Thing to Do in Burlington, Vermont | Cocktails, Bars, Music, Nightlife Edition
After a full day of activities, great food and drink, you’re going to have to dig deep and find energy to rally for a night out. It’s well worth it; Burlington is full of excellent bars and music venues sure to end your day with a memorable night.
Cocktail Bars
The cocktail bar scene shines in our small city. Parallel with our craft beer, wine, and food scene, there are world-class mixologists living and working in Burlington that will blow your mind.
You can count on seeing the Whistling Man Schooner staff at this bar after a day of sailing. This cocktail bar brings the vibes, the incredible drinks, and a friendly staff. Owner/operator Taylor Watts successfully brought a legendary NYC cocktail bar right into downtown Burlington. Their snack list is well worth exploring as well.
This prohibition-era themed speak easy and jazz lounge is straight out of a classic movie set. The cocktail menu is extensive including a great list of NA’s. You’ll find live entertainment here (almost) every night.
The Archives has it all- an incredible draft list full of hard-to-find local VT breweries, a great cocktail menu, excellent bartenders, but most notably, this is a bar-cade. The Archives is FULL of vintage arcade games; you won’t believe how many are in there! This is a must-stop on your Burlington bar crawl.
Whistling Man Schooner’s favorite restaurant also makes it on to this list for our favorite cocktail bars. There aren’t many places that make it onto more than one ‘Things to Do’ list, so you should take the double features very seriously. Restaurant Poco has a cocktail program that’s right up to par with their food menu.
Dive Bars
Vermonters are fun, and weird. Get a glimpse into our local folk at one our many dive bars, which aren’t really all that dive-y. Clean bathrooms and friendly service can be found at these establishments (usually).
Located in the Old North End, Burlington’s coolest neighborhood, T Ruggs is a city staple. It’s been around forever and has a uniquely Vermont feel. The beer is cold, the drinks are strong and well-priced- what more can you ask for?
Three Needs has a lot going for it: great pool tables, a four-season patio, late-night pizza, and an approachable atmosphere. It’s perfect. The employees are great people, and the owners care deeply about their establishment. Highly recommend!
One word is used to describe JP’s: KARAOKE! Sing your heart out here.
Start your bender at the Ol’ Northender! This is the only 3rd shift bar in town, meaning they open early… like, 8:00am early. It’s certainly the locals’ watering hole, but if you’re looking for a true Burlington dive, this is your place.
Dancing, Music & Nightlife
You will be shocked by the quality of lively weekend spots in this small town. This list could take up your entire Saturday night and leave you thinking you’re in a much, much larger city.
The birthplace of the band Phish, Nectars bar and restaurant has music every day they’re open. This is a classic Burlington music venue that has a place in history.
A creative space for poets, musicians, and visual artists, Radio Bean has a special place in Burlington for early-evening entertainers and late-night hipsters. This bar is recognized for local acts and artists paving their way in the industry.
The Lounge, formally known as Metronome, is the venue hiding up the stairs from Nectars’ main dancefloor. This place provides more of a ‘club’ energy, with a safe space for DJs, both local and recognized nationally. Whether it be disco night, early 2000s, or just a solid professional act visiting the city of Burlington, The Lounge has a comfortable New York City vibe.
Looking for lasers, smoke machines, and pumping Drum & Bass? The Blue Room at Red Square is the electronic music hub of Burlington. It was updated in 2024 with new disco tech and is the sure spot to get your rave on.
Known primarily for their house beer, Foam’s unique beer menu is accompanied by many local artists, whether it be on the stage or hanging on the walls. Their capacity is limited during the winter, so when the patio is open, the people flock to their favorite waterfront beer garden.
College Bars
This may be a list of places to avoid if you aren’t a student, but they’re certainly worth listing. Parents- this list of places is probably showing up on your credit card statements. Burlington is a college town, after all.
You will find a line out the door Thursday-Saturday night at Akes Place. This is the most popular college bar in Burlington, but also has a wonderful patio stretching out on to Church Street, which is a top spot for a daytime beer on a sunny day.
Sputies is where the young people go to dance. Everything inside is sticky, and their famous drink is the ‘Trashcan’.
Ales is a basement bar in a historic building. A visit to this bar is sure to make you feel… old.
