In celebration of the family values and work ethic that seems common to the immigrant experience, I`m sharing the warm memories of my own roots in hopes they kindle similar recollections of your own…because these reflections of an earlier time serve to remind us to reach for excellence in all we do!Ģ022 Smith St, North Providence | 401.231.2020 | | RIBBB is a seasoned victor in this category for its multiple tables, tournaments, reasonable rates (and what‘s more reasonable than free games on Sundays from 6 pm-close), and many other distractions - the 108 beers! The bands on weekends! Poker! The full menu with all-you-can-eat pasta and pizza deals! The dart league! You’ll feel right at home whether you’re an oft-scratching novice or billiard ball veteran. Likewise, our successes are a legacy of immigrant hopes and values handed down from the preceding generation. Regardless of where we came from, for many in America our immigrant origins remain a vital part of who we are. Rhode Island Billiard, Bar & Bistro gives you a place to meet friends, new people, and spend time with old friends.ĭon’t forget to join a pool league or enter a mini-pool tournament for individual fun or competition! As well as being the only real billiard and pool hall left in Rhode Island, we also offer a much larger variety of beer and spirits than other restaurants and pubs, serving a full lunch and dinner menu too! After over 100 years in business, pool in RI is as common a term as golf or baseball. moved the family business, fighting recession, gas crunches, and the RI Banking Crisis.Īs fourth Generation Proprietor I always strive to improve the facility from new bars to our improved kitchen. would persevere through prohibition with Italian genius. In 1909 Costanzo purchased a pool license from the city of providence. Italian American Gustaf Costanzo immigrated to Rhode Island and started a legacy. “This is what you call a full service sports bar with great, great food.Rhode Island Billiard, Bar & Bistro was founded by Phyllis and Tony Costanzo in 1982 when pool was making it’s resurgence into American Culture. Much to his surprise, Costanzo’s has an old-fashioned card-game table as well, replete with chips and in-table drink holders. There were people like Karen Dalton of HealthAcessRI who got some help from Matt Viola, who also gave Bucci a few pointers during their respective turns on the pool tables. Take Lauren Lambert and Donna Sebastianelli, for example. They did so amid lots of laughter, as most people are not ardent pool players. Once the attendees found their teammate, the games began. Each person’s nametag was color-coded to determine who would be his or her team member. “The fact that there are no leftovers is indeed a great sign.”Īs far as the night’s billiard games were concerned, every team was a winner thanks to Ramos and Mancini. When one tray of pizza was finished, Costanzo came zipping out of his kitchen with another piping hot pizza. “The pizza is terrific,” added Rick Medeiros, the director of security for the Pawtucket Red Sox. We want people to come here for our food,” said Costanzo, whose family has owned Rhode Island Billiard & Bistro Bar since 1909 when it was founded in Providence.

“I’m really, really happy that people liked the pasta. I’m really enjoying the pasta.”Ĭostanzo says his secret is to cook it as al dente as possible. “This isn’t just a place to play pool,” said Susan Bucci, a Chamber member and co-chairperson of the NCCC’s Women in Business Council. Those NCCC members and their guests also learned something else about Rhode Island Billiard & Bistro Bar. We just want everyone to have fun…and networking just happens.” It was an event, Ramos offered, “to offer our members an inexpensive night of having fun after a busy or hectic work week.

This was the second such Fun Night the NCCC presented.

Sports memorabilia cover the walls, widescreen televisions are tuned to big events like March Madness, and there are two separate bars.Īt the Fun Night, Chamber Events Coordinator Shirley Mancini registered guests while president Deborah Ramos pointed them in the direction of the buffet Costanzo prepared for the event.įor $12, each NCCC member – and in many cases his or her spouse or friend – was entitled to shoot unlimited games of pool and enjoy Costanzo’s homemade pizza and penne pasta. Anthony Costanzo III’s spacious Rhode Island Billiard Bar & Bistro, located at 2022 Smith Street in North Providence, was the perfect setting for last week’s North Central Chamber of Commerce Community Billiards Fun Night.

Rhode island billiards bar and bistro