Higher Ground

Came here for a three night run of my favorite band, and I don’t really have much to complain about. Compared to other venues the security here is not too bad at all. There’s a couple friendly ones, and some not so friendly ones but I never felt uncomfortable. The coat check sucks and runs out of room very quickly. The venue is small but I like the elevated floor in the back. Much less crowded. Overall I think the staff did a good job of handling the inevitable mess that comes along with a crowd of mostly younger kids.

A great place to see big bands in a more intimate setting. We were able to see Purity Ring here, after they did a huge show in NYC. It was incredible!
There is a disorganized process for queuing in, but the employees are all very friendly and respectful. I would definitely return for other shows. Get an AirBnB and explore the area!

Burlington has little competition for live music, especially for acts with a national reputation. It shows at Higher Ground, where they know that enough people will show up to shows there no matter what. I’ve always had good experiences with the staff there, but the acoustics aren’t great and the drinks are watered down for the price. The biggest problem that I can’t get past is the space itself – a cavernous room, standing-​room only, with a hard concrete floor. I admit I’m not so young as I once was, but I can’t stand, much less dance, on that floor for four hours. I wish they’d provide some seating but I guess they don’t need my money.

I came up from Providence for a Max Creek show, and it was a great venue. The show was in the smaller room.
The staff seemed great, they were friendly and it was a good size room for the crowd that was there. Drinks were well made and average price, and the bartenders were attentive and fast.
The coat check costs money, so most people kept their jackets with them and used the chairs to hang them on which left most chairs unable to be used for seating, so it would be nice to have a coat rack inside the room or a free coat room.
I loved the chandelier and décor, the posters were great. I’d definitely go back!

Been going to HG for about fifteen years, starting way back in the old Winooski location. I love that they have the large space but also a more intimate room. I generally prefer the showcase to the ballroom because of the smaller, easier crowds. Regardless of the room, the staff are stars. Efficient and friendly (unless you give them a good reason not to be) and on top of it. I’ve never witnessed a situation they didn’t handle with ease, even when the situation was acting like a child. The booking can be a little all over the map, with pockets of «how will I afford all these shows» and then long dry spells. Their prices are usually super reasonable. My only gripe has to do with box office hours. The website and phone message are often out of sync and they change a lot, so I am always going when they’re closed, even though I tried to check. Hours on the door, always, would be amazing.

I have been to Higher Ground exactly once.
My experience was generally positive, but sort of hinged on the fact that my confiscated e-​cigarette was returned to me at the end of the night after a lecture from a security guard who was about my age. Security was strict — there were big guys planted all over the place and sitting in every corner — but not excessive. A lot of people were visibly «on something» with saucer eyes, but I mainly saw security joking around with people and not making anyone leave.
The crowd was very young, I’d guess mostly 18 – 24. I thought the drink pricing was fine and beer selection was better than average. Also pleased to report they had a water fountain with a pile of plastic cups beside it. The sound quality was quite good and earplugs were not needed.

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 wasn’t 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 :)

Not sure why there is so much hate towards this venue on here.
Almost every show I have attended I have been able to get up close to the act. If sitting is more your cup of tea you can hangout at the elevated bar style seating towards the back of the venue. The door guys are quick to check ID, slap on wristband, scan ticket and pat you down.
The drinks are cheap here, $ 5 for a decent beer. I am not sure what other venues people go to but in major cities you pay $ 12+ for a Bud Light.
Coat check is $ 1.50 I believe. Just leave it in the car.
Plentiful, free parking all around the venue.
The acoustics are quite good and restrooms are large with plenty of spots to unload all those inexpensive beers though as clean as any concert venue.
The only thing this place is missing is charm. It is like a giant pole barn vs. a theater. What you lack in ambiance you gain in utility.

Higher Ground is so lucky they’re the only real venue in town, because their customer service and general setup could be very generously described as «lacking.» One box office window for the entire place plus a single ID check\entry point equals waiting in huge lines, often in the freezing cold, even if your tickets are already purchased and at will call. I tried picking my tickets for the same night up early recently, at 5pm the doors were still locked but Google said they were open. I could see people in the ticket booth as well as upstairs, even made eye contact, and nobody could be bothered to even answer the phone. Awesome customer service, guys. Others I’ve spoken to voiced similar issues. And don’t even get me started on how much the drinks cost.
I’ll keep on going back to HG like the mercurial lover it is, since they do get some decent acts once every blue moon and. But I really wish they’d have a better system than they do.

Higher Ground is most definitely one of my favorite venues in New England and has been my go to live music venue for almost two years now. Weather the event is in the ballroom, the showcase lounge, the Flynn Center, Memorial Auditorium, or even at the waterfront I always have an awesome experience. Higher Ground also always has a fantastic variety of music that pulls in live music lovers from all around the Northeast. Higher Ground’s staff has always been nothing but friendly and welcoming to my friends and I. I definitely recommend Higher Ground to anyone considering to attend a show!

I plan to never return to this joke of a venue after my recent experience. After another guest flipped out at my girlfriend for «invading her bubble» (fun fact: popular bands draw large crowds, meaning people are often shoulder-​to-​shoulder), a staff member got in my face, grabbed my arm and pushed my girlfriend and I toward the door. Halfway there, he shoved us both to the ground. He then sexually groped my girlfriend, before telling us to leave because we were «disrupting other guests all night.»
I have contacted the police about this incident.
NEVER come here unless you want to be physically/​sexually assaulted, or at the very least treated like dirt. This place is pure trash.

It’s an ok venue. The prices of beer are crazy, and I have paid less to see better bands in Worcester Mass, Glens Falls NY, and Portland Maine.
They used to have metal shows all the time, but now they are pretty rare. My biggest complaint is the people who show off for their girlfriends by doing what they consider moshing, but in reality are just jerks that like to hit people who are nowhere near a pit.

traveled up from central CT to see Carbon Leaf here… nice little music joint, wish there was more seating for knee gimps like me… The bartender on the upper bar was a bit of an airhead, but the beer price specials were great! Stood at the lower bar for the main act… he bar staff were friendly, efficient, attentive, and best of all, kept the bar clean. Had a great time, and will def be back.

I’m surprised no one on here has mentioned the terrible sound and acoustics at Higher Ground. There’s consistently a loud, high pitched hum coming out of the speakers that ruins any quiet songs. Really disappointing, especially considering that the ticket prices are so high.

As a venue, Higher Ground is decently sized and not too expensive. The concerts I’ve attended here have been pretty good in terms of sound and ability to see the stage. The dance events have been pretty good, too, and the tickets have always been reasonable.
I refuse to drink here, though. I don’t mind paying $ 8 for a White Russian, but I should at least be able to tell if there’s alcohol in it. They have consistently charged normal bar prices for small, weak drinks. Bleh. $ 4.75 for a Woodchuck cider is also pretty steep. I pay $ 3.75 at a bar in downtown Burlington for the same thing. I’m not impressed.

What a sweet little concert venue.
2 nice sized bars featuring awesome Magic Hat selections.
The sound is great.
There is some sitting room but not a alot. It’s not sloped as much as your average theater, so standing up top near the back bar may be the best bet for smaller folk.
Decent crowd and fairly cheap drinks.
It’s basically a big space in a strip mall.
Awesome

Decent venue with some seating, some standing and a bar in the back. The Guinness I had was good and because we were there during Mardi Gras, they had a lot of Magic Hat beer options that I normally can’t get in NJ. Overall, it made for a fun night!

Decent venue, loses a star for being filled with obnoxious teens and college hipsters.

I really enjoyed Higher Ground. I haven’t been to the smaller room, but the larger ballroom only holds about 600.
They get some very nice acts for a venue this size. Good sound. Nice open floor plan. Decent beer options.

Higher Ground is awesome!
Now I have been to higher ground MANY MANY times sense it has opened up! I think in terms of concerts this is the best thing to ever happen to VT for shows.
Higher Ground offers a TON of verity of shows here. I tend to go to mainly the metal shows. Due to VT’s stupid noise laws this is really the only place bands can play. Well any big band.
Now Higher Ground puts alot of time into their shows. Its great from the lighting all the down to the sound! Hearing mainly metal here your always very close up! No matter where you stand you can pretty much always see. The mosh pit is normally small but fun! The way I like it. Not huge like it is at the rockstar fest or ozzfest.
The prices here are very fair for all their shows. At the end of 2008 I saw Rob Zombie for only $ 30 a ticket… Sorta hard to beat! They also get a very good variety of up and coming bands and very well known bands! I like this a lot! So I check out their shows every few months. this way I see whats coming around and I go to a show here 4 – 5 times a year! Very highly recommended!
Very very strong 4/5…Never had any issue at any of their shows. Just wish they could get some bigger names more often. Though being their size can see why this hard to do at times.