THE CHARLESTOWN RATHSKELLER

The Charlestown Rathskeller is a multi-faceted dining and entertainment destination nestled in the woods of South County, Rhode Island, combining a full-service restaurant with a rustic outdoor concert venue. The main establishment features a restored dining room and tavern with 80-year-old murals adorning the walls, creating a charming historic atmosphere that honors its speakeasy origins. The sprawling outdoor spaces invite bocce, cornhole, and horseshoe tournaments, while the mahogany bar is known for serving "the coldest beer in Rhode Island."

The outdoor "Down Back" concert series runs every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays from May through mid-October, featuring a stage surrounded by a bar, burger shack, and bonfire area perfect for cool evenings. Indoor dining rooms serve steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, and sandwiches. Live music acts are predominantly regional cover bands and touring acts drawing attendees from across New England.

The Charlestown Rathskeller was founded in 1933 as a German-themed restaurant built directly after Prohibition ended, replacing a speakeasy that had operated on the spring house grounds during the illegal alcohol era. After declining and closing in 2002, it has since been fully restored and reopened as one of Southern New England's most distinctive entertainment venues, preserving its historical character including those signature murals.