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• Mandarin

Mandarin

22 Main St., Winooski, mandarinvt.com

At night, globe lights bathe this corner eatery in warm violet, making the place glimmer with a clubby lounge look. Sure enough, DJs pop in for weekend residencies. On the bar top, glass jars stocked with dried fruits and flowers evoke a wizard's workshop while nodding at the Chinese restaurant tradition of tiki cocktails. By contrast, most of the draft beers are local, and the liquored drinks go far beyond scorpion bowls. Try a Boba Fizz: a frothy, pale-yellow concoction made with gin, cream, a splash of soda and bubble-tea boba.

Citizen Cider

316 Pine St., Suite 114, Burlington, citizencider.com

This is the spot for getting apple-sauced — responsibly, of course. The lively tasting room offers a juicy selection of cider on draft, plus local beer, spirits and nonalcoholic concoctions.

The Daily Planet

15 Center St., Burlington, dailyplanetvt.com

Since 1982, the Planet has been a downtown go-to for modern food, local art and live music. In recent years, the bar — with its friendly 'tenders, fine cocktails and casual vibes — has become a hot spot for Tinder dates.

Foam Brewers

112 Lake St., Burlington, foambrewers.com

The brews are imaginative, the waterfront location unbeatable. World-class cheese and charcuterie, live music, standup comedy, and local art make it a very happy hour indeed.

The Other Place

4 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, 863-5803

The Other Place — or the OP, if you're a regular — has been going strong since 1980. Local brews mingle with cheap pilsners on the brief draft list. On warm summer nights, the garage-door front wall opens, encouraging merrymaking between saloon and sidewalk.

The Spot on the Dock

1 King St., Burlington, spotonthedock.com

The piña coladas and mango margaritas at this seasonal bar and restaurant might fool you into thinking you've absconded to some island nation. But the uninterrupted Lake Champlain views will remind you of all that's great about the Queen City.

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

716 Pine St., Burlington, zerogravitybeer.com

The wide, west-facing deck makes for an ideal sunset sipping situation. Pair a pint of the flagship Green State Lager or Conehead IPA with a handmade pretzel or brat.