With some 200 or so restaurants and cafes, Warwick, Rhode Island offers something to suit every taste and budget. But did you know it’s also home to a place that evokes the atmosphere of an old-time speakeasy as well as a new cocktail bar and tapas lounge that’s quickly becoming a local hotspot?
The Jefferson Speakeasy’s goal – as noted in the “Preamble” printed in its menu - is to unite guests with merriment, a wide selection of cocktails, and a sense of hospitality, with excellence of service and passion, that evokes the glory days of old. Dark wood bars, brick walls, whimsical artwork, and soft lighting brings one back easily to the days of Prohibition, when guests would talk quietly, or “speak easy” in order not to attract the attention of law enforcement.
Stop in and sit back to relax and enjoy an offering from their eclectic wine cellar, or ask the barkeep to pour you a glass of one of their more than 100 different whiskeys while you choose a small bite to sample from their menu.
Or try one of their signature cocktails, like Capone’s Sidecar, which pays “a little respect to the man who kept the liquor flowing during Prohibition,” and is a classic sidecar made with fresh lemon, cognac, and a touch of orange liqueur. Or the Spirit of ’76, which promises to “keep your spirits up and marching” with their house brewed blended espresso and a secret recipe of spirits that make the best espresso martini around. More of a tequila fan? Their Granada blends fresh pomegranate juice, tequila and lime. But with just about a dozen specialty drinks to choose from, you’re sure to find something that quenches your thirst perfectly!
Across town in historic Apponaug Village in a nearly 100-year-old refurbished brick building, you’ll find The Social House, an intimate and stylish lounge with playful cocktails and opulent details, offering shared plate options, special live music nights, private event space, and more! This new hotspot is quickly becoming known for their charcuterie boards, fancy deviled “eggz,” flatbread pizzas, and dessert boards, but their share-plate menu also includes culinary delights like edamame, bar pretzels, fried green tomatoes, feta cheese dip, sausageballs, smoked pork belly bites, and veggie platters paired with a variety of mouthwatering dips to choose from.
The Social House’s birdcage theme was inspired by a trip one of the co-owner’s wives, an interior designer, took to South Carolina. Fanciful wallpaper, themed artwork, and luxurious couches and recliners create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and the full length bar offers another option to relax and enjoy a bite to eat. A red neon sign proclaiming “Welcome to the Jungle,” and birdcage-style chandelier lighting add touches to create a place not seen elsewhere in Warwick. Their specialty cocktail, The Jungle Bird, is likewise served in a cage. It’s one of more than two dozen unique cocktails offered. The Big Mule, a mix of vodka, ginger beer, and muddled lime, and The Porron, with a house specialty blend served in a wine carafe, are their sharable drink options.
Stay in Warwick, See Rhode Island – and enjoy a bit of sophisticated nightlife while you’re here!