Wow. If you want a proper, insanely well made cocktail with a chill vibe of a bar, this is the…read moreplace. The bartender shared that the creamee martini was his signature drink and asked for feedback - 10/10 no changes needed. I enjoyed the Southern Belle (strawberry drink) over the Garden hoe but both were very well done. Will be back here when back in Burlington!

I love this place!…read more If you like classic arcade games and pinball games from the 80's & 90's (and who doesn't), you will love The Archives! It is exactly what you would expect - an old school arcade mashed up with a bar that serves quality drink selections. They have many classics including: Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede, Dig Dug, Frogger, etc. Pinball games include: Star Wars, Pokemon, and Godzilla. The customers and workers are all super friendly. Prices are reasonable. My wife and I want to come back for some tournaments. I think I'd have a shot at Ms. Pac-man. She would dominate Star Wars.

Hidden gem with serious speakeasy vibes…read more The 126 is everything you want in a cocktail bar--cozy, classy, and tucked away behind a deli door on College Street. The drinks are expertly crafted (with or without alcohol), the jazz is smooth and never too loud, and the vintage lounge atmosphere makes it perfect for a date or a quiet night out. Service is warm, the music is live, and the vibes are unbeatable. Burlington doesn't have many places like this--don't miss it.

Incredible, kind, thoughtful - best in the business!…read more We hired The 126 as the bartenders for our wedding - if you are looking for a similar service, look no more. Karen and her team were incredible, providing exceptional service leading up to and including the day of the wedding. The signature cocktail menu they created was delicious, fun, unique, and memorable - managing to somehow mirror each drink with a non-alcoholic version to accommodate our sober selves, friends, and family. We still are getting feedback on just how wonderful the drinks were. Side note, every single bartender Karen brought with her, was so kind to me, had lovely things to say, chatted, joked, and just overall created such a good vibe, that the party wouldn't have been the same without them. We've gone to this bar for years because of the great mocktail service, and it was so wonderful to have them at our wedding, providing the same great service they have for years. Affordable, exceptional, and memorable will be the keywords sticking in your mind when you work with them!

Nate and I stopped in to have a drink and a snack while in town (and staying down the street at the…read moreAC Hotel). The patio was lovely and a bit shaded, so we opted to sit there. Our server was really kind and helpful, giving some great recommendations for drinks. We ordered the cheese plate and I got a local cider, and Nate got "Vermont's most popular beer" according to our server. The cheese plate was a generous portion of three different cheeses, along with plenty of bread, some fruit preserves, and some honey on the plate. I would have preferred the honey in its own container vs. just on the plate, but it was easy enough to avoid. The cheeses were all delicious, and the bread was perfectly toasted. I really enjoyed my cider, which was a bit sweet. The menu sounds really great here, and I'm sure we'll be back the next time we're in town.

I thought this place was perfectly fine…read more came maybe like around 7, it was pretty busy in general. i saw the oysters but i wound up feeling like they were too expensive so i passed on them, i think it was like 3+ per, might have to try to find a happy hour. i got a fish and chips, which was actually fish + two shrimp. i thought the dish was fine, wasn't bad overall i didn't feel like it was very much food, all things considered. $22 plus tax and tip is a fair bit to come away from still feeling sort of hungry, but i'd still probably come back again just because i thought the service was good and fairly quick. the vibe here is nice too if you want something more lively

Best bar in Burlington. Hands down my fav bar. This is a true Americana bar featuring very basic…read moredrinks but also always keeping up with whats hot and having whatever local beers are current. Don't plan on ordering fancy cocktails here- it's a dive bar and sometimes when I order something specific it's nothing like what I imagined BUT it's just more of a bar for shots and beers and to get good old fashioned American wasted. I adore the bartenders here and it has this amazing neighborhood feel. They open at like 8am and lots of days I peek in and just see people drinking coffee. My favorite thing they do is sooo cute- lots of times when you go in people have brought snacks for everyone to share. Meatball subs one day, peanut butter pretzels most days, cupcakes on Valentine's Day... I love it. This is what a down home neighborhood pub should be like.

Stopped in after playing some pond hockey, still half-frozen and smelling faintly like wet gear and…read morebad decisions. Walked into this dive bar looking like a rejected extra from Miracle on Ice and was immediately welcomed by cold beer, warm vibes, and the kind of crowd that doesn't ask questions--just nods in respect. Will definitely be back!

I travel a lot for work, so often end up out by myself. Mike at The Whiskey Room made me feel like…read moreI had made a new friend while I enjoyed delicious drinks and food. It also seemed like a place to enjoy with friends. I would definitely go back!

I was a little hesitant coming here because great food is just as important to me as great drinks,…read moreand the menu was very limited. The menu listed only two mains: a "Charred Oat Burger" and a "Short Rib Toastie" in addition to two salads and four "shareables". I believe there were one or two specials that day as well, one being Steak Frites. But the food reviews were good and the drink reviews were great so I decided to go. Even if I had second thoughts the welcome from Bob the bartender when I entered (first customer when I arrived at 5:00 opening time) seemed so sincere that not staying was out of the question. I took my seat at the bar (supposedly rebuilt with materials from a bar in Ireland that closed). Bob was great, with an enthusiasm for great whiskey that he couldn't hide if he tried, and didn't seem to mind that I'm not enough of a connoisseur to have many opinions of my own. Between other customers that soon filled the place he kept me talking and I'm not much of a talker. About whiskey, where I'm from, Burlington in general, and he gave me some tips on some lesser-known Vermont attractions I didn't know about. Their whiskey collection was large and from many lands. Having just returned from Ireland I was pleased to see several I remember from my visit - not just the usual Jamesons here! I prefer a cocktail to straight whiskey though, so it was Sazeracs tonight. Two specialties. First the Rosemary's Sazerac: Bulleit Rye, rosemary syrup, Peychauds bitters, rinse of Laphroaig, torched rosemary sprig. My second was also a Sazerac: their Irish Sazerac, made with an Irish whiskey and other ingredients which I've forgotten. Both drinks were fantastic, generous with the alcohol, and made with attention to details like properly-sized ice cubes (large) and pre-chilled glasses. For food I got the "Charred Oak Burger." I don't know where the "oak" comes in. The only burger on the menu, it was made with two thin patties, a great quantity of whiskey & honey-glazed pork belly in large pieces, kimchi mayo, and a brioche bun. One of the most interesting burgers I've had in a long time. Even though it was a bit overstuffed more due to the pork belly than the patties I managed to eat it without it falling apart, a common problem with burgers. Instead of the fries it came with I elected to get the roasted Brussels sprouts instead, a special shareable of the day. I don't think I was charged extra even though it was a rather large portion. These were excellent too, sweet and bacony with no bitterness. As it got busier the noise level increased but only moderately. I liked the music playing, a mix of blues and energetic classic rock. Overhearing other conversations I could tell that these were discerning customers who took their whiskey seriously and asked detailed questions before settling on their choice of libation. Just two things on the dessert menu: Chocolate Overload and Caramel Sea Salt Cheesecake. I got the Overload: chocolate cake with Bailey's Irish Cream sauce. Nothing special but I enjoyed it; a nice way to finish the meal. It was big enough that I took about half home, along with half the Brussels sprouts. This is definitely a place I want to come back to. I wish the food menu was more extensive but that burger and sprouts were so good I could see repeating the same menu again, trying new specialty cocktails next time.

Beautifully decorated and super friendly cocktail bar located in the historic building that…read moreformerly housed the Venetian Soda Company. We visited last night and it happened to be during Karaoke time. The crowd was super chill, friendly, and very supportive of the singers. Everyone was having a great time and the vibe was pretty amazing, kind of felt like a speakeasy. There were people sitting at the bar, people clapping in the seats in front of the stage, and people knitting in the back. There were empty tables last night, but from what I read, it can get pretty crowded here. We ordered the Mudslides and they were really good, but a little too icy. Service was friendly and we felt very comfortable here. Loved the decor with the historic photos, the colored lights and the comfortable old style chairs. We'll be back on our next visit to Burlington!

Went here with my mom during a trip to Burlington and we had a very nice time! The soda lounge is…read morelocated within the Soda Plant - a collection of small businesses and artists all within an old soda factory. We both ordered the eggnog mudslide, a holiday special, which were served quickly and were very delicious. The night we went was their weekly karaoke night which we didn't know ahead of time, but it was fun! It seems to be a group of regulars who like to sing and the vibe was fun and laid back. The employee running karaoke was super nice and friendly and overall the whole place had really good vibes. I think we'll definitely be back next time we visit Burlington!

Been to foam about 6 times now and I've never had a bad experience. The beers are always cold and…read moredelicious, the staff are friendly and not pretentious, the vibe is chill and the snacks are top notch. They have a great parking lot and the lake is right across the street. Hit foam a couple hours before sunset, have a few beers and some charcuterie then head out to the lake for a sunset, you won't be disappointed!!

Went to Foam Brewers while in town for a wedding - selected it for its location (right next to the…read morelake - very scenic). I'm not an IPA fan, but my husband is, so he was more excited with the selections than I was. We liked the atmosphere and enjoyed sitting outside on their terrace. The staff was friendly and let me taste a few non-hoppy beers before I selected a rice lager that was good. Appreciated that you could get an 8 oz as well as a 12 oz, and my darlin' hubs liked the one he selected also - a fruited sour.

EMILY IS THE BEST! so sweet and such good service! drinks are incredible and so unique! will be…read morereturning

This place was at the top of my list for my first visit to Burlington. We visited in the late…read moreafternoon on a Sunday. It was a gorgeous day and we were able to sit outside, which I really enjoyed. They were umbrellas above us, which were much needed when it started to drizzle! I enjoyed the waiter, although my wife did not. He talked a lot and everything I asked him was his favorite. It didn't seem genuine. Especially when the table sat down next to us and everything they wanted or was his favorite too. We were disappointed that the one thing we wanted on the menu was not available for food. They're mocktails were a normal price and their cocktails were a little pricey, but well worth it for the craft that they were doing. I enjoyed both of the cocktails that I had, although was disappointed that they didn't have the monkey brains cocktail that I wanted anymore. Overall, it was a cute place and I'd probably go back to have a cocktail.

The OP might be my new favorite dive in Burlington. The beer is cheap, but the selection is great…read more They even have the cheapest cans of Focal Banger I've found yet. This is a pretty typical grungy-in-a-good-way Burlington bar. Its full of college kids and there's a pool table. If I remember correctly there's a tin ceiling which I guess makes the OP one of the more architecturally interesting college/dives in town. Since its on the fringe of downtown, the OP doesn't seem to get as rowdy as the bars on Church or Main.

Tried to play pool but after winning twice we were kicked out because we "played table scratch"…read morethese people are NOT beating the stereotype.

It's just not my scene....so I'm trying not to let that bias my review too much…read more You'll meet a colorful crowd here on some nights. It gets busy but the staff is well equipped to deal with it. I've never seen anything too outrageous happen here. I've been here when it's nearly empty and when it's packed to the rafters. The DJ is usually pretty engaging and having fun with the people in the club. I've never felt "unsafe" here, even when I'm alone...some of the bars in Burlington I have felt uncomfortable as a young woman alone. There are OK drink specials some night, depending on what you want. It's a little loud, and often smells stale. It's fun every so often though...

So let me begin by saying that I went to the art show/local performance this past Thursday and had…read morea GREAT time. Both performers were really good, and the vibe was nice. The beer on tap was decent as well. However, when I went THE NEXT NIGHT (Friday/yesterday) I showed up with my friend and got carded by a teeny bopper security guard named Kevin. He took my ID inside to "further examine", and came back with his minion Steve in tow saying I had to leave because it was a fake and if I didn't like it then call the police. OBVIOUSLY MY ID LOOKS DIFFERENT BECAUSE I AM FROM MISSISSIPPI. So I understand the hesitation - However, BURLINGTON IS A SANCTUARY CITY. YOURE GOING TO IDS FROM PLACES WAAYYYY FARTHER AND THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH WAY MORE THAN MINE. As migrants, we should not be subjected to the humiliation of standing in front of the club with police in full garb because you don't know how to look at IDs from places other than Vermont. At any rate, I digress. I proceeded to call the non emergency line for the police to validate my very real ID. They validated it via phone, so the bouncers handed my ID back but said I still wasn't welcome to come inside. I asked the police to come in person. While waiting for his arrival 7 different people passed with nothing more than a fist bump. The police finally arrived, and said that he was "too busy" to run my ID and even if it's valid they didn't have to let me in. After visiting a more worthy bar, my friend and I attempted to go back to Metronome to give it another try. This time, Xavier very rudely told us, "You already tried earlier. Leave." I spoke with Officer Ross who was standing in front of Metronome while on patrol. He agreed to call in and validate my ID. Once he did, he walked in and told Kevin, Steve, and Xavier that it is indeed real. I WAS STILL DENIED ENTRY. The police reiterated that they cannot force them to let me in. At this point, it was no longer about entry (the place has 25 people on a good night). It was ALL about the principle. I felt that this act was discriminatory, so I asked for the reasons my ID was singled out. The bouncers mumbled half responses about the fact that it was issued in 2015 and had a peeling layer. KEEP IN MIND: IT'S AN ID THAT EXPIRES EVERY FOUR YEARS. IF IT WAS ISSUED IN AUGUST OF 2015, IT WOULD EXPIRE IN AUGUST OF 2019. A four year old ID will not look brand new. In the end, the Sargent from the PD came. He was extremely respectful and heard my point. Ultimately, I don't really care that I couldn't enter this sorry excuse for a club. The real issue is that I didn't want anyone else who moved to Vermont seeking asylum from WHATEVER to be subjected to the same treatment. It's unacceptable. Ultimately, if you're going to scrutinize that hard then you should have UV lights and scanners or other unbiased methods to check identification. Having some bouncer who isn't even old enough to drink judging IDs off of his (lack of) worldly knowledge is not going to cut it in 2019 or beyond. Most people would say, "I'm never going back." But I'm saying quite the contrary. I'm showing up every single week with the same ID until it expires. If you'd like to play that game every Friday Metronome, we can. If not, I look forward to enjoying my time with the rest of the Vermonters, and especially the migrants. Think twice before acting on bias the next time.