Updated Tuesday, March 6: Last week, the final growlers trucked out of Burlington’s Growler Garage. Originally cast as a pub and “filling station,” the downtown spot has dispensed with its retail program. So, no more growlers, and no more cans for sale. The bar will now focus its efforts on draft beer, food and cocktails, according to general manager Tucker Grant. Later this spring, the business will rechristen itself simply the Garage. “That way there’s no confusion about whether we sell growlers or not,” he said.
Grant plans to debut a new cocktail menu by March 10, with New Orleans-style beverages (think specialty Sazeracs) in time for the Magic Hat Mardi Gras parade.
The new focus isn’t the only recent change at the Garage. Earlier this winter, the bar switched its food-service program to an on-site operation. While the food had previously been the result of a collaboration with Winooski’s Our House Bistro, the food is sourced and prepped at Burlington’s Main Street Deli.
On the menu? Traditional pub fare such as wings, sliders and nachos, much of it with beer in the ingredients list. Condiments such as hot sauces, kimchis and sauerkrauts are homemade.
On the entertainment front, the Garage’s new partner, Jack Mitrani — of annual music festival the Frendly Gathering — is now in charge of booking music. Expect bands now and then in coming months; the schedule will heat up with the weather.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Gone Growlers”
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2018.
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This place is a joke. I went in once and they were serving 12 oz beers at rediculus prices. I asked for a pint and they said nobody sells pints in Burlington. Really? I left and went elsewhere for a pint. Never again.
Fact check please !
Our House Bistro stopped serving food not earlier this winter but over a year ago.
Good for then. This is a famously expensive piece of real estate. There have been multiple, earnest attempts to turn it into business. Good luck.