Bedlam

Incredibly rude owner thinks that he is the gatekeeper of who can and can’t be «goth». Literally discourages customers from buying there if they don’t meet his high standards (presumably determined by an unseen panel of hipster judges) for entry into the «scene».
Avoid at all costs.

Matthew was very rude talking on the phone saying that he wishes he was deaf and these people aren’t even goth. We were going to buy stuff but not after overhearing that.

Rudest owner of a store I have ever met in my life. Wonderful beautiful vintage and goth clothes, but his attitude ruined that place for me.
First he ignored us (me and my 2 friends) completely upon our entrance, and I am positive I saw a few eye rolls.
I moved some clothes to look at what was on the shelf, I was elated, the clothing was beautiful, but not in my size (being a bigger woman its hard to find cute clothes that are not expensive through the roof and in my size). I still pointed it out to my friends so they could see how beautiful it was.
All I heard was, «Oh hunny that is NEVER going to fit you.» I look over and he had his glasses lowered and a look of disgust on his face. «excuse me?» I responded. The argument started. My friends and I were in shock at his utter disregard for human decency. We told him he just lost business. My friend is a gothic model, and I am sure his clothes were beautiful enough for her to buy. But because of that day she will never shop there and will forever put his business down.
That is NO way to treat a potential customer.
Fat shamed and discriminated against.

Bedlam was fantastic !!!
Mathew was awesome !
He helped my wife and I find the right clothing for our Dark Romantic life style !
Bedlam has a wonderful assortment of gothic and industrial clothing and accessories !!!
Alistair Ian Darkwater of the band…
Sub 7 and The Undead !!!

I’m not entirely sure what happened to the negative reviewers. Maybe it has to do with how I was dressed or perhaps the way I approached him and/​or the store but I had a fantastic time here. I travel the country and to say these types of stores are rare is an understatement… so I was glad to find this place.
Sure he was quiet up front but as soon as one of us approached the other (I’m not really sure who) it was a fantastic and friendly time. He has great variety of brands and styles, which is something I really appreciate as even my hometown store can sometimes feel a bit pigeon holed at times. He also KNOWS the brand and could talk to me about brands that don’t exist anymore and the changes in quality and price over time. This was cool as I rarely get to talk to someone whom does like to talk about those kinds of things… and if they do, also know the brands I’m talking about. Illig what?(I miss you, Illig… I miss you hard…) I digress…
I came in planning to buy one or two items and ended up with…5? 6? And left stuff behind I still hope to purchase in the future. He spent basically all evening with me and even stayed after the store was closed and was epic nice about it! Even I don’t think I could’ve been that awesome. I think the prices are competitive for the brand and type of store it is. These brands are not cheap and I don’t think he over prices anything which I sometimes feel happens in goth/​industrial stores (probably to help keep them open, which I understand.) I’ve kind of come to expect my pocket book weeping… this time, not so much considering! Spent more than I expected I would but also GOT more.
So, unless I just got ‘lucky’ my advice is to maybe look at how you are approaching the situation. Maybe it is him. Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s a combo of both of you. I don’t know… but I thought he was great.
I DO know that while I was in the dressing room some giggly girls came in and that after awhile he asked if he could help them find anything. They replied in a rude no fashion and promptly exited the store and made some comments I could definitely hear in the alley way that we not the nicest. What I heard of the exchange was nothing rude on the owners end. Body language may have been happening, though, and I cannot speak to that.
PS– Ask for a specific style if you go in!

This place gets one star because the clothing was great. Especially the vintage clothing. The owner, Matthew, was an elitist, judgmental ass. I walked out of there feeling completely discriminated against.
I walked in and greeted him (Matthew) with a «hello». He completely ignored me. Ok, we all have bad days so I let it pass. After looking for a bit, Matthew decided that I was not good enough to shop in his store. He asked what I thought I was doing in his shop. I explained I was looking for an authentic corset for a costume. He told me that people like me should shop at Halloween stores, not his store. Bedlam is only for people like «him», who dress like «this» every day.
Apparently, I was not good enough to purchase his clothing. So I left.
Matthew made a judgment about me the second I walked in based on my clothing and hairstyle. Apparently you can only shop here if you are «different»… and by «different» I mean just like Matthew. That makes sense, right? I would have spent decent money on a corset, but I’ll take my business to shop that doesn’t discriminate.

I finally made the trip down to Bedlam from Salem, MA last Monday and so glad I did.
Matthew has a great selection of uniquely dark fashions. I bought 3 tops and a skirt. He was very helpful and made sure I saw every detail of each item. I’ll be visiting again soon!

Oh Mary… I think the owner is sad because the 90’s, along with his youth are over. This sadness manifests as extreme rudeness, and cattiness of the lowest common denominator.
I have lived in Prov. for quite a few years, but first noticed this hovel a while back. I had time to kill, so I stopped in and bought a Joy Division T-​shirt. While I looked around he vacuumed around my feet, and actually bumped into me with it. I had to laugh.
So folks, if cheap plastic 90’s club kid wear, and musty used clothing is your thing, then you’ll enjoy this store. There are a few decent t-​shirts, mostly in men’s sizes.

This place is horrible and I have to agree with the reviews that were filtered… and those reviews are on the money and should not be filtered.
«I’m more punk than you» is an adolescent juvenile pissing contest… and one apparently this store plays.
Well buddy, I’m «way more punk» than you.
They advertise they carry vintage clothing… which is kind of MY personal fetish. i was looking for a suit that day. I entered and greeted the guy sitting there and got a head to toe inspection. I didn’t even ask and began to browse for the «vintage» advertised. They DO have some nice clothing and stuff.
When he made the comment, «We, umm, eh… don’t really have «rockabilly» stuff… I hung what I was GOING to buy right back up on the shelf and walked out. It’s not WHAT you wear moron, it’s HOW you wear it.
Pretentiousness. Worse than the most hip of hipsters. I know a lot of cats in the «goth, industrial» whatever scene you wanna call it these days who told me that they won’t even shop there and wonder how it stays in business.
THIS PLACE HAS NO INTEREST IN MAKING MONEY, THEY ONLY WANT TO BE «COOLER» THAN YOU ARE!

Bedlam is a charming yet curious, somewhat hidden gem of a store right off Thayer St. in Providence. Look around! It’s definitely worth the trip here. Check down the alleyway! You’ll see the sign out on the street near the stairs down to the shop.
This store supplies fashionable and high quality gothic, industrial, and fetish clothing and accessories. Though the shop itself is small, it is jam packed with exquisite floor length dresses, well-​made lace up corsets, and vinyl pants.. . along with a multitude of other things. Matt is a wonderful and extremely helpful shop associate. He knows his store inside and out. Hand picks the items himself to stock the store.. . great taste! If one thing doesn’t fit or isn’t exactly what you are looking for he is able to suggest something of similar interest until you find what you are looking for!
Also available in the store is a second hand section. Always a pleasure lurking through these racks. Such interesting pieces! Bought a ¾ length black wool skirt that fits perfectly! Small curtained dressing room in the back corner, full length mirror in the middle store. Matt is honest with his opinions.. . meaning when you purchase something, you can be confident that you’re walking away with a quality item!