KEEL, the producers of the nation’s only Premium Light Vodka, has officially announced its arrival in the state of New York. KEEL is produced in Idaho but calls Newport, RI home and can be found in many of the finest bars and restaurants in The City By The Sea. Where most neutral spirit brands have […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inThings To Do
Daily Drive Maps and Best Viewing Spots For Weekend Of Coaching
Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport from August 20-23, 2015, in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. The public will enjoy free viewing of the colorful and historic coaches every day, as they drive through the streets […]
Posted inNews
VOTE NOW: Newport Among Top 20 Nominees For Best Travel Destination
10Best needs your help in picking the best travel destinations in the USA in the 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. You can vote once per day in the categories of Best Destination for Shopaholics, Best Destination for History Buffs, Best Destination for Culturephiles, Best Destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Best Destination for Luxury Travelers. Newport has […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Bowen’s Wharf Set to Host 25th Annual Seafood Festival in October
Vendors Wanted For 25th Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, E-mail TBW@BowensWharf.com For More Info Bowen’s Wharf will host the 25th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival on October 17th and 18th. Dates: Saturday, October 17th & Sunday October 18th, 2015Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., EXTENDED on Saturday night to 6 p.m.FREE ADMISSION (food and beverages can […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Plumby’s Upstairs Burger Bar Now Open
Plumby’s Burger Bar, Brick Alley Pub’s Fast-Casual Burger Bar located on the second floor of Brick Alley Pub, opened on August 17th. The new concept on the second floor of the Brick Alley Pub offers a relaxed dining experience where customers can order food, craft beer, drinks and wine at the bar and seat themselves in […]
Posted inHistory, News
VIDEO: Local Man Recalls The Day He Became The ‘The Kissing Sailor’
Minutes after the world heard of Japan’s surrender to the United States on August 14th, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt took a picture of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square. That photo, taken 70 years ago today, would become one of the most famous photographs in history after being published in Life Magazine. The sailor? […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
First Exhibition in Newly-Renovated Gallery Space at Rosecliff Will Open on September 25
A new exhibition curated by The Preservation Society of Newport County, Newport and Her Southern Sisters: Three Centuries of Art and Design, will open to the public on Saturday, September 5, 2015, and run through January 3, 2016. The first exhibition in the newly-renovated gallery space on the second floor of Rosecliff (1902) will take […]
Posted inFood & Drink
End Of An Era: It’s Time To Say Goodbye to The Atlantic Beach Club Patio
Atlantic Beach Club Atlantic Beach Club, an Aquidneck Island institution since the late 1920’s, will soon see an end to its long and storied journey. After almost 90 years of being in operation, it was announced on February 19th that LONGWOOD, a leader in special events and destination venues, would be purchasing the Atlantic Beach Club […]
Posted inNews
Local Comedian Bares All On VH1’s ‘Dating Naked’
Local Comedian Doug Key continues to find new ways to keep us entertained, amused and (kind of) proud to call him one of Newport’s own. Key is the founder and host of The Wasted Talent Show, a stand-up comedy show that takes place on the last Friday of every month at Hope Underground on Broadway, […]
Posted inNews
POLL: What Is The Best Restaurant For Late-Night Dining In Newport, RI?
The What’sUp Newp Crew recently wrote about restaurants that keep their kitchens open after 10pm to cater to late-night cravings, After 10pm: Best Restaurants For Late-Night Dining In Newport, RI. We’re now turning to you, what is the best restaurant for late-night dining in Newport, RI? [socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2288488″]”]
Posted inFood & Drink
14 Best Gluten-Free Restaurant Menus in Newport
More people than ever are choosing a gluten-free lifestyle for personal preference or health issues. While there are many Newport restaurants that can prepare food gluten-free, the following is a good look at those restaurants that have many gluten-free items available and/or offer an entire gluten-free menu. Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to […]
Posted inNews
‘Pump Up the Fun Summer Survey’ Finds Newport Among Top 3 Destinations For Summer Travel
New Englanders are setting their GPS’s for the coast and making the beaches of Cape Cod, Mystic and Newport their top travel destination now through Labor Day, according to Irving Oil’s Pump Up the Fun Summer Survey. The survey asked New England adults to choose among 10 destinations across New England they are likely to visit in August […]
Posted inFood & Drink
In The Rhode Show Kitchen: SaltWater Restaurant
Discover Newport brought Executive Chef Scott Rackliff from Saltwater Restaurant at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina to The Rhode Show on Tuesday, August 11th. Chef Scott Rackliff walked Brenden Kirby and viewers through the proper way to make Burrata. For ingredients, method and more information visit In the Kitchen: Burrata. SaltWater Restaurant, formerly Pier 49, is […]
Posted inNews
Berklee College and Newport Festivals Foundation Announce Berklee Global Jazz Workshop at 2016 Newport Jazz Festival
The Berklee Global Jazz Workshop at the Newport Jazz Festival® debuts in 2016 for vocalists and instrumentalists to study with faculty and students from Berklee’s Global Jazz Institute. The program will take place at the Salve Regina University campus from July 25 – 29. At week’s end, students will perform on the Newport Jazz Festival […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News
David FitzGerald Wins Inaugural Race the State
Forty competitors and teams took to the start line at 6am in the inaugural Race The State sponsored by BankNewport and Ocean Point Insurance on Sunday, August 9th. The new multi-sport event created and run by Manuka Sports Event Management, a Middletown, Rhode Island based business, had individuals and teams run 5 miles through Little Compton, paddle 3 […]
Posted inThings To Do
POLL: What Are The Top Three Things To Do When Visiting Newport?
If you live in Newport or have ever visited The City By The Sea, chances are pretty good that you’ve been asked “what are the best things to do (or something that I shouldn’t miss) when I visit Newport?” The What’sUpNewp crew turned to TripAdvisor, considered the world’s largest travel site, to see what their thousands […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
6 Can’t Miss Food Events Happening in Newport in August
Whether you’re looking for seafood, bacon, lobster, Italian, or maybe even more seafood, there’s plenty of opportunities to eat your way through August in Newport by participating in one, two or all of these great events… 1. Lobster Boil & Sunset Sail | August 12, 19 & 26 Enjoy a dockside New England Lobster Boil […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Food & Drink
POLL: Where Is The Best Place To Go Dancing In Newport?
Some are big, some are small, some are restaurants, some are bars, some are clubs, but they all have at least one night where folks like to get down and dance. The What’sUpNewp Crew and many visitors want to know, where is the best place to go dancing in Newport? Take the poll. [socialpoll id=”2287376″]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina Selected by The Princeton Review as One of Top Colleges it Considers “Best in the Northeast.”
According to a Princeton Review survey that asked 136,000 students at 380 top colleges to rate their schools on dozens of topics and report on their campus experiences, Salve Regina University has been selected as one of 225 colleges it considers “Best in the Northeast.” The school at which students gave their professors the highest […]
Posted inNews
WATCH: Newport’s Pedicab Companies Team Up For ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
On August 5th, both of Newport’s Pedicab Companies, Newport Pedicab and Pirate Pedicab, teamed up to participate in the 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. More than 20 local pedicabbers came together to not only show support for all those living and fighting ALS but also for one of their own, Bobby Forster. Forster has long […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Of Newport Earns First Ever “Tip Fee” Recycling Rebate
RI Resource Recovery Corporation recently announced that the City of Newport’s fiscal-year-based recycling rate has increased from 23% to 29% resulting in Newport’s first ever municipal “tip fee” rebate. Newport’s tip fee for fiscal year 2015 was reduced from $32 to $31 per ton, a savings of $6,544.33. In a press release Sharon Penny from […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop
Country Star Jerrod Niemann Tips His Hat to Newport Folk Festival in New Song, ‘Blue Bandana’
Country star Jerrod Niemann recently released a new single titled “Blue Bandana“, not only has the single had the biggest impact on Niemann’s career but it also includes an ode to Newport and the Newport Folk Festival. Lyrics from the song include “She’s my Bonnaroo baby, she’s Coachella crazy, She’ll be folkin’ out in Newport, You’ve […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Style & Shop
6 Best Places for Oysters in Newport
Photo: Midtown Oyster Bar Oysters – they’re filter-feeders, bottom-dwellers, and just downright delicious. The What’sUpNewp Crew has got the lowdown on the top six oyster joints close to home and how much dough you should bring when you go. 1. Benjamin’s Old Benny’s never failed us before and they continue to knock our socks off every summer. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Three Newport Restaurant Loyalty Programs You Should Be A Member Of
Loyalty speaks volumes in a community as close as ours; that’s why several restaurants celebrate and reward their frequent diners. As member of one of these loyalty cards/programs, you’ll earn points on each dining or drinking occasion. You’ll also reap other endless rewards at each restaurant, sign up for them all and enjoy! 1. Brick […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Style & Shop
In Photos: Day 3 of 2015 Newport Jazz Festival
The 2015 Newport Jazz Festival wrapped up on Sunday, August 2nd, here’s a look at some of our favorite moments [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”2015 Newport Jazz Festival Day 3″] The 2016 Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 29, 30 and 21st!