The Weekly: 7/16/26 Guide to Downtown Providence
Here’s the gist: in Providence, there’s always something interesting going on. And we understand how challenging it can be to wade through all the happenings and decide what events to attend, where to eat, and what to shop for. That’s why we’re here to share the top things we’re excited about in the coming week in each installment of “The Weekly.” Each week, we’ll rant and rave unabashedly about just a slice of the food, fun, and fantastic items that we’re currently obsessed with in downtown Providence, RI.
Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly update right in your email, or check back here every Thursday.
SUNDAY: WHERE TO CATCH THE BIG FINAL SOCCER MATCH IN DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE
The summer has been flying by and we cannot believe that one of the biggest soccer matches of the year takes place this very weekend on Sunday, July 19! Whether you’re on the edge of your seat just waiting to see Spain and Argentina face off, or you cannot wait to watch the halftime show (Shakira! Madonna! BTS!), we have a few recommendations on where to watch in downtown Providence.
Thankfully, we’ve already scouted out the coolest (in our humble opinion) new sports bar in town, Rollers Sports Bar and Grill. Located right where Durk’s Bar-B-Q used to be, this is the place to order wings, delicious cocktails, and watch the game on the fifteen screens (and a projector). We hear there’ll be a giveaway, too!
If you’re looking for an indoor option with a very cool but slightly less sporty vibe, try Gift Horse for soccer with a side of oysters. This restaurant and raw bar is opening early at 3 p.m. just to show the match. Plus check out who else is playing the big game in the neighborhood right here.
SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE TO THE BOUTIQUES & SHOPS ON WESTMINSTER STREET
Providence boasts so many beautiful shopping corridors across the city, but we’re partial to historic Westminster Street in our downtown Providence neighborhood… So we recently put together a little guide on Instagram for what you might find in all the shops if you were to grab a coffee and do some browsing on a beautiful summer’s day.
Westminster Street includes many shops all on the same block, so you can park once and then enjoy a variety of gifts, books, apparel, Rhode Island souvenirs, local art, and more. The shops include Craftland, Queen of Hearts and Modern Love, Symposium Books, The Vault Collective, Homestyle, Civil, Eno Fine Wines, and Jephry Floral Studio.
SATURDAY: SYMPOSIUM BOOKS HOSTS SILENT BOOK CLUB DOWNTOWN
Looking for something chill to do this weekend? Haven’t polished off quite as many of your summer reads as you anticipated? (We’re ahem definitely quite behind on our Goodreads 2026 goal ourselves…) You’re in luck! Symposium Books is hosting their monthly Silent Book Club meeting on Saturday, July 18.
As the event organizers say, “People love a good SBC/Reading Party because it helps us focus on reading, and actually be a stress reliever, builds social connections, gets us into the community, and more!!” Pack up your current read (or buy one within the bookstore) and head to 250 Westminster Street in downtown Providence from 6-8 p.m. Seating is available outside and inside, too.
Love this edition of The Weekly? Want to stay in the loop for future events (including for our Summer 2026 season of Movies on the Block), gift guides, new business openings, and more in downtown Providence, RI? We’ve got you! Subscribe to our newsletter and/or follow @indowncitypvd on Instagram.