Let me tell ya, the Tempura Maitake took me on a flavor experienceeee. I tried each of the ingredients separately first. The butternut curry polenta was genius and flavorful, yet needed a dash of salt. The beet greens were tender. The pomegranate sumac gastrique was yummy but there was wayyy too much and it was overly sweet. The Maitake mushroom itself was crunchy but could use some finishing salt. From a visual perspective, it was brightttt and beautiful but I wonder if being able to see the top of the mushroom would have been more appealing to the eye than the base stem. When trying all the dish's components together, the flavors danced and invited curiosity, especially with the bite of mint. A little more salt and just a drizzle of the gastrique would balance the dish perfectly I can tell the chef had fun crafting the that dish as it was seemingly the most expressive one, definitely worth a try! The weather was so gorgeous and the patio is definitely the place to sit, especially cause of all the doggos. Staff was attentive and the vibes were chill. read more

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Loved the bright windows, open concept, clean aesthetic with seaside color vibe, and the VIEW! There is a reason half the walls are glass: so you get a view of the beach and, depending on when you're there, the sunset. Venus is a fine dining establishment but the wait times for service once we were seated and cold service were unexpected at such a nice place. This was our first time here, so hopefully we caught this server on a bad day. She also brought out our appetizers and entree at the same time, which was shocking. Due to this, we felt like we had to eat quickly so the entree didn't get cold. We often order several plates and share all the time, and never has any other restaurant brought every dish out at once before! This was the first. **THE DETAILS** Venue: 5 stars The venue is quite beautiful. You can't beat a place on the same street as a beach! All the windows on the West side of the ocean are made of tall glass. If only we had quick cocktails to sip and hot dishes to eat without feeling rushed so we could enjoy the beautiful venue. Location: 5 stars It is literally AT Rio Del Mar Beach! Parking wasn't terrible, but I can see it becoming harder at certain times of evening, or during lunchtime when the beach is populated. Crab coquettes: 1 star It was so dry, I couldn't even finish one of them. It was hard to eat. You can smell the crab, but you don't taste it. Calamari: 2 stars I love calamari, but the ratio of squid-to-batter was off. There was too much batter, and it was thick and over-fried that with each bite, you don't get to enjoy the squid. Miso salmon over coconut rice: 3 stars The salmon was tender and flaky, and cooked well. The skin was crunchy and flavorful... good enough to eat (I usually remove the skin)! The coconut rice, however, was very mushy, like it was cooked with too much liquid. This was a disappointment because we ordered the miso flavors of the salmon knowing it would pair well with the coconut rice, but the texture of the rice was that of baby food. The bok choy was fresh and added a brightness to the dish. Cocktails: 5 stars All were delicious. (Venus makes their own gin!) Service: 1 star Slowwwww like molasses. Other than seating us, which was an our fault for not having reservations, we had to wait over 15 mins for a server to acknowledge that existed, then another 15 mins to get water after she said she was going to get us water. It was a hot day, and there was no breeze or air conditioning in the restaurant, so I noted to our server that I very much needed water. When drinks and orders arrived, they were sometimes brought to our table by other staff (not our usual server), and each person did it without saying anything, not smiling, and placing items down on the table startlingly hard. (I made a joke to my friend that they don't like us here, but when this happened multiple times, it was no longer funny.) **OVERALL** I think the scene is great (venue/location) and drinks are great. The food items can be hit or miss. Table service needs re-training. I think Venus is a good place to go for the bar and some bar food. read more

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3% fee for using a credit card. I stopped by and tried a gin and tonic with Gin 02 $14. It didn't work. Maybe I selected the wrong gin. Also, the house-made tonic seems very different from the usual brands like Fever Tree, so I think their gin+tonics have a very different flavor profile than what I am used to. The Costco in Santa Cruz sells the Venus Gin 01 for $28, a decent price break from the $34 menu price here. read more

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We loved to come here on Taco Wednesdays. They have the best margaritas in the county. BUT I got violently ill the last TWO times I ate her. Just awful. The first time I had the seafood pasta (I've had it multiple times before with no problem). This time I was off the charts ill. The next visit I ordered the vegetable soup and the salmon pate. I returned the soup because it was absolutely tasteless. I made the huge mistake of eating the pate. I will never eat at Venus again. Ever. Never. read more

I enjoy coming here because it's so close to the beach and usually like to sit on the patio and enjoy the sunshine and lunch. This last experience dining we decided to try out a bunch of starters to share and drinks. The pitcher of beach don't kill my vibe was really good, it's like pink lemonade. I think it is premade because it came out very quickly. The crispy pork belly was the best thing we had, 10/10 recommend. It is sweet, and the mustard greens go great for a bitterness. It was such a flavorful dish. The foccacia is also delicious, it came with 3 pieces and it's warm and crunchy but soft! I really liked the shrimp cocktail, the waitress said they poach them and the texture is like buttery goodness. I swore I tasted a smokiness to them too, they definitely had some sort of seasoning on them. Would get these 3 items again!! I wasn't that into the bean and leek soup, wasn't very flavorful and I didn't finish it nor order this again. My friend also got the clam chowder and he didn't like it either, it was watery. The soups were a miss here. The calamari wasn't the best either, it's a light batter but not seasoned, the cocktail sauce was good though. Had lots of horseradish! Our server had a great personality, she was outgoing and didn't make anything awkward when we let her know we weren't feeling the soups. She handled the situation well and with grace. I would give this a 3.5 stars! I still enjoyed my meal and will return in the future. read more

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Nice place right off the beach. Perfect for in house cocktails. Had the fish and chips, and a few apps. Highly recommend the oysters. Will be back for happy hour next time! read more

Made a reservation online, showed up and was walked right to our table despite a busy waiting area. The waitress interesting... she mentioned she got called in early since it was Valentine's Day and said "all I heard was money," so at least she was honest? Sour punch non alcoholic mocktail was good, classy fizzy orangey, worth eight bucks? Probably not. Gin and tonic came with grapefruit, when hubby asked for lime, but he had to complaints. Pork belly appetizer was delicious. Crispy outside and juicy inside, the sauce was sweet and salty and the peanuts were a good crunch. There were some greens on the plate to make you feel less guilty eating pork belly, but we all know the truth. It came with three pieces so you'll like fight over that last one. I wanted to love my halibut, but it was so overcooked I had to use a knife to cut it. I loved the fennel salad on top, but if you aren't a fan of bitter flavors I wouldn't recommend it. Grapefruit, dill, arugula were a lot, but it was better than the fish. We also had the short ribs which was the favorite of the night, and actually so much more tender than my halibut it fell right apart with just a fork. You can't beat the sunset we had tonight. Not sure how I feel about the waitress telling the folks next to us, "time to go" (literally) because the next party had arrived, but I suppose that's how you keep the dining room moving? For the cost of the food, if I'd like to chat with my dinner party with our coffee and dessert, I would imagine it isn't a terrible inconvenience. Oh, not the greatest overpriced espresso martini we have had, so alcohol heavy it was a disappointment. I'd give it 3.5 stars but I don't know how to do half stars. read more

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Donell was a fantastic server and so attentive, but the food oh goodness the food! So fresh and delicious! The Brussels.. HAVE THEM! The fish and chips are so perfectly cooked and I love halibut so much! The calamari was tasty and not fishy at all which I appreciate! The views are great and the decor is simple and clean, and as a huge plus the bathrooms are clean and beautiful. Great experience read more

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We stopped in around 1pm on a Sunday where they wern't busy. We asked to be seated outside on the patio which has a nice view of the water along with plants and trees. We were provided menus and waters quickly. We waited about 7 minutes for a server so I went back into the host stand and asked if our server could come by. A few minutes later a girl came out and seemed annoyed (not sure with us or the host?) apologized for the wait and took our orders. We decided to share the crispy fish sandwich and Thai Mushroom soup and had a pacifico draft. We asked for an extra plate, so were happy the server asked to have it split for us, which was a nice gesture. She also seemed more friendly when she came back out and we ended up being happy with her service after all. The fish sandwich was delicious, was fresh rock fish with a great crispy batter and came with lightly dressed mixed greens on the side. The Thai mushroom soup lacked flavor, was a thick coconut base which had potential but didn't have any spice or seasoning. They also put coconut shavings on top which completely ruined it for me. The pacifico draft was ice cold and tasty so we did appreciate that. I would try this place again with different menu choices and recommend especially due to the convenient location by Seacliff Beach. read more

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Service: 5 stars - our server and bus person were both very friendly and prompt. Food: 3.5 stars. We went for lunch on a Sunday and the menu was very sandwich-forward (which is fine). We brought an out-of-town friend who was hoping for some seafood, but the only offering was a fried fish sandwich. I was happy to see that the sandwiches came with a mixed-green salad or fries for no extra charge. My spouse ordered a Reuben. The bread was amazing and the meat was good, but it wasn't saucy enough and they skimped a little on the sauerkraut. I had a cup of white bean and leek soup with a "market" salad. The soup was delicious - I wish I'd had just a big bowl of that. The market salad was pretty phoned-in for a $16 item. A pile of mixed greens, over-dressed in vinaigrette, with a few apple slices, a couple of halved grapes, and a decent amount of feta. Kind of disappointing, but tasted fine (if boring). Drinks: 4.5 stars. Decent beer selection (some from Fruition and the usual Uncle Dave's, always a favorite). We opted for a cocktail, since it's a distillery, and had a tasty gin drink with strawberry and basil. Refreshing. A little more of a "daquerie" vibe than I was expecting. The cocktails were reasonably priced compared to other places we've eaten. Ambiance: 4.333 stars. Cute, modern place with huge windows. Nice views of the ocean, which is just across the parking lot. read more

Cool spot at Rio Del Mar with friendly service, indoor/outdoor seating, well made food and cocktails made from booze from their distillery in Santa Cruz. Though it's on the beach there aren't much views unless cars aren't parked, which I'd say is next to never during business hours. Parking can be challenging at times, but the experience was worth it for our group of 6. read more

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Been here a few times as the place is clean and friendly and pleasant, but we were very disappointed today as the service was dismal. We would normally have 2 or 3 drinks each and few apps, but the bartenders were preoccupied, took their time to take our order then didn't ask how we were or offer another drink, so we left after one. When we did leave there weren't any thank yous or good bye's, it wasn't as friendly as usual. read more

Great and only spot to go to in rio Del Mar. I could eat the lobster roll everyday. And fish and chips are to die for. Frozé Paloma and espresso martini are hitters read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - Frozé Paloma - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Omg waitress prancing around shaking and stroking her long, unsecured hair. Please, for the love of Serve Safe University, mandate your elegant employees to pull back and/or wrap their long ass hair for your guests! Also pre-batched cocktails taste just like that. We used to enjoy freshly mixed and shaken cocktails when they first opened. read more

FOOD POISONING!!! We've been here several times and enjoyed the ambiance, service, and food, but their food quality has clearly taken a nose dive. The menu descriptions are deceiving and my husband got food poisoning from the oysters. We rarely get upset over a subpar meal but every dish was borderline insulting and my husband spent the entire night expelling his insides. We're both grateful I narrowly avoided getting sick because I'm pregnant. I obviously avoided the oysters, but had shrimp cocktail which could've been cross contaminated. ---------------------- Oysters: Server didn't know the name of them but just said they were the small ones from Washington. When they arrived they looked huge and...bloated. I made a face, but didn't want to start throwing off the vibe bc I was already annoyed with the other dishes and wasn't the one eating the them. It didn't come with cocktail sauce (wtf) so my husband used mine from my shrimp cocktail - I overloaded it with horseradish so both of us were amusingly distracted with how potent I had made it. We now know the horseradish probably covered up the taste of the spoiled oysters. Dungeness Crab Hush Puppies: presentation was nice, but was literally a fried ball of corn meal that was SO dry. There was NO crab in it. It was served with what looked like whipped butter with flecks of red, that we assumed was the "crab". No flavor whatsoever. Shrimp Cocktail: The color was off. Smelled fine, tasted fine but looked slightly brown. Doesn't come with lemon or horseradish and was charged $1 to add. Grateful I didn't get sick from it and in retrospect should've avoided entirely. Thai Mushroom Soup: Confusingly gross. Was expecting something reminiscent of Tom Yum Kha, but it smelled like Hawaiian Tropic sunblock and tasted like bland cream of mushroom soup. Other than the overpoweringly coconut cream (tasted like flavored cream - WHY??), mushroom and the toasted coconut, didn't see any of the ingredients listed on the menu. Just looked like overly cooked chopped onions and celery. Texture was gross too, like mucous. Thai soups are SO common, cheap, abd easy I don't understand how you could f*ck this up so badly. These were all EASY appetizers. Needless to say we won't be coming back. read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - Took the soup home to see if I could spruce it up, but tossed it after my husband's all nighter . - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Lexi, the bartender, was great. My wife and I only had a quick glass and Brussel Sprouts (which were nice), but it was really enjoyable. Cool bar, comfortable, and very engaging staff. We will for sure come back! read more

It's a jewel nestled in the sand dunes of Aptos beach. With both indoor and outdoor dining options available it is very accommodating. The service was excellent as was the food. Our party of six had a fantastic time dining from the special prefix menu they had that week. read more

Venus has become one of our go-to spots for a casual dinner that still feels like a treat. Bonus: dogs can join you on the patio! We usually start with Old Fashioneds, and theirs are better than most. We tend to order them with a different bourbon, though, as the house one drinks a little hot for our taste. The menu has a nice selection of comfort foods, and we have enjoyed their oysters, Caesar salad, chips and dip, mac and cheese, and El Ladrón burger. The ambience around the bar is pleasant, and the tables by the windows are particularly nice. When seated in the middle of the dining room, though, it can feel a little exposed, with tables fairly close together. The only small hiccup tends to be the arrival--when we walk up to the host stand, it's sometimes empty or the host is briefly occupied, so the entrance can feel a little awkward. Overall, Venus is a dependable spot for a good meal near the beach, and we're always happy when we end up there. read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24 Here we come to the beach! Venus Distillery is on Esplanade! White stucco & modern comforts! Let's go inside! © From the Bittersweet Bistro staple, next stop is Venus Distillery! This terrific location in Rio del Mar is practically on the beach! The sun sparkles, the skies brighten, and the ocean waters invite! VSCK is contemporary Californian mellow space with New American style! High ceilings, open beams, industrial feel, floating metal wrought shelving, glass jars with aromas & smells! Spirits are everywhere, our Californian bourbon! Distilled right here in Santa Cruz! Once again, after taking care of business, after enjoying a few cocktails at the Bittersweet, we situate ourselves at the bar here at VSCK! Handcrafted cocktails that showcase in-house distilled spirits, it's a must! A Venus spirits experience brings your spirits up! Eccellente! BEACH, DON'T KILL MY VIBE Venus gin no. 01, strawberry, lemon, basil Gin + Tonic with Gin No. 01 Gin + Tonic with Gin No. 02 EL LADRÓN MARGARITA: el ladón agave blanco, lime, triple sec, salt rim Venus Martini! Focaccia: Sea Salt, Rosemary, Whipped Butter! Fries: Fresh Herbs, Garlic Aioli, Ketchup! Crispy Brussels Sprouts: Date Jalapeño Cashew Cream, Black Garlic Sauce, Rose Pickled Onions, Nori Sprinkles Customer-focused staff! TYSM! Cocktails & Dreams! Succulento! è molto saporito! *Hangin' out, hangin' out down by the beach I hear it now, I hear it now sweet melody Neon lights, neon lights illuminating Music on, music on my TV screen Cocktails and dreams give them to me! [ Review #818 w 13 pics Jan 22, 2025 ] @Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24 read more

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had a really disappointing experience at Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen yesterday. What was supposed to be a quick dinner on the patio turned into a 1 hour and 45 minute ordeal at a restaurant that didn't even seem very busy. The biggest issue was the service timing. A table next to us arrived about 30 minutes after we did, yet somehow they received their food roughly 20 minutes before ours while we were still waiting. Even getting drinks took forever. It took about 20 minutes just to get a beer, which felt pretty ridiculous. By the end of the meal we had each spent around $70 for one course and two beers, which would be fine if the experience matched the price -- but it didn't. To be clear, this didn't seem like the fault of the servers or waitstaff. They were doing their best. This felt much more like a management or kitchen coordination problem, because the pacing and organization of the service was clearly off. To top it off, the only acknowledgment of the delay was a small wooden token for a free drink on a future visit. Unfortunately, after this experience, I don't think there will be a next time. Really disappointing, especially for a place in such a great location in Rio Del Mar. read more

What a fantastic experience! Not only was the staff hard-working, but they were also friendly and gave Great recommendations. High praise to Angie our amazing server and the rest of the hard-working crew. read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - Perfect place to celebrate a birthday - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Food was amazing . Service was just as good . Came here with my partner for a random dinner and honestly got one of the best servers we have had in a very long time, her name is Mimi, ask for her (: read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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This place is loud. If you want to have a conversation, you should sit outside and bundle up. We had reservations, but no one greeted us when we arrived and it took some time before someone arrived to check us in. The restaurant wasn't crowded, but it was loud. We asked for a quiet table and there were plenty available away from others, but we were seated between two tables full of happy celebrating loud people. They were having a great time and they should. We just couldn't hear ourselves speak and had to start yelling like they did. At one point, we thought maybe we would just text each other from across the table. The menu isn't terribly original. The salmon was lovely and prepared well but did not arrive at the same time as our other food. The buratta and tomato jam appetizer was very greasy. It wasn't what I expected because buratta usually isn't presented this way. I liked the tomato jam, but the whole thing was floating in olive oil and a little offputting. read more

Located in Rio Del Mar beach. We had the Thursday special chicken Parmesan with side salad and a glass of wine for $28. It was pretty good. Would have liked a little pasta with it. The hostess could have been nicer. We requested a table outside and when I asked if the heaters were working, she just shrugged and said "I don't know". Luckily the heaters worked. Our server was good though. If we go again, I'd sit inside. Outside, we were looking at the parking lot. read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - Outdoor patio - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Venus Spirits accommodated our party right away, no issue. We got a patio table, the weather was nice, the vibe was promising, and for one brief, hopeful moment it felt like we might simply sit down and enjoy a meal like civilized people. That illusion did not survive even the first 15 mins I think. The waitstaff was nice enough, but in that dazed, kinda detached way that makes you wonder whether they were overwhelmed, or just spiritually no longer involved in the outcome. It took 20 minutes just to put in our drink order, and another 20 minutes before the drinks arrived, and naturally they came at different times, so we then had to wait another 5 minutes to actually cheers like normal human beings instead of a AA style support group for societal outcasts. We ordered calamari as an appeteazer as my friend calls it, we were fucking stoked, but it arrived 45 minutes after we put in the food order, meaning we had already been there over an hour by the time a basket of mostly breading hit the table. No aioli, of course, because apparently condiments are a privilege, not a right at Venus Guy Trap. We had to physically go back into the restaurant and ask for it (which wasnt an easy task on it's own) and then wait another 8 minutes for someone to bring the sauce that should have arrived with the dish in the first place. Yea we finished all but 3 pieces of calamari before she brought the sauce because we were hungry...sue us. That became the pattern of the evening. If we wanted anything, we had to get up and go inside to remind the restaurant that we still existed. We did this multiple times just to get our food. Which is always a nice touch when you go out to dinner...having to self-advocate like you're dealing with Xfinity. When the food finally arrived, the presentation was uninspired at best. One burger plate had roughly twice as many fries as the other, which is a small detail, but also the kind of thing that tells you nobody is steering the ship. No one came back to ask how the food was, I assume because deep down they already knew sh*t was f-d. The burgers were subpar, with buns that tasted stale, like they were from Grocery outlet. Not charmingly rustic. Not hearty. Just stale. The calamari was mostly breading and not much of it, which is a bold move, Cotton, for a $20+ appetizer. We ordered another round of drinks, and those took another 15 minutes to arrive, because by then the restaurant had committed fully to its sloth like service style. In fairness, the third member of our party got the salmon and thoroughly enjoyed it. How much weight you want to give that is up to you. This is a man with the carpentry skills of Jesus but the personality of Brick from Anchorman. So while I respect his experience, I'm not totally sure he should be the lighthouse guiding anyone safely to shore. After we were basically gearing up to head out and maybe skip on the check, they brought out our checks and gave us a janky little wooden token for a free drink next time. There will not be a next time. I tipped zero, the first time since I was a shitty teenager at Denny's. That token now functions mainly as a tiny wooden reminder to never go to this overpriced yuppy shack ever again. Santa Cruz has too many better options to spend your money here. If you want a decent meal, a timely drink, and the radical luxury of not having to repeatedly walk inside and beg for basic service, go somewhere else like East End Gastropub in Capitola or Oswald Restaurant downtown. Both have banging burgers. Oswald has really great calamari. And tons of other great options served in a normal time span not measured in eons. Good luck out there, sweet babies. read more

This is a great spot for good food, good drinks, and good service. The lobster risotto is my favorite and the pork belly appetizer is delicious. read more

Great first time to Venus, loved the food and ambience! Cant wait to visit again. Best Negroni! The focaccia and mac and cheese were second to none. read more

Venus was a perfect place to visit over my weekend beach staycation! Just a few steps away from Rio del mar state beach, and right next to a liquor store, made Venus the perfect place to grab a seaside bite to eat! On the weekends they offer a lunch menu from 12p-3p for pickup. https://order.toasttab.com/online/venus-spirits-cocktails-beachside My boyfriend and I opted to wait for dinner since they had a lobster roll on their dinner menu. Staff was very nice and friendly while inquiring about dinner take out and although i did not stay very long, the inside atmosphere was very warm and lively! They have a very modern interior and a charming outside patio. I had the lobster roll and it was loaded with fresh meat and had a nice lemony kick, plus it came with a salad that actually felt fresh and crisp. My boyfriend got the El Ladron burger and fries, the fries were crispy and yummily seasoned with rosemary, and even though the burger was fairly simple all of the ingredients tasted very high quality! Overall I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of Rio del mar :) Would definitely love to come back to be able to enjoy the inside and try some of their cocktails. read more

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Food was delicious! I had the Mac and cheese which was perfectly cheesy with crunchy bits on top, Beet Carpaccio was refreshing and light, Braised Short Rib with grilled leeks was tender and mouth watering. We also had the clam linguine which was delectable and flavored to perfection. The drinks are also spectacular. Would highly recommend for a dinner date! read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - Braised short rib - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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Absolutely astounding. My girlfriends and I had such a wonderful experience I had to write a first time review! Off the bat, our server was incredible. Thank you Donyl for the excellent drink recommendations! The winter gin & tonic and winter negro were both just phenomenal. Upon her request, we shared the pork belly, miso salmon, and short ribs and WOW!!! The overall restaurant was such a pleasure to be in. Good lighting and beautiful decor. We will be back!!! read more

Let me kick this off with the food saved this review from being one star. Overall, when we finally got something, it was fantastic. So if you don't mind waiting an hour for the first thing to hit the table after waiting 25 minutes for your waitress, you'll love it. If you care about service and just general recognition that you exist, might want to head elsewhere. Worst service of my life and therefore lowest tip I've ever given. And honestly, didn't feel bad giving it...that's how horrible the service was. Will not be returning. read more

Venus is one of the best spots in Aptos! My husband and I come here regularly for date night and typically sit in the bar area. All the bartenders are fantastic and attentive. Food is always great. Highly recommend the smash burger special, beet carpaccio, focaccia, and oysters. read more

It took me awhile to get the the Beachside Venus and I finally did! The menu is very seafood heavy, which might be obvious, for those that haven't been yet. The one fishy dish that we ordered, I actually wasn't a huge fan of (photo below). My favorite part of the meal were the two salads we ordered. While I'm not typically a salad-girl, it was what stood out to me on the menu. I think I would like to go back and give it a second chance because the truth is, nothing really stood out to me besides the mocktails (that were literally delish). Our waitress was an attentive sweetie pie and because of that, I gave another star. read more

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Amazing service by Cooper, great wine, amazing chicken Cesar salad, burgers are wonderful, vibes are awesome! read more

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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We came to dine here for a bachelorette party and loved the private room we were seated in. It was a Saturday night and drinks and food did take a while to arrive. The meals didn't arrive all together either and the bride was the last to receive hers. I do not recommend the lobster pot pie as it caused an upset stomach. Stick with the burgers and Mac and cheese. read more

Terrible, went back for the first time in awhile. Food was not great, got the focaccia bread which was dry and horrible with melted butter. Service was horrible, younger lady, never checked on us, took forever to help us. read more

It was our first time. We got there just before Happy Hour ended so we got french fries (they were great french fries), chips and french onion dip (more horseradish than onion-y, but would still recommend), and clam chowder (you can skip their version). Piping hot french fries with ketchup and mayo, AND a cocktail? Yes, please! However, while good, the Watermelon Cooler cocktail (mint infused venus vodka, watermelon juice, hibiscus tea, lemon, simple syrup, tajin) wasn't what I was looking for. It was approachable, but boring. I was looking for something exciting and sophisticated. But my hubby's gin and tonic was pretty top tier (they make their own gin and tonic). The cocktails and snacks were way better than the dinner itself. We shared the Caesar salad (it had some old, brown, rotting lettuce in it - a total turn-off) and the tagliatelle with prawns. We thought it was unique because of the Fruition IPA, but it had too many additional bitter components with the preserved lemon and arugula. At least the pasta wasn't mushy and the prawns were cooked well. We were surprised by how big the portions were. The clam chowder was $10 (HH price) and served in a big bowl with two spoons. It had plenty of chopped clams, but the potatoes needed more cooking time. Service at the bar was excellent and it's right across from the beach. They also have a nice outdoor patio. But I'm not sure if we'll be back because the drinks and dinner were pricey, but mediocre. read more

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Each year we come to Rio Del Mar, Aptos. We always eat out numerous times times Venus has been on radar but finally got there, it was Grreat! We had clams linguine, clam chowder, forcaccia And risotto, which was a little rushed(not cooked quite enough ). Nice atmosphere friendly chatter and great staff. Attentive and helpful. read more

Had a wonderful experience at Venus, the other day. Donyl was my server and she was amazing so friendly and attentive, which is rare to come by in restaurants these days. She suggested I order the Laura Palmer and I loved it! I had the miso salmon and short rib and she suggested the crème brule after which was so good. She also let me know what time sunset was, along with the food and her service I couldn't have asked for anything better. Thank you again Donyl, you were the best will definitely come back and hopefully be served by you again. read more

I've given this restaurant many chances...kept hoping things would change because the idea behind it is kinda great. Right on the beach, their own distillery, etc. Unfortunately it's always been the same story and last night was the kicker. Short staffed, we waited a half hour for our drinks and an hour and a half for our food, which when it came, was horrible. Overcooked Pasta, undercooked fries, Caesar salad with no dressing. I'm really disappointed because it's always nice to take out of town guests to a local venue. This ain't it! read more