TonightInRI, has officially launched to the public. The site acts as an aggregator of information for RI restaurants, RI nightlife, and more. The site is sort of like a Facebook for Rhode Island bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Bar owners themselves are encouraged to post information about their venues and upcoming events
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,” stated Joshua Unseth, the site’s director of Online Marketing “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 well known for its wonderful dining. 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,” said Fred Goodwin, owner of Bravo Brasserie Restaurant in Downtown Providence. “It increases my web presence at a time when people are acquiring a lot of information from their laptops and cell phones.”
Dinner menus aren’t the only thing that visitors can browse on the site. The site has information about DJs, live bands, VIP information, karaoke nights, and other special events that bars are putting on. 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 a slumping economy marked by double-digit unemployment, Rhode Islanders are turning to the site to find deals and discounts at local establishments. 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.
According to The Nielsen Company’s data, the areas where people are primarily cutting back are gas, electricity, entertainment, and clothing. But they are also “shopping down” on food. People are eating at home this year more than in previous years. 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.
Tonight in RI is a site featuring Rhode Island Clubs. If you are looking for something to do tonight, consider checking out Catarina’s.