Vermont’s wine bars scene is residential, friendly, growing — and the wine bars reflect it. Whether you want a quiet midweek drink or a full Friday night, there are options that don’t require leaving the suburb.
Standard prices: pint $11-13, cocktail $17-23. Happy hour (usually 5-7pm) knocks $3-5 off at most places.
Our Top Picks
1. Happy Depot — 115 Clarendon Parade
Hours: Wed-Sun 4pm-12am Vibe: Warm, busy, neighbourhood local Drinks: $12-27/glass
The wine bar the suburb rallies around. Happy Depot gets the fundamentals right — good drinks, comfortable room, staff who know the menu. The spirits selection rotates monthly, which keeps regulars from getting bored. The courtyard is the best spot — less crowded, better acoustics.
Drink this: Their espresso martini ($12-27/glass). When to go: Thursday is the sweet spot — good crowd, no queue.
2. The Tall Place — 361 Thomas Place
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden behind an unmarked door
The quiet achiever. The Tall Place doesn’t have a PR budget or an Instagram strategy — it has regulars who come three times a week. The wine list is the draw. The parma is legitimately one of the best in the area.
Best night: Wednesday trivia (free entry).
3. Collective — 71 Clarendon Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Vibe: Big, loud, dancing on weekends Drinks: $12-27/glass
Opened in 2025 and immediately became a regular spot for the under-35 crowd. The tap list leans towards Victorian craft breweries. The space is tighter than Happy Depot — maybe 50 people before it feels packed — but that’s part of the appeal.
What makes it work is the attention to detail. The glassware is considered, the ice is proper, and the bartenders actually taste what they make before serving. The natural wine section is surprisingly deep for a bar this size. If you hit capacity, put your name down and walk around the block — turnover is quick.
Drink this: The house old fashioned ($12-27/glass). Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu cocktail — they’ll make something custom.
4. Zara’s — 72 Bridge Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Modern gastropub with craft focus Drinks: $12-27/glass
The one for when you want food with your drinks. The kitchen runs until 9:30pm and the pizza are genuinely good, not bar-food-as-afterthought. The loaded fries are the move.
The drinks list complements the food — a cocktail list designed around the kitchen’s flavours. It’s the kind of place where you come for one beer and stay for dinner because you smell the kitchen.
Best combo: The cheese board with a glass of the house red, $35 total. When to come: Sunday afternoon — relaxed, the kitchen is unhurried, and there’s live music.
5. Rex Corner — 52 Bridge Parade
Hours: Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Vibe: Hidden garden bar behind a bookshelf door Drinks: $12-27/glass
The vibe pick. Not the best drinks on this list, but the garden setting creates an atmosphere the others can’t match. It’s the place to bring someone you’re trying to impress, or to photograph, or both.
The drinks list is short but curated — they do six cocktails and all of them are solid. Food is limited to charcuterie and cheese boards only but you’re not here for the food.
Best for: Small group celebrations — book the corner section.
Comparison
| Venue | Best For | Drink Price | Kitchen | Live Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Depot | Overall best | $12-27/glass | Yes | Weekends |
| The Tall Place | Quiet drink | $12-27/glass | Yes | Sun sessions |
| Collective | New & trendy | $12-27/glass | Snacks only | No |
| Zara’s | Food + drinks | $12-27/glass | Full menu | Fri |
| Rex Corner | Atmosphere | $12-27/glass | Limited | No |
Practical Info
Happy hour: Most places run 5-7pm weekdays. Happy Depot does $8 house lagers and $15 cocktails during happy hour.
Getting there: Public transport options in Vermont. Don’t drive on Friday/Saturday nights — parking is scarce after 6pm.
Dress code: None of these are bottle-service-and-bouncers. Clean casual everywhere. Rex Corner skews slightly smarter but won’t turn away anyone in jeans.
Age check: All venues are 18+. Bring ID if you look under 25 — they will ask.
Nearby
- Box Hill Wine Bars
- Vermont Restaurants — eat before or after
- Vermont Things to Do
- All Vermont Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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