Wednesday, April 2nd

Wednesday’s Brief: Wintry Mix Tonight, 60s Tomorrow – Big Wins for Burlington Restaurants, Electric Planes, and What’s Up on Pine Street. Snow turns to rain tonight, but by Thursday we’re flirting with t-shirt weather. Inside: local spots land James Beard Award nods, Beta’s coast-to-coast electric flight touches down, and Pine Street braces for round two of construction. Plus, your stacked event lineup.

April 02, 2025

Table of Contents

Weather & Wednesday’s Update:


Today’s weather decided to put on quite a show. We started off with a cool day near 40 degrees, but expect a messy transition from snow to sleet to freezing rain this evening before it warms up overnight. By tomorrow morning, Burlington should be trading in those icy pellets for plain old rain, with the possibility of afternoon sunshine pushing us into the 60s. It will be gusty too, so keep a hand on your hat if you venture along the waterfront. Friday looks kinder and drier in the 50s, but do not pack away the rain gear yet. We are eyeing a soggy weekend forecast that may test our patience with off-and-on showers through Sunday.

The messy weather might actually be doing us a favor—this week’s a good one for staying inside and making the most of it. Jazz is spilling out of Hotel Vermont and The 126 tonight, there’s standup and sketch comedy at Vermont Comedy Club, and more than a few bars are serving up cheap drinks and comfort food. By Thursday, when the temps jump into the 60s, you’ll have paint nights, live shows, and maybe even a patio beer if the wind behaves. Burlington’s got plenty going on—whether you’re dodging the slush or embracing it.

​On April 2 in Burlington the average high is 48°F, the average low is 30°F, and the record high is 78°F set in 2010. Today's forecasted high is 38°F and the low is 33°F, indicating a cooler day than the historical average.​

“Honey Road and The Grey Jay in Burlington, owned by Cara Tobin and Allison Gibson, are finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur.” (per Burlington Free Press)

These nods to Burlington’s culinary talent are a big deal for our cozy city and a sign that our bustling food scene continues to bring serious flavor. If you are into cheering on hometown heroes, keep these names on your to-dine list. It is always good to see Vermont’s eateries shine on the national stage.

“There are certainly areas of opportunity but there are also areas of concern and potential risk... if folks don’t approach these things through the lens of being mindful of all the things that could increase costs,” said Bill Driscoll. (per WCAX)

Vermont’s high cost of living can feel like a constant battle, so it is no surprise that industry leaders are weighing in. With manufacturing pumping billions into the state economy, that call for affordability might carry some weight.

“This is preventing that population where we need workers desperately... it’s a win-win for all of us,” said Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont. (per WCAX)

The governor’s plan aims to give veterans and Social Security recipients a little more breathing room and perhaps attract new residents. With labor shortages pretty much everywhere, rolling out the welcome mat for retirees looking to keep working could be a savvy move. We will see whether lawmakers decide that tax relief is the next step in enticing folks to settle here.

“We don’t have to drive. We can hang out and talk to each other and get a snack,” said one frequent rider from Westford. (per WCAX)

Here is to three decades of scenic train rides through our backyard. If you have never hopped on the Vermonter, it is a laid-back way to enjoy classic Vermont views without the stress of traffic. Who knows, maybe 30 years from now we will have that long-awaited route straight into Montreal.

“Road work along Pine Street is anticipated to continue starting in April.” (per Burlington Free Press)

Your morning coffee run might come with a side of flaggers and frustration as Champlain Parkway construction ramps back up. Work is active weekdays from 7 to 7, and Pine Street is a patchwork of cones, crews, and shifting lanes—especially between Kilburn and Main. The south end is now permanently closed between Queen City Park Road and South Crest Drive, where it's being turned into a cul-de-sac to connect with I-189. Expect new curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks with brick pavers, and upgraded traffic signals at Maple, King, and Main.

“What you just saw is the future of aviation,” said Beta’s Blaine Newton. (per WCAX)

It is not every day that we get to see an electric plane go the distance across the entire country. This homegrown company keeps turning science fiction into science fact, which is huge for both tech lovers and eco-enthusiasts. Next time you hear that buzz overhead, it just might be Beta’s next big leap.

Events

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

  • 6:30 PM: Wet-Aid 5 (benefit show) at Radio Bean ($10/$15)

  • 8:00 PM: flipturn at 1214 Williston Rd (Higher Ground)

  • 8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: An Evening with Clive at Nectar’s (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126 (Free)

Thursday, April 3, 2025

General Events

Performances

  • 7:00 PM: Challenge Wheel at Vermont Comedy Club (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Live, Laugh, Lava: A Comedy Showcase at Radio Bean (Free)

  • 8:30 PM: Group Therapy at Vermont Comedy Club (Free)

Live Music/DJ

  • 5:00 PM: TOWER OF POWER at Hotel Champlain (Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain)

  • 7:00 PM: The Soda Plant Bluegrass Jam at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: Zach Nugent Dead Set (Grateful Dead tribute) at ArtsRiot ($12)

  • 8:30 PM: Jazz With Alex Stewart & Friends at The 126 (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: An Evening with Brook Jordan (Solo Acoustic) at Nectar’s ($10)

Friday, April 4, 2025

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)

Will continue updating this, but please double check deals are still valid - if not, let me know.

Wednesday

Food:
• Pizzeria Verità – BOGO Margherita pizzas
• Friendly Toast – Kids eat free
• City Market – $5.99 sushi rolls
• Gold Restaurant – 50% off small plates (<5:30 PM, >8:30 PM)
• Daily Planet – $5 off burgers & sandwiches
• Shelburne Tap House – BOGO ½ off salads
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after 4 PM
• Mule Bar – $2 corn dogs, $4 hot dogs
• Black Flannel – All drafts $5
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5–6 PM)
• Four Quarters Brewing – $5 Wizard Beers (NEIPA & DIPA)
• McGillicuddy’s – $12 burger + fries + beer
• Rotisserie – $5 sliders
• Despacito – $5 margaritas
• Shalimar – $5 chardonnay or cabernet; buy one salad, get one half off
• Standing Stone Wine – 10% off retail & $2 off wine by the glass
• VT Pub and Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3–5 PM)

Drink:
• Three Needs – $1 drafts after keg kicks
• Mule Bar – $5 whiskey pours
• Daily Planet – Half off wine bottles
• Despacito – $5 margaritas
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 pints of Conehead/Conehead Haze (5–9 PM)

Thursday

Food:
• Shelburne Tap House – $0.75 jumbo wings
• Gold Restaurant – 50% off small plates (<5:30 PM, >8:30 PM)
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after 4 PM
• Switchback Brewing – 25% off apps (Mug Club)
• McGillicuddy’s – Half-price snack section
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5–6 PM)
• Four Quarters Brewing – $10 for 2 slices of pizza & Lighthouse Pilsner
• Despacito – Margarita night ($6)
• May Day – $10 Patty Melt
• Pizza Verità – 2-for-1 Margherita pizzas
• The Kitchen Table – $5 drafts & pub food specials
• VT Pub and Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3–5 PM)

Drink:
• Three Needs – $1 drafts after keg kicks
• Daily Planet – $5 Zero Gravity pints (5–10 PM)
• Switchback Brewing – $5 Mansfield IPA
• Standing Stone Wine – 10% off retail & $2 off wine by the glass
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 pints of Conehead/Conehead Haze (5–9 PM)

Friday

Food:
• Shelburne Tap House – $10 fish & chips
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after 4 PM
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5–6 PM)
• McGillicuddy’s – $5 Zero Gravity beer, $2 cheese pizza slice, $2.50 pepperoni slice
• Daily Planet – $5 off burgers & sandwiches
• Gold Restaurant – $12 pasta, $8 wine by the glass
• Shalimar – $5 fish & chips, $5 Fiddlehead drafts
• Skinny Pancake – ½ price burgers
• VT Pub and Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3–5 PM)

Drink:
• Three Needs – $1 drafts after keg kicks
• Daily Planet – $5 Fiddlehead IPA (all day)
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 pints of Conehead/Conehead Haze (5–9 PM)

That’s All, Burlington!
Thanks for unwinding with us this Wednesday evening. Stay warm, stay dry, and remember that spring in Vermont can keep us guessing. If you have tips, local scoop, or friendly neighborly news, send it our way. We love hearing from you. See you Friday!

We’re leaning less on Facebook ads and relying more on word-of-mouth from people like you to grow Btown Brief the right way—through real local recommendations.

So, here’s the deal:
- Subscribe! Easy as that! Just being subscribed gets you one entry for the month.
- Refer a friend & get another 2 entries for yourself. 
- Each person can earn up to 10 extra entries for referrals per month.
- Stay active! You must open at least one newsletter per week to qualify.

- Every 20th of the month, we pick a winner who gets $50 cash or a gift card—your choice!

A thanks from me to you!

Want to boost your chances?

👇 Here’s your unique referral link:

Share it with friends, drop it in group chats, or send it to anyone who’d love to stay in the loop about Burlington!

The more you share, the better your odds. Thanks for helping us grow.

Want to feature your business in Btown Brief? Reach out to snag a spot and get in front of Burlington locals!