My experience at Mockingbird Tavern in Putney, Vermont has been, without exaggeration, one of the most troubling and disappointing experiences I've ever had at any restaurant--anywhere. I genuinely believe it's important to speak up when a place not only fails to meet basic standards of professionalism, but also actively creates an unsafe and unwelcoming environment. Unfortunately, that has been the case every single time I've stepped foot into this establishment.
From the outset, what's most striking is the unprofessional, chaotic, and inappropriate atmosphere that defines the Mockingbird Tavern--not just among the staff, but from the management itself, particularly the individual running the place: Zack. In all honesty, I'm not sure how someone with such a clear pattern of erratic and concerning behavior is allowed to manage, let alone own and operate, a public business.
On several occasions, I have personally witnessed Zack appearing visibly intoxicated during working hours--slurring his words, stumbling, and drinking behind the bar. It's uncomfortable and unsettling to see someone in a leadership role behaving this way, especially in a space that serves alcohol and should be held to a high standard of public safety and accountability. His demeanor while interacting with customers is unpredictable at best and outright inappropriate and concerning at worst.
To make matters worse, Zack has served both myself and my friends multiple times while appearing under the influence. On a few occasions, he made offhand remarks implying we wouldn't be charged for certain drinks or items--only for us to find surprise upcharges on our tab at the end of the night. That kind of behavior doesn't just speak to a lack of professionalism--it borders on manipulation and dishonesty. It feels like a bait-and-switch designed to either curry favor or create confusion, and it left a very sour taste.
However, the most serious and unacceptable issue is Zack's well-documented history of dangerous and reckless behavior outside of the restaurant. It has been publicly reported in both local news outlets and newspapers that he was involved in an incident in which he flashed a firearm at a college student--on a college campus. That kind of behavior is not only deeply disturbing, but incredibly dangerous. It shows a pattern of aggression, poor judgment, and complete disregard for the safety of others. In my opinion, someone with that kind of track record should not only be barred from managing any establishment, but should be facing serious legal consequences.
The idea that someone with such a past and present could be serving food and drinks to the public--and potentially influencing staff in a work environment--should raise major red flags for anyone considering dining here. It's not simply about a bad meal or poor service. It's about a culture of dysfunction, a complete lack of accountability, and a very real sense of unease for guests who just wanted to enjoy a meal in peace.
Beyond all of this, it's also clear that the staff themselves seem uncomfortable and strained, likely dealing with the fallout of working under someone who appears unreliable and unstable. I genuinely feel for them. No employee should have to work in an environment where the person in charge behaves in such a volatile, erratic, and unsafe manner. And no patron should have to question whether the place they're eating in is being run responsibly--or legally.
In a small town like Putney, where community matters and where people deserve safe and welcoming spaces to gather, this kind of behavior isn't just disappointing--it's dangerous and shameful. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend Mockingbird Tavern to anyone, and I strongly urge those considering it to look elsewhere for their meals and gatherings. There are plenty of amazing establishments in the area that are run by kind, responsible, and community-minded people. This is not one of them.
In short: Mockingbird Tavern is a case study in how not to run a restaurant. The unprofessionalism, dishonesty, intoxicated management, and deeply troubling behavior of the owner are more than enough reason to avoid this place entirely. It's only a matter of time before the community as a whole recognizes how unacceptable the situation is--and hopefully, acts accordingly. read more
