About us
A Modern Revival of a Century-Old Vermont Legend
The Venetian Soda Lounge was born from the revival of a remarkable Burlington story. In the late 1800s, Swedish immigrant Michael C. Dorn opened an eatery on Main Street and became known for his handcrafted ginger ale — a soda so flavorful it inspired the founding of Venetian Beverages on Pine Street. For decades, the brand flourished until World War II, when production halted and the Venetian name faded into Vermont history.
More than seventy years later, Dorn’s great-great-grandson Justin Bunnell brought the brand back to life — first by bottling Venetian Ginger Ale, then by reopening the doors of the original bottling plant as a space where people could once again gather, share stories, and celebrate craft.
Today, the Venetian Soda Lounge blends old-world charm with modern creativity. By day, it’s a nostalgic soda fountain and family-friendly hangout serving handcrafted sodas, floats, and small plates. By night, it transforms into a cocktail lounge and live-entertainment venue — a place where music, laughter, and storytelling fill the air.
Every drink, dish, and performance honors the spirit of innovation that made the original Venetian famous. Whether you come for a handcrafted ginger ale, a signature cocktail, or a night of local music, you’re stepping into a living piece of Vermont history — lovingly reimagined for a new generation.
Justin Bunnell
Justin has reimagined Venetian for a modern audience — not just as a soda, but as an experience that blends history, craft, and storytelling.
A filmmaker and creative entrepreneur by trade, Justin’s work spans RetroMotion Creative, a Vermont-based video production studio, and Expedition Letters, an immersive storytelling project that merges pulp adventure with cocktail culture. Through each venture, his passion remains the same: to create worlds that connect people — whether through a handcrafted drink, a live show, or a shared story.
At The Venetian Soda Lounge, Justin brings this philosophy to life every night. The Lounge isn’t just a bar or restaurant — it’s a stage for creativity, conversation, and community. Every cocktail tells a story. Every performance adds a new chapter. And every guest becomes part of the ongoing Venetian adventure.