The OP might be my new favorite dive in Burlington. The beer is cheap, but the selection is great. They even have the cheapest cans of Focal Banger I've found yet. This is a pretty typical grungy-in-a-good-way Burlington bar. Its full of college kids and there's a pool table. If I remember correctly there's a tin ceiling which I guess makes the OP one of the more architecturally interesting college/dives in town. Since its on the fringe of downtown, the OP doesn't seem to get as rowdy as the bars on Church or Main. read more

Tried to play pool but after winning twice we were kicked out because we "played table scratch" these people are NOT beating the stereotype.

In one instance where my close friend was non consensually given a substance outside of the bar setting (likely roofies), the bouncer made sure to keep the person suspected of giving it to her out of the bar. The simple act of keeping a creep out of a bar is more than 90% of bars in America, but I am thankful the staff and in particular the bouncer cares about peoples safety. They are tolerant, but when someone's behavior is egregious and obviously dangerous or disruptive they intervene quickly and respectfully. The OP's regulars are some of the most charming and compassionate people you will find in Burlington. The bar is often full of artists, musicians, and people you will get along with if you're the creative type. The drinks are cheap, the staff is caring and most importantly this bar cares about people first. If you want to go somewhere where being a predator is chill, go somewhere else. If you want a tight knit community full of life and love go to the Other Place! read more

I wish I could give 0 stars, I felt insanely comfortable around the bouncers and the bartenders who repeatedly stared at my chest and made gross comments about me when they thought I could not hear them. I also watched them assault a patron on their way out of the bar, throwing things and shoving them as they were calmly leaving the premises. the power trip that the workers are on is not worth the cheap drink prices. if ur looking for a bar to feel safe in NEVER go here read more

This place is the ultimate in dive bars, which, in this man's opinion is a very good thing, especially in a city known for its snobby uptown yuppies. Perfectly made drinks accentuate the casual ambience, and the staff and clientele are awesome. Only been there once, but I will definitely return next time I'm in Burlington, VT! read more

Awesome fun spot. Pool tables are a plus, cheap drinks, good music. Staff was super nice both times

Great local spot. Pool table and darts. Great beer prices and list of tap beers. Total dive bar, but if you're into that and talking to locals, it's perfect. Cheers. read more

I can't vouch for what it's like here on a weekend when school is in session, but on the the Wednesday night in July that I visited the OP I experienced none of the rude service other reviewers have griped about. Just a friendly neighborhood bar with cheap beers and shots. Bathroom could have been cleaner, but otherwise, no complaints. This bar reminded me of the old Rudy's on Elm St. If you're over a certain age, and spent any time in New Haven, you know this is the highest of complements. read more

I've been coming to this bar for two years now and through all the employees and customers I've met, the service has been fantastic, the vibe has been great, and they always have delicious popcorn (for free, too!). This is a great place to go if you're looking for a nice drink to chill by yourself or with friends. read more

The Other Place - View from the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

The majority of people giving low reviews either tried to get in with fake ID's or caused a problem in the bar and are upset they got called out. It's a classic dive bar. The floors are sticky, the pool table is janky, and sometimes people are a little rough around the edges. But realistically the bar is full of great people, cheap/ well made drinks, and good conversation. read more

I have been to the OP genuinely a handful of times and no matter what, every time I go, the bartender Ben never fails to be the rudest and most unwelcoming person one could meet at the bar. I don't understand what this business has with accepting disrespectful employees and allowing disrespectful customers in, but the environment and culture that this bar has created is ridiculous - I am surprised it is still open. My friends continue to be sexually harassed here by the staff. If you care for your people, don't let them near this bar. Ben needs to find a job that isn't in customer service because he's not doing too hot in that department. read more

Good place but the bartender with the glasses is very rude. Yells at customers and is overall unpleasant and frankly shouldn't be working in customer services. read more

I was very upset when I was denied from this establishment. I am of age and was told that my ID was fake and yelled at to take it somewhere else . Disappointed. read more

If I could give 0 starts I would I've been to a handful of bars, and this is by far the worst bar i've ever went to. The 2 main bar tender guys are very problematic and rude. They lash out, scream in your face, randomly demand people to tip and go off on them. and To add they drink on the job and get very heated very fast. One of the bar tenders got an inch from my face screaming at the top of his lungs because when he threw my card at me I threw the straw on the floor. I know several bad stories and experiences with this bar, if you want a good night out don't go to the OP! Not worth it read more

I can imagine had I started coming here in undergrad (so many many MANY moons ago), I would have loved this place (I didn't go to school in VT). As a (cough) "mature adult," I didn't mind the fact the place is a late night dive bar. The bar, of course, is full of college kids (who were probably trying to figure out why all these old people were invading) and the bathrooms are naturally sketch, but who can beat $5.50 Cuervo Margaritas? The only thing I'd say is that the sour mix of course makes them a bit rough on the stomach, but for $5.50, you should not expect anything better. They had SNL playing on one TV and The Karate Kid on another, both with closed caption. Great music blaring as well. It's a decent late night spot if you're just looking for a super laid back environment and want to relive the ole glory days of cheap drinking as a poor student in undergrad. read more

The bartender was a dick. Yelling at people for not leaving a nice enough tip. Out of pocket. He was more drunk than me! Bad vibes

Meh. Place is so hit or miss. Usual bartender I run into is nice, respectful, and can run the bar solo no problem. Other bartender I run into occasionally is just a straight up ass and should find a job that doesn't revolve around working with people. Prices are OK but definitely don't reflect the one "$" rating on yelp. Forsure a "$$" dive bar. Mixed drinks never seem consistent, better off sticking to beer if you're here. All things considered, if you're not a local or looking to be a regular at this bar, you're better off crossing the street and hitting up Three Needs. Similar prices, better vibe. read more

Oh, OP -- It's been a long time since I was at you last -- and in honor of TBT, i visited the old stomping grounds of a yesteryear gone by. And I still adore you for the grungy dive bar you are. Well priced drink specials for every day of the week, free popcorn, a well worn pool table, slightly sketch bathrooms downstairs; the staples of a 'dive bar' are definitely met. The bartenders are always friendly and the people are diverse and make for fun people watching. This place certainly attracts a particular crowd (youngins and regualrs), so if you are in anyway uncomfortable in settings as such, this may be a pass for you. But for me, I will enjoy popping my head in every so often to listen to the eclectic music, take in the dark and hazy atmosphere, and sip PBR or other equally cheap but delightful beer directly out of a pitcher. read more

The Other Place - The OP bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

I have lived in Burlington for two years and have been to the OP more than a handful of times. Tonight, I went to meet a bunch of friends to say goodbye before I move across the county. We all had a great night and spent (together) about 200 dollars PLUS TIP At the bar. About thirty minutes before closing - they stretched the awning out with the lever and I stood up and walked towards the door with a glass in my hand. I admit that I am from New Orleans and lived there for 20 years and sometimes I forget that it is not normal to be able to stand outside of a bar and have a cigarette while holding a drink still. However, this particular employee's actions WERE NOT JUSTIFIED. I was standing behind a line of people on their way out to smoke while holding a glass, half-full of watered-down mixed-drink when this man (who was not the guy who had been serving us all night) ran up behind me and body slammed me into the wall and snatched my glass out of my hand. When I turned around - half on the ground - the entire bar had gone silent (not even music) and the man was laughing and screaming full force as if he had caught someone trying to car-jack him. In front of about thirty people who were left in the OP, I asked why he had done that and he screamed back "get the fuck out you bitch." I said back in response that I had paid for that drink that he just threw behind the bar and he yelled back "you fucking idiot, where have you ever been able to take a fucking drink home from a bar." I said back that I was from New Orleans and that I was sorry and all he had to do was tell (or even yell) to me that I had to finish the drink before going outside (a normal and civil response). His response was : "WELCOME TO VERMONT YOU FUCKING BITCH - GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BAR." Everyone there was silent in shock at what just happened and I left speechless myself. I have never experienced any treatment like that at any establishment in my life. I cannot understand why ANYONE would find it okay to physically attack a woman for a drink (on a night that was NOT busy at all - due to a snow storm.) That man is a power hungry rude employee who thinks that he can treat people in any manor that he wants simply because he works there. The situation will more than likely snowball into an even more serious one if no one is alerted about his actions. I went to the OP tonight and had a great last night In Vermont with many of my grad school friends and then left - physically and emotionally hurt, degraded, and publicly humiliated for absolutely no good reason. If I could take back the HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS that me and all of my friends spent at the OP tonight, i would a million times over. "Fuck you bitch and get the fuck out" right back to you "you fucking idiot." I can only hope the OP management has the sense to recognize this as an actual issue. **Gave 1 star but I wish I could give ZERO** read more

I'd come back here again. Nice staff, free popcorn and $4 pitches of PBR. It was a nice break from the college crowds at the other Burlington bars. Patrons were in their mid-20s and the bar played hip hop all night. The pool table is in a horrible location but I'd still recommend this place! read more

The Other Place - Free popcorn - Dive Bars Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

The bartender dressed like a 13 year old boy (what's with grown men wearing hats anyways?) cut me off for spilling a drink. I asked him what happened to the touch screen game system, which had fun games like "nude photo hunt". He then looked at me like I had 9 heads and said: "I've been working here for 2 years and I've never seen that". Wow, two years, that's almost a decade! Listen, that game fucking existed there a few years ago. The drink spillage was a complete accident; however, fuckface mcgee simply said "no" when I asked for another beverage. What gives? Clearly, they only want to serve their buddies. It's real cliquey in there. You're not missing anything; place is filled with low lives. Peace read more

This place is such a quintessential local watering hole. I used to come here years ago when I lived here and noting has changed- for the best! Good beer, no frills, and just a good time all around. It's a great way to escape the regular bars on church that draw in the younger crowd. You just might run into a celebrity if you're lucky enough. Just make sure to wear purple ;) read more

Fantastic food every time. Professional and presentable staff every time. One of my favorite places in town.

we just got kicked out for having "fake IDs". I'm a manager of a bar and I found it applying how rude he was. He had glasses a hat and a checkered shirt. He's working right now. He was also not available when we walked in. We stood there for 15 mins waiting for him and then he checked all our IDs and then kicked us out. I get that you can refuse service but he was so rude yelling at us. This happened last weekend to my friends as well. He said their IDs were fake when they were actually real. The same man working did this. We are annoyed as this was our favorite bar to go to but this newer guy has been denying us. I am 23 and beyond annoyed to have been screamed at. Please do something we're upset!! read more

For me, first going to the OP was not love at first sight. I was put off by the weirdly small bar area (most people sit at tables, or a counter near the windows with several pier-type things give it more surface area) and smallness of the place. But now I love it. This is the go-to bar if you just want to hang out and shoot the breeze with your friends over relatively cheap drinks and free (!) popcorn. I usually get mixed drinks because I'm not a huge beer fan, and while they aren't cheap (I think $5.50-$6.50 is the norm), they do usually come in a pint glass, which means they're a good value compared to many bars in Burlington. There are, however, lots of beers and tap (the Vermont faves like Switchback along with the standard fare like PBR) and good daily specials. Only pitfalls of the OP: slightly skeevy "regulars", oddly placed pool table (be prepared to be accidentally poked with a stick while waiting for your drink) and questionable tacos. But then again, if you're drunk enough to crave an OP taco, you probably won't remember it, so you'll be okay. read more

SO MANY TVS. SO MUCH VOLUME. I don't really like it here. It's pretty cheap, and has some decent beers on drank, but somehow the TVs just rub me the wrong way. They were so loud and annoying.. No music was played. Just football. The crowd matched the TV. But there was only about 10 people here, yet still someone tried to sit in my seat, which has my coat and purse on it. Really? I've been here before, and it wasn't as bad as last weekend, but just overly full of hipster douches. Also, they only have 1 item on their menu, basically. And none of it is veg. read more

Boston sports bar meets Burlington, VT! The garage door is a must and nice location.

Our feelings were hurt. The manager was rude. We were being completely tame too. Props on the cheap drinks - if only you could be nicer.

You get 1.5 extra stars for being in Burlington. As in, if your competition weren't so much more offensive, this would be 2.5. The bad: just you try having a conversation here at anytime after 9:00, even if the place is relatively empty. Do we all have some sort of collective brain damage, where we've equated deafening music--in a place without a dance floor-- as "a good time"? This is not a club, there is no reason. However, they do occasionally play some decent tunes here, straying from the tired Kids of Jerry Garcia et alia, whose ubiquitousness has plagued my ears for way too long in this city. I like that the OP wears a variety of hats, even though there are some lice infested ones I wouldn't want to try on, but personally, I still respect this. You can have jocks, punks, grungy folks, hipster and various permutations (something I like about Vermonters is their general tolerance of each other), all chatting and guzzling pitchers of anything from piss to one of the local brews. I'd much rather chill here, than at the pretentious neighbor, where I don't feel pretty or eccentric enough to mingle with the would-be-Williamsburg or Portlandian crowds. So, for the extent of my continued stay in this depressing college town of an iceberg, I might as well swill here. read more

I live near the OP and use to frequent this establishment until last night. After I ordered two gin and tonics that were just tonic I politely asked the bartender to put in more gin. She said she made them as she always has and refused to taste them. I told her the drinks were completely awful and wanted my money back. Forgot to mention, I had asked my other three friends to sample the drink before saying anything to the shy, ugly and awkward bartender--one of whom is a bartender. After complaining about the weak-ass drinks, the bloated bouncer told us we all had to leave. If you're paying $6 for well drinks with no liquor in them you're fucking crazy. Fuck the OP, the people are always rude and ugly. read more

This is my local bar - some nights it gets taken over by uber-hipsters and bro dudes, but other nights it's a pleasant mix of locals and everyone else. Depending on the bar tender the music is great, albeit sometimes too loud to hold down a conversation, but the drinks are always strong and tasty. read more

I like vaguely frightening local bars, so I loved this place. There was good people watching and cheap beer. They were also one of the two places open on Thanksgiving - they had a potluck going, which was pretty cute. read more

Cheap beer & smaller than usual student / tourist population keeps me coming back

Great local bar. Good deals on beer, cool bartenders, and free popcorn. If you're not sitting at the bar, the seating can be a bit weird as the pool table dominates the small space. Nevertheless, this is a great place to grab a beer and meet some nice folks or watch the game. read more

Dive bar for the locals. The drinks were pretty big and cheap. There's a pool table, but other than that, nothing really stood out.

Classic dive. If that's what you're looking for, then this may be the place for you. Free popcorn. Not a lot else to say that hasn't already been said. read more

It can get pretty crowded, but they have a good atmosphere. They also have great drink specials!

Great little dive bar with great drink specials and free pool on Mondays... Such a fun time in such a small area

Best place to grab a drink with friends, or make some new ones. Boston sports usually on the tube, although one of my fondest memories here was watching some crappy scifi network movie and everyone in the place reacting to the over the top goryness like we were all at summer camp. I've met one of my favorite celebrities here. The pbr pitchers are cheap and plentiful. Avoid the tacos though unless you hate your poop being solid. read more

I loved this place when I lived in Burlington, glad to see it's still in business. It was a great place to hang out, flirt with the attractive bartenders, play cards, drink cheap beer, watch a ballgame, and fill up on their tacos. read more