Coming Soon: Clementine Cocktail & Tapas Bar
We’re excited to share that a new bar is coming to downtown Providence! In mid-October, Clementine will open at 200 Washington Street.
The cocktail and tapas bar is owned by Congressman and former Mayor of Providence David N. Cicilline. Clementine—named after Cicilline’s great-grandmother—brings a fresh, modern, and innovative take on classic cocktails to downtown Providence.
We’re especially thrilled to head to Clementine next month since we hear the cocktail menu offers a dozen seasonally inspired rotating signature cocktails and mocktails. The food menu includes a delightful array of small plates, including ham croquette with aioli, chickpea fries with harissa mayonnaise, crab rangoon with sweet chili sauce, and much more.
Exterior of Clementine (Photo courtesy of InDowncity)
If you love a restaurant that keeps things new and interesting, you’ll be happy to learn that Clementine’s bar program features a rotation of guest bartenders and pop-up chefs, along with cocktail classes for the public!
Alongside his experience in Congress and at City Hall, owner Cicilline is a Providence native, author of a new book House on Fire, a graduate of Brown University and Georgetown University Law Center, and previously served as a defense attorney in Rhode Island. Prior to his political career, he enjoyed various roles within the hospitality industry in Rhode Island and worked in restaurants throughout college and law school.
Cicilline is joined by Cristian Cantaragiu, who serves as general manager of Clementine. Cantaragiu has extensive experience in bartending that spans the globe, from the Royal Garden Hotel in London, to the Sweet & Chilli global drink agency, to lead bartender at the MTV Movie Awards in 2017. He most recently worked at 41 North in Newport, RI, and has studied bartending and mixology under international icons such as Simone Caporale and Simone Calabrese.
Together, Cicilline and Cantaragiu look forward to sharing something new with Providence.
“I’ve always loved the downtown neighborhood in the heart of the city and this location in particular,” says Cicilline. “While I served as Mayor of Providence, much of my time was spent right down the street at City Hall. Now, at Clementine, I want to create a space where people feel welcome, whether they’re connecting and socializing with friends, taking a break after a busy work day, or enjoying a cocktail before heading across the street to watch a show at Trinity Rep.”
Can’t wait to take a peek? Clementine can be found on the ground floor of the Harkness Building (most recently occupied by Birch restaurant), directly across from Trinity Repertory Theater. The interior is designed by Michael Booth. Booth is a founder of BAMO, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, and a member of Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle.
Following the opening in October, Clementine’s hours of operation will be 4-11 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday through Saturday; the bar will be closed on Sundays. For updates and more information, follow Clementine on Instagram at @clementinecocktailbar.
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