TonightInRI, a new website that consolidates dining and nightlife information of premier restaurants, bars, and clubs in Rhode Island, was just launched to the public. The website runs on an “invite only” policy, and provides participating venues with a customized interface that allows them to upload their nightlife and dining information – including pictures and menus.
So far, 60 RI restaurants actively update their profiles. While the number of bars may eventually be capped, according to the TonightInRI’s spokesman, currently, the site has no maximum number of RI venues.
“We listen to a lot of different people, and we learn about various places Rhode Islanders truly enjoy, and visit most frequently,” said Josh Unseth, Director of Online Marketing and one of the site’s creators “Our goal is to include the State’s top venues on our site, with the basis being grounded in a running conversation with Rhode Islanders. Our goal is to continuously please them by having their favorite establishments on the site. That’s what we mean by ‘premier.’”
Rhode Island is most known for its expansive restaurant scene, especially in Providence. TonightInRI provides a solution for people wishing to get a glimpse of the City’s best restaurants by allowing them to browse numerous menus, dinner specials, pictures, and hours of operation – all from the comfort of their own home, and the convenience of their laptop.
“The site provides me with a very simple way to display my information, and push it out to people via the internet,” Bravo Brasserie’s owner, Fred Goodwin, stated. “It increases my web presence at a time when people are acquiring a lot of information from their laptops and cell phones.”
Site visitors aren’t just browsing through dinner menus, though. The site doesn’t just focus on RI’s dining scene though. The site, as its name suggests, has a strong focus on RI’s nightlife and bar scene too. TonightInRI has information on bars from Naragansett, Providence, and the rest of the state.
As social media is increasingly being used by individuals and businesses alike, TonightInRI fulfills an important niche – social media for bars.
“We utilize all the latest forms of social media to promote TonightInRI and our member venues,” said Kyle Rowley, one of the site’s creators. “And at the same time, our site allows the members to step out of the noise of Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, and into a space designed specifically for them and their target audience.”
In addition to menus and information, Rhode Islanders can find great deals at our participating venues. TonightInRI reports that a good amount of site users are navigating pages designated for displaying venues’ daily specials, and many venues are using their presence on the site to showcase their low prices. Don Jose Tequilas, a Mexican restaurant on Federal Hill, boasts a three-course dinner special for only $19.99. Charlie O’s in Narragansett promotes free pool and $5 Bud pitchers.
In this recession, people are spending less on everything, including food. People are eating at home more often than a year ago. And when they do eat out, they choose less-expensive restaurants, or places that offer some enticing deals. TonightInRI helps users select the right venue for them.
This article was written by Jennifer McAlister. Her writings on Rhode Island Restaurants are featured in Rhode Island Food Monthly.