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This is a list of places to go dancing in Rhode Island. The list is pretty good for one of the smallest states in the country and everything I had on Rhode Island was on one webpage; now it's split out into four pages. Check out the Rhode Island Calendar for events happening on specific dates. There's also a lot of dancing in Rhode Island, but don't forget that you're not that far from venues in southern Massachusetts or eastern Connecticut. Venues in and around Boston itself are only about an hour away.

Note that venues come and go, and usually people aren't very good about letting me know that their venue closed or changed their mind, so always call ahead!


If you teach classes, hold workshops, play in a band, or hold dances, please read both the frequently asked questions and formatting guidelines before submitting your information for this webpage.
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Places to Go Dancing

Swinging' 88's swingmonthly
Brightridge Club, Brightridge Avenue, East Providence.
Swing dances on the last Saturday of each month from 7 pm to midnight, that are air-conditioned, smoke-free and have plenty of parking. For more information, contact swingin88s@yahoo.com at 508-222-2185.

HepCats swingmonthly
First Congregational Church, 34 Center Street in Fairhaven, MA (just over the border)
Swing dance on the second Saturday of the month at the from 7:30 to 11:00 pm. All ages welcome; no partner necessary; smoke-free. For more information, call 401-921-1898 or write to HepCats.

TwirlTheGirlUSA
At the Bouffard Council Knights of Columbus, 15 Bassett Street, North Providence. No partner necessary, air-conditioned and always beginner-friendly.

For more information, contact Jennifer Lyons at 401-447-7015.

Bread and Butter Jam
Providence Tango Studio, 99 S. Bend Street, Pawtucket.
Dance and/or practice to recorded music every Thursdays from 8:15 to 11:30 pm. Basic lindy hop class before the dancing from 7:00 to 8:00 pm; additional lesson at 9:30. Also, bimonthly dance.

Norm & Dette's Dance Socials
Dillon Knights of Columbus Hall, 1675 Douglas Avenue, North Providence.
Ballroom dances once a month from 8:00 to 11:30 pm. For more information, contact NormDetteDance@wmconnect.com at 401-767-1765.

Ballroom & Latin Dancing with Nelia Lawton
East Bay Democratic Club, 86 Roffee Street, Barrington.
Month ballroom dances on a Friday night. 7:30 (lesson at 7:30). For more information, contact Nelia Lawton at 401-245-1119.

Swing Café
at Studio One RI, 85 Industrail Circle, Lincoln. Swing dance from 9:00 pm to at least midnight (lesson at 8:00). Check the website for music information (band or dj). For more information, contact Todd at 401-854-6408.

LeFoyer
151 Fountain Street, Pawtucket. 401-725-8530. Dancing on Thursday nights; east & west coast-type music. Doors open at 7:30; band plays at 8:00. Word has it that they have a "beautiful wood floor, plenty of space to dance, plenty of tables to sit at".

K & S Music
Knights of Columbus Hall, 1047 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI.
Ballroom dances on various Saturdays from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm with two lessons at the beginning of the evening (6:30-8:00 pm). Complementary coffee, tea, pizza, pastries, and hot popcorn. Couples & singles welcome. Music by dj's Bryan and Kathy Soscia. For more information, contact mailto:kandsmusic@verizon.net at 401-821-4108.

Kathy & Randy's Ballroom Dances Ballroom
The Dillon Council, 1675 Douglas Avenue, North Providence.
Dance lesson before each dance, 7:15-8:00 pm. Dancing from 8:00 to 11:30 pm. For more information, call 401-463-1815 or write to ksj111@verizon.net.


There are various places that seem to be available for rent as a place to hold a dance or some other event. They seem to be used by a lot of different groups.

The German Club, 78 Carter Avenue, Pawtucket.


Rhode Island Dancesport
461 Main Street (2nd flr), East Greenwich. For more information, contact info@ridancesport.com at 401-529-1690. Occasional Friday dances, monthly tango milongas, and more.

Country/Swing Dance Parties
at Studio One RI, 85 Industrial Circle, Suite 4102, Lincoln. Lesson from 7:30 to 8:00pm, dancing until midnight.


Dining, Drinks, and Dancing

Some drinking and dining establishments will have live music in addition to their usual attractions. Some of them even have a dance floor and will feature familar bands that play at swing dances.

Chans Egg Rolls and Jazz
267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 401-765-1900. no dance floor
Occasional live music.

Knickerbocker Cafe
35 Railroad Avenue, Westerly. Dancing every Friday night with live music. Food and drink. Cover.
"The Knickerbocker has an excellent dance floor. It's wood, in very good shape and about 25 by 30 feet." - Paul, 01/09/12

The Venice Restaurant
165 Shore Road, Westerly. Dancing on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 7:30 to 9:30 pm to the sounds of the Coastline Swing Band. For reservations, call 401-348-0055.

The Cuban Café
60 Valley Street, Providence. 401-331-8829.
"...has no real dance floor...tables around the bandstand...managed to dance in the entrance way but limited floor,...room for 4 couples at best." - Daniel, 01/18/12
Help!

Sometimes I'll see a favorite dance band play at a non-standard venue and I sometimes wonder if these venues are conducive for dancing, i.e., do they have a dance floor? Some of the venues and some of the bands aren't very helpful in providing that information, particularly if it discourages people from showing up. I don't get a chance to check out most of these venues so please help me provide better information to my readers by letting me know which venues are suitable for dancing. Thanks!




For additions or corrections, write to dancenet@havetodance.com.

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