Jaguar Moon

Jaguar Moon is such a fun addition to the downtown bar scene. The space is spacious inside with bold, playful decor, and there’s also a lovely patio out back that’s perfect for hanging out with friends. Music is always on point with a great mix of cumbias, reggaeton, and other Latin hits that really set the vibe without being overwhelming. This spot is owned by the same group behind Good Lion, with sibling bars Cocktail Trust and Strange Beast just down the street, so the cocktail program is solid and thoughtfully done. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4–6pm and is a great deal. $10 cocktails like the Oaxaca old fashioned, paloma, and margarita, plus a $5 shot, which feels more than fair for the quality. I’m personally a big fan of the mezcal negroni and the Oaxacan cobbler. Both are well balanced and consistently made. Shoutout to Jesus and the whole team for being attentive, welcoming, and for making some of the best cocktails in town. Bonus points because Cocina Jaguar is located in the shared space and serves delicious Yucatán-style Mexican food by Chef Ramón Velazquez, a Bib Gourmand winner. It’s the perfect pairing with the drinks. Overall, prices feel right for quality cocktails, usually in the $11–14 range. Lively, well curated, and definitely worth a visit whether you’re stopping by for happy hour or a full night out.

What can I say? A mezcal/tequila bar, that has a very personal feel to it. The drinks and service here is just incredible. From the warm welcome from the bar, to the comforting conversation and tailored experience from the bartenders. James made my night incredible. From his warmth right when he asks you what you want, and his passion to what he makes you. Depending on if you want an on menu drink or if it's not busy and he offers you one of his dealers choices, you can get a truly unique drink thats catered to your palate. James truly makes a wonderful experience whether you are having a rough night to begin with and need a "pick me up" or you just want to have a wonderful cocktail experience, he is the guy to go to. He really shows what true hospitality is and goes above and beyond to make your experience incredible. I highly recommend you be able to go in and experience the true hospitality and passion for the craft he offers!

The most incredible cocktail bar in Ventura! It’s gorgeous with bright colors, tropical vibes from chic wallpaper, jaguar mural, pink neon jaguar in a colorful hallway to lots of cozy seating areas. Love the cocktails. They focus on agave spirits but can make anything including fun boozy slushes. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Cool music. Great spot for girls night out or a celebration. Killer happy hour because you can tell they use quality ingredients including fresh juicing every day. They share the space with Cocina Jaguar, who have the most incredible fresh Mexican food from ceviches to tacos etc. I’m obsessed with the chicken taco & pork tacos. Lots of gluten-free options. I’m celiac & can eat alot of the menu 🙌 ! My husband enjoys geeking out with the bar team and doing rare mezcal tastings. They said they are opening a large outdoor patio later this spring.

I had an amazing time at Jaguar Moon, and a big part of that was James! He was our bartender and brought such great energy to the experience. His personality was warm, welcoming, and genuinely fun, which instantly made us feel comfortable. It was clear he really loves what he does. He was attentive, professional, friendly. This is the type of service that makes us want to come back! Also the restaurant had a great environment and energy.

I like this place as a concept and will return, but it’s definitely still dialing itself in. The food was very flavorful and I would order it again. It’s expensive but so is everything downtown and it feels less expensive than $25 burger and beer downtown. The drinks: we loved what we had but are not mezcal people and there is a lot of that on the menu. The vibe is colorful but needs to be brought together somehow. I love the colorful feel but it feels a bit spartan inside. We came in and felt a lost not realizing we needed to walk to the back to order our food. I would also add a LOT of soundproofing around. Like the entire ceilings in it. With 1/4 of the place full on a Monday it was really hard to talk with my partner across the table. I’d recommend folks visit and enjoy the food and drink. I’ll come back in a couple weeks to see if they have dialed things in more - I have high hopes and am willing to give leeway to a place that just opened.

This is a cool place in Ventura. The oaxacan old fashion I got was very good and the cube had a neat jaguar design in it! The staff was super nice and friendly and my friends all enjoyed their drinks overall. The vibe and atmosphere and decor was very cool with like a speakeasy type vibe. We didn't try the food, so no comment on that.

Great little spot and really interesting concept. Food and cocktails were a 10/10. Came for happy hour and enjoyed the mezcal margs and sweet potato flautas. Great service and beautiful space. Really fun and imaginative menu and atmosphere.

It was my first time visiting Jaguar Moon, and the experience was impressive. The cocktail bar offers a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere that sets the tone for a great evening. James was our bartender and provided exceptional service—his cocktails were expertly crafted, well-balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. His attention to detail and genuine care for guests elevated the entire experience. I look forward to returning!

I love it here!! The staff is great, the cocktails are great, and the food is delicious. Make sure you try their Guacamole and the Fried Chicken Taco. The prices are reasonable and not stupid over priced. I have been here about 4 times since it has opened and it may be my new favorite place. It's right off Main Street in Old Town Ventura. Shop in all the great stores, breweries, live music, walk to the beach and stop here and enjoy.

First time trying the drinks at this new spot! My friend and I were excited to go. I tried the Jaguar Moon to start off and enjoyed the freshness of the drink. It didn't seem at all spicy to me, in fact could have probably used a little more kick. I also tried the Tepache Fizz. I was a little disappointed by the presentation of this drink. The server described it as a volcano type drink and the presentation being really cool. It was a near mug it was served in, but I had envisioned it coming out with some dry ice or something more exciting. The drink itself was good, definitely fizzy, however, not necessarily something I'm eager to return to have again. My friend ordered both mocktails available on the menu and was extremely happy with both. I think this part of the menu should be expanded! We tried the food while we were there (separate review) and our experience overall was great. We will return!

Went down to Jaguar Moon and it is the great new spot in downtown Ventura! The drink menu is amazing and full of refreshing drinks. I highly recommend the Paloma! The food is also great addition. We had tacos and flautas they were all delicious. It's definitely a great spot for drinks, food and getting together with friends or a night out!

Wow! Such a great addition to downtown Ventura! Everything was absolutely amazing! Drinks, food, and ambiance. Everything had such amazing flavor and so good! We love stopping in here when we go to Ventura. Please go try if you have not! Chef Ramon Velasquez thank you for everything!

New fun find right off Main St., @jaguarmoonbar. Slightly to moderately spiced is often the way of the food and drink around here however none of that mattered once I found out they hand make the tortillas. Right then, I knew I needed to try it! Plus, they have a few different types of tortillas so I'll definitely be back to try the others but some additional menu options with no spice would potentially be a nice addition. The fish was fresh, the drinks were unique, and the overall vibe was great. Employees were kind, helpful, and working hard. Love the neon and all the bright colors throughout, the big and mostly open space is nice as well.

Friendly service, great drinks if you like mezcal. Ambiance is upbeat for a Thursday night. Food is great for my tastebuds, I ordered the tlayuda de hongos; it was tasty and spicy! The bar stools are very uncomfortable and saw that most people moved after a few minutes and that includes me. On a busy night the staff on the bar will have a hard time keeping up with the drinks -this is an assumption also expect noise, not recommend for a romantic night. However, I suggest you give it a try.

Jaguar Moon in Ventura is the perfect Sunday night vibe, especially if you're winding down from the buzz at Model Citizen across the street. My friends and I popped in, relieved to find it a little calmer than the usual weekend chaos. We snagged some prime bar seats,, Chris and Jordan are the MVPs of hospitality. Since it was a chill night, they had time to chat and even recommended we check out Strange Beast green tea shots (love a bartender with good taste!). we celebrated our friend with mezcal shots, and WOW--no cheap stuff here. These were the kind of smooth, smoky pours that make you rethink all the bad tequila decisions of your past. Served in the cutest little copitas, of course. Then came the cocktails, and because it was a slow night, they happily put them in fun tiki mugs for us. Honestly, 10/10 for vibes, drinks, and staff who are always friendly and ready to make your night awesome. Jaguar Moon, you've got my heart--and my mezcal-loving soul.

Jaguar Moon reminds me of being in Miami in the 80s. The pink, purple, yellow and turquoise color scheme inside the place is fun and different for the area. The drinks are tasty, with a good amount of character that matches the names of the cocktails. Not-to-mention pairs well with the unique mugs that some of the drinks are served in. The bar area is separate from the food service. Meaning, you can only order drinks at the bar. You have to order food from a window area in the back of the space. I appreciate the separation of drinks from food, if you just want a cocktail. But its inconvenient if you're expecting to go out to eat and drink. It's an open seating concept where you seat yourself, but leaves you wondering how this all works, as their is not an official greeter in the front. So don't wait to be seated, or you may miss out on that cool spot you were staring at. The staff were all friendly and conversational. Giving you details about the drinks and spirits. The bartenders checked in on you, and managed to pump out drinks to all the patrons. I was impressed as it was a packed night. The crowd was fun, eye-pleasing, and social. Check it out for yourselves! Order the Oaxacan OF (Old Fashion).

Jaguar Moon may easily become one of my favorite new bars and restaurants in Downtown Ventura. Shoutout to Jara S. for introducing me and some friends to this place. I always trust her judgement and when she said this spot was amazing I knew we had to come. I love everything about Jaguar Moon. It's rare that I have don't have feedback on how to upgrade a space, especially when it's new lol but they've really got it figured out here. The vibes, food, service and drinks were immaculate! I love what they have done with the space and it is so much larger inside then I would have guessed from the outside. This week is their soft opening but happy to see that they will be able to accommodate the masses because I am sure this place will get super popular. I love the decor of jaguar moon. It's giving Miami Vice vibes. Tell me I'm wrong?!! Anyways, the decor is spot on. They created a moody vibe inside as it's dark but they have fun neon accident and some spots that have pops of light. You've got to check out the inside because they really did a great job stylistically. Loved the tables, chairs, wallpaper, and the bar is lovely. If you are coming for drinks you can order up at the bar top or there were some lovely gentlemen coming around and taking orders for us. If you want food they have a back counter and register where you can order separately. It was actually easy enough and service was wonderful. The night we came it was all gentlemen working the bar and floor but everyone was so lovely, welcoming, and hospitable. I hate bars where the staff act "too cool" but I'm so thankful that here everyone is nice and personable. Major kudos and shoutout to Chris, Joel, Jordan, and Jesus who helped our group out on 11/19/24. Service was A+. The food is also exceptionally good and well executed. I tried both the sea bass ceviche and the ribeye tacos. Wow! Flavor bombs went off in my mouth. The ceviche is a must order. They don't skimp on the fish and it was so fresh and delicate. A small hint of spice but if you ask for no chilis you'll be just fine. The ribeye tacos were juicy and flavorful. Honestly the tacos are big so while I just ordered one it was plenty filling. I loved the ribeye as it was cooked perfectly and I'm a sucker for their guac and green onions. Cocktails you can't go wrong. I did the Hibiscus mule. Loved the glass it came in and was cuter than a copper mug. They have the funnest glassware here! Shot glasses are adorable. Please don't take them! Lmao. We need to continue to have nice things so don't be a jerk! lol. But really, such fun cocktails. I appreciated that the bartenders made my mule extra sweet by giving me some extra hibiscus syrup. They were so nice about it. We had a few rounds of different tequilas and boy were they fabulous. Jaguar Moon is a total 10/10. Please keep doing what you are doing and I'll be a loyal customer. Loved everything here and I can't wait to be a regular. Coming back soon with some friends and can't wait for the community to catch wind and to love this place as much as we did.

Amazing place . Loved the Paloma . Amazing vibes !!My friends and I had a blast ! Drinks , food and great customer service . The ribeye tacos are to die for ! Prices are reasonable for the drinks ! Mexican vibrant colors . Yes ! The flavors of Mexico ... the mezcal .. the tequila . This is all done right . Yes ! YES! I cannot wait to be back. Thanks Jara for the rec.

Strolled in here after Dinner, the atmosphere is loud and fun. There is plenty of sitting around the bar and in lounge areas, nice open space feel. We ordered a Paloma and Oaxacan OF, the Paloma had a good flavor to alcohol ratio. The Oaxacan I would say was like a Mexican old fashioned, strong but good. I'm not sure if it's 21+ but at least around 8 o clock I wouldn't say it's family friendly. The sensory level in this place is a 9 for loud atmosphere but a 5 on the lighting. Will be back to try the food.

This place had great decor but the food was just okay and the drinks were not good. I had the watermelon drink and it just tasted like smoke and cheap alcohol for $13 that was unacceptable.

Really pretty inside. Great service on a Thursday night. Drinks are yummy and creative, i've tried the Carajillo Slushy, Harvey Leche, and Bitter Cantarito. Food was also unique and tasty, we tried the Guacamole Cantinero and Peruvian Scallop Crudo. Michelin Bib Gourmand winner chef which makes it extra intriguing.

Love! Such a cute new spot in Ventura. The vibe is on point with a chic night out. As a huge animal lover, I enjoyed the Jaguar wallpaper. I did not try the food so will have to go back and try. My review is based on drinks/atmosphere/service. Bartenders were friendly. My boyfriend got the mule and loved it and I got the tamarindo sling and although wouldn't be my usual drink of choice, it was veryyyyy good. I don't like when drinks are too sweet so this was the perfect mix of sweet but could still taste some alcohol. Can't wait to go back.

Fun atmosphere. Good for girls night or date night. Love the decor! I always hated run but went out in a limb and ordered the Oaxacan Cobbler cocktail and it was SOOO yummy! it's actually my new favorite drink. The food leaves a little to be desired- we tried one of every taco and they were all good but not amazing, I definitely wouldn't go out of my way for the food. The fried pig skins with the guac were a fun twist but overall we weren't blown away by the food but we realize that they are new and will likely work on the menu as they receive feedback. We've been back a few times and plan to make it a regular spot for date nights but only for the yummy cocktails and fun vibe. We've recommended JM to friends and guests at our Airbnb, we love that fun places like this are coming to our beloved Ventura. Oh and service has always been great, no complaints, always attentive and friendly

Super chill vibe. Love all the decor. The bartenders were attentive and friendly! The drinks were served well! I will definitely be back to try the food and more drinks!

This place is just okay! Was not a big fan of their drinks! My husband and I came here after dinner party in downtown. my husband and I usually get the michelada and they had it here so we decided to try it . First they use black modelo so it's more bitter and the michelada mix is not great either! They were super busy, spacious, good service but not the drinks! Didn't even finish the drinks. May or may not return

Yummy food and good drinks... maybe a little too much ice and pricey but very yummy. You have to order food at the register and they give you a table number. (It's very small and silver) the waiter running the food passed us twice with our food because it's hard to see it even when it's right in front of you. I hear they are working on an outdoor patio which will have live music and events.

Easily becoming my favorite place for cocktails in town. We always order different ones to try and seriously have not had a bad one, have had nearly half the menu and everything is delicious. The quality of the drinks are great and the prices are lower than anywhere else for good drinks!! The service can be a bit confusing but still a fun place to hangout and love the different cozy seating.

Went to Jaguar Moon on a busy busy Friday night. It was a cute spot well thought out the design of everything. It was very busy lucky we got some seats at the bar and the bar tenders were busy but wow were they friendly giving recommendations attentive did not forget about us! I sadly did not get to try any food but I am planning to return and try every aspect of the place and what they have to offer. But just based off of my quick stop by I recommend this place for lovely craft cocktail and date night!

Yummy drink! It's actually separate from the Cochina so we will have to come back and have some food. It looked really good.

The drinks were so delicious and the atmosphere was really cool. I got the Tamarindo Sling and would absolutely recommend trying it!! Our drink server was great, always checking in on us throughout the night. My friend did order a food item and they forgot about her so it took quite some time for her to get it, but she said it was well worth the wait.

For those that like to be surrounded by simple yet beautiful art deco when you dine, this is the place for you. For a second I forgot I was in Ventura, CA. It transports you to another place at night time. For me it gave me Mexico City vibes. Creative and vibrant take on a tequila and mezcal bar. Bright and lively colors. Fun and unique takes on classic drinks. Friendly and fast service! Plenty of seating around the large bar and throughout the restaurant. We had a blast. Can't wait to come back and try the food.

Amazing place to eat, drink, and be merry. The tacos were outstanding. Being two separate entities, the bar and kitchen, in the same building was an easy experience. I tried the fried chicken taco, pork belly taco, and potato taquitos. As for drinks I had the Anejo Manhattan and the Watermelon Fix. Try'em!!

Drinks were top tier along with the service! Highly recommend the Oaxacan cobbler and the tepache fizz. James was amazing and Jesus was very helpful. Already great atmosphere, can't wait until they finish the patio!!

Amazing new spot with excellent craft cocktails for tequila lovers. No sweet syrupy mixers,..all fresh. Vibe is cool and eclectic. Drinks do not disappoint. I am not a fan of mezcal and the Jaguar Moon signature cocktail has a very light Mezcal hint and will turn a non mezcal drinker into appreciating the beauty of mezcal. Highly recommend the Harvey Milk cocktail and their classic margarita. Absolutely delicious. Food adjacent to the bar is seriously for the foodie palette. Fresh, flavorful, well seasoned, and delectable. A new fun spot in Ventura that should not be missed. Staff is fun, friendly, informative about flavor recommendation and profiles. Go and check this out!

Went on a random Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded! The vibe is immaculate such a fun addition to downtown Ventura. Palomas were delicious, and the rib eye taco was to die for. Full of flavor! The service was also excellent. Will definitely be returning!

I am putting five stars review because I wanna support this business but yet I think that the ambience is okay, the concept is that you order drinks pay it separate and order food and you pay it separate but it's a shared area where you get service, they get the food to your table clean up after all good, we ordered the ribeye taco that is $10 per one taco which I think is a little too much, no sides nothing. Imagine if you wanna get a dinner and you order three tacos you gonna pay $30. That's the only thing that was not so cool about the place. But you should try it. The taco was really really yummy. We wanted more, but I thought that it's not worth it.

Nothing is more stupid than having a bar and basically an indoor food truck in the same place operating as two different business entities. So you sit at the bar - they don't give you a food menu because - not their business. You have to open two different tabs. It's dumb - borderline offensive. The only way this makes sense is if the chef can't get a liquor license - literally that's the only thing I can imagine is the case. Two stars because the mezcal margarita was good - but I won't go back. Didn't bother waiting in line to order food like I'm literally at a food truck. Walk two blocks up and have the cocinita tacos at Rumfish - there you can order the same exact food - in a nicer spot - for the same money - while seated - and on the same tab.

Another great spot by Good Lion Hospitality. Drinks are on point and food is delicious. Hoping they will extend hours to 12am on weekdays and 1am on weekends.

The tacos are really good! We order the Tacos de costra and they were delicious The cocktail i ordered was nice and strong and flavorful Ambiance was good. I wish that instead of having to go to a different counter to order the food the waitress could take the order as well, It felt kind of awkward to stand in line to order food when the drinks were already at the table. Also in two occasions we have to chase people away because they thought we were done with the drinks while ordering food. I'll give them a solid 8 out of 10.

They have some kinks to work out. 1) need a sign to direct people when they walk in. The food order counter is in the back, and it's confusing if you are supposed to order your drinks at the bar or if you have a server for the drinks. 2) the number sign they hand out is super hard to see. May want to re-think that? Number the tables, or use table tracker like toppers does? Giving 5 stars for the food. I was skeptical of menu, it looked too elevated for Ventura (sorry I love you Ventura, but sometimes restaurants can't follow through with their promises). This place followed through. I took one bite of my taco and knew someone special made it. Flour tortilla heaven, melt in your mouth meat. Cant wait to go back and try the entire menu. Side note: drinks weren't filled to the top, which kills me!!! And we ordered a couple of rounds, it wasn't just once. Fill them pretty please!

We had to leave this place the smell was awful. Not sure if that are having issues with their restroom. We had to leave

The ambiance was good. Looks like your in Miami. My complaint is drinks were expensive for what you got. Food prices also expensive, $10 for very small taco.

Server was great - drink was ok - espresso martini - did not love. Did not try the food.

These reviews must be sponsored or paid. worst dining experience by far. They should consider a relaunch to work out the kinks. To start, the restaurant requires you order separate for food and for drinks, two different services, two separate tips. The drinks tasted premixed resembling koolaid. The menu also fell short of what was listed vs what was offered, and no substitutions were offered. If you order Taco, know it truly is one small corn tortilla with a tiny amount of filling for what you would pay for a full meal elsewhere. The design is nice, but couldn't get past the smell of chemicals in the air. We also had to get up for water at the cooler they put out. They have prices for a full service restaurant but offer none of the comforts.

I went earlier in the evening just for drinks. They could've done w another bartender or two, but it was slower when I went, so I didn't have to wait too long.

Went into Jaguar Moon Sunday evening and had a pretty good experience, for them not having done their official opening. The beers are out of a can and only offer 4 options but they're not a craft house so that's understandable. Ordered a Watermelon Fix and a Oaxacan Cobbler. My girlfriend loved her Fix, she got it twice. I hardly drink mixed drinks (more of a beer lover) and loved the Cobbler. Only wish is that there was more quantity to the Cobbler. Regardless, we had a good experience here and bartender Chris was great! We'll definitely be back to try more of their drinks. Unfortunately, the girlfriend and I have to get back to bed for work tomorrow but definitely recommend this spot!

My wife and I have been following all of the IG posts and looking forward to checking out Jaguar Moon for weeks. We finally had a chance to go on Monday night. Upon entering, the place looked amazing. There's a great ambiance, the set up is really nice, the bar is attractive, and we are looking forward to the back patio opening. There was one waitress serving drinks. We had to wait over 5 minutes before anyone even greeted us or even approached us; and the place was not packed at all. We sat ourselves. When the waitress finally approached us, she was very short and not very courteous at all. We ordered 2 cocktails. The drinks were amazing. But our waitress never came back to check on us, despite walking past our table several times. I had to get up and order our second round of drinks. We had to get up to get our own water from the water sanitation and we had to go to a separate walk up counter to order food; so there was really no excuse for the poor service. We ordered a couple of appetizers. The ceviche, and ribeye tacos were amazing. Additionally, we were brought our food without any napkins or cutlery we had to again go to the back counter to ask for those things. Our waitress never came back to ask if there was anything more we needed after our food was brought out to us . The third star was generous, because remember it was not busy. There were 3 people working behind the bar, and a waitress who only had to serve drinks. Not food or water. The best service was from the young bus boy named Jose who checked on us a few times and took away our empty glasses and plates. We would have loved to stay and ordered dinner, but by this time the poor service was a turn off and had totally killed the vibe. We paid our tab and left. We walked a block and a half away and tried a different restaurant we had never been to before , and we had a great experience there. Lastly, I watched two different couples walk in to Jaguar Moon, sit down, not get any service and walk out. We'll try Jaguar moon again in about a month. Hopefully we'll have a better experience because the food and drinks were really good; but good service goes a long way.