I was wondering if there are bars and shops around there to go to before seeing a show... and anybody know how big the venue is aprox?

Trinity Brewery is by the Dunkin Donuts Center...great place to eat and drink. there is a faux Irish bar a few blocks away...kinda cheesy...Finnegans Wake or something cliched like that. You can drink at the met cafe which is attached to Lupo's.

As far as shops, the Providence Place Mall is right near the Dunkin Donuts Center as well.

Lupo's is 2 tiered...you can go up to the balcony which is directly across from the stage. They used to have couches up there...the room is fairly good sized with the stage on the side. There are more couches down in the back towards the bathrooms. There is a second bar down the back as well. The primary bar is across from the stage under the balconey overhang.

Lupo's is great. It's very intimate, with a good view of the stage from anywhere. The sound quality is usually satisfying whenever I see someone there.

At full capacity, it can get pretty awkward, like when I saw Mars Volta back in May. But for something like PJ Harvey or Sonic Youth it's perfect.

oh ok, im going to the black crowes which is sold out... so yea im sure it will be packed to the fullest.

just don't see great white in that state...