Vermont's Iconic Nectar's Makes a Surprise Cameo on Hit Show 'The Bear' - Worn By a Dedicated Phish Fan
Vermont's music scene got an unexpected shoutout on national television this summer when a sweatshirt emblazoned with the logo of Burlington's legendary Nectar's appeared in the fourth season of the FX series The Bear.
The garment, worn by the character Pete Katinsky in episode 2 ("Next"), has sparked excitement among local Phish fans and music enthusiasts, highlighting the enduring cultural pull of the Queen City's historic venue.
Nectar's, located on Main Street in Burlington, is more than just a bar—it's the birthplace of Phish, the jam band that got its start performing there in the 1980s. The venue has hosted countless gigs, fostering a vibrant community of musicians and fans. However, like the struggling Chicago sandwich shop at the heart of The Bear, Nectar's has faced its own financial challenges in recent years, with reports of operational pauses and uncertainties about its future.
The sweatshirt is donned by Pete, the affable yet bumbling husband of Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto, played by actor Chris Witaske.
A Passion for Phish
Witaske, a Chicago-based comedian known for his roles in Love and as a Second City alum, brings a touch of authenticity to the character. But it's Witaske's real-life passion for Phish that has Vermonters buzzing about how this piece of Burlington memorabilia made it onto the screen.Witaske is a self-proclaimed "phan," having attended numerous Phish concerts, including shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the Hollywood Bowl, and the band's Mondegreen festival.
In a memorable 2013 Chicago performance, he even joined Phish onstage during an improv segment in the song "Harpua," an experience he later recounted as hilariously awkward in interviews. "The worst Harpua of them all," Witaske joked on the Phish-focused podcast Undermine, where he discussed his fandom in a June 2023 episode, according to the podcast's episode archives and fan discussions.
The appearance of the Nectar's sweatshirt has led to speculation among fans that Witaske himself introduced it to the show's wardrobe. On Reddit's r/phish subreddit, users pointed out the irony of the choice, given The Bear's themes of perseverance amid hardship—mirroring Nectar's recent struggles.
While there's no official confirmation from the show's creators or costume designer Courtney Wheeler, such personal touches are common in The Bear, which prides itself on authentic, lived-in details drawn from the cast's experiences.
Fans on social media, including a Facebook group post highlighting the sighting, have celebrated the nod as a "small world" moment, connecting Chicago's improv scene with Burlington's musical heritage, according to posts in Phish fan groups on the platform.
For Vermonters, this cameo is a reminder of Nectar's cultural significance. Witaske hasn't publicly commented on the sweatshirt's origin for this season, but his documented love for Phish makes the connection feel organic. As Burlington continues to nurture its arts community, this TV moment serves as a fun bridge between Vermont's jam band roots and mainstream pop culture.