WELCOME DRINKS
Loma is a bar for everyone— including the spirit-free— on Providence’ s Federal Hill.
I
T TOOK LEISHLA MALDONADO AND FAMILY a decade to open the bar they’ ve always wanted. And this year, their self-funded classic bar, Loma, has earned a James Beard Foundation Semifinalist Award nomination for“ Best New Bar.” Tucked away in Federal Hill’ s back corridor on Spruce Street, it is the first Rhode Island bar to ever be named on Tales of the Cocktail’ s Spirited Awards’ Best New U. S. Cocktail Bar
Leishla Maldonado, co-owner and beverage director at Loma in Providence, with cocktail No. 16. in the East list. Loma is also one of“ Punch Best New Bars for 2025,” a first for Rhode Island.
The bar’ s owners are Maldonado— who is Puerto Rican— and her partner Osman Cortave, and his twin brother, Yefri Cortave— who are Guatemalan. It’ s named Loma after the hills and valleys in Latin America.
The family features spirits from all over the world that tell a story. They hand cut each cube and spherical round of ice. Drinks are served in vintage-style glassware. Fruit flavors might involve citrus, plantain, papaya, passion fruit, banana and more.“ We lean into some Latin American flavors from all of our backgrounds,” Maldonado says.
Loma is also known for its zero-proof cocktails. Spirit-free options are printed right at the top, instead of hidden at the end.“ It all goes back to hospitality, making sure that we are a place for everyone to come and enjoy a cocktail, whether it has alcohol or not,” Maldonado says.“ This can be a space where they can hang out and enjoy a spirit free or lower proof cocktail.”
And if you don’ t know about an ingredient or a spirit on the menu, never hesitate to ask.“ We find that the more elevated places get, they can also get a little pretentious,” Osman says.“ We wanted to create something that felt elegant and elevated, but also approachable, homey, a very neighborhood place.”
It’ s a space where everyone is welcome.“ Being Latinos, Latinas, and trying to go to an elevated space, sometimes we’ re not fully welcomed,” Maldonado says.“ Here, it’ s not even a question, because we know what those experiences are, and we make sure that this is not a place where you’ re ever going to feel that way.” 112 Spruce St., Providence, instagram. com / loma _ bar— J. C.
74 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I APRIL 2026