THE NEWS CAFE PAWTUCKET

The News Cafe is a dive bar transformed into a community music venue in downtown Pawtucket with 65-person capacity. It operates as an all-ages venue (full bar for those of age) hosting bands, open mics, drum circles, and art gallery openings. Owner John Marques created a cultural incubator where 100% of door money goes directly to performers—the venue takes no cuts—making it a true DIY haven for artists who want control over their shows.

The venue hosts shows Wednesday through Saturday featuring all genres of music and art. The intimate dive bar atmosphere creates a tight-knit community vibe where you'll encounter passionate local musicians in a no-profiteering, artist-first environment. Expect open mic nights fostering emerging talent and rotating art gallery features.

The News Cafe began its transformation into a music and arts hub around January 2016 under booking by Justin Foster (bassist for Roz and the Rice Cakes) and art curation by Hana Kearney. The venue's motto is "Making Pawtucket Famous," reflecting its mission to support the community and give emerging artists a space to perform on their own terms.