I've visited Waterbury a few times over the last several years and stumbled upon Blackback Pub after visiting Pro Pig across the street. They had a solid beer menu and food that looked pretty damn good. This was cause for a return visit this past September. After hiking in Stowe, we came here for a late lunch and some drinks. The beer menu is fantastic. It is chock-full of local and regional beers. In fact, you can spend a long time figuring out what you want - a good problem to have. As for food, I ordered the famous pub nachos - bacon, bleu cheese, cheddar, scallions and maple-chipotle glaze. It may sound funky but it 100% works. In fact, I'm still thinking about that maple chipotle months later... The only reason I don't give it a 5 is because our sever forgot to put our food order in and we were extremely hungry. He apologized and took a couple of beers off our tab, which was nice. For great beer and pub grub, look no further than Blackback Pub. read more

Great service. Can get a little loud, but it's still entertaining hearing the wait staff either shout or whisper "corner" when coming down the stairs. Especially when they whisper it when it's noisy. The bao are delicious. read more

So glad to be back, this is my favorite pub ever at this point. Beer is off the charts, food is some of the best in the Northeast and the service and attention to detail from the owners and the staff make this place a great home away from home. Tonight was my first indoor dining experience in 5 months and they made me and my family feel very comfortable while still holding true to great food, great beverages and great service. Everyone there is always into the entire experience and with all going on, they were able to still deliver. We had tonight the pub nachos (a must), Caesar salad, Neil Farm Burger with bacon and pulled pork, Mac and Cheese with corn and bacon and the chicken gyro. Dessert also was delicious and we had the lava cake and the chocolate mousse. Did I say that they have an actual Luker (pardon spelling) tap! This is the traditional serving style for pilsners. I enjoyed Hill Farmstead Mary on this tonight along with other Hill and 4 Quarters beer. Photos were all half eaten as my kids devoured it so quickly. So good and thank you Blackback for some sense of normalcy in this crazy world now. read more

Great interesting menu. Friendly service, waiter knows the menu Great vibes !!!!! Highly recommend read more

I was in town for work and went with the Yelp review. Downtown Waterbury is going through some street construction so parking is a bit of an issue. In talking to some of the locals they're hoping to get the construction wrapped up next summer... I walked into Blackback and was kind of surprised at how small it was. It was a Friday night at 7ish so all 30-40 seats at the bar and the 10-15 tables were full. I only had to wait 5 min for a seat at the bar to open up so that wasn't too bad. Per the bartender's recommendations, I went with the Hill Farmstead Edwards IPA and the nachos. The beer selection is pretty solid; there are easily 30 on draft. The nachos were really good. The blue cheese and maple syrup gives you that sweet and savoy. For my second beer I had the Maine Beer Co Mean Old Tom Nitro. It almost had a cookies and cream flavor with the chocolate notes and silky texture. Even though the nachos were enough to fill be up I ordered a Caprese Salad. It wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. The tomato slices were pretty large compared to the mozzarella slices. The tomatoes and mozzarella were served over mixed greens and shredded carrots. I'm not a chef by any means but I'd probably scrap the greens/carrots and add some basil leaves. read more

Four out of five stars because the ONLY set back tothis place is the price...however, we still have no regrets. Upon walking in, we were immediately seated. Parking is only street (but due to construction), the closest parking available was a 24/hour parking lot next to their building which is $3/hour. Talk about gauging! The service was splendid. The waitress was beautiful and kind and attentive; however she had to leave before we finished so I hope she received the generous tip we left her because 20% of a $75 bill...whooweee! I told you, pricey so beware of that but for the Stowe/Waterbury area it seemed to be the average for two people. The lunch meal: We came here because we were here for work and my area manager gave me a "must" list of recommendations. This cafe was said to have "the best nachos in the world." I could not imagine what a restaurant could do to a plate of nachos to make them stand out, because bar food nachos are just that...I was dead wrong. My husband and I both stared at each other in confusion when we saw the plate come out. At first glance it appeared simple. Light colored round chips, some bacon bits, a brown sauce, and a ton of chives. We picked up a chip loaded down with a piece of everything. When our eyes met, they both rolled back and a low satisfying moan was released. Our palette was blown away. Blue cheese crumbles, maple bacon, a maple/honey glaze drizzled over lightly salted chips with a zing of chives all came together at once. I'm not a fan of chives but they set off the salty sweet in an indescribable way. I'm still at a loss of words. Everything else we had paled in comparison though. I had a cup of meat chili that was just okay. He had their Dip sandwich, which he said if you don't like horseradish, don't order it because the "dijon" was more of a spicy mustard. Would we go back? Yes. Just for the nachos. read more

The vibe is a nice combination of casual and indulgent. It has a bar feel, so it may not be the best place to bring your bestie in recovery, but it is a great place for good drinks and food. The owner is super outgoing and friendly. I definitely recommend it! read more

Great to be able to drink at Blackback again post-COVID. We came in for a quick pre-dinner drink. As always, their beer and cider selection is amazing, catering to all tastes (lagers, pale ales, IPAs, sours, etc.). We both ended up getting beers from FoxFarm (Dwell and Tines (on lukr)), that they were both great. I know, we opted to get beers from CT rather than VT, but we had wanted to try something new. Blackback is a must stop when in the Waterbury area. We have yet to get food there, but will definitely be going back whenever we are nearby. read more

Just stellar. Great food, great beer. Everything a Vermont pub should be. Try the meatloaf sandwich.

Recommend the tomato soup and the grilled cheese. The beer menu is amazing. Love the Burlington beer company offerings. Staff are friendly, responsive, just delightful. Enjoy it! read more

Great food (meatloaf sandwich best sandwich I've had in at least 10 years), friendly service and large selection of local beers including plenty from Hill Farmstead. Definitely glad we accidentally found this place. read more

I came here after heading about the famous nachos. When my friend mentioned the Vermont cheddar and blue cheese, I was already hooked, but I almost lost it when he mentioned bacon AND maple syrup. What could be better??? We ordered that first and them perused the beer menu. Blackback Pub sets itself apart with being the place in all of Vermont with the largest variety of beers on tap. I was extremely impressed that there were 40+ available when I was there, and I can definitely see myself spending every weekend here trying them all out - if only I lived in Vermont, sigh. Unfortunately, the nachos didn't measure up to what I had in mind. Nothing was bad, they were just your standard fare - utz brand circle nachos with some interesting ingredients, but nothing that really stood out. I would say a 2 for the nachos and a 4 for the beer, which averages out to this 3 star rating. read more

Awesome local pub with great food! Very hometown vibe and worth the wait. The mussels and shishito peppers were delicious!

Ever time we visit Waterbury we come here for dinner at least twice. The owner is fantastic, chatting with guests and regulars. The staff are always friendly and helpful. And on top of being a great experience, the food is amazing! Everything I have ever had has been flavorful and cooked to perfection. This time around we tried the curry mussels, poutine made with tots, bacon Mac and cheese and the nachos. You can't go wrong no matter what you choose. Add in an amazing tap list and you can't find a better place! read more

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Wish we would have just gone to Pro Pig. But nope, had to try something else... We sat at the bar on a weekend night. Plenty of seats at the bar but we didn't want to be next to the door so chose a seat next to two people also at the bar. Big mistake. Anyways, beer selection is good, it's not to late (maybe 6) so we are looking to just ease into the dinner situation. Ordered soup. Veggie chili was great. Even vegan. Awesome. They asked about 17 times if we wanted dinner after we told them we were slow playing the food. We were drinking so not like we are taking up bar revenue or sitting and not ordering. All was good. Well, except I, a woman, could not help but notice that the man sitting next to me had not stopped talking to the woman who he was with (did not seem to be a partner or gf at all) the entire time we'd been at the bar. He was mansplaining. Everything. The most random stuff, there he was, explaining it. The woman spoke up or broke in like once. So this conversation was pretty much just in our ears because the man had not stopped talking for thirty minutes, so naturally, I, a funny person who has a sense of humor, start making up conversation topics with my partner, and we both proceed to have some nice banter regarding whatever banal stuff this dude kept talking on and on about. Not to him, but to ourselves, you know, having our own conversation. After we had ordered and finished our dishes, (the garden pasta which was overpriced and no vegan protein options so it was just starch and some vegetables for $17 - I could make that if I was at home opening my pantry staring at the shelves- it's 2019 you need vegan protein on the menu!) ... anyways after we eat I go to the restroom and the male bartender tells my male partner (because he didn't have the strength to tell me when I was present?!? What kind of misogyny is this) we need to go. lol what? He told my partner he didn't like our conversation. Literally the couple next to us has been talking for 45+ min about nothing, never ordered another round of drinks, and we, who ordered full (in my case, unimpressive, though my bf liked his topper stew) meals and drinks needed to leave. So, yeah if you like misogyny and women being called out for speaking at the same volume as boring men, and then asking her boyfriend to have them leave the bar when she steps away, yeah I guess this is the place for you! Only good part is the beer list but you can get a good beer list anywhere in Waterbury. Went to the prohibition pig right after this and didn't have any troubles. So yeah it was the bartender being misogynistic, not me. Won't be back. And the pro pig actually (I guess despite it Amin account of the name) makes vegan food in addition to meat food, if you can believe it - since it is 2019 and all. read more

Very cool pub ambiance, highly recommend coming here and getting the nachos! They are out of this world - and I don't usually order nachos! Great service and friendly staff as well! If you're in the area recommend stopping by! read more

Always tasty and well thought out dishes. Great beer selection and a fun and social staff.

Very nice gastropub! Interesting and diverse menu, with a great tap list as well. Our bartender provided great, friendly service. We had already eaten so we weren't very hungry, but their kettle chips were great, and everyone around us was a part of the clean plate club! We would definitely return for dinner. read more

Best Mac and cheese we ever had. The steak was very fatty though and oily and priced too high for that type of quality. Would go back 1000xs for mac and cheese though!! read more

We went last winter and the experience was so great we still talk about it on a weekly basis. The jerked chicken pizza (hopefully still on the menu) was the most delicious entree we had in Vermont. So cheesy and delicious. The beer options were great. Can't recommend this place enough and hope the jerked chicken pizza comes back (as we plan to travel from NJ to visit again). -Brandon M. read more

My very picky teenage son says the grilled cheese was the best he's ever had. I was impressed with the seared ahi salad. The beer menu would have been fun to sample more of. Staff was very friendly. read more

Best beer selection in central Vermont. We are local and go here often. We have never had anything but great food here- Arabiatta mussels I had last time were awesome. They have wonderful specials and great service. Blackback is a local gem! read more

Food is absolutely fantastic. Not your typical pub fair and so, so delicious. We had the Korean scallion pancake, cucumbers and Barbacoa buns. I would hold this menu up to any restaurant in any major city. Chef was delightful and eager to talk about the menu. Unpretentious space and amazing food - it is a win win. read more

Good and menu were terrific! Steve provided top notch service. Overall, a great lunch!! read more

Food and service was exceptional. The pub has a sophisticated but rugged ambiance to it. Servings are generous and flavorful. Great coffee and donuts as well. I was torn between the jerk chicken sandwich and the pulled pork sandwich, but went with the jerk chicken. The chef overheard and brought me a small portion of the pulled pork sandwich. Both were exceptional! read more

Great food and service. Enjoyed the drink selection. Inviting environment. Waterbury has a lot to offer!

It was an unexpected choice since the popular prohibition pig was closed and people were scrambling. We quickly walked across the street and pleasantly sat at the original bar to the left as it started to fill up. From the start, both bar tenders were genuinely kind and upfront about the wait since the kitchen was "slammed" we understood, so we had a few beers (selection and knowledge excellent) and had a very pleasant wait. Cozy, not loud, actually and rather ideal. The menu did not disappoint. From the pot roast to the Mac n cheese creation. One reservation possibly was the hamburger - tad rare for medium and more seasoning but non the less tasty. I think a bar tender steers the ship and it will either sink or float depending on the conversation and overall demeanor which in this case was professional, funny, engaging and thoughtful. Pro Pig has competition thank you read more

Went for the nachos after reading the rave reviews. I personally wasn't overly impressed. Unique pub atmosphere and maybe for apps and a beer or the entrees may be better. read more

Amazing experience at this great local pub. From the food to the beer, everything was delicious. Make sure you ask for beer recs before you order. They know what they are talking about. It was also extremely clean and safe during these Covid times. I cannot recommend this enough :) read more

Blackback Pub - Pubs Near Me - Waterbury, Vermont

Based on all other positive reviews, decided to try this place and so happy with the choice. Beef chili is amazing! Tomato soups was delicious. Salad was very fresh. So much variety with drinks as well read more

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Food and beer was delicious! Our bartender Tristan was amazing and really helped us pick the perfect beer. We had the nachos and they were SO good!!! Would highly recommend, we will be back read more

Blackback Pub - Blondie with ice cream. Delicious - Pubs Near Me - Waterbury, Vermont

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JUST THE BEST!!!! Aaron was so helpful with beers and menu items! Give this guy a raise. Made us feel so welcome. Sweet to our kiddos too! Try the nachos ; AMAZING!!! Truly pleasant experience. read more

Warm cozy friendly with outstanding food service and beer list. Can't wait to come back next time in town from Miami. This is a must visit if your visiting the area. If you're a local this nothing new to you. read more

Great selection of appetizers and craft beer. I couldn't decide between Foam or Hill Farmstead so I had both :) The food is well above average for a pub. Extremely friendly service. Indoor seating well spaced with shower curtain separators. read more

I love this place. All the reviews back up my opinion too. I visit my friends in Vt twice a year, and every time I'm there, I make sure Blackback is on the list of thing to do. Their beer list is unprecedented, and their food is surprisingly good. Yes, Pro Pig is across the street, but honestly, i'd take this place ANY day of the week over Pro Pig. Nothing more to say besides this is the place in Vt to go to. read more

Food was really good. The nacho appetizer was very different and just really good. Small place but seemed welcoming.

Waterbury has become known for it's incredible food scene. Squarely in the center (literally) is my favorite of the many restaurants this town boasts. Tucked into the humble walls of this pub lies incredible culinary mastery. This place has it all: friendly staff, an amazing draft list (try whatever is on lukr; you won't be sorry), and most importantly, a menu that is as diverse as it is delicious (very). The chef here isn't afraid to play with flavors and puts together some thoughtful fusion dishes that just make it fun to eat. As a bonus, constantly changing specials are never boring and always make me excited to go back. Absolutely a must visit! read more

The food here is delicious- fresh and creative. The team is very hardworking and welcoming. Going here added in such a positive way to a great day. read more

Amazing food, not your typical bar food! And amazing service definitely stop by if you are in the area

awesome beer list. had four hill farmstead beers, the river roost mas verde was also great. the food was god tier. maple chipotle syrup on pork nachos? sign me up. meatloaf sandwich was great. super friendly staff who seemed eager to assist with any decisions you might need help with. read more