Met Cafe   

130 Union St.
Providence, RI 2903
401-861-2142
www.lupos.com/splash.html

Directions   Email   Send to Cell  

The Met Cafe plays a content, second-fiddle role to its more celebrated big brother, Lupo's. The two are connected, and owned and operated in conjunction, but while the latter exists to bill nationally recognized acts, the cafe complements it perfectly as a much smaller venue offering live, if lesser known music, all week long in a low-hype atmosphere. As opposed to Lupo's capacity of 2,000, Met Cafe can hold approximately 200, creating a relaxed environment and a good place to chill. People hang out at the bar with its 120 taps (from the good to the bad and the ugly) or at the tables and booths around the open space intended for those infected with the groove. The cafe has funky high ceilings, chandeliers and mural-covered walls. From Tuesday on, the crowd depends on the band that's playing. Monday, the only night of the week when the music is canned, is reserved for what Met employees affectionately call the ''loser bar.'' The Met plays somewhat the same role as court No. 1 at Flushing Meadows. The stars play in the stadium, but if you're less concerned with the hype than you are with your proximity to the action, the second-tier choice isn't a bad one. Even if you are a crowd monger or big-name junkie you're going to have to show up at the Met anyway as tickets to all shows in both venues go on sale here Mondays and Wednesdays.