Howlin’ Rhodes at the Rathskeller
Howlin’ Rhodes at the Rathskeller on Sunday, August 30, for a free afternoon of blues, classic rock and roots music in the woods.
The band performs from 4 to 7 p.m., closing out the Rathskeller’s August live-music schedule with the kind of relaxed Sunday show that has become a regular part of the venue’s summer season.
Admission is free, and guests can arrive early for lunch and drinks before heading Down Back for the music.
A Little Blues, a Little Rock & Roll
Howlin’ Rhodes is a Rhode Island-area working band whose music crosses several familiar American styles rather than staying planted in one genre.
The Rathskeller describes the group as mixing blues, classic rock and roots music, with vocals and guitar driving a show designed more for an afternoon crowd looking to move and have some fun than a quiet listening room.
That makes the band a natural fit for a Sunday afternoon Down Back.
This isn’t a tribute act devoted to recreating one artist or album. Instead, Howlin’ Rhodes draws from the broader territory where blues, rock and roots music have spent decades borrowing from one another.
It’s familiar music without being tied to a single songbook.
Back for Another Sunday
August 30 isn’t Howlin’ Rhodes’ first trip to the Rathskeller this summer.
The band previously played Down Back on Sunday, July 19, also in the 4 to 7 p.m. afternoon slot. The return engagement comes just six weeks later.
That afternoon schedule creates a different experience from the Rathskeller’s Friday and Saturday night concerts.
You don’t have to wait until dark.
Grab lunch. Find a drink. Head outside. Then you’ve got three hours of live music before Sunday evening arrives.
Down Back in the Woods
The Charlestown Rathskeller has been part of the Rhode Island landscape since 1933, but much of its warm-weather personality now lives outside the original tavern.
Behind the restaurant is Down Back, the Rathskeller’s seasonal outdoor entertainment area.
The wooded grounds combine live music with a casual backyard atmosphere that includes lawn games such as cornhole and bocce, outdoor gathering areas and a large fire pit. Seating for performances is first-come, first-served rather than reserved.
It feels considerably less like walking into a concert venue and more like discovering a party behind a tavern in the woods.
For blues and roots music on a Sunday afternoon, that’s not a bad place to land.
Make an Afternoon of It
The Rathskeller opens at noon on Sundays, four hours before Howlin’ Rhodes begins playing.
That leaves plenty of time to arrive early for lunch before the show. The tavern’s menu leans into hearty pub food, with burgers, wings, seafood and its well-known lineup of fries and other shareable dishes.
The kitchen remains open until 10 p.m. on Sunday, as does the tavern itself.
The concert doesn’t require a paid ticket.
Admission is free.
One More August Afternoon
The August 30 appearance also gives Howlin’ Rhodes the final Sunday slot on a busy month of Rathskeller music.
August’s Down Back calendar has moved through country, tribute bands, jam music, R&B, soul and rock & roll before arriving at Howlin’ Rhodes for the final afternoon of the month.
No elaborate production is necessary for this one.
It’s Sunday afternoon. The band’s outside. The trees surround the stage. Food and drinks are a few steps away.
And it doesn’t cost anything to wander Down Back and listen.
Event Details
Event: Howlin’ Rhodes at the Charlestown Rathskeller 2026
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 4–7 p.m.
Location: The Charlestown Rathskeller
Address: 489A Old Coach Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
Admission: Free
Music: Blues, classic rock and roots music
Setting: Outdoor live music Down Back
Sunday Hours: Noon–10 p.m.
Kitchen: Open until 10 p.m.
Howlin’ Rhodes returns to the Rathskeller for a free three-hour Sunday afternoon performance combining blues, classic rock and roots music.
More information is available at the Event Website link below.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.
