Radio Bean on North Winooski Avenue is one of those bars that defines a city's cultural temperature. The steampunk decor — exposed pipes, mismatched furniture, dim lighting — sets the tone for a place that takes both its music and its food seriously. Southern-style chicken and waffles are the kitchen signature; the bar pours local beers and creative cocktails. There is live music almost every night, ranging from jazz and folk to experimental and bluegrass.
It opens early enough for a coffee and late enough for a nightcap, which makes it useful at both ends of the day. The crowd is reliably interesting — Burlington's mix of academics, artists, and local eccentrics shows up here more reliably than anywhere else.