Ivy Tavern, Providence

"The Ivy" has quickly become the neighborhood bar for the East Side. It has a warm feel, friendly bartenders, and down-to-earth waitstaff. Good selection of beer on tap, small-but-diverse liquor bar, and decent by-the-glass wine list. The strong point of Ivy Tavern is the food. The owners previously owned a restaurant on the shore, and their comfort food is creative and a notch above. Extra points to the mussels and the garlic fries. There are a few TV's for sports, but they are not the focal point. Best of all, the Ivy never smells like a bar, but like a restaurant. The Ivy is a wonderful place to meet friends for a drink, have a casual meal, or watch a game. It has become quite crowded on weekend nights. Unfortunately they don't open early, even on the weekends (currently).