At the top of Killington Road, inside a building that has watched over Vermont’s ski scene since New Year’s Eve 1958, sits a tavern that locals treat like a second living room. 🍻
The Lookout Tavern is not a trendy newcomer chasing the après-ski crowd; it is a genuine mom-and-pop institution built by two people who simply knew what a mountain town needed.
This is how Phil and Joy Black turned a historic ski lodge into one of Killington’s most beloved gathering spots.
How Lookout Tavern won Killington’s hearts
The building that now houses The Lookout Tavern has quite a past, serving as Killington Resort’s very first ski lodge before hosting more than thirteen different pubs, restaurants, and even a short-lived nightclub over the following decades.
Phil and Joy Black, who already had over a decade of restaurant experience in Killington, recognized that the Access Road needed a genuinely fun, casual spot to grab a beer and a burger.
After two months of relentless renovations starting in August 2000, the Blacks threw open the doors with their first annual Basin Blast-Off Party, and The Lookout Tavern has not slowed down since. 🏔️
Phil, an avid mountain biker who helped found the Killington Mountain Bike Club roughly three decades ago, still hosts weekly community rides followed by a free meal at the tavern, a tradition that has run for over two decades.
That community-first mentality is exactly what turned The Lookout into a true local institution rather than just another bar on the mountain.
The kitchen staff brings a combined 35 years of experience to a genuinely diverse menu, and the tavern’s rooftop deck has become known for having some of the best foliage views in town.
Locals do not treat this as just a stop after skiing; they treat it as a year-round hub for hiking, golfing, paddling, and every other reason to be outside in the Green Mountains.
When Phil Black spoke out in support of Killington Resort’s recent sale to Vermont-based investors, it only reinforced how deeply invested this family is in the future of their community. 🚵
Food Highlights
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Friday Prime Rib Special: A fourteen-ounce prime rib served with mashed potatoes, crispy Thai chili Brussels sprouts, and a side of au jus, one of the tavern’s most anticipated weekly specials.
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St Louis Style BBQ Ribs: Slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone ribs served with French fries, coleslaw, and cornbread.
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Fresh Maine Lobster Roll: Chunks of cold fresh Maine lobster meat tossed with celery, onions, and a mayo herb dressing, served with fries and coleslaw.
- Fish-n-Chips: Beer-battered and fried haddock served with French fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge.
- Philly Cheese Steak: Shaved prime rib topped with caramelized onions, peppers, and a blend of melted cheese.
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12oz N.Y. Strip Steak: A grilled strip steak served with garlic mashed potatoes and crispy sesame Thai chili Brussels sprouts.
- “Beast” Chicken Sandwich: Crispy fried buttermilk chicken breast piled with cheddar cheese, bacon, and house-made ranch dressing on a brioche roll.
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Whole Belly Clam Platter: Deep-fried New England whole belly clams served with coleslaw, fries, and tartar sauce.
Atmosphere
The Lookout Tavern leans fully into its ski-lodge roots, with peanut shells scattered across the floor and an iconic U-shaped bar anchoring the room. 🎿
The energetic, sports-bar vibe fits its history as the mountain’s first lodge, while the seasonal rooftop deck offers some of the best foliage and mountain views around.
It draws a mix of skiers straight off the slopes, mountain bikers, and families looking for hearty comfort food.
The mood stays casual, loud, and genuinely welcoming, exactly what a mountain town watering hole should feel like.
Bottom Line
Visit for hearty comfort food that fuels a full day on the mountain, from fall-off-the-bone ribs to a fresh Maine lobster roll.
Add a rooftop deck with unbeatable views, a family that has run the place since 2000, and over 65 years of history in the building itself, and The Lookout Tavern earns every bit of its local legend status. 🍔✨
Address:
2910 Killington Rd, Killington, VT 05751
📞 (802) 422-5665
🕔 Open Sun-Thu 11:30 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 11:30 AM–10 PM