beer and cafe pavillion opening in district park in a few weeks (from Alex Gagosz's newsletter)

[Shriram Krishnamurthi]

BEER AND CAFE 'PAVILION' IN PROVIDENCE GEARS UP FOR MAY OPENING

It’s been years in the making, but the 195 District Park Pavilion that will soon hold The Guild beer garden and a Seven Stars coffee shop will open in mid-to-late May, according to Guild co-founder and managing partner Jeremy Duffy. Opening by Memorial Day weekend “has been mandated internally,” Duffy said in a phone interview with me on Wednesday. While The Guild has set up a seasonal beer garden along the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge in Providence for years, the 3,500-square-foot Pavilion will be open year-round. Construction on the Pavilion began in 2024,  and it’s located at the confluence of the Ship Street and Elbow Street paths on the west side of the 195 District Park.

The 195 District Park is a 7-acre waterfront park located on the east and west sides of the Providence River, connected by the iconic bridge. It was designated open space as part of the relocation of a portion of Interstate 195 and the creation of the I-195 Redevelopment District.  In other words: Yes, this area used to be one big highway. Now, it’s one of the coolest parts of Providence that’s yet to be fully developed. Renderings for the Pavilion unveiled in 2023 show indoor and outdoor seating, glass walls, and views of the Providence River and the Fox Point neighborhood.  Duffy said there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with all the local dignitaries – like the governor, mayor, and Marc Crisafulli, chairman of the I-195 District Commission – on April 21. But then the hard work begins. “The busy work really happens in the last three weeks,” said Duffy.  Come May, it’ll be open to the public seven days a week. The Guild and Seven Stars “are excited to offer a full-day option for people. I call it the circle of life,” said Duffy. “Coffee to a pint.”