Higher Ground

Great, first-time experience at Higher Ground to see Shovels & Rope. The sound is great and there is a good selection of beers.Parking was a slight troubling experience for such a highly-attended show. The parking lots are dark and there are warnings about parking in the wrong lot and risk of being towed. As an out-of-towner, this was my only concern.Cheers to local music venues!

Love this venue! Small and cozy, never too far from the stage. Popular bands flow through here regularly. Great service at the bars! Me First and The Gimme Gimmes slayed it last month! Will return!

Small crowd, lots of bar space, refillable soda if youre not drinking the hard stuff, sound guy keeps it real and doesnt make it TOO loud. Smells like body odor bad, but that may have been the crowd itself, or the place needs a good ServePro session. Gender neutral bathrooms used by men and women easily and equally like it should be. Plenty of stalls and urinals. Dont think they had food or merch, but there are plenty of restaurants in easy walking distance. Plenty of parking lots around, but lighting isnt the best in some of them, so just be safe.

Funky local music venue with multiple rooms. The drinks were small and a bit pricey. We had a great time, and the sound was good. My only complaint is that the place was dirty, particularly the ceiling, and there was no place to hang coats (it was January and freezing), so people were stuffing them in the back corner.

Staff is great. Very professional. The main room is a large open space with two bars. There is a raised area in the back with limited high top chairs.Great place to see your favorite artist!!

This venue has gender neutral toilets, exclusively. Theyre labeled by presence or absence of urinals.The venue has free dedicated parking and theres also plenty of free parking from the neighbouring businesses.Overall, its a small to medium sized venue with a bar area across the stage thats slightly elevated so you can easily see the stage without obstruction from there.

First timer for this venue. We are from Boston and came up for UPON A BURNING BODY. The place is well setup. The staff that we interacted with were awesome! Very nice. No attitudes at all. We go to shows all over new england, new York, Pennsylvania and jersey. Some staffs have huge tudes for some reason. There are 2 separate bathrooms by the entrance. So you arent surprised both are uni-sex(which is the way it should be in my op). At the bar there was 2 containers of free water. The sound was fantastic!!!!! It was July so it was a little warm in there. But not really that bad. Great great place!. We will be back!!!!!!!

Really good venue for shows. As a college student every show is amazing the artist are always incredible. The only complaint I could have is that its hard to get to from the bus stop. The inside is also very nice and shows are well lit and safe. Just be aware that if you dont want to get slammed by a bunch of college kids dont try and get barrier.

I felt welcome and safe while partying with the machine at the Higher Ground last night. The show got started around 9:15 and ended close to midnight.They played a diverse song set from Pink Floyds very first album to; a Momentary lapse of reason with an excellent cover of learning to fly.What an awesome performance by a veteran Pink Floyd cover band. Would definitely see them again.Update: saw Buckethead 5/26/24 and was blown away.

Awesome venue. Lots of parking. Centrally located. Perfect size of big and small. You still get that intimate feel but with more people. Nice staff. Super easy to get an Uber here.

I work in the live entertainment industry and I have to say Higher Ground is absolutely one of my favorite venues to work at.The House Managers, staff and crew are the nicest on the East Coast! I and you cannot beat the in-house catering thanks to Encore catering you guys are the best! As far as the venue itself its split up into two different rooms the sound is great even with two shows going on .I highly recommend this venue parking is a breeze and theres a hotel located within a 1-minute walk you cant go wrong at Higher Ground!

What an awesome concert venue. I love coming to concerts here; you can see amazing artists at a much cheaper price than you could in a lot of other places. The lights crew does an awesome job and I love having artists come to this little local venue. Good bars, friendly staff, awesome music. What more could you ask for?

Great sound for this venue.Decent beer selection too.

Show was great, big open bar (s) sound was good we were behind the mixing board. Its definitely a place for the younger crowd. Oh.. no seats. Standing only. But fun place for sure.

Unfriendly $$ staff. I traveled to support and attend my home towns band at higher grounds and was directed to the ticket booth after I asked where to purchase a ticket. After completing my purchase the same staff that directed me to paying for the show said I was un-able to attend and couldn’t receive a re-fund. The reasoning was for throwing out an empty alcoholic beverage OUTSIDE the venue before entering…. Sorry I wasn’t littering. I have respect only for this venue for hosting my friends to play but none for how they go about buisness.

Clean building and polite staff. Good production quality. Standing style venue. 2 bars. Can be a little cramped at times. If you are a shorter person it may be harder to get view of the stage. (As with most Standing venues)

Best place for a show! Nice staff, nice bar!

I’m a disabled UVM student and I’ve been to many shows at Higher Ground. Whether I’ve gone on forearm crutches or in my wheelchair, Higher Ground has been very accommodating and helpful every time I go. I always feel safe to watch in the crowd. I really appreciate having an accommodating venue near campus!

Good venue. Couple of different stages for different sized bands. At the Big Thief show, the bar is right in the room with the stage, so it is nice and convenient so you dont miss anything. Full bar with lots of tasty craft beer options such as Heady and Focal Banger. Show sounded great as well. One thing to note, if you have not been to a Higher Ground show in a while, is the venue moved from Winooski to out by the highway in Burlington.

Used to love coming here, they used to book great acts pre COVID but the quality of acts they book has fallen off dramatically since they reopened post COVID. Not sure why that is. Gone for a couple comedy shows and the atmosphere and set up is still great but I haven’t been here for an actual concert since early 2020. I’ve emailed the owners regarding this a couple of times with suggestions of artists they have booked in the past and have not received a response either time. I hope they address this soon and improve the quality of acts they book. The Canadian border has been fully open for almost 2 years so I would have expected better quality acts since this is usually a stopping point for artists traveling between Boston and Montreal. I expect more from them and know they can do better

I always enjoy catching a show here. They have a good selection of acts, and any place that books heavy metal bands is cool in my book. Well-stocked bar and plenty of bathrooms.

Handicapped accessible concert venue. Love the exterior video screen and their innovative approach to exterior signage lol

Great venue with an intimate setting. Its really a nice and safe place to see real talented performers.

Went here to go see slenderbodies. The staff were nice and the venue is setup well. There is a large stage and a smaller stage. I have not seen any shows on the large stage yet.

Great music venue here in Burlington, VT! The staff are friendly, the places are spacious, the bars have good prices and a wide variety. My only complaint would be the way they handle the line for entering an event. It’s a bit disorganized and could use some work. Besides that I love Higher Ground and I am glad it’s a part of the Burlington area.

The best Concert venue there is my sister and I love attending shows here.

Dont bother following the rules for chairs at the Waterfront venue. They tell you only low chairs are allowed and all of the front rows are tall camping chairs. You wont be able to see the stage well.

Security made it as difficult as possible to enjoy the show. Constant flash lights in our faces looking for vapes to steal. Im assuming these kids get to take what they find home with them. It felt like we were at a highschool prom with chaperones always looking over our shoulder ready to reprimand us for misbehavior. I flew in from Atlanta to see this show. I have no desire to ever visit this venue again.

Honestly kinda lame, was kicked out even tho I wasnt even in. Can you believe it? NO REFUNDS do not under any circumstance take your children near here. The security was eyeing me funny and made me very very uncomfortable. I hope no ever has experience the pain and lost money I and many others encountered last night. If you see a cranky old security guard please tell him shrek has no love in his heart for him. xoxo

I feel very bad vibes at Higher Ground. Clearly the old hippie notion of peace and love do not exist there. But if you want to hang out with racist jarheads this venue is for you!

Had a really good time seeing out last night here a few weeks ago. The staff was friendly but firm with some things... but at the same time its understandable considering its a music venue XD

Fun place for music, where everyone is virtually right up front near the stage! It was packed out when we went to see Cory Wong. Two full bars, convenient restroom access, and an efficient Covid guidelines pre-check process for entry (hopefully won’t be necessary soon). Expect to be standing the whole show; if you need to sit then get there at least 30 minutes early, as there are a limited number of stools near the back behind the sound equipment (elevated for viewing). Excellent craft beer variety!

Small-medium sized room with bar on the side and back. Minimal seating with good parking. Great lights and sound quality. Great shows with inconsistent in security treatment. Never had an issue but have had friends have. Great place to end a night in Burlington.

First experience here. Excellent show but not enough chairs meant we had to stand up with our 3 kids for the whole time (well they actually sat on the floor). Good thing Josh Garrels was excellent.

Small intimate place for a concert. Staff was very pleasant

Maybe my favorite venue. Intimate and serving some amazing local beers. I drive from Montreal to see shows there. Its amazing. They will ask for ID to identify that youre old enough to drink.

Wonderful venue with a great drink selection. I really hope they invite tophouse back so we can sell it out again.

What a great venue for intimate performances. Thank you for not bowing down to the threat of protests and for allowing Matisyahu to spread his message of love and hope.

The no-outside-beverage policy has room to improve. This venue carries themselves as some sort of top-tier destination with this policy. A way to solve this review to not exist would be to tell me to step out of line, put the drinks back in my car and re-enter the line. They cared too much about the entry experience to keep a line moving in order. As my drinks were thrown away into a bin by a seperate employee I approached the same security guard after the show and asked which bin I could get my drinks back from, but I was given another “no” as they seem to value their garbage just as much as their guests attending the shows.

Nice venue, not too big. Mostly standing floor but some high tables and seats in the back. You really get up close and personal with the performers. Staff and security are friendly. A few food options nearby in case you want to grab a quick bite and then catch a show. 2 hour drive from Montreal if you want to see artists that dont typically come to Canada.

With out them, Vermont would have zero good indoor venues that bring in larger musicians. So, I thank you.

Great venue that provides an intimate experience. Was here to see Morgan Wade and was not disappointed. I would have given 5 stars but my only complaint is that the Beer was warm. I asked the bartenders a couple of times for something colder but they said that was the best they could do. I know it seems trivial but it does influence the total experience.

Enjoyed the place, it was one of these better concert venues Ive been too in there pay few years. Good view, sounded great, the bar was easy to get to and an alright bet selection and prices. Id definitely return to a show here for sure.

Great venue, a little crazy on the security side. Always has been tho. Had a great time for lotus, love the small venue vibe.

Staff were great. They didnt let anything crazy happen while being friendly on that topic. The bartenders were super friendly . It is a great venue with a great atmosphere

Awesome venue, they put on great shows; good sounds, good vibe, nice crowd, great ticket prices. Worth a drive if you arent local.

Not my favorite room, but the line up is always top notch. Neighbor on 10/28/23 was fun.

Plan to get there early if you need to park. Overall decent venue.

First time going to see a show : Living Colour. What an amazing hidden gem of a venue. Big enough for known or upcoming acts to play and intimate enough to be close to the artist. And only 2 hours away from Montreal ! Living Colour was an amazing show. Ill definitely will come back at this venue.

My first time there and it was an experience. It was nice to be around a diverse group of people enjoying life. I would definitely go again. The music and performances were great!

We went for a show from a local band. Unfortunately there was no power that is not the problem though. The problem is the venue did not communicate at all what was happening so we waited for a long while hoping they would continue as the one and only time we spoke to someone from the venue they said well we have no power we suggest you wait and your car and see what happens. We left 15 minutes before show started giving up hope it would go on. Had any communication been made we would have continued to wait. Very disappointing.

Have been going here from across the lake since I was a teenager. Near two decades later and I have been fortunate to see some of my favorite artists behind these walls. Ive seen well over 100 shows there in that time. This places will always hold a special place in my heart as its one of the first places I truly fell in love with live music and the energy of a space filled with people all there to just be present for the artists they came to see

Awesome local venue. Surprising how many big acts they get for the size of the space. Creates an intimate experience with the bigger bands and lots of space to move for smaller acts. Staff are great too! The bartender Jordan is super hot and funny and cool and smart.

Excellent spot for a show. 2 different rooms. Great staff, great facilities. It sounds pretty good in the smaller room. They treat bands great too. Id gladly return.

Small venue in Burlington, they have two different stage setups. Saw big bands like August Burns Red and Killswitch, as well as smaller local bands like Saving Vice.Several bars, free water, bathrooms were stocked (tp/soap/paper towels) and cleaner than most. Tables & chairs in the back.

Showroom with a lot of history. Good sound.

Great location with ample parking! The venue layout is easy to navigate and has great access to bars and restrooms. Staff is friendly and the entertainment is great!

The Winter is a Drag Ball: Silver Jubilee was AMAZING! Higher Ground is a perfect venue. Dancing all night long, incredible music and entertainment. A night of no judgment and fun!

Its been awhile since I have been to higher ground but I had an awesome time /experience at this venue for the recent concert staff was friendly,courteous, clean and well mantained,no matter where you stood you always had a great view of the band I would definitely make a return visit thats for sure !!

We went and saw 311 and the staff were all friendly, helpful and very courteous. The venue was set up with a lower standing room area that went up right to the stage. There was also another level towards the back which was not far from the stage which had seating all along a rail just behind the soundboard. With two serving areas there were no long lines to get a drink either.

Higher Ground is a great venue for artists and music lovers. Impeccably organized on the back end and laid out in a no nonsense fashion with the focus on live music. Great spot!

Ive been to Higher Ground since they opened their doors. Great venue, great staff and some outstanding music!

Great venue, lots of room, 2 bars, great acoustics.

Never Buy one of their VIP packages. They will do the absolute bare minimum. Not worth the Money. Recently attended the Bob Weir show in Shelburne. Purchased a VIP package. Higher Ground promised: 1. a VIP exclusive gift 2. Early entrance to watch soundcheck. 3. first access to the merch tent 4. first access to the general admissions area and 5. a free drink token.1. The Exclusive VIP gift was a fanny pack that Bob and The Wolf Bros sold at every previous show... not very VIP exclusive and an obvious copout to check the box with minimal effort. 2. because security wasnt ready we watched the soundcheck in line with the rest of the GA audience. They let us in just in time to see Bob strum the last few chords and walk off stage. 3. We did get first access to the merch tent but 4. because they were so far behind schedule they released the general admission audience just as we were let in to look at merch taking away our first access to the GA area and a spot on the rail.The ticket cost 5 times the value of a standard ticket and all it got me was a beer and a fanny pack. Never purchase their VIP packages. They are traps.

Higher grounds security is awful. Me and my friends traveled from Massachusetts to Vermont (3hrs 45mins) to see a show last night in celebration of my birthday. Upon arrival we were stopped in the parking lot with two of us holding two cups from Mcdonald’s and were asked to confirm our ages to be 21+ which was very strange given that they also never asked if the cups had alcohol or anything else in them and then told us that we had to leave because one of us couldn’t confirm our ages to be over 21. We were then told verbatim by a security member “well in 30 I may not remember your faces” so we left dumped out our Mcdonald’s cups and in the meantime missed the entirety of the first openers set. We came back got into the event (one of us checked by said security member ) and spent a total of 30 minutes in the venue before two other security members (neither of whom we spoke to originally) began verbally harassing us and humiliating us in front of others in the venue. We were then pulled away from the show out into the front entrance area and were yelled at and pestered with questions from three security team members. We were told that because we were under 21 and were caught “drinking” in the parking lot that we were not able to stay at the show. This was very frustrating because once again they never confirmed what we were drinking (although we were more than willing to cooperate). They threatened to call the police on four people of color from out of state who were not familiar with the laws of this state and they used this to their advantage. If you are going to implement rules you need to be clear and concise with them. Overall i’m just really upset that we missed the show that we travelled hours and spent upwards of 500 dollar to be at. Then when we asked for a refund given that we were unable to see the show they denied us of this and also denied us the ability to speak to anyone in higher management. This is really disappointing and i’m said that others inability to properly do their jobs cost me a fun birthday experience.

First time at Higher Ground I enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces and was happy to see the Kitchen Dwellers for the third time, sound was a little off at first but the vibes were high and ultimately I had an awesome show and good time with friends

In the messy world that is the present day, I would consider this one of the more comfortable experiences, surprisingly. The staff at the door did a pretty thorough job checking vaccination cards and cross referencing with IDs, so overall it set the mind at ease for the show. Acoustics were good and theres not really a bad spot to stand. A bar on the side and back so no real crowding issues and plenty of space to do your thing. Overall a nice venue and thankfully comfortable given the current status of the world.

Been to multiple shows here. Won’t be back. Hosting an artist who supports genocide is disgusting

They had a very minimal selection at the bar. No dark beers, no ciders, and a tiny selection of cocktails were being offered, mainly vodka. The staff arent friendly either, extremely rude. They dont have a full bar, and its not a good place to dance.

Woke restrooms and absolutely no seating. Which is mentioned very low in the faq section, unless you are one of the dozen or so “vip’s”. Super hot inside (24 degrees outside).

Good bands, great prices, friendly and helpful staff. It is sad that the acoustics are so bad. Music in the Showcase is way, way too loud. You cant hear the singers very well and the bass and drums drown out the other instruments and voices. It is a shame. I dont recommend it for anyone over 30.

Awesome, intimate venue, great place to hear live music.

Very small place, but cozy. Theres a two bars and a decent sized stage. Wish the chairs were more comfortable.

I have been here twice and both times the staff were extremely rude and power trippy. The first time I felt anxious and wanted fresh air, but they told me if I went outside for a break I wouldnt be allowed back in. I said fine and tried to leave, but then they said I couldnt leave with my cup of water! If you have crowd anxiety dont go here, cause they dont care.The second time I went the lady yelled at someone for leaving the patio even though we were still in line and had not even gone in yet. Then she went crazy putting an x on me and my friends hand. Its normal to do it once, but she kept trying to find us throughout the time to put more on. I hadnt even touched it nor did I plan too. She honestly just seemed bored.Anyway I dont recommend this place. Its not worth it.

I think it is important to know a chair is considered an ADA accommodation. I was not aweare of this. Otherwise, it is an open floor. I requested a chair for my husband. The gentleman said he was dealing withe something, but would then see what he could do. I let him know where we were, but we never received follow up regarding the request.It was surprisingly cool in the venue, eventhough people were dancing, so ventilation presents as good.When we went, although the website states that food is available, they did not have a chef, so our plan to purchase food at Higher Ground did not pan out. It would be helpful if the website would state when the kitchen is open vs closed. In this particular case, it was just as well as we would not have had a table or counter space to put our plate.Otherwise, check in and the bar-tending were efficient.

My daughter and a friend had a very strange experience here a couple weeks ago with the staff/ bartender eavesdropping on their private conversation and then proceeding to gossip about them with another staff member.A short time later, Security was notified by the bartender as my daughter noted the X on her hand in permanent marker was burning and rinsed her hand in the ladies room (not removing the mark from her hand at all). Security was arrogant, informing her they had the right to darken the existing X on her hand, which they proceeded to do.There were few people in the establishment at that point, and the staffs behavior was extremely odd, making them feel uncomfortable. They ended up leaving while the band was still setting up.Weird place.

It only holds 750 but they get great acts and have a solid bar selection. They are super strict about everything, including stuff that doesnt matter, so dont have more fun than your parents did. Decent for shows but otherwise dont go near their property.

I love higher ground! I’ve been to over 100 concerts here and it’s really just a lovely venue. I’ve most recently seen Lost Dog Street Band there and it was seriously incredible! The staff, security, & bartenders are all very attentive and friendly. And as the only real concert venue in Vermont, they make us look good!

Great place to catch a show if youre in the Burlington area! Good acoustics and plenty of good spots to sit or stand.

Great acoustics and wonderful place for concerts.

I have been to multiple events at higher ground and I have enjoyed each and everyone of them. The staff is friendly and helpful in times of need. They do have a coat check so I personally consider that an added bonus to any venue. The bar was equipped with fast acting bartenders who got what you needed in a timely manner. The security were all very professional but in a polite manner. I have only been to standing only shows but the layout is fantastic for it. I imagine assigned seat shows would be equally enjoyable from any seat, as the stage is raised several feet from ground level. Im unsure if they ever have any sort of food at this venue but they did not during my experiences at Higher Ground.

We had a wedding at Higher Ground today and it was a great experience. The staff were so helpful and wonderfully personable. I was handling lighting and sound for the wedding party and if it werent for Kyle I would have been done in. He came up with the oddball cabling needed, showed me how to run the sound deck and lighting controls and even helped me figure out the iPad that the bride provided (Im about the only person I know who has never used one) so we could get the audio up and running. He was beyond good. Everyone had a good time and it was due in large part to the staff who worked our room. I give my personal thanks.

This is the 3rd time I have seen Gwar here. I will continue to come and see the bands I love here, the venue is pretty clean, the employees are always nice and accommodating. Every single time I have come here I have had a great time. Would recommend it to everyone. If a band you want to see is playing, that is.

Nice place in Vermont for a good show in family, we came from Montreal, Canada

I love Higher Ground. I have seen so many fantastic shows there over the years. I am amazed at some of the really big name artist who come to play at such a cozy place. There are two stages, each in a different room, to host different sized crowds. I have always found the security and ticketing folks to be really nice. I can totally recommend checking out a show there.

9 times out of 10, its a 5-star experience, best chance to enjoy big bands in an intimate setting in VT... sometimes they oversell the Ballroom when they release a 2nd batch of tickets for a sold out show, and pack you in like sardines.

I went to the smaller room for the show. But great easy parking. Friendly staff I will go here again.

Great venue. Happy 21 years Higher Ground! Up close and personal with Loop Daddy, aka Marc Rebillet.

The only place in Burlington that holds big parties, events and discos

Really nice space with good performers passing through. Good beer selection and easy access to bars. Appreciate the old folk’s bar in the back where you can sit down. Only downside is that the staff make you wait outside in the cold until the band is ready while they watch you from the warmth of the lobby. Pack your big coat, but be prepared to hold on to it or wear it the whole show since there did not appear to be a coat check and you can’t leave to put it in your car and then re-enter.

Your venue was way over packed,pushing & shoving your guests were so freaking rude,I wouldnt recommend the place to anyone,nor will we come back.There should be some comon courtesy in a tight place & there was NONE.

Cool music venue with good craft beer selection. Saw Ryan Montbleau and loved it

Pretty nice venue except the two security guards at the entry way marked two big Xs twice on the hand of my 13 year old daughter twice with a black permanent marker. There was no concert that time except it was a very intimate gathering to showcase the performance of A dog foundation alumnae. There were 3 presenters including my other daughter and there was no big crowd. When I asked them why do they have to do that, they said to prevent them from ordering or consuming alcohol at the bar or at the venue. My daughter is with us (both parents) along with other adults and other kids were not marked. We are in 2022 and they have no system to check this except putting permanent black sharpee in both hands. Have you heard about Iding minors before they order alcohol or do spot checks? And yes they are with their parents and it was not a rock concert. I plead them that it wont be necessary and they still smile us at like my daughters hand was a canvass. The two guys were arrogant at the most doing power trip. This just totally disrespectful to the parents (us) who were with our daughter that time but only shows their antique system of checking minors. And by the way, the other kids who are white were not marked.

Great venue for live music! The main room has a bar and big open area for dancing right in front of the stage, as well as another bar and raised platform in the back. Easy to find a good view and the acoustics are nice.

Most interesting atmosphere award. Also the most diverse crowd award. Saw some of the most interesting tastes in wardrobe within the audience that I have seen anywhere. People complain about the staff but I had no complaints. Great venue all of that aside; good bar, didnt have to wait for drinks, great bands (my brother and I went to see Au5 - who should have been a main act but was the opener.)

Was fortunate enough to attend a Leon Russel show at Higher Ground this past August. Though I am not a huge fan of Leon, it didnt stop me from having a wonderful time. The crowd was seated as I assumed it would be since Leon is old and attracts an older crowd. Though I am still a young man myself, I really enjoyed the environment it created. Leon had plenty of stories to tell and we were all ears. During a break between songs I happened to notice Mike Gordon chillin a few rows behind me, gotta love that. As the night went on I was lucky enough to meet Kevin, the owner, and spend some time touring the offices upstairs. Couldnt have been more pleased as I browsed the photos from past shows that included Mike playing a show with the one and only Vassar Clements! I knew this place had to be special. My buddies and I went back downstairs to enjoy a few more Heady Toppers and the familiar sounds of Leons tunes. I really appreciated how there was no rush to get the crowd out after it was over and we had plenty of time to check out the bands set up. Overall great time at Higher Ground. Cant wait to get back!

I have seen so many shows here over the years. Best indoor venue of the Northeast outside of Boston and NYC. Top tier bands. Killer beers. Never too crowded even when sold out.Love Higher Ground. 👑 💎 of music venues in the North Country.

Such a great time performing here

I came here from Boston with my wife and cousin in September of 2018 to see the Growlers and could not have been more impressed by this place. Very professional and safety-minded staff. FREE parking EXCLUSIVE to the venue directly in front which is almost impossible to find. The bar area is sectioned off nicely with a few stools to sit. Plenty of space in the bathroom, which was clean and pleasant.This venue had everything I could possibly ask for when seeing live music. It checked off all my boxes. Even if the venue was garbage itd get five stars just for the parking lot, but I was extremely impressed with this place and hope to catch another show there soon.

Higher Ground has quickly become one of my favorite music venues throughout the past couple of years. From the fair prices charged for the shows of big named artists to their great beer selection I have never had a bad experience.The security team is always fair and makes sure people get in and out of the venue as efficiently as possible. One aspect of Higher Ground that sets it apart from other venues is that no matter where you are located in the venue, either seated or standing, you have a fantastic view of the stage.Overall, Higher Ground is a fantastic venue that I would recommend to anyone. If you are in the Burlington area and are looking for a fun night of music, definitely come check it out.

Fantastic bands and amazing staff!!! Always have a great night at Higher Ground!!!Railroad Earth

Saw a couple shows here so far. Pretty nice venue. I saw Get The Lead Out and The Machine both were great bands. I really enjoyed the experiences from both shows. Higher Ground has a nice bar and a great selection of beers.

Great concert venue. There is a smaller, more intimate room and a larger room. Both have just standing space on the floor. Tickets are always super cheap even when really famous bands play! Its also a good place to hear smaller indie or local bands.

Small venue , but very great for getting to be up close and personal with bands!

Just about perfect club experience great staff friendly faces enjoyed it all

Bathrooms are weird now but I love it!

A very friendly and almost intimate venue, they have a bar which usually has good drink specials. The staff are wicked friendly and the ambiance is just perfect for a special concert. Ive had many wonderful times here, its an asset to Burlington!

Amazing venue! Staff was awesome! Not a bad seat in the place!

Great music. Awesome staff. Excellent draft selection.This is no doubt one of the premier destinations for music on the east coast. Having been to shows from Florida to Vermont, Higher Ground takes the cake. They bring awesome music night-after-night with a friendly staff and are located next to a great local eatery, the Silver Palace.

Higher Ground is certainly a Vermont institution. Always love coming to shows here.

I drove out of state had a hotel set up and everything just for the show to be canceled a few hours before and find out when we pull into the parking lot. Definitely not a place for anyone expecting what they paid for good for locals that way the trip isn’t that much of a waste.

Great venue

Saw Frank Turner here couple of weeks ago. One of best venues I have been to see a gig. Smooth and quick entry through security, who were professional and friendly. Quick service at bar with decent drinks selection including craft beer and local cider. Good accoustics and overall felt like a safe well run venue.

I have been going to shows at Higher Ground for over three years now and am a regular there. Higher Ground brings great acts to Vermont that I would have to drive three plus hours for otherwise. If it wasnt for Higher Ground, I would not be able to attend concerts as regularly as I do because of what this venue provides. I do not think the staff is rude like I have read in some other reviews, they are doing their job. I am sure they get a little irritated once in a while from dealing with under age drunk college kids that could shut them down if they state came through and gave them a liquor violation. Overall, I love Higher Ground and the acts they bring~ Live music truly does feed the soul :)

Great concert venue with a great beer selection.

Awesome music venue. Great sound and staff

Nice venue to see music, great sound system and comfortable bar + friendly staff.

Nice range of performance/artist, interesting line up. The sound is alright. There is a bar that serve a good selection of craft beer. This being said, it is far from downtown, the security is cocky, insulting and power tripping and no one is allowed to get out once you got in wich is completely ridiculous.

Great acts come through, which makes this venue a highlight of Burlington. The size of the venue/stage are okay, nothing special. The sound system is fine, the lights/visuals usually dependent on the artist. All in all a great venue for a small town.

Its a decent venue. They definitely get the best shows in Vermont. However, most shows sell out and the place gets really packed. Ive seen some of the best shows in my life here and Ill always remember that. Once, I was turned away because they presumed I was intoxicated underage. This was a major bummer and I was more pissed because they just judged me and didnt even care about kicking me out because it was a sold out show. makes me question the establishment. Ill still go see shows there because its one of the few places to groove but higher ground should consider giving better treatment to customers.

If anybody has said anything to turn you off from this place, they were probably removed for being too drunk or troublesome to other guests and are just sour... This is one of my favorite venues of all time!Security is quick to move the line along and are always helpful when needed (also, very respectful of people when searching in line). Upon entering Im always able to get closer to the stage than at basically any other venue that attracts such big names (for such low prices, i might add). If I get a little fatigued or even hungry I just head back to the seated bar area to chill out and enjoy the show from a view that is still quite close!Prices are absolutely fair, as I can get most any good beer I want for anywhere from 5-7$, whereas when I go to more major venues in other cities its 10+ for even cheap light beer. Also, all of the gear sold after and during shows is very reasonably priced. I picked up a Lotus T-Shirt back in 2013 and have had it stay in the same great condition since then for only like 15 bucks!Overall I love this atmosphere of this place, the staff, prices, and ESPECIALLY the names they bring in. 5 stars without a doubt.

Great venue. Free parking. Beer isnt cheap.

Its ok. Very little seating which is whatever but good to know if you are like me and have a hard time standing on concrete for hours. Ive been here twice in the last couple months and both times there were technical issues, sound cutting out, ect. Seems like they are due for some updates.

A basic concert space with nice sound and good sightlines. Theres not much atmosphere so that part of it is up to the band on-stage, but at a recent show by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, the room was transported somewhere else by the epic sound and hypnotic film loops.

My first time to this venue. It was great. Easy to get there, park, and get inside. Nice staff. I rate a place on how easy is it to get a drink and use the bathroom. Both were a thumbs up!

Great music venue. Good sound, friendly staff.

We went to the Tribal Seeds concert on a Wednesday night. Nice venue. Good drinks at the bar. It wasnt a big show so no issues with parking, or lines for the rest rooms.

Great unique venue, always a great experience. Good drinks, had both Heady Topper and Focal Banger tonight. Drinks are pretty reasonably priced compared to most venues, spent $15 on a cup of Lagunitas on tap and a Focal Banger, they also have 24oz tall boys of Lagunitas pale ale for like $6, not too bad. Would always suggest this venue, good eats around South Burlington as well.

Great venue. Spacious and drinks werent too pricey. They happened to be celebrating their 21 year birthday when we went to see Badfish. Happy birthday, Higher Ground.

Xaxier Rudd show was great!

Great place to go for local shows. The drinks are usually expensive but they make up for it usually with a couple drink specials in the reasonable range and taste. The staff is pretty easygoing and friendly. I always have a good time when I go here.

Had an awesome time! Great prices on the drinks and a decent selection, even the crowd that attended was awesome. Nice and intimate venue, had no troubles moving up to the front.

I have attended a lot of shows at Higher Ground over the years. They bring the best bands to Vermont period. Great acts, beer selection and decent food. For all the people leaving one star reviews complaining about security you are doing something wrong. I have had zero problems with them and have seen close to 100 shows there. I did have a large drunk guy threaten to kill me at a Black Crowes show but it had nothing to do with the venue. People dont realize that most of the security there are an outside company that Higher Ground contracts. Being strict is a must in this type of business. I once lost tickets for a two night run at the venue and explained it to the box office staff. They let me walk right in both nights without my tix. Love this place.

Great sound. Great venue. Great staff on both sides of the barriers... its not easy to keep live music pumping all year, so show some love and know itll be worth it at a great venue.

Best venue in Burlington or anywhere around. In the last few months I saw Lucius and Rubblebucket there, and both were among the best concerts Ive ever seen. HG has everything youd ever need from a venue: the staff are great, the bar is great, and its always a fun way to spend a cold Vermont evening (or a warm one for that matter!) Most importantly its obvious that the acts love playing at Higher Ground and that can be seen in the shows that get put on night after night.

405 on Pine Street is a cool new outdoor venue for hg to host safe shows. It felt so good to see live music again! Keep getting your shots VT and we can all be together at a show soon!

I went to a amazing show the other night.Security, children are out of control. I witnessed this Security, non-professional, personnel aggressively grab a can of beer right out of a man, at least in his mid 50s with 4 other friends, right out of his mouth. This was an assault!!!I calmed things down while this gentleman began ramping up letting this incredibly poorly trained Security personnel know in very clear terms the aggression toward him was not appropriate. This could have gone very, very bad and these kids would have been killed!A tooth could have been cracked and any de-escellation techniques were not employed before physical action taken by Higher Ground.I have told this to many who tell me Higher Ground Security has a bad reputation. The head of Security needs to be let go and the culture must be corrected.

Ive only gone to two concerts at this venue in the past. The current location in South Burlington is a pretty small venue which is a former movie theater and oftentimes reaches maximum capacity. They do have decent craft beers on tap at the bars with appetizers on the menu. Most concert tickets are available at the box office directly from the venue when available. This venue is moving to a new location in the near future in the south end of Burlington and will be slightly bigger. For now, they are at the current location and I strongly recommend carpooling or taking public transportation because parking can be a nuisance. Please remember to drink responsibly and be considerate of other patrons.

Large enough to attract larger name acts and small enough to still feel intimate. I can’t say enough about how friendly and accommodating the staff was. Reasonably priced beverages. I can’t wait to visit again.

This is a great place to go for a show if you were to ask me. The rooms are large and there is lots of area with good views. The concrete for want my favorite part but everything is very clean. The staff members are also very helpful and friendly. I really enjoyed visiting here and I look forward to coming back.

Spacious venue so theres lots of room for dancing and multiple bars with fast service. Security is tight but having a professional staff is GOOD. Only annoying piece is the barrier between the stage and crowd, its a bit high and awkward to lean against.

Great venue staff and premium sound. Especially amazing for touring acts as catering is on point to give traveling musicians a home cooked meal.

The best music venue in Vermont. Quality of bands that play is great. Good selection of drinks to choose from. Been here many many times and not had a bad time yet. Support live music!

They have one insane staff member who has been there way too long and he took to insulting Twiddle fans and the band while we waited in line after the Tumbledown festival this summer. A venue should back their bands and make waiting in line part of the experience, not miserable and screaming at us like we were all criminals while waiting in line. It was out of control. Horrible venue, rude staff, dingey dirty place, the coat check girl is awesome and kind though :) but unfortunately they get great bands and they workout when its winter up here :(

Last night, I attended the Hippie Sabotage concert on Wednesday February 16th. During the concert, there were no safety measures taken to avoid crowd crush. There was no security intervention when the crowd got routy. I was standing in the front row on the metal partition and I was crushed from behind into the metal to a point where I was unable to breath. I had to flag down a security guard to help pull me over the barrier to safety. The band, Hippie Sabotage, perpetuated the crowd crush by jumping into the crowd. I wish this situation would have been handled differently, because it was extremely dangerous for both me, and the 6 other friends that accompanied me. All of us were crushed. I hope in the future there are more protocols put in place to avoid crowd crush, because as we saw with the Travis Scott concert, it can be deadly.

I went for the Girls Rock Vermont show... my first time at any of the Higher Grounds Venue... this small side room was a perfect location for this show and I can see it used for many small acts. Nice experience all around.

I purchased tickets for a show, but upon arriving and being IDd, they denied me access because my hair is longer now than it is in my ID. This was a terrible excuse for a venue, and the security handling the situation was inexperienced and beyond rude. After grabbing my arm and refusing to tell me why I was being escorted out of the venue, I would recommend having a lawyer present before stepping foot on the property.

Make sure to check EVERYDAY what their policies are because they changed after we bought tickets, covid tests and after a 3 hour drive got turned away because their requirements changed, and no refund, absolute miserable night and a total loss in the pocket with no entertainment to show for it, life is hard enough but this was an unnerving experience. I wouldnt even bother going to the area for an event again. Depressing.

I had a great time cause I love the Artists I was seeing. I was not unnecessarily harrassed by security through out the show or kicked out for drinking. I had a zero incident experience. However I gave 2 stars cause to get in the door, I was searched more intensely than a TSA normal airport search. The security not only metal detectored me but then gave me a pat down, then felt the seams on my clothing to make sure I wasnt smuggling something in the lining. I havent even been searched so intensely walking into festivals. For the small venue, they had 7 roaming security that would shine their flashlights and run through the crowd..towards people that were not really doing anything . Its a good venue if its the only place in the northeast to see your fave artist but if you can go somewhere else a little more relaxed it may be more fun.

Always a great place to see a show. Small but big enough for a pit. Two bars so you dont need to wait a long time for a drink and the staff are great!

The ticket said the doors would open at 7:30pm but the doors were closed to get in until past 8pm in less than 25 degree weather. I asked the security guard to ask how long it would take and he replied rudely saying it wasn’t his job. After this experience I would not recommend for anyone to go here if this is how customers are treated.

Great staff, moderately priced drinks, and a large variety of events. These things and more always assure a loud, well produced (and lit), and personal show with all your favorite artists. I love this venue

I’ve been going to EDM shows here for 10 years. Tons of memories, lots of head banging, many friends to be made. But what the hell is going on…not a single major EDM artist since March of last year, and before that there was STILL a lack of EDM artists. I can’t fully blame HG for this, but I can confidently say I speak for a huge audience here in VT and wish there were more…please. There might be more to the story that I don’t know, but I constantly see artists telling fans to reach out to their local promoters…so this is me reaching out to the HG promoters!!!

Great show, great atmosphere, great bar service

I have been to many many concerts at Higher Ground, its a great venue. The staff is awesome too. I look forward to many more shows there. We need to bring Sublime with Rome there.

If it were possible to give this place Zero stars I would. I assumed Burlington was a liberal bastion. Boy was I wrong! You have have a bunch of overzealous 18 year old losers wearing Higher Ground jackets, who think they are Gods gift to security guards. Dudes! you are tools! I have heard about this place for years and was truly excited to see a show at this famous establishment. I will never return. All I could do is laugh at these security guards. This was the worst experience I have ever had. This place is a total joke. And to all you security guards, power tripping in your cute leather jackets....all I can do is laugh at at you...hahahahah

Nice venue that pulls in some great shows. Ticket prices are reasonable, drinks prices arent gouged. Sometimes it seems the mindset is the louder the better but it seems to vary more from show to show now.

Awesome intimate venue for some of the best shows in Burlington!

Horrible venue. The staff are violent and extremely sexist. This venue should be shut down. I was pushed over by an employee there last night and groped in the middle of the audience, and nobody did anything to help me. I was then told I needed to leave. There was absolutely no excuse for this. I was not drunk -- I ordered 2 over priced beers. One of them which was for my boyfriend. I was not causing a ruckus whatsoever. It was a band of horses show, nothing crazy at all. I am honestly traumatized by what happened to me there and have already gone to the police about it. I am afraid nothing will come of it though because this poor excuse of a venue has a monopoly in Burlington. I strongly discourage anyone from going to this venue, especially attractive young women. You will be mistreated by the staff and immature audience. Action needs to be taken to prevent another assault like this from happening again.

Relatively large venue (for Vermont) for concerts. Good variety of artists. Home of Kat Wright. Affordable. Has a small bar. Black box atmosphere. Not enough seating.

Great comedy show by Pinty-Patel. Higher Ground Staff/Security were effective in getting everyone in, in a quick, efficient manner.

Was there for whiskey Myers and vegabonds. They were massively understaffed in security. They insisted on patting down everyone...with 2 staff member.... So this lead to standing inline for an hour and missing all of the first band. Layout of venue is decent. Bars kept running out of beers. By the end there was mostly just swill.

Higher Ground is an awesome venue! They bring in the best acts to Burlington and have really reasonable prices on their tickets. Volunteering with their street team was an awesome experience too (plus a great way to get free tickets to shows :)

Always a great place for live music. Great bar staff too.

Great venue to see performances by acts both small and large!

Feel incredibly fortunate to have Higher Ground located in Burlington, VT bringing the best of the best in entertainment to the Green Mountains.

The long haired pony boy lectured and stalked us throughout our night. Terrible staff and disgusting venue. I feel bad for the bands that play here because the staff are a great deterrent for coming here ever again. The security staff ruined my night, so increasingly creepy, I felt unsafe.

I love Higher Ground! Always have fun,folks working there are super nice & helpful. Plenty of space to dance or chill in the back. Bar service is right on!

Staff members were prejudice and overwhelming. They ripped my drink out of my hand in the parking lot and threw it on the ground. After that I was in line and some tough guy with a poney tail in the staff asked me to blow my breath in his face like he was some cop. Its a shame the staff has to ruin an experience for such great performers.

Im at the Nathaniel Rateliff show at the expo grounds and the event management is egregious. The have one gate open and its the tiny overflow gate in the far back corner of the grounds. Line was a quarter mile for no good reason. There are only two beer tents with lines stretching across the entire venue. The expo can accommodate many times this number of people, the crowd is being mishandled.

Small, but thats a good thing. Higher ground is a great place to see a show. No matter where you stand youre close to the stage. General admission only

Its a dive bar and concert venue, but in a burlington vermont kind of way. Love it and wouldnt change a thing.

This is an awesome place to see shows from not only local bands but ones from all over the globe. The bar is a plus so you can enjoy your favorite drink while jamming put to some tunes.

If I could rate lower I would. Davy Knowels was fantastic. The staff there was rude. The security guard Brandon who was roaming the parking lot interrupted my dinner before show. He came to my car and told me I had to show him what was in my Coca-cola cup. He then tried reaching into my vehicle to take my beverage. I complained to the other staff members they told me, “that’s how he is.” You could not pay me to go back there. Worst exsprence of my life. The place is a dump. It stinks they haven’t cleaned the floors since I’ve been going there (2012) less and less people every time I see a show. Terrible.

Great little venue. Very up close and personal vibe. Amazing up and coming acts playing here all the time. Love going to HG

Really tight security. Was harassed multiple times about my ID. Just cause im from out of state doesnt mean i have a fake.Also if they say the doors open at 9:30, expect the doors to actually open at 10-10:30… no matter the weather. Bring a coat

Terrible experience here! The staff is extremely rude and disrespectful. Theyre just throwing their weight around because they can. My boyfriend and I were being eye-balled by a staff member for at least 20 minutes before we were told to leave. We had cosumed 1 & 1/2 drinks by this time. My boyfriend didnt even have a drink in his hand and they told him he was drunk. When we asked why were being forced to leave they said if we didnt exit the building immediately, the police would be called. I will never step foot in this dump again

Great venue! If them floors were a little sloped then it would be a 6/5 spot.

Its a nice little place to drink and see bands, they get a lot of small name bands, some make it big, they also get some bigger people like, the All American Rejects, Watsky, and Marianas Trench. Go check it out I am sure you will have a good time.

Small crowd but great energy. Recommend going with friends

Great small venue. Friendly and efficient staff. Two thumbs up for sound quality and viewing area. Minus 1 star for the ceiling... Seriously, what is all that gunk hanging from it??!

So I just moved here from Wilmington North Carolina. My girlfriend and I tried to go here because we had tickets to see Coleman Hell. After getting there I showed them my North Carolina ID that shows that Im clearly 21 years of age. They took my ID into the back away from me and we stood there for 15 minutes. I asked the guy at the door where my ID is and he stated shes was just doing here job, while he talked to me like I was a child... then he threatened to kick me out because I was getting an attitude. She returned with my ID to tell me that she wouldnt accept it because it wasnt real or even registered anywhere in the United States. I then showered her my old out of date ID that states the same information and she proceeded to take both IDs back to the back; so I stopped her and demanded my IDs back. She insisted she needed to take photo copies of them for training reasons. Next I was rudely asked to leave or I would be escorted out by the rude bouncer whom had been sizing me up the entire time. This experience was a waste of my time, and money. I will NEVER go back to this facility. Out of state people beware. I have been going to shows for years and never been treated the way I was here; therefore it is my right as a 21 year old American citizen to be able to drink anywhere that serves alcohol.

We just saw Pokey Lafarge. Those folks were absolutely fantastic. Great compositions, execution and stage personna. We look forward with eager anticipation to seeing & hearing them again. However, sorry to say I doubt we will go to higher ground the next time we do.The primary Reason? Volume! Turn that sound Down! We both have excellent hearing and want it to stay that way. The opening act seemed to be a very good little country rock band. I cant say for sure as the poor little ladies vocals were absolutely distorted from the extreme volume. It is such a nice small place it is totally unnecessary to blow everybodys eardrums out in order to enjoy the music, ruins it in fact.Pokey even went over to the sound man and clearly motioned for him to lower it, slightly better but still extremely painful & unpleasant. Such a shame. Maybe the sound man has a problem with his hearing?Something has definitely changed. When we saw Leo Kotter & Michael Gordon there a couple of years ago we were in the same spot and the sound was excellent, and night to remember. Last nights adventure was pure torture, a night to forget. What Happened?Bottom line: If you do go to HG do yourself a favor and bring earplugs or better yet, ear protectors like you would wear to run a chain saw. That is if you wish to protect your precious hearing so that you can enjoy music in the future.D🎸

The Van Morrison cover band was excellent but whoever was in charge of sound levels missed the bus. I like it but not at the expense of sound quality. Also dont buy the draft beer. Stick to cans.

Always a great time at this venue.More chairs would give it 5 stars.Still always solid, drinks are good, great acts come through here.

Pros: they book great acts.Cons: the in house sound system is offensively horrible. The artists they bring in are producing&playing at such a high level that to make them play on the horrendously bad system at HG is a freaking travesty for them. It absolutely decimates their ability to deliver the powerful experience I know them to be capable of, having seen them play on good sound.If youre a local or a college student looking for anything to do on a weekend, sure go catch whatever show is at HG. If youre a music enthusiast or live more than 10 minutes away, dont waste your time or money. I recently had friends who lived a 6+ hour drive away come up to see G Jones. It was crazy how bad that show sounded.Its pretty simple; if you want to be a reputable or iconic venue, invest in good sound, its that freakin simple.

The perfect venue place. Beers were cold and not overly expensive

The security guards here are incredibly rude and borderline verbally assaulted me. I would highly recommend never coming to a show here. I did nothing wrong and they prevented me from entering the show.

Its a big room with a stage and a concrete floor. Acoustics were good, its small enough that you can see the band from anywhere and the bar has a good selection of local beer.

I have given Higher Ground REALLY bad reviews in the past. Mostly because the security was so intense, it could ruin your whole experience from the entry process. I’ve even boycotted shows because it was unpleasant times most of the time. But I am here to say I love the kinder and gentler Higher Ground. I still have to convince people with PTSD but they’re coming around!! Keep it up Higher Ground!!

The staff is extremely rude and aggressive, cut of for no reason- whatever, fine. But her grabbing me wrist was uncalled for, I let it go. Then I was kicked out because I went to the bathroom and washed my hands after like any sanitary person, yeah a little of the marker washed off but it was still there and I didnt have a wrist band! I walked over to the stage, not the bar! Really disappointed. Been there a few times before and dealt with rude staff. Not worth it....

Just saw Deerhoof tonight, and they said We only play in the highest quality venues and that is why this is the THIRD time we have played at Common Grounds.... But we knew what he meant. Best show I have been to in years. Thanks Higher Ground!

I used to go to shows here at least once or twice a month, its still one of my favorites as far as venues go (and the main one in this area.. ) for a smaller sized venue, they get some really big names coming through!

Good sound and professional staff. Ive only attended shows that were held in the small theater, so I cant speak to the sound in the main room. Great beer

These guys are completely clueless, no idea how to operate a music festival. The whole park was evacuated anytime a small storm cloud was anywhere nearby, which of course happened like a half dozen times since its right next to a lake. Theyre too cheap to spend a few cents on wristbands so they scanned everybodys tickets every time which took over an hour every time, and even longer when their scanners stopped working. They forced everyone to dump their water out every time too... had to wait in line over 20 minutes to refill them at the only half-broken water station, which I then had to dump out again when they evacuated again and then wait in line for water again after waiting forever to get back in again and again. The bands were amazing, especially Twiddle and brandon taz, but unfortunately the terrible management ruined the experience, wont be going back.

Complete ashholes. Flew in from out of town to have covid protocols changed right before the show. Got a 200$ rapid test the day of Then told the show was cancelled at the door when I showed up.not a single notice even though everything had to be done online in advance.

The only thing I dont like is that they hosted two amazing bands the same night at the same time. But we still had a great time switching back and forth to see both shows!

This place gets progressively worse every time I go. The security is inflated, and they become more rude everytime. Vermont is a limited state for concerts, but I wont be returning here anytime soon. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

Always have liked this place since they were in Winooski. Good staff and they put on great shows. Anyone who has had a problem here has had a hand in creating it themselves.