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Providence Sports Bar Temporarily Closed After Disturbance
An emergency meeting ordered the business to close for 72 hours after a man was injured in an altercation.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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A sports bar in Providence, Rhode Island has been temporarily closed after an incident on Saturday evening where a man was injured in a disturbance. Police were called to Bukana's Sports Bar on Plainfield Street just after 6:30 p.m. for a reported disturbance, and found a man suffering from cuts on his head, hand and shoulder. The man told officers he was hit in the head by a machete after an argument between the two inside the bar continued outside. The Providence Board of Licenses held an emergency meeting on Sunday night and ordered the business to close for 72 hours, with a show-cause hearing expected after the closure is lifted.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges that some bars and restaurants face in maintaining a safe environment for patrons, especially in urban areas that have seen an uptick in violent crime in recent years. The temporary closure order by the Providence Board of Licenses suggests they take these types of disturbances seriously and are willing to take swift action to protect public safety.
The details
According to the police spokesperson Kristy dosReis, officers responded to a reported disturbance at Bukana's Sports Bar on Plainfield Street just after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. They found a man suffering from cuts on his head, hand and shoulder, who told them he was hit in the head by a machete after an argument between the two inside the bar continued outside. The injured man was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
- Police were called to the sports bar just after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
- An emergency meeting of the Providence Board of Licenses was held on Sunday night, March 9, 2026.
The players
Bukana's Sports Bar
A sports bar located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Providence Board of Licenses
The local government body that oversees liquor licenses and other regulations for businesses in Providence.
What they’re saying
“An emergency meeting was held by the Providence Board of Licenses Sunday night and ordered the business to close for 72 hours, according to Josh Estrella, a spokesperson for the city.”
— Josh Estrella, Spokesperson for the City of Providence (WPRI.com)
What’s next
A show-cause hearing is expected to be held after the 72-hour closure order is lifted, where the Providence Board of Licenses will determine if further action is warranted against Bukana's Sports Bar.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of bars and restaurants maintaining a safe and secure environment for their patrons, and the willingness of local authorities to take swift action when disturbances occur that threaten public safety.
