Olneyville New York System liquor license approved in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Olneyville New York System liquor license approval means the historic Providence restaurant will soon be able to serve alcoholic beverages alongside its famous hot wieners.

The Providence Board of Licenses voted to approve a liquor license for the Providence location of Olneyville New York System, allowing the longtime eatery to introduce alcohol service for the first time.

The board had previously denied the request twice, including in June 2025, citing questions about why the restaurant needed to serve alcohol given its strong food sales. Concerns were also raised about adding another liquor license in the Olneyville neighborhood, noting there are already several establishments nearby that sell alcohol and describing the area as one that has experienced issues with crime and violence.

Historic Rhode Island restaurant

The Providence location opened in 1946 and has built a decades long reputation as a late night destination for simple comfort food.

The restaurant is widely known for its hot wieners served “all the way” along with coffee milk, both staples of Rhode Island food culture.

The new alcoholic beverage menu will focus on beer along with a short lineup of specialty cocktails, highlighted by two signature drinks: the house “Olneyville Ale” and a martini inspired by Rhode Island’s beloved coffee milk.

Alcohol service will face restrictions

As part of the approval, the restaurant must operate under several restrictions during a 90 day probationary period.

During that time, alcohol sales must end at 10 p.m., and all liquor must be secured and locked away after that time.

The board said it may later consider allowing alcohol service until 11 p.m. once the probationary period is complete.

Officials also required that alcoholic drinks must be ordered with food, and customers will not be able to purchase shots or drinks served neat.

It is still unclear when the restaurant will begin offering alcohol now that the license has been approved.

Owned by Heritage Restaurant Group

Olneyville New York System is owned by Heritage Restaurant Group, which has dramatically expanded its portfolio across Rhode Island’s restaurant industry in the past few years.

The group operates several well known establishments, including:

• Amano Pizza
• Brick Alley Pub
• Flo’s Clam Shack
• La Costa Lobster and Tacos
• La Forge Casino Restaurant
• Mews Tavern
• Newport Craft Beer
• Olneyville New York System (both locations)
• Providence Coal Fired Pizza (both locations)
• The Red Parrot
• The Reef
• Union Station Brewery
• Wally’s
• Wally’s Wieners

Among the restaurants acquired by Heritage, The Old Canteen is the only one that did not retain its original name or menu, and has since been rebranded as Wally’s.