The Beginning
The home of the Newport Blues Café is a historic multi-storied brownstone built-in 1892 to house the Aquidneck National Bank. It remained a bank for over one hundred years until it was purchased and converted into a restaurant and nightclub by entrepreneur Brian Foley.
Building Our Reputation
In 1995, the Newport Blues Café was born, and a 300+ capacity, two-level live music and restaurant venue quickly became a staple destination in Newport, RI. With the first floor featuring an intimate atmosphere for live band performances, dining and dancing, and the second floor affording a unique view of the stage below and a comfortable place to sip your favorite cocktails – patrons can be right in-the-middle of the action or a bit more private.
Over the years, the Newport Blues Café developed a stellar reputation as a premier intimate setting for both performers and live-music fans. Many A-list world performers have performed for sell-out crowds including Jackson Browne, The Neville Brothers, Dicky Betts, Joe Bonnamassa, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Roomful of Blues, The Cowsills, Average White Band, James Cotton and Dave Mason to name a few.
National, regional and local greats have also graced the four walls of the Blues Café including James Montgomery, Paul Zunno, Jeff Pitchel, Johnny A, John Mayall, Coco Montoya, Deer Tick, Kashmir, Steve Smith & The Nakeds, Felix Brown Band, World Premier Band, Badfish and many more.
Celebrating 25 Years
After 25 years nestled in historic Newport, RI, the Newport Blues Café has received local and international acclaim as RI’s premier live music venue, showcasing the very best local, national, and world acts in classic, progressive and indie rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. We’re proud of our history, our commitment to the art of music, and to our values in making live music accessible, diverse and creative.