Experience: The Square Peg Owners Open Stingy Alley in Warren

On the corner of Main and State streets in the heart of downtown Warren sits Stingy Alley, a new cocktail bar named after the narrow passageway between Church and Baker Streets. While the alley is easy to miss, the modern American bar – across from Ink Fish Books – is already buzzing with excitement and accolades. Stingy Alley is the passion project of the owners of popular nearby eatery The Square Peg, as well as Providence cafe Amy’s Place. Owners Joel and Amy Cary share their stake with seven loyal employees from the Peg.

I met with Joel and co-owner Kelsey Hughes at Stingy Alley for a peek at the reimagined interior and a taste of their cocktail menu. The space carries a gorgeous palette of deep green leather accents contrasted with warm stained-wood floors and table tops. The walls are thoughtfully collaged with an eclectic display of Americana memorabilia, paintings, and portraits, including those of Joel’s relatives who served in the military.

The Square Peg predecessor feels old and new at the same time, with a distinct respect for authenticity – as evidenced by their cocktail menu, where you’ll find your tried-and-true libations like the Manhattan, Espresso Martini, and Aperol Spritz, alongside a few fresh twists like the Stingy Penicillin and the Strawberry Vanilla Negroni.

My brother stopped by and met me for a drink before dinner on Water Street, a ritual that I anticipate many patrons will participate in this summer. We spilled our fair share of East Bay tea while sipping some of the Stingy staples. The El Topo was a favorite of mine – a spin on a traditional margarita with tequila, mezcal, lime, pink grapefruit juice, strawberry, and my personal favorite detail, a cucumber garnish. Another honorable mention was It’s a Jungle Out There, a delicious dark rum cocktail with notes of pineapple and strawberry.

Salty snacks were plentiful; peanuts, cashews, and kettle chips accompanied by a housemade aioli were the perfect hold-me-over for a dinner out on the town or in between drinks. We learned that since opening earlier this year, the crowds at Stingy Alley, similar to The Square Peg, are a lively bunch of foodies, college students, and townies, a combo that is always promising for a new neighborhood pub.

The last taste we had was something I admittedly would not typically order, but was glad I did: a Pistachio Martini. I watched Hughes shave the white chocolate garnish over the top of the wide rim glass and she graciously assured me that it was, indeed, “not cheese.” The minty green cocktail tasted exactly like pistachio ice cream and was the perfect indulgent dessert-before-dinner moment. The drinks were anything but stingy on the liquor, so we left in good spirits.

Stingy Alley

489 Main Street, Warren

@stingyalley • StingyAlley.com