Julians

charliedvrs

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Went into Julian's for dinner at about 6:30 on a Friday evening. Semi-Busy little street with not too much around, bakery on the corner and plenty of parking. Couple of tables on the sidewalk in front.

Walked in and were sat right down. The service was a little slow in coming to take our orders, but it didn't seem out of negligence - more so just being a bit under staffed. When the waitress did come take our orders she was very pleasant and helpful.

Beer list was great. About 20 or so taps and some more ~22oz bottles. A lot of stuff from breweries you know but beers I've never seen out and about before (Dogfish Head Wrath of Pecan, Stone 7.07.07 and Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Sout).

I had the Menudo Burger and loved it. Atmosphere was pretty cool. If you're thinking about working here, make sure you have visible tattoos. I believe its a requirement. Misfits playing on the stereo but not obnoxiously loud (give me a moment!).

Some more patio seating in the back with overheard covering, probably pretty nice on a really sunny day. Bathroom maybe the most interesting part. Star Wars figurines, Pez Dispensers, and skateboarding videos playing on a small tv directly in front of the toilet.

Overall, I had a very enjoyable time. I could see how the atmosphere may be a big turn off for some and turn on for others. I'll definitely stop back in next time I'm in Providence!

07-03-2010 18:04:06 | More by charliedvrs

Samichlaus

Rhode Island

4.63/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$$

Let me start by saying this place has the best food ever. I love their brunch and I am not a fan of breakfast foods really at all. The atmosphere is great. A total hipster scene. Although I am not a hipster and wouldn't wanna be I can totally dig this place. Beer selection is getting better and better all the time. Fantome Saison in the cooler? Yes, please! Tap selection is small but always really good! Prices could be better. With all the excellent food and beer at a slightly more than average price I always end up leaving there spending a little bit more than expected. Bottle prices are ridiculous btw. Something should be done about this. The owner is obsessed with Star Wars and there are rare and funny trinkets adorning the walls and display cases in the bathroom. While in the bathroom enjoy a good B movie while doing you business, yay! Now that I think about it I need to go there more often! :)

04-25-2010 16:10:17 | More by Samichlaus

coachdonovan

Rhode Island

4.58/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

every time i eat or drink here, i ask myself why i don't come here more often. the draught selection isn't the biggest in the area, but it is probably the highest quality. you'll never find anything less than a B on tap, and most everything is A- or higher. what i like best is that it's always a good mix between USA craft beer and Germany and Belgium- you're sure to find something you like.

food is likewise impressive. TONS of vegan/veggie options, but don't worry, there's meat for the rest of us. on various visits i've had a burger, lamb chops, sirloin salad, and pumpkin pancakes (for breakfast, obviously). service is great and prices are reasonable.

what distinguishes Julian's from other bars that have good beer is the attention to detail. Brian knows what's going on in the beer world and is a fixture at BA and other events in New England. the beer dinners (every month or two) are always well-organized (with PERFECT food pairings) and they sell out for a reason.

if you spend time on this site but you don't spend time on the west side of providence, you need to seek this place out.

03-08-2010 21:43:08 | More by coachdonovan

dirkchivers

Rhode Island

4.75/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Love this place. Good for foodies and beer geeks, as well as foodie beer geeks. I found out through a friend that works there, that they regularly visit their beer suppliers to get to know them and their beers. That doesn't mean that they hit up Belgium every year or so, but they do go off to BBC and such now and then.
Overall its just a good place to be. I have yet to go in for their brunch but supposedly its legendary - they won Best Brunch in reader's picks from RI Monthly for 2009. I think they received best beer selection as well. Not an every night kind of place, but it won't break the bank. A definite pilgrimage location when in the area.

02-03-2010 15:01:14 | More by dirkchivers

tigg924

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Julians is one of my favorite beer bars in New England and overall it ranks right up there with Eulogy in Philadelphia as one of my all time favorites. I wish this place was closer. The atmosphere is very laid back. There are psychedelic drawings on the wall as well as Star Wars memorabilia. They have a neat collection of figurines in the bathroom. The place was packed and for good reason. The crowd was mixed but the atmosphere is laid back hipster. The beer selection was amazing. I saw at least twenty different tap heads with several harder to find beers. It was a nice mix between local , domestic, and foreign. They had Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche so I stuck with that. However, if I wanted to jump around, it would be easy to do so. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and never let my beer run dry. For as amazing as the beer is, the food was that much better. I had an outstanding omelet for brunch and a pistachio crème brulee for dessert. Both were excellent and great cruise ship quality. Prices for beers are reasonable for how unique they are. The food prices were also reasonable if not slightly cheap for what you get. I cannot say enough about this place. Nice and laid back and excellent in every culinary aspect.

02-02-2010 18:21:45 | More by tigg924

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.14/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I finally got around to visiting Julians after much procrastination - what can I say, I live in Coventry and work in Middletown. Although I do have to say that the Longest Night of the Year party with J.W. Lees Calvados was a great motivator. I don't know how much more can be said, that hasn't been already. Definitely gives off a cool hipster vibe with a pretty eclectic bunch of patrons; very laid back atmosphere. I have to say that I was pretty blown away by the size of the kitchen area, relative to the rest of the restaurant/bar - it was huge, and it's kind of cool to be able to see your food being made; however, there is definitely a drawback in that the size of the bar area is substantially reduced. Tap selection was nothing short of exceptional - I had the Lees on cask, as well as the BBC Holidale on cask which was pretty awesome. Other highlights were Curieux, Avec Les Bon Vieux, a beer which cannot be named (but was awesome), Aventinus, My Antonia (wish I tried it), Tillburg Brown, etc. They also featured a generous sized bottle cooler with bombers and were featuring Sculpin. Brian Oakley was very friendly and welcoming, which definitely contributed to a positive experience. I can't comment on the food; however, it looked and smelled great. Tap prices were a little higher than I am used to, but the selection definitely moderates that price differential to some degree. There are four definite regional beer hubs in RI in my opinion - Pitcher's in Northern, Track 84 in Kent, Pour Judgment in Newport and Julians in Providence. Well worth your time if you are in Providence.

12-23-2009 11:56:05 | More by Jwale73

iluvbeer67

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -22.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Stoped in with my wife about a week ago. we have been meaning to get over there but just kept putting it off.

A- Very cool with a hipster feel to it. We felt comfortable right away.

Q- They had a good selection with maybe 8 drafts and some unique bottles. All above avarage and kinda rare for the type of place.

S- Maybe hipster places it is chic to give bad service, but our service was poor at best. For the price we were paying the service has got to be better. Our server had an almost indifferent attitude like we were an imposition, not cool.

F- The food was very very tasty but a little light on the portions. I had a burger w/ smoked onions that was tasty while my wife had a chicken dish that was so small she asked if the sides were coming out on a seperate plate. But the quality was excellent.

V- Over all we just thought for the price the service and the portions were off. Would go again just not when hungry.

10-22-2009 14:48:22 | More by iluvbeer67

SUjunkie

Rhode Island

4.78/5  rDev +5.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Julian's is the place to go in Providence when looking for the top notch beers. I've been going to Julian's often over the past couple months since their draft beer selection has improved dramatically. 9 taps that feature Belgians, Germans, Casks, DFH, Berkshire, Allagash, Victory, Brooklyn, etc.

Julian's food is made right in front of your eyes. An open kitchen is a fixture for everyone to look at. Their menu and especially their constantly changing specials is so unique for Providence. Fried pickles are awesome.

Their prices are affordable with pints in the $5-8 range. You get what you pay for. Quality Belgians aren't free! You can always order a Black Label if you so desire ;)

When in RI make sure you hit Julian's. You will not be disappointed.

07-19-2009 02:00:29 | More by SUjunkie

Pegli

Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Great beer selection...especially on-tap ! My wife and I went for dinner and were lucky enough to get a cozy table in the back. A very funky vibe that reminds me of the bars in Greenwich Village,NYC. The appetizers and desserts were really well done and the main courses were decent as well. However, beware of the wooden-covered drink menu - it unexpectedly came down and tomahawked my NEBC Imperial Stout Trooper !!! Save the ales and keep the menus safely laying on the tabletop. A great place in Providence to come with friends and have some quality brews and some munchies.

06-01-2009 15:06:56 | More by Pegli

HULU420

Rhode Island

4.95/5  rDev +9.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

On Wednesday,27 May 2007, Julians joined Track 84,Pitchers Pub, and Dohertys East Ave Irish Pub as the premier draft craft and draft imported beers in RI.

Julians now has sixteen taps and a beer engine for cask conditioned beers. Beers poured that momorable night-Allagash Curiex(on cask),DFH Burton Baton,New England Brewing Stout Trooper,Great Divide Expresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout,Allagash Fedelta Berkshire Brewing Bourbon Barrel Baltic Porter,Newport Storm Rum Aged Red Ale,Maredsous 8,Victory Hop Wallop,Kapuziner Bavarian Hefeweizen,Monks Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale,Troubador Blonde,Troll Shangrila,Goulden Carolus Hopsinjoor,St Louis Framboise and Aventinus Weisen-Eisbock.

Manager, Brian Oakley, Has assemblled a young beer knowledgeable wait staff and a cooking staff that prepares outstanding if somewhat eclectic food selections.

Brian assured everyone present thar he will bring the best and newest draft beers to Providence.

05-30-2009 17:11:09 | More by HULU420