The Daily Planet
15 Center St., Burlington, dailyplanetvt.com
Live in Burlington long enough, and you’ll have at least one first date at this downtown landmark. It’s almost a rite of passage for singles in the Queen City. Winner of best cocktails for two years in a row in the Seven Daysies readers’ picks awards, the Planet is where the locals go to get away from college kids and sip nifty drinks such as the espresso martini.
Drink
135 St. Paul St., Burlington, vtdrink.com
With a wide variety of mixed cocktails, beer and house-infused vodkas, Drink lives up to its name. Grab a board game and kick back on the swanky black leather couches.
Juniper
41 Cherry St., Burlington, hotelvt.com
Creative cocktails and a ritzy Hotel Vermont location make this bar a prime destination for classing up your game — perhaps with jazz on Wednesdays. In warmer months, chill outdoors by the fire pit.
Mule Bar
38 Main St., Winooski, mulebarvt.com
Thoughtfully sourced brews and interesting bar bites are the backbone of this hipster-chic hitching post.
oak45
45 Main St., Winooski, oak45.com
This boutique bar in the heart of Winooski has an epic wine list but none of the snootiness you might expect.
Vin Bar & Shop
126 College St., Burlington, vinbarvt.com
The elegant wine bar serves 25-plus eclectic wines by the glass, plus small plates of cured meats and cheeses.
The Whiskey Room at Rí Rá Irish Pub
176 College St., Burlington, rira.com
It’s a room. With whiskey. Actually, it’s a really nice room, with really nice whiskey — 150 regular and rare blends. Careful, now.
This article appears in What’s Good 2016: The Seven Days Field Guide to Burlington.
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