Bar 1/2 Lounge
Akes’ Place 134 Church Street, Burlington, 864-8111, www.akesplace.com n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Entertainment: pool, darts, tv, no cover. This bar’s got all the staples — plus dart leagues and six major sports packages on the 42” HD Plasma TVs.
Blue Cat Café and Wine Bar See “Steakhouse”
Drink 135 St. Paul Street, Burlington, 860-9463, www.come2drink.com n Closed: Mon., Sun. Meals: late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarian-friendly, table service, credit cards, bar service, catering. Entertainment: live music, tv, no cover. This classy, full-service bar specializes in creative drinks of all kinds. Try the houseinfused vodkas: one’s flavored with tea; another with Jolly Rancher candy. There’s also a light-fare menu. Live music on occasion.
Esox 194 Main Street, Burlington, 862-7314 n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Services: credit cards, bar service. Entertainment: pool, darts, tv, no cover. Catch all the Red Sox and Yankees action at this sports bar — it’s got the “baseball package.” There are 10 beers on draft and plenty of video games.
Finnigan’s Pub 205 College Street, Burlington, 864-8209 n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Entertainment: pool, darts, tv, no cover. This friendly, frill-free sports bar has an Irish accent. Check out the sports packages for baseball, football, hockey and basketball on six TVs.
JP’s Pub 139 Main Street, Burlington, 658-6389 n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Services: credit cards, bar service. Entertainment: live music, dance floor, pool, darts, tv, karaoke, no cover. Karaoke is Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Thursday is Reggae Night. Pool tournaments are held on Sunday. Also offering foosball, pool and video games.
Ken’s Pizza and Pub See “Pizzeria”
Nectar’s
23 North Street, Burlington, 864-9888 n Open 7 days. Meals: late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Entertainment: dance floor, pool, darts, tv, karaoke, no cover. Owner Bob Beauvais describes this neighborhood watering hole as “the best damn make-you-feel-at-home bar.”
188 Main Street, Burlington, 658-4771, www.liveatnectars.com n Open 7 days. Meals: dinner, late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: kids’ menu, web menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, bar service, wi-fi access, catering. Entertainment: live music, all-ages music shows, dance floor, tv, sometimes cover. The birthplace of Phish, this Burlington landmark hosts local, regional and national music acts of all genres. The newly renovated dining room serves up house-smoked local meats and Nectar’s world-famous gravy fries. $$
The Other Place 4 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, 8635803 n Open 7 days. Meals: lunch, dinner, late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: credit cards, bar service. Entertainment: pool, tv, no cover. The front wall of this friendly neighborhood bar opens up completely in the summer — it’s a garage door. Grab a bowl of chili or a hotdog and a beer without breaking the bank.
Rí Rá Irish Pub See “Pub Food” Ruben James
See “Pub Food”
Scuffer Steak & Ale House See “Steakhouse” T. Rugg’s Tavern 149 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington, 658-0456 n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Entertainment: live music, pool, darts, tv, no cover. Imagine a downscale “Cheers” with darts, pool and a jukebox. You can smoke, too, on the deck out back.
Three Needs 207 College Street, Burlington, 658-0889 n Open 7 days. Meals: late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: credit cards, bar service, wi-fi access. Entertainment: pool, tv, no cover. Stop in for some serious pool and “The Simpsons” twice a day at this bar and brewery. Open from 4 p.m. until 2:30 in the morning. You’ll hear an eclectic mix of the bartender’s favorite tunes.
What Ale’s You 152 St. Paul Street, Burlington, 862-1364 n Open 7 days. Alcohol: full bar. Services: table service. Entertainment: tv, no cover. This popular college hangout features drink specials Sunday to Wednesday; two-dollar drafts on Thursday. Great sound system with a good mix of music.
Barbecue
HBig Fatty’s BBQ 55 Main Street, Burlington, 864-5513, www.maplestreetcatering.com n Open 7 days. Meals: lunch, dinner. Alcohol: beer & wine. Services: kids’ menu, web menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, catering. Entertainment: live music, no cover. At this self-described “in your face” BBQ joint, the slogan is, “Put some South in your mouth.” It’s the only place in Vermont that lets you eat from an honest-to-goodness pig trough. Check out the Texas brisket, cooked for nearly 24 hours, and the “biblical portions” of pulled pork. All sauces and rubs are homemade. See p.19.$
Café/Bistro Avenue Bistro 1127 North Avenue, Burlington, 652-9999 n Open 7 days. Meals: lunch, dinner. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarian-friendly, kids’ menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, bar service, wi-fi access. Entertainment: live music, no cover. One of the only sit-down restaurants in the New North End. Try the green curry mussels with coconut milk. The chicken roulade special features a different filling each day. $$
Battery Street Grill at the Hilton Hotel 60 Battery Street, Burlington, 658-6500, www.hiltonburlington.com n Open 7 days. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarianfriendly, kids’ menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, bar service, wi-fi access, catering. Inside the Hilton Hotel, this casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner until 10 p.m. Late-night snacks available at the bar. $$
Leunig’s Bistro 115 Church Street, Burlington, 863-3759, www.leunigsbistro.com n Open 7 days. Meals: brunch, lunch, dinner. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarianfriendly, kids’ menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, bar service. Entertainment: live music, no cover. The owners boast this bistro’s got “the panache of Paris and the value of Vermont.” Good location, too. Live music Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and a weekend brunch. $$$
Magnolia Bistro 1 Lawson Lane, Suite 10, Burlington, 846-7446, www.magnoliabistro.com n Open 7 days. Meals: breakfast, brunch, lunch. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarianfriendly, web menu, take-out, table service, credit cards, bar service, wi-fi access, catering. This subterranean café offers “breakfast and lunch with a twist” — nontraditional takes on traditional food. The ecofriendly owners focus on fair-trade, local and sustainable products. Go for the oatmeal pancakes, garbanzo burger and local steak sandwich. $
Mirabelles
Average Per Couple Dinner Bill:
$ $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$$
less than $25 $25-$50 $51-$75 $76-$99 $100+
See “Bakery”
7 nights • the seven days guide to vermont restaurants & bars 2008-09 • sevendaysvt.com
7N08-edit-FINAL.indd 23
BURLINGTON
136 1/2 Church Street, Burlington, 865-0012, www.myspace.com/ onehalflounge n Open 7 days. Meals: late-night food. Alcohol: full bar. Services: vegetarian-friendly, table service, credit cards, bar service, catering. Entertainment: live music, no cover. Local singersongwriters play once or twice a week at this cozy, upscale club. Downstairs, the cave-like cellar has been transformed into a private, intimate lounge. Try the panini made with fresh, organic ingredients, and don’t miss the chocolate cake. $$
Olde Northender Pub
Vermont Fresh Network Member
B-23
4/18/08 4:09:38 PM