• Matthew Thorsen
• The Monkey House

The Monkey House

30 Main St., Winooski, monkeyhousevt.com

The hippest joint in the Onion City has the most consistently excellent lineup of local, regional and national indie music this side — or that side, really — of the Winooski River. The Monkey also features a sneaky-good selection of craft beers, as well as ginormous barstools to really kick back in. The bar is often 18+, especially during the week. And, on weekend mornings, it serves as the de facto waiting room for brunchers at neighboring Sneakers Bistro — many of whom likely earned their hangovers here the night before.

Higher Ground

1214 Williston Rd., South Burlington, highergroundmusic.com

Higher Ground boasts a constant stream of big-name musical touring acts on its palatial Ballroom stage. The adjacent Showcase Lounge features rising stars.

Nectar's / Club Metronome

188 Main St., Burlington, liveatnectars.com

Iconic BTV hot spot Nectar's — aka the House That Phish Built — hosts bands of local, regional and national renown seven nights a week. Upstairs at Club Metronome, DJs reign most nights. 18+ on weekdays.

Radio Bean

8 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, radiobean.com

• Matthew Thorsen
• Radio Bean

Though small in stature, the Bean is the beating heart of the local music scene. The eclectic hipster haunt is a musical melting pot and a proving ground for Burlington's brightest up-and-coming talent.

Red Square

136 Church St., Burlington, facebook.com/redsquarevt

Bands play almost nightly at this hip club and its adjacent alley. DJs spin after midnight most nights. Check out the Red Square Blue Room for bumping EDM on the weekends.

SideBar

202 Main St., Burlington, sidebarvt.com

The unassuming bar adjacent to Mr. Mikes Pizza serves a surprisingly good selection of local bands and DJs, along with some 20 craft beers and fun cocktails.

The Skinny Pancake

60 Lake St., Burlington, skinnypancake.com

Folk music and crêpes — what's not to love? Get some of each most Thursday through Saturday nights. And catch the comedy showcase every Monday.