Nick-a-Nees, the cinder-block bunker of a bar in Providence’s Jewelry District, is known for its friendly bartenders, an unadorned, dog-friendly ambience and a come-as-you-are, casual clientele. But last Thursday evening, Nick’s, as it is affectionately known, was the scene of one of the more unconventional State House political fundraisers of this, or any other, political season.

The time was for Rep. David Segal, D-Providence, a first-termer and former Providence councilman. Segal represents a district anchored by the city’s Fox Point neighborhood on the East Side. His time drew an eclectic crowd.

The brassy What Cheer marching band stormed in and entertained the throng. The younger Segal supporters — some looking no older than the RISD and Brown students who populate this district — hung outside, chatting and sipping drinks. One older legislator who was accepting kudos from the young group was Rep. Thomas Slater, D-Providence, sponsor of the medical-marijuana legislation that passed the House and Senate last week.

The bar was taken over by the state’s Democratic Party hierarchy — Mayor David Cicilline, House Speaker Bill Murphy, D-West Warwick, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, D-Providence, and Rep. Peter Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket. The Red Sox game on TV was a bigger draw to this segment than the What Cheer band.

Even a few Republicans salted the crowd, including House Minority Leader Robert Watson, R-East Greenwich, and Nicholas Gorham, R-Coventry. Few lobbyists showed up.

Most unusual — there were none of the usual fundraiser trappings, such as name tags, comp tickets or people at the door keeping out people who didn’t pay. It didn’t matter whether you contributed to Segal’s political fund or just stopped by Nick’s to watch Manny Ramirez hit two home runs in the Sox victory.

Tickets were $25, $75, or “pay what you can.”

The 26-year-old legislator said he raised about $7,000 on the night.

--By Scott MacKay, John E. Mulligan, Steve Peoples and Elizabeth Gudrais
Journal Staff Writers