My experience at Mockingbird Tavern in Putney, Vermont has been, without exaggeration, one of the most troubling and disappointing experiences I've ever had at any restaurant--anywhere. I genuinely believe it's important to speak up when a place not only fails to meet basic standards of professionalism, but also actively creates an unsafe and unwelcoming environment. Unfortunately, that has been the case every single time I've stepped foot into this establishment. From the outset, what's most striking is the unprofessional, chaotic, and inappropriate atmosphere that defines the Mockingbird Tavern--not just among the staff, but from the management itself, particularly the individual running the place: Zack. In all honesty, I'm not sure how someone with such a clear pattern of erratic and concerning behavior is allowed to manage, let alone own and operate, a public business. On several occasions, I have personally witnessed Zack appearing visibly intoxicated during working hours--slurring his words, stumbling, and drinking behind the bar. It's uncomfortable and unsettling to see someone in a leadership role behaving this way, especially in a space that serves alcohol and should be held to a high standard of public safety and accountability. His demeanor while interacting with customers is unpredictable at best and outright inappropriate and concerning at worst. To make matters worse, Zack has served both myself and my friends multiple times while appearing under the influence. On a few occasions, he made offhand remarks implying we wouldn't be charged for certain drinks or items--only for us to find surprise upcharges on our tab at the end of the night. That kind of behavior doesn't just speak to a lack of professionalism--it borders on manipulation and dishonesty. It feels like a bait-and-switch designed to either curry favor or create confusion, and it left a very sour taste. However, the most serious and unacceptable issue is Zack's well-documented history of dangerous and reckless behavior outside of the restaurant. It has been publicly reported in both local news outlets and newspapers that he was involved in an incident in which he flashed a firearm at a college student--on a college campus. That kind of behavior is not only deeply disturbing, but incredibly dangerous. It shows a pattern of aggression, poor judgment, and complete disregard for the safety of others. In my opinion, someone with that kind of track record should not only be barred from managing any establishment, but should be facing serious legal consequences. The idea that someone with such a past and present could be serving food and drinks to the public--and potentially influencing staff in a work environment--should raise major red flags for anyone considering dining here. It's not simply about a bad meal or poor service. It's about a culture of dysfunction, a complete lack of accountability, and a very real sense of unease for guests who just wanted to enjoy a meal in peace. Beyond all of this, it's also clear that the staff themselves seem uncomfortable and strained, likely dealing with the fallout of working under someone who appears unreliable and unstable. I genuinely feel for them. No employee should have to work in an environment where the person in charge behaves in such a volatile, erratic, and unsafe manner. And no patron should have to question whether the place they're eating in is being run responsibly--or legally. In a small town like Putney, where community matters and where people deserve safe and welcoming spaces to gather, this kind of behavior isn't just disappointing--it's dangerous and shameful. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend Mockingbird Tavern to anyone, and I strongly urge those considering it to look elsewhere for their meals and gatherings. There are plenty of amazing establishments in the area that are run by kind, responsible, and community-minded people. This is not one of them. In short: Mockingbird Tavern is a case study in how not to run a restaurant. The unprofessionalism, dishonesty, intoxicated management, and deeply troubling behavior of the owner are more than enough reason to avoid this place entirely. It's only a matter of time before the community as a whole recognizes how unacceptable the situation is--and hopefully, acts accordingly. read more

This is our third and last try. First time they could not handle the orders. The food took over an hour and 30 minutes and 1/2 through they came back and stated they were out of fries. Who runs out of fries. Second time. Food was good, and they were able to manage the orders. Tonight we arrived at 6;30, at 7:30 we had our apps. 8:00 rolls around and we ask for our dinner to go. It took another 39 minutes to get our dinners to go. Drink pours are not the best. I have no idea if my chicken parm is good, it's cold and over cooked. So let's say no. Pasta is cold and oily, greasy, the consept of sauce and pesto is great, but it was not done well. Third time is over and my kid and I agree, we won't be coming back. read more

Great spot with amazing food. Good line up of beers on tap and in the cooler. Phamily friendly bar that has an awesome atmosphere. The owner is very personable and down for a good chat. Pool table and darts on the second floor is a huge plus. Again, great local spot other reviews are probably from some yuppie from the city that expected NYC service in the mountains of Vermont. Be kind be patient if it's busy and have a sense of humor and this will be your favorite watering hole in the area. read more

Food was outstanding! Had fish n chips big portions. Artichoke dip really good, n wings great , hold on buffalo was hot A+ !! Excellent!!! Will dine here again soon. Wait staff friendly and very accommodating. read more

We were looking forward to grabbing a quick lunch here before hitting the road. Unfortunately, our experience was ruined before we even walked through the door. We arrived a few minutes before opening, intending to wait patiently, but the bartender came outside and reacted in an unnecessarily hostile way. He yelled at us. It was clear that he was upset, but his behavior toward us was completely uncalled for. Our intention was innocent--we simply wanted to enjoy a meal--but this encounter left a bad taste in our mouths before we even had the chance to eat. Customer service matters, and this was a disappointing and unwelcoming way to start our day. read more

Been here twice. It's a gem! The manager is super professional, which is rare for small town Vermont. Great selection of local and craft breads. Had some whiskey, which I haven't tried in years. Great outdoor area too. Also, it doesn't hurt that the manager is a cutie ;-) read more

We drive to Mockingbird tavern on Saturday evening Nov 9th, but it was closed. Our hotel suggested this restaurant, saying it was the only one open in the area. Not sure why Restaurant would be closed in a Saturday evening? read more

Love the Mockingbird! We came in expecting typical bar food- instead, got the best eggplant Parmesan and some of the best fish and chips I've ever had. The drinks are solid, the vibes are perfect- you can have a cozy quiet dinner with your party or sit at the bar and chat up the locals. They have live music sometimes too! They do get busy, so if you come during a dinner rush, be prepared to wait- but it's worth it! read more

We were super excited to try this place in Putney. The service is horribly slow, the staff isn't overly friendly, and the food is expensive for what you get. When our waiter got a little behind and clearly needed help, the manager or owner decided that was the time to make him feel stupid instead of helping him. Very disappointed overall. read more

I recently visited this bar and had an unfortunate experience with the chef that I feel compelled to share. While the overall ambiance and service at the bar were satisfactory, my encounter with the chef ruined the experience. I ordered a steak, and upon receiving it, I found it to be a bit too raw for my liking. Not wanting to make a fuss, I politely asked the waiter if it would be possible to have it cooked for a little longer. I expected a simple request that could be accommodated without much hassle. To my surprise, a few minutes later, the chef stormed out of the kitchen, visibly angry and agitated. He began berating me, claiming that my request had disrupted his workflow and forced him to prioritize my steak over other orders. I was taken aback by his sudden outburst, as all I had asked for was a slight adjustment to my meal. What bothered me the most was the chef's condescending and dismissive attitude. He seemed to assume that I was demanding an immediate fix, when in reality, I just wanted my steak cooked a bit longer, zero urgency attached to it. The chef's behavior was unprofessional and uncalled for, leaving me feeling disrespected as a customer. While I understand that working in a fast-paced kitchen can be stressful, it's essential for professionals to maintain composure and treat customers with respect. But that chef failed to handle it properly, and his behavior overshadowed an otherwise pleasant dining experience. In conclusion, my visit to this bar was interrupted by an unpleasant encounter with an unprofessional chef. I hope that the management takes note of this incident and addresses it appropriately, as it is crucial to maintain a welcoming and respectful environment for all patrons. I will mention that the manager was kind enough to not charge me for my meal which was very much appreciated. Despite all that happened, that was really good steak, the chef did do a great job minus the whole incident. read more

Great food and vibe. Burgers are outstanding-/ char-grilled and perfectly cooked to order. Awesome service though they can be a little short handed at times, though who isn't these days. Have been back many times and will be in the future, for sure. read more

It took three hours to get 1 drink and half our meal. We never got silverware or our second drink. We were charged full price for mediocre food from whiney staff who complained of being slammed when they were clearly not. Never going there again and am telling all my friends read more

Three friends and I happily chose to visit this delightful restaurant. They have a great deck with well spaced tables. Since it was still a warm evening we sat outside. We all ordered fish and chips. Wow, great choice. Perfectly fried haddock with a light coating, no grease, great portion, served with French fries. Can't wait to return and try some other choices. I highly recommend this new eatery. read more

We were in the area for a funeral. Needed something close to our hotel. The Mockingbird for that bill. However, the food and service were more than we could have expected. My husband had the fish and chips and I had the short ribs for our entrees. For an app we had the wings. Everything was delicious! Much better than expected! The service was phenomenal. I wish we lived closer as this would be a place I could see us coming frequently. If you are ever in the Putney area don't be afraid to stop in to the Mockingbird Tavern. read more

We were so excited when this local bar reopened and hoped it would be a place to rely on for nearby dinner a drink. Thus far we've visited four times. Unfortunately it has been it wildly inconsistent. The first time we ordered the bean burger and the eggplant Parmesan both we're beautiful, served hot , plated attractively with nice garnishes: some pickled vegetables and tomatoes to go with the bean burger and a topping of arugula on the eggplant parm that was tender and delicious. The second time was a Thurs night calamari arrived but there was an hour long wait for the rest and the bean burger arrived minus the tomato and pickled vegetable garnish. Apparently there was group upstairs and a chaotic kitchen unable handle orders coming in. Tip: always call before to make sure they haven't booked a large group. The third visit our table of four ordered burgers, fish and chips, eggplant parm. Food arrived with one burger missing, a 15 minute wait before that arrived. Hoping for the best on our 4th try we stopped in for a bean burger and eggplant Parmesan. The eggplant was undercooked and tough to cut with even a knife, the bed of pasta it sat on was tepid. Terribly overpriced for poor quality.. The fries that accompanied the burger were flaccid, Luke warm, and had a leftover appearance. Ewww. Four times is enough, doubt there will be a 5th try. ​ read more

Well, the ambiance is quaint but one can't eat ambiance. The food? What I ordered was served luke warm, should have been hot. Must have sat on the shelf for a while before being served. Our waitress disappeared, found out she quit. To bad, restaurant is a tough business. I am in hopes they get their act together. At least they gave is the wine on the house. I had a black bean burger, which I ordered with a spicy aolli sauce, came out luke warm with no sauce and luke warm soggy fries. At least the ceasar salad was good. read more

Traveling from CT to VT and needed to jump off the highway for dinner. Was so happy to stumble upon the cozy pub atmosphere at the Mockingbird Tavern. The food was excellent. The waitstaff were extremely friendly and attentive, and the owner/chef is charming. read more