If you’ve taken a stroll down Burlington’s Center Street lately, you’ve likely seen the lights, umbrellas, and action on the new patio at The Daily Planet. With accompanying inside renovations that were close to 15 years in the making, Daily Planet is going through some creative and excellent changes. We were able to sit down with owner Copey Houghton and get the skinny on the newest outdoor seating in town and how The Daily Planet is gearing up for Summer.

Vermont.com // One of our favorite parts of heading to The Daily Planet is the incredibly creative drink menu – what should we be on the lookout for this summer?

Copey Houghton // We have a whole new summer drink menu that has been worked out – we’ve always had very creative drinks that we’ve put together and this year is even better than what we’ve seen in the past. A lot of infusions are in the mix as well. Our philosophy for new drinks has always been to have fun with it, get it right, and keep people happy.

VTC // Tell us a little about the patio – what type of menus will be served out there? Are there different hours?

CH // Everything is available on the patio, it is a full menu dining space. We also have a late-night menu and a summer menu. We start serving at 4PM and close out here a little sooner than we do at the bar. On the weekend, come on out and order food and drink till midnight, so you can be out here as late as 1AM. Probably not going to go any later than that. During the week, we’re going to be closing closer to 11PM.

VTC // For the inside renovations, what was the goal that you had when you started?

CH // What I was trying to do is really join all the areas together and have the bar be in the greenhouse and the greenhouse be in the bar. But still feel like you’re in separate spaces – and we’ve really done a great job at achieving that. Things are much more open now and you can see the different spaces around and before we never had that. Also the hallway into the restaurant was not very appealing before and now we’ve given it a little sex appeal. Now the entire view looking into the greenhouse is inviting and unique.

VTC // Which aspect of the changes are you most excited for?

CH // There are so many elements between the interior renovations and the addition of the patio, but what I’m most looking forward to is actually a feature we’re going to do next year. We’re going to put a door here that comes out to the patio, from the greenhouse. I think the flow from the bar to the greenhouse then to the patio is going to be really great and going to have a real good feel. That’s one of the up and coming elements that we’re really looking forward to.

Located at 15 Center St. in downtown Burlington, The Daily Planet is open seven days a week with food service Sunday-Thursday from 4PM-11PM, Friday and Saturday from 4PM-12AM, and serving drinks every night until 2AM. Be sure to try some of their highly creative victuals and libations from the new Summer Menu – we know you’ll love ‘em.