Live Music Venues in Burlington, VT
Nectar’s website says “fresh music served daily.” That’s great, unless you really want a meal. The venue has live music seven days a week and a website that takes a long time to load. Acts include local and regional rock bands. Tuesdays nights feature live and cover blues. VIP seating is available and takers get a bottle of champagne with their seats, along with “the best funk/rock Burlington has to offer.” Now that’s saying somethingâÂ?¦ Though, the venue is known a place where Phish started making some headway.
(188 Main St. 802-658-4771)
Connected to Nectar’s is Metronome. Club Metronome bills itself as “the only complete live music venue in town.” The 250 capacity venue
has hosted acts like the Black Crowes, Ben Harper and other national acts. Metronome’s website says it features music of diverse genre’s- hip-hop, reggae, blues, rock, along with “A-list” DJ’s. It’s funny that there are people in this world who would know an A-list DJ from any other DJ. I don’t club much. Groups scheduled for 2006 performances include Headhunters, Kristin Hoffman and Blessed.
Higher Ground (1214 Williston Road; So. Burlington, 802.652.0777) is another live rock venue. Standing room only is the basic set up. The venue has a full service bar for show-goers. Acts include regional/national rock, world, blues and fusion-y acts. Tickets for events can be bought at the venue box office or at local record stores in downtown Burlington (Pure Pop, Peacock)
The Opus Grill’s website defines it as “opus, a creative work, eclectic cuisine, contemporary cocktails, live jazz piano, intimate dining” So, art, food, drinks, music and ambience. Nice combo. The live music found here includes the aforementioned jazz, as well as multi-member groups like the Gordon Stone Band (156 st. Paul; 651.4002)
Local eateries with live music include Sweetwaters (120 Church Street, 802-864-9800) serves organic food all day long and live music at night; Ri Ra Irish Pub & Restaurant (123 Church Street, 802-860-9401) which features music from the motherland, and by that I mean Ireland. Manhattan Pizza & Pub (167 Main Street, 802-658-6776) which serves pizza, beer, live music, and sponsors an open mic as well as karaoke.
The University of Vermont is located in Burlington. The University frequently showcases classical recitals by students and faculty as well as touring acts like The U.S. Airforce Band. All events are open and free to the public (unless someone says otherwise.) Venues for performances are the Music Building Recital Hall and the Ira Allen Chapel. Schedules of events can be found at www.uvm.edu
Vermont is not just for sucking sap out of the trees and putting it on your pancakes.There’s plenty for a music fan to sample in Burlington, VT. Whether you’re going to school there or passing by on your way to the slopes, check out the local music scene if the spirit moves you.
