who have raised glasses with friends, old and new, as the cold New England winters rage outside.
If you find yourself at The Mews, order a pint of local beer. The impressive draft beer list features 69 (mostly) craft beers, many of which are brewed in Little Rhody or in New England. Shaidzon and Whalers are both microbreweries located in South Kingstown. Shaidzon has recently collaborated with The Mews to create the Honey Badger, a golden ale brewed with honey. The can even features art drawn by one of The Mews’ long-term bartenders; if you order one at The Mews, it’s on draft. Order some apps to start, like the fried pickle chips which come with a side of the famous Mews Ranch. Housemade with a slew of freshly chopped herbs, this sauce alone is worth the trip south. Or get the nachos and an order of house-smoked wings. If you still have room from an entree, order a burger, maybe one with local beef from Sunset Farm, located just a few miles away on the road to Point Judith Lighthouse. If you’re not into meat, The Mews Mac ‘n Cheese never disappoints. While the portion may look small, don’t be surprised if you ask for a to-go box. If you still want a burger but minus the cow, I recommend the Beanoa Burger with a side of curly fries.
If you’re planning a trip to The Mews from Providence, make it a day trip. It’s 40 minutes away from the creative capital and we’re Rhode Islanders: to drive that far, we have to make it worth it. Bundle up and check out the local sights like Narragansett Beach with its beautiful Towers or, of course, the Point Judith Lighthouse with its sweeping views of Block Island Sound. It’ll be cold out there, but that will make walking into the warm, inviting Mews Tavern even more worth it.
Looking for a bar with a similar ambiance in the North of the state? I couldn’t tell you if such a thing exists. I’m from South Kingstown, I rarely go past the tower. •
