Coming here is like stepping back in time to the 1950's. Retro bar top and neon signs provide an amazing atmosphere. Service was great and the food was acceptable. read more

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Cute neighborhood bar. We went at 5:30 on a Thursday and it was pretty empty. It was clean, good selection of beers and alcohol, pool tables and a decent Amount of seating. Friendly staff and super affordable. Parking was easy but I can see it getting crowded down there read more

The inside of this bar is nothing to be impressed with. There was live music, which was decent but it was SO LOUD. We were all screaming at eachother and couldn't hear servers when they would come to the table. The bathroom stalls were also very small and barely gave you room to sit down. I was decently surprised by their beer listing, with having more than just bud light & coors. They had Market Garden, GLBC, Southern Tier, amongst others. The real redeeming quality was the bar utilizing the restaurant next door (Erie Street Kitchen) to serve food. I got the chicken tenders basket with honey mustard sauce. The tenders were freshly breaded/battered and were sooo good. Juicy, but not gross and not greasy at all. The real winner of the meal was the honey mustard sauce - holy crap. I'm still thinking about it 24 hours later. I truly can't give a high review because the redeeming qualities were due to the food of the restaurant next door. read more

I was here today for a private event, the haymaker farmers market farm to table brunch. So I can't comment on what a normal day might be like, but everyone working the event was very nice and helpful. The food was outstanding and it's a cute place! I learned about some of the history.... It's been around a long time! All in all a great time was had! read more

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The food and service was excellent Portions were large had dinner the next day. Gumbo was delicious. read more

OLD STYLE ON TAP! (and it's cheap.) What more do you need? They also have great margaritas, mules, etc. I honestly feel like I'm not in Ohio anymore when I step into this place. It has a very Nashville-vibe which I absolutely love. There seems to be ample seating and they have live music often. It is always crowded, but I'm glad, because it means they will stick around! read more

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A little loud at first, but that's to be expected from a college bar. After the table with the shrill & giggling girls left, it was much better. Staff was very attentive, place was clean and I felt good about eating & drinking there. Beers were nice and cold - perfect. I expected a little more of a selection, but what they had was great. read more

Venice Cafe - Orange Cream Ale & Truth - Bars Near Me - Kent, Ohio

Had a few beers with an old friend over lunch and the place is cool. A welcome departure from the normal. Beautiful bar and decor. Old school and warm. Great beer and the Venice and the Erie street kitchen that is in there have the best waitresses... read more

I left a longer review under Erie St Kitchen, which is the company that leases space from Venice and runs the food portion. While I love the old school atmosphere, the issue with Venice is comfort level with regards to temperatures. Especially in the summertime, if it's hot and/or humid, it gets really sticky inside. And in the winter at times it can be like a boiler room. If you happen to come on a night when the HVAC is set right, it'll be awesome. If not, just plan on having one and moving on. Lastly - they need to do a better job of keeping the kegs cold. Too often I've gone there and had a 'cool' draft beer. read more

New ownership has done a good job with the Venice. They kept a lot of the "dive" charm that made the Venice unique, but cleaned a lot of things up. It's really nice that the place no longer smells like Urine. It's a cool place to listen to a band with their new raised stage, but it can get pretty crowded and loud if you aren't there specifically to listen to music. The drink specials are usually what draw me here. Until 9pm it's ungodly cheap. They have a whole drink menu of specials. Probably 10 different options. And the happy hour is even good on weekend nights, which is a plus. Adding Erie Street Cafe into the bar was huge too. That place has the best food in Kent, IMO. read more

Venice Cafe - Bars Near Me - Kent, Ohio

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The best bar in Kent. The first bar I have been to that sells 40's. It is a family owned bar. The walls are painted with old brownish paintings of Venice, Italy. There is a jukebox and a few pool tables. Some of the booths have interesting carvings and stating that they love whoever for ever. It was always a pretty mellow and low key spot when I was in school. I went down a few months ago and it seems like business has picked up. There will always be a place in my heart for this bar. read more

Great food and drinks. Horrible service, they do not treat their patrons with respect. They are against people letting loose and enjoying themselves. I'm disheartened as a Kent state alumni to see such a great place staffed by people who are against having a good time. Unfortunately will not be back. This bar is lacking a crowd for a reason and it's not the food or drinks. read more

Came in for Kent State Rainbow Weekend for the drag show. I ordered a Moscow Mule that wasn't a mule. When you're told the bartender the drink wasn't what I order she said there was nothing she could do about. All the bartenders were rude! All four of us in our party did not get the correct order and they didn't even try to accommodate us! I will not be coming back here again. Very disappointed read more

Love the bar-cafe feel! Jeff, the owner is not only a great person, he KNOWS food! I'm "vegetarian, non-dairy" and am easily accommodated with the fried green tomatoes, taster tots, and veg Po'boy sandwich (hold the cheese, please). This venue hosts tons of great live music! The servers are super cool, friendly & helpful (they really huddle and take pride in their service -MANY THANKS :) I'm local and walk down often when I don't feel like cooking or want to show some out of town friends some local fair. read more

Corner college town bar with mason jar drinks in two sizes. Connected with the Erie Street Kitchen that has a wonderful menu and good food at reasonable prices. You order your food at the counter and they deliver it to your table. Live music on various nights. We like the DanJO group that plays there on Tuesday nights. read more

Amazing amazing amazing chicken tenders. Best in northeast ohio. Can't wait to come back

This place has great potential. Great location, killer food from Erie Street, ample space and regular live music. However, it will only be potential unless ownership seriously steps up. The vandalized tables and benches are a disgrace. The live music is way too loud (and I'm a sound engineer, trust me). The sound is lost to reverb and noise distortion. The bathrooms are too small and not ADA compliant. Now, for the absolute deal breaker for me... THE BAR. Bartenders are extremely rude and curt with everyone. Cocktails are made incorrectly with the wrong ingredients. The alcohol is watered down. I haven't been a college student for 30 years and I know what Grey Goose, Tito's, Tanqueray, Patron, Jameson etc. should taste like. A staff member has admitted to me that they pour Korski and Juarez into Tito's and Cuervo bottles. Again, great potential but you need to do some remodeling, update your sound system if you are going to have live music and for the love of Captain Morgan have some integrity and competence behind the bar. At least tell your bartenders that a Long Island Iced Tea does not contain reposado tequila ever, only blanco. Also adding blue curacao to an already bad drink did not make it special. I hope you consider some updates because the Venice could be great. read more

The servers are all great. A great, relatively quiet place to have a drink and great conversation after work on a Friday night.

I mean I just don't know where to start. I have never met an unfriendly staff member. I have never seen a better environment in kent. Just exceptionally profound. Love this place and the lemon shake up hits! read more

If it's Thursday after 7:30 PM, there's a good chance you'll find me at the Venice. They have an awesome happy hour special until 9 PM, $10 sixty ounce pitchers of margaritas. That equals about 4 glasses of margaritas. I've tried a few different flavors, but the salted watermelon is easily my favorite. The other alcohol is reasonably priced and there is a $10 minimum for credit/debit cards like most bars. Unfortunately, the Venice is a bit out-dated in the hustle and bustle that is becoming Kent. Perhaps the owners intend for it to be that way as it offers a reprieve for townies from the bars that are dominated by students. However, with the recent introduction of Erie Street Kitchen to the bar, this place needs to make some changes. More comfortable seating and some updated decor would go a long way to bringing more people into the Venice and more customers to Erie Street Kitchen. read more

An institution...in the best sense of that term. You don't know Kent until you grab a draft at the Venice. It's the spot to start and/or stop your brilliant night out at Kent. Josh Cribbs rules. read more

This place is quite cute! Went during happy hour so my friend and I were able to take advantage of their $5 16oz mason jar mixed drinks. Go with the Lynchburg! Didn't check out the food or PINBALL MACHINES, but I will be back! read more

Takes me back to my days at Kent where we could get a bottle of Moleson Golden for 75 cents...

Drinks poured short. Bartender adds ice. So kind of you... boo. No food on a Saturday at 10 pm. Boo. No reason to return.

The roast beef Mac-and-cheese sandwich was to die for. Honestly this place is a cozy little cafe with a bar, tables, and booth. The service was easy and pretty quick. I'm just amazed at the sandwich, it was great. We also order hush puppies and fries which were also good. 10/10 would recommend if you are looking for a casual place to hang with some friends, eat a delicious sandwich and be entertained. read more

A sweet bar it is...especially since all bars are non-smoking now. I love playing pool there...but to list it under pizza does a disservice to ANY pizza place. Fill your gut elsewhere before you enjoy some time at the Venice! read more

The Venice is my favorite bar in Kent! If you're a craft beer lover, their selection is by far one of the best!!

the bartender with draw on eyebrows and dark hair is extremely rude. She ignores my friends and I when we try to order drinks ( even when they are not busy), she gives us an attitude whenever we have questions and one night I was in Venice and she was slamming the registers shut because a customer made her mad. Very unprofessional. As long as she is here my friends and I will not be returning. Horrible experience read more

Had early dinner tonite, had shrimp and sausage with greens, UNBELIEVABLE! Topped off with Key Lime Pie, if you have not been there what are you waiting for! read more

Like what they have done to the place and what they kept. The painting on the wall has been there for longer than I know and gives the Venice the character it has. read more

Great job on the re model, still considered a "townie bar," but the greatest improvement is the music brought in, both locally and larger. Excellent place to hang out and listen to good music. read more

The Venice is by far my favorite bar in all downtown Kent! Pleasant atmosphere, excellent entertainment and just an all around great place to grab a beer and chat read more

Barely of age? Then this is your place. Start here for cheap beer (in all meanings of the word). Be sure to leave your mark along with the thousands of graffiti artists whose names adorn the wooden booths. Cramped and crowded on the weekend evenings with barely-legal drunk college kids. 80s-college-movie nostalgic, I imagine there are a lot of good memories made here. Bartender has an impressive memory for names and faces, greeted my friend right off and had his usual beer ready in seconds. Service is questionable for anyone beside the usual crowd- both times I've been there, the bartender initially refused to serve me because I "looked" underage...I practically had to shove my license down his throat to get a pint of beer. He studied my driver's license for 20 minutes while simultaneously serving kids that barely looked 18 without a second glance. I'm 23, and I'm just too old for this bar. read more

Love this place now that it's under new ownership. Great drinks, fun atmosphere, and lots of good times!

will miss the venice and all of its old world charm...will miss the fam and all the stories....hope it doesn't change too much