Dearomatization reactions are among the most efficient chemical processes, combining atom economy, stereospecificity and the ability to generate molecular complexity in a single step. Dearomative vinylation reactions provide a synthetic connection between readily available, simple aromatic starting materials and more unsaturated alkynes. The last decade has witnessed a steady increase in the development of transition metal-catalyzed dearomative vinylation methods of electron rich aromatic compounds with alkynes, providing new synthetic approaches to high-value building blocks and natural products. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive reference for work in transition metal-catalyzed dearomative vinylation reactions of electron rich aromatic compounds with alkynes.