Downtown Westerly’s vibrant nightlife often surprises first-time visitors. “When people experience downtown, they tell me they had no idea that this is what it’s like,” says Tim Cotter, media relations manager of The United, describing the town’s post-sunset vibe. “A lot of people think this is nothing more than a beach town.” But Westerly is just one of South County’s towns proving that Rhode Island’s gorgeous beaches and waterfront views aren’t the only reason to visit.
The United may be a relative newcomer, whose roots run deep. The theater opened in 1926 but later closed after falling on hard times. Courtesy of a major fundraising campaign, it underwent a $17 million renovation and reopened in 2021. “I think it’s a pretty unique venue,” says Cotter. “Most venues specialize in movies or music or community programming. We do it all.”
Among its ambitious schedule are first-run and independent films, shown daily. The venue also has a popular series called Rewind, where old films are screened for a new audience. Comedians regularly grace the venue’s stage, musicians take part in the monthly roots series, and the community is regularly invited in for educational programming and performances by Salt Marsh Opera and Ballet RI.
And then there are the concerts. “We showcase bands that often don’t fit neatly into a genre, but feature incredibly talented musicians who want to put on a lively show in an intimate setting that big arenas can’t provide,” says Cotter. Two of these bands coming this month include Langhorne Slim and Soul Rebels. Cotter also says their audience enjoys artists who remind them of their youth. “We’ve had Pete Best of the Beatles, Peter Wolf of J. Geils, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Joan Osborne,” Cotter says. “These aren’t tribute bands. They’re the real thing.”
The United has an important role in Westerly’s nightlife. “Ten years ago, before the theater reopened, it was pretty quiet downtown,” says Cotter. “There were a lot of empty storefronts and the town had a reputation as a place that didn’t have much going on. But now, The United is a major magnet.” The theater brings in hundreds of people every weekend interested in turning their concert or movie experience into a full date-night, complete with dinner and drinks. Cotter says as a result, the dining scene is thriving. “We have the philosophy that if someone comes to Westerly, we’re all winning,” he adds.
Bryan Keilty, owner of Westerly’s famed cocktail lounge Perks & Corks, agrees with Cotter’s philosophy. “Everybody has their own niche, so we’re not super competitive
with each other,” he says. “The food scene down here is fantastic, and nearly every restaurant is family-owned.” Keilty, who shares ownership of Perks & Corks with his wife, Jennifer, fits that description. The couple will be celebrating the popular spot’s 25th anniversary in November. “I’ve watched the community grow over that time,” says Keilty. ”It’s nice to see people discover us.”
Perks & Corks is an intimate space with just 13 tables. It’s decorated with mismatched couches and low lighting, perfect for someone who wants to try one of the bar’s celebrated martinis.“ Our most popular martinis are the chai, espresso, and Reese’s,” says Keilty. “Just don’t think about the calorie count in that last one.” They also have live music Mondays and Wednesdays, showcasing singer-songwriters. Sometimes the invited performers are touring bands, and others come from the open mic nights. “We focus on original music,” Keilty says. “It’s important to me that we promote songwriters.”
That idea isn’t confined to Westerly. In East Greenwich, Joann Joseph, owner of the Updike Room, makes sure that local talent is showcased among the waterfront bars and cozy taverns that light up Main Street. “There’s so much great talent in Rhode Island, and it always amazes me,” says Joseph. “You just never know who the next up-and-comer to hit the stage will be.”
The Updike Room is located inside the historic Greenwich Hotel, which shares a footprint with inns and taverns that have been in that spot as far back as the 1740s. Joseph describes the music venue’s decor as retro art deco, with walls covered with art by local artist Angelo Marinoschi, Jr. “His paintings are really cool,” says Joseph. “They’re a cross between Picasso and Dali.”
The Updike Room opened in May 2021, just when people were ready to gather again after COVID lockdowns. “We’d have five people come hang out just for something to do,” says Joseph. Now, the venue hosts music events nightly. On Fridays and Saturdays, Main Street strollers can find live music. Sundays are reserved for jam sessions or special events. On Tuesdays, there’s an open mic night, and every Thursday is karaoke night. “Anything goes on Wednesday night,” says Joseph.
One patron calls the Updike Room “the musician’s incubator,” which is a fitting description according to Joseph, who seems to thrive on watching novice entertainers get comfortable on stage. “The open mic night is a cool feature,” she says. “It’s a low-key, low-stress way to get your experience. And a lot of bands have formed from my open mic night. It’s nice to see how these musicians grow.”
The venue is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and professional lighting, and Joseph says she has so much interest that she often has to turn performers away. “You’ve got all these cool restaurants in town and some of them have entertainment, but their entertainment supports their operation,”
Joseph says. “Entertainment is my operation, and my goal is to make this the premier place to see live and local music.”
From local acts and open mics to comedians and craft cocktails, South County’s nightlife is more than an unexpected bonus for out-of-towners. It’s a sign that these communities have grown, creating an audience all their own, providing a compelling reason to visit.
Visit venue websites to see what’s coming up!
United Theatre
5 Canal Street, Westerly
UnitedTheatre.org
Perks & Corks
62 High Street, Westerly
PerksAndCorks.com
The Updike Room
162 Main Street, East Greenwich
UpdikeRoom.com
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