Where to (eat and) drink on NYE in Burlington, VT?

[scootertig]

We're planning our trip to VT to start on New Year's Eve, and go through the following weekend. It looks like First Night is a big deal in Burlington, particularly so this year, with the 400 year anniversary thing (here)

With First Night, will there be anywhere good to get a drink and a meal and hang out in a non-non-alcoholic fashion, or should we make plans to be somewhere other than Burlington for that night?

aaron

PS - I know this is really early for this sort of question, but we're trying to line up our hotels, etc, and don't want to be stuck somewhere for NYE without access to at least some decent local beer...

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm confused, you say non-non-alcoholic fashion, does that mean you want to party? Is that how they describe in in VA?


Burlington is a college town and there's probably close to 100 places downtown to wet your whistle and they will all be busy that night. The fireworks over Lake Champlain are always impressive.

What are you looking for for food? Local beer, the Three Needs would be my choice unless you're put off by hippie granola types. If so, Burlington Brew Pub might be a better option for you, but the beer isn't as good. The latter has food though.

Wherever you go in town, you will find Vermont beer on tap.

 

[nelsapbm]

As mentioned above, finding a drink in Burlington on NYE is a non-issue. Tons of bars & restaurants. Its a fun place to be on NYE.
Restaurants - I can highly recommend A Single Pebble - incredible chinese. Not your typical americanized chinese food. You'll need reservations. Other good places are Trattoria Delia, Leunigs, Taste, etc. If you want something on the casual side, then American Flatbread, VT Pub & Brewery, & Sweetwaters are all good bets.
Try and get a room at either the Hilton or the Marriott. They are down by the waterfront (awesome fireworks viewing) and a few blocks from Church Street and all the "action".
If you end up having to stay out in the 'burbs, park by the watertower at UVM (right off Main street) and take the shuttle downtown or cab it if you feel you will have one too many.

 

[deadheadskier]

VT Pub and Brewery....was what I meant.

Rooms at the Hilton will be tough to come by. I used to work there and the hotel would sell out of Lakeside rooms the day after NYE for the following year for pretty steep coin. Working NYE there was not one of my more pleasant employment experiences.

 

[scootertig]

I'm confused, you say non-non-alcoholic fashion, does that mean you want to party? Is that how they describe in in VA?

I don't know if anyone else in Virginia would describe it that way... We're not looking to party, so to speak, but definitely a few drinks with and after dinner to help ring in the new year. I wasn't sure if First Night would have everyone in town on-board with the "chem-free" thing, and if maybe we'd have to dig to find someplace to get a drink.

I know that probably sounds ridiculous (being that UVM is right there, and it would be silly for a college town to go dry on NYE), but a friend of mine who grew up in the area "warned" me that I might be in trouble because First Night would be that night, and we might not be able to find anywhere that wasn't involved with the FN festivities (and therefore, non-alcoholic for the evening). I always forget that he's kind of an idiot... It sounds like there's nothing to worry about...

As mentioned above, finding a drink in Burlington on NYE is a non-issue. Tons of bars & restaurants.

Thanks for the list! We will definitely make use of it! We're staying about 10 minutes from downtown, and making that "home" for most of the trip, so we'll get several chances to check out the places you've mentioned...


aaron

 

[ski_resort_observer]

First Night in Burlington is totally awesome. The wife and I have done it the last 3 years. BTW don't take any stock tips from your friend that said Burlington was dry on NYE. :wink:

We used to do First Night Portand but Maine Arts the group that put it together went bellyup. Bummer

 

[frozencorn]

Pub and Brewery is a no-brainer

For pizza, Flatbread...get there early though as it gets crazy.

People love Smokejacks, but I was never crazy about it. Anyone else?

And as mentioned, Three Needs for beer. Their IPA is simply awesome.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Chem free for Burlington means you have to duck into an alley for a safety meeting as opposed to partaking right in the Church Street marketplace which I witnessed many times during my 4 years in Burlington. I also suggest Sakura for Japanese food at the upper end of Church Street and The New England Culinary Institute..

 

[deadheadskier]

Pub and Brewery is a no-brainer

For pizza, Flatbread...get there early though as it gets crazy.

People love Smokejacks, but I was never crazy about it. Anyone else?

And as mentioned, Three Needs for beer. Their IPA is simply awesome.

Unfortunately, Smokejacks closed their doors a couple of weeks ago. They got behind with their vendors and when the economy went south in September, they couldn't keep up.

I'm pretty sure NECI closed their restaurant on Church Street a couple of years ago as well.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I'm pretty sure NECI closed their restaurant on Church Street a couple of years ago as well.

darn..Burlington has changed alot since I lived there. The walk from campus right down College street with the downtown, lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks in the distance is MSY..Mad Steezy Yo!!!

 

[deadheadskier]

darn..Burlington has changed alot since I lived there. The walk from campus right down College street with the downtown, lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks in the distance is MSY..Mad Steezy Yo!!!

where did you live in town?


It certainly wasn't by design, but I had three apartments in Burlington over the years, two during school and one when I was working there in 2004 and all three of them were within a block of Pearl Street Beverage. One was on Orchard Terrace, one Lafayette place and then on the corner of Pearl and Willard.

 

[icedtea]

i saw dark star there i think 3 years ago on nye. chill city to be out and about in, everyone is really friendly. met some chicks that let me and some friends crash so we did not have to do the drive back to north claredon so late.

it was really cold though, definitely appreciated the liquor in my belly when walking around town.

 

[deadheadskier]

i saw dark star there i think 3 years ago on nye. chill city to be out and about in, everyone is really friendly. met some chicks that let me and some friends crash so we did not have to do the drive back to north claredon so late.

it was really cold though, definitely appreciated the liquor in my belly when walking around town.

I was at the show on the 30th, then in Boston for NYE for AOD.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

where did you live in town?


It certainly wasn't by design, but I had three apartments in Burlington over the years, two during school and one when I was working there in 2004 and all three of them were within a block of Pearl Street Beverage. One was on Orchard Terrace, one Lafayette place and then on the corner of Pearl and Willard.

Senior year I lived on College street in the 300 block..right below South Willard street. 5 minutes uphill to class or 5 minutes downhill to campus..most of my friends at UVM lived near Pearl Street Beverage...I lived on campus the other three years..I was gonna live on Beull street Junior year and it fell through because 2 of the guys failed out but I got a sweet Mountain View room on Redstone campus..

 

[hardline]

Senior year I lived on College street in the 300 block..right below South Willard street. 5 minutes uphill to class or 5 minutes downhill to campus..most of my friends at UVM lived near Pearl Street Beverage...I lived on campus the other three years..I was gonna live on Beull street Junior year and it fell through because 2 of the guys failed out but I got a sweet Mountain View room on Redstone campus..

there where two places in town one at the top of Loomis St and one at the bottom. my buddies had a place right across the street from the hospital quarter pipe. that led to some drunken snowboarding. i have pics somewhere of terje doing drunken one footed airs.

 

[frozencorn]

Unfortunately, Smokejacks closed their doors a couple of weeks ago. They got behind with their vendors and when the economy went south in September, they couldn't keep up.

I'm pretty sure NECI closed their restaurant on Church Street a couple of years ago as well.

That sucks....Yeah NECI has been gone a few years now. That place was awesome.

 

[frozencorn]

Senior year I lived on College street in the 300 block..right below South Willard street. 5 minutes uphill to class or 5 minutes downhill to campus..most of my friends at UVM lived near Pearl Street Beverage...I lived on campus the other three years..I was gonna live on Beull street Junior year and it fell through because 2 of the guys failed out but I got a sweet Mountain View room on Redstone campus..

I lived there way back before the Blarney Stone Cinderella-ed into a swank martini bar.

 

[2Planker]

I'd recommend:

Taste of Shelburne
Butler's
Pauline's Cafe

They're all on Burlington's 10 best list every year...