Venus Spirits Tasting Room

Had a 24 person private party at the Venus tasting room and it was fantastic from beginning to end. Tory was super helpful, personable and fun to work with and we really appreciated her flexibility and attention to detail. On the night of the event, the space looked beautiful, the food was delicious, the drinks were flowing, and Tory and McKenna were on top of every detail of impeccable service. I would absolutely do another event here in the future. Thank you for helping make our night so special!

We attended a special event at the Venus Tasting Room. There were 24 attendees, and the table was set ups family style. The table was set-up beautifully. The menu was 5-course vegan and delicious. It was served promptly, and each course was paired with a cocktail using Venus’s alcohol. The combination of the food, the drinks, and getting to meet all of these people at the event made for a very special evening. Venus tasting room staff and owner were excellent hosts and added to the ambience of the evening. And it was a chance to buy a couple of Venus Gin bottles (#2 and Spring Gin) and a bottle of Venus Aquavit (similar to Gin with different spices). Since tasting the Venus Gin a few years back at the distillery, it became my favorite Gin, and the only one I buy.

Venus Spirits offers an incredible experience with its new trendy aesthetic that perfectly blends modern style with access to natural light through the abundant windows. Their distilled spirits are smooth, flavorful, and clearly crafted with skill and care of the final product. The mixed drinks have clearly been crafted by a thoughtful palate. The friendly, knowledgeable staff made my visit welcoming and enjoyable—definitely a standout spot for any spirit enthusiast.

Well balanced cocktails with a wide variety of crafted flavors. Superb outdoor space. And the food!.... could go on for days and days. Don't miss the fries- absolute best in Santa Cruz county. Plus getting to take home a few bottles of the best gin around- thanks Venus!

Upscale dining. Overall food and drinks were good but didn’t blow us away. Service was pretty slow. I appreciated their non-alcoholic drinks selection – their “No-Groni” was enjoyable.

Pretty cool little distillery. We tasted some of their gin at a local Whole Foods store and loved it so we decided a short road trip to Santa Cruz to check out their tasting room would be in order. The only real down side is that their liquor license is very strict so they can only pour a small amount per person. Meaning if you order a flight of tastings then they can't make you one of their signiture cocktails as well. This isn't their fault really but it does put a bit of a damper on the affair. Pretty friendly service though.

The spirits here were really delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed. They offer tastings and cocktails. You can buy merchandise or bottles at the distillery. The drinks are at a great price point, and the bottles are available to purchase outside of the distillery

What a great experience. Staff was amazing! Food was good. Their homemade liquor was really tasty.

Venus Spirits is SO my kind of place! My friend and I stopped by on a Saturday afternoon after a morning of hiking. We had heard about the distillery from one of the bartenders at Haberdasher (in San Jose), where they use Venus Gin Aquavit in cocktails. The place was much larger than I expected and included the tasting room, distillery, and restaurant (which doesn't open until 4PM). We ordered at the bar of the tasting room and both of us decided to try the Cocktail Flight, which includes 3 Venus spirits and 3 mini cocktails for $22. The presentation was adorable and all three cocktails were fantastic, the Moscow Mule being my favorite. We also ordered the Chips & Caramelized Onion Dip to snack on, which were tasty. Their (dog friendly) patio wasn't the biggest, but the ambiance was pleasant and the drinks/food were brought out to us. Overall, I will absolutely return and can't wait to try out the restaurant in the future.

The tasting room is set adjacent to the restaurant. The hours are different than the restaurant so make sure to check. I was served by Courtney who was courteous and helpful. I came in to try every whiskey they had including their limited run and I was able to try them all. Their limited edition portified is good, along with their single malt which I ended up purchasing. Bourbon is just okay and the rye is no bueno along with their scotch I believe it was. Well, can't nail it all but their certainly try! Gin no1 has a great scent and as a gin it's pretty good. I can see it going well in classics like a g&t or gimlet. Conveniently, they can their gin gimlets. I'm pretty sure it's one of their staples. The tasting room itself is well put together and it doesn't feel like one of those places where they sort of slapped some walls up in an old industrial building. As a commercial contractor, if they ever need a bid I would build for them as they look like solid and fun build outs (seems like I missed their Aptos remodel, sad!). Bar counter is clean, and their water glasses and dispenser are also very clean which I like. So many places, it's like you want to bring your own water because it looks like they haven't cleaned it almost ever. You can also get cocktails and other flights which is great!

I have only been here once. We came to grab food but weren't aware that the restaurant didn't open until later. So we decided to do a little tasting since we were already here. The girl that helped us was nice and explained our flight to us. We had a little charcuterie tray and chips to pair with our tastings. I had never done a tasting like this before but I'd do it again. {Ig: Oohdearfoodie }

Not gonna lie, I had high expectations for this place as I have been wanting to come here for quite some time. Happy to report that it actually exceeded those expectations. I came here on a Sunday right when they opened...well actually a few minutes before because I was too excited. We weren't the only ones with this idea, two other groups came in as soon as those doors were propped open. I took a few minutes to look over the tasting menu, it does not list what the current spirits or cocktails are for the flights, but the server was very helpful with that. After mulling it over, I finally decided on the spirit/cocktail flight. This particular flight included a Moscow Mule, a margarita, and the grapefruit and grace along with tastings of the spirits each cocktail is made with. My favorite cocktail was probably the Moscow Mule, though all of them were fantastic. We also ordered the triple bite from the food menu, this included cashews olives and a mushroom Conserva. The bites were delicious, and the mushroom conserve was probably my favorite way I've ever eaten mushrooms. We even asked the bartender if she knew how they were made because we wanted to try for ourselves! Sadly she didn't, but that's what the Internet is for! The drinks and food came up at the same time and very quickly. Even with two other groups being served, we probably waited no longer than seven minutes. We opted to sit indoors because it was a hot afternoon, but they do have outdoor seating as well. The interior was wide-open, trendy, and felt properly distanced.

This is a bit of a find. Good crowd, nice feel, really good staff. The food accompaniments are good. Gin 1 and Gin 2 are the heroes among the boozes. Which is better depends on your particular taste, but both are solid. The rims are next on the list, and darker is far the better. The whiskeys need years more aging. The port whiskey is the best of the whiskeys benefitting from the port casks covering some of the lack of aging. This place has a ton going for it. Getting a whiskey distillery going takes many years while the gin side can come to market much faster. Makes sense to be patient with Venus & enjoy the ride. We will be back!

Drinks was good, salad was great. The fried chicken was really good, however, the sides aren't that great. The coleslaw, fries and pickles was really bland , it would have been better if they replace it with mashed potatoes or mix veggies and or salad. Also, it was our first time to sit inside, it was really loud and very close to your neighbor.

10/10! We arrived after dinner around 6:30ish and it was completely empty. The bar is large and the room is lightly lit which gives it a very relaxing vibe. The two bartenders were extremely nice and attentive. Now for the drinks, let me tell you BOMB BOMB BOMB! The Cocorita is my favorite and I tend to dislike coconut flavored drinks. But it was such a mellow drink, 10/10 recommend.

This was a sweet experience. The staff was so dang cute. The aesthetic of all of Venus is also so dang cute. Their interior designer nailed it. Anyhoo, I had been wanting to check out the tasting room for awhile and finally strolled by one afternoon with my boyfriend. There's lots to choose from but I tried the cocktail flight and he got something strong with guava. I liked two out of three cocktails in my flight and in all honesty could NOT sip on the plain alcohol tasters at all. I'm soft when it comes to hard liquor but I did my best, okay. We also tried the onion dip, which the main restaurant has and it's divine (and I think also warmed?), which was flavor town. The artisan cheese plate was a bit underwhelming (or perhaps more sophisticated than I) but we ate our way through it. There's only a few snack items so don't come here hungry. I'd go back for drinks, for sure, but the restaurant is my #1.

Amazing burger. Do not get the hush puppies if you're thinking Southern, you're gonna be disappointed. I can't for the life of me understand why you wanna have your Vodka have a similar taste profile to the Gin but I'm not the distiller. So unless you want a funky flavor- skip that too. The oysters look amazing!

Venus Spirits makes some very nice Tequila and whiskey. Most all their spirits are sold almost at every liquor store in Santa Cruz as well as up and done the west coast. They have three very nice whiskeys, one of which has been aged in port barrels, however I think it was $75 a bottle, ouch. They also had a Tequila that was aged in a whiskey barrel, it was very unique and had a nice whiskey flavor to it. One thing I wish they had was a Mezcal. I believe our host said they did experiment with one once.

I'd give it 4,5 stars if I could. Great hidden spot, nice Ambiente and fantastic food. We didn't try any of the cocktails this time but will definitely be back to explore the cocktail menu We ordered the fried chicken which came highly recommended, the fish taco and the fries. Everything was amazing, but it's not the cheapest spot. $8 for a taco is quite a lot, even if it was really tasty. Taking a star off for the pricey menu and the slow service, but other than that I'd absolutely recommend it and we will definitely be back.

I was a huge fan of Venus Tasting Room when they first opened on Swift Street, and I brought many friends to enjoy the delicious gin cocktails. Since they moved to the new location around the corner, I've been steadily less impressed. I keep trying to persuade myself it's still great and worth the money - but it's NOT. Today was the last straw. I paid $14 + tax + tip for an un-yummy cocktail in a small glass full of ice cubes. I might as well have ripped a $20 bill into pieces. I'm done with it, and I will share that opinion with my friends.

Great space with a cool vibe and delicious spirits. We found a new favorite with the aquavit and have told so many people about it. Highly recommend a visit when you're in the area.

A hidden gem on the West Side! I came here 2 days after Thanksgiving with 5 others, and by others I mean my new husband (2-week anniversary calls for some spirits!), his parents, and cousins who are local. It was a post-Thanksgiving family booze day, and our experience at Venus was fun for all! We all love whiskey, so that's a good start! What surprised me was how tasty the gins were, not normally a spirit I would drink straight up thanks to a bad experience at a frat party in college (worst. shot. ever.)! I particularly liked their Aquavit, and of course the Wayward Bourbon. Our tasting experience was led by Grace, who was very knowledgeable about the different spirits. Her name could not be more perfect for her since she was welcoming, friendly and gracious! 5 stars for her too! In addition to the tasting, I also ordered one of their signature cocktails. Hey, why not?! 'Tis the season! All hail the "Garden of Eden" (Venus Gin Blend No.1, lime juice, cucumber, basil, & simple)! Venus might just turn me into a gin drinker after all... They have a lot of sweet merchandise up front, from shirts to trucker hats to whiskey glasses and mason jars, all with a very cool and hip vibe to it. Great gifts for the holidays, or anytime! Highly recommend when in SC!

I am happy to report, their products are all still just as fantastic as I remembered them being - I always visit family in the area around Christmas, and Venus is one of my favorite places, so I always like popping in and checking if they've done anything new recently. Sadly, they did not seem to have (and in fact, were out of a few things cause everyone was buying them out as Christmas presents clearly), but I wasn't complaining too much, since it is still crazy tasty, and I like supporting them (plus there were a couple things they had last year already, but that I hadn't had a chance to try, since you're only supposed to get to try 6 per visit, and they have more than 6 things.) Their gins are still both absolutely wonderful (especially the gin #2, but really, both of them). I also got to try a cocktail with the gin #2 this time, and while a lot less crazy elaborate than the sorts of cocktails I usually order (just gin #2, cranberry, and a sage-infused simple syrup), oh man, it packed a flavor punch. I'm probably going to have to make a sage-infused simple syrup at home, so I can try replicating that drink (obviously I have a bottle of their gin #2 at home, cause *duh* I do. :p) The blanco tequila, which I hadn't tried before, is surprisingly fantastic (though I suppose it shouldn't be that surprising, since it's 40 bucks, much more expensive than your average unaged tequila) - I feel like that plus fresh mango juice, and that's literally it, would make one of the best ever 2-ingredient cocktails, or you can just sip it, unusually for unaged tequila. It has some very interesting toasted cocoa notes I loved. I wasn't nearly as impressed with their mid-range tequila (which I hadn't tried before), so when the guy working there overheard me telling my kid sister I was there with, that she *had* to come back and try the anejo tequila (which they said they were out of for tasting right then), he found a bottle and gave us a splash, and yeah, it is still just as totally amazing as I remembered. The "single malt" was just as "only ok" as I remembered, but the bourbon, which I wrote down last year as being excellent, was even better than I remembered, and also, less "typical" than I remembered. I dunno if they changed up their recipe, because the one I tried this year tasted unusually wheated, which isn't my typical bourbon, but was quite delicious. The vodka was also new to me, and unexpectedly excellent - my understanding is that generally a stereotypically "good" vodka is supposed to have a very mild taste, and this one does not, it still has a bit of a "grain" taste to it, which is pretty delicious, given how smooth it also is. I feel like it'd be a particularly fantastic vodka for something like a bloody mary, except then I also got to try their aquavit (first time I've tried aquavit at all), and wow, their aquavit would *really* make an amazing bloody mary. And I don't even like bloody marys that much. As you can see, they snuck us a couple extra tastes they weren't supposed to, and that even though they already knew we had a Groupon this time. And even though they were quite busy, we still got sufficient attention, all our questions answered, etc. Glad all the acclaim and popularity hasn't made them complacent. ;)

So glad I finally made it out here. An excellent assortment of locally distilled spirits. The hostess was wonderful (I didn't get her name but she mentioned it was only her third day on the job.) The owner, Sean Venus, shared his knowledge with me about the spirits he crafts. Very friendly guy. I look forward to coming back. And of course I had to purchase a few bottles to take home.

The Good Food Awards are like the Oscars for artisans and craftspeople of all kinds who specialize in spirits, beer, wine, chocolate, coffee, and other delicious things. To win even a single Good Food Award is a pretty big deal; at Venus Spirits, they make the winning seem easy. They are like the Tom Hanks of the craft distillery world, with a bit of Clint Eastwood cool thrown in for good measure. It started with the gin. And the aquavit. Then the agave. Then the whiskies. They all have awards to their name. Some are stored in American oak barrels and allowed to mature for years in the maritime breezes that blow off the Pacific Ocean, gaining in complexity as time goes on. Others are made ultra-fresh using seasonal ingredients, like the Gin X, which is released each summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Gin #1 is a classic: organic wheat as the neutral spirit base, and then a luscious layering of botanicals and citrus elements. Juniper berry, cardamom seed, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, coriander seed, ginger, tangerine peel, licorice root, and dried lavender. What's not to like? Gin #2, which I have yet to try, is barrel aged and given a spicy, warming treatment, so you can serve it differently and mix it in crossover ways. The agave - tequila basically - comes in various styles, and the selection of whiskies is impressive: bourbon, rye, wheat, and single malt. You can sample 6 spirits for $12, or a 3 whiskey flight, or a single, generously sized cocktail for $10-12 from a small menu of speciality drinks and classics, like gin + tonic, an old fashioned, or sazerac. My advice is the following: arrive early, like when they open at 1pm on weekends. Or come later with a bunch of friends who aren't opposed to sharing. Choose either gin, agave, or whiskey if you're solo, and buy a bottle of one you like. These spirits are fine enough to savor neat or on ice at home. No need to be an amateur mixologist or have a home bar to make them shine. If you visit Santa Cruz on a regular basis, pencil in a semi-permanent stop here in the early afternoon to work your way through their cocktail list. One cocktail at a time. It's slow, simple, and very, very rewarding.

If you think that cocktails are meant only for pre-dinner drinks with a new date or evenings out with good friends, well you've never been to Venus Spirits Distillery on a restful and sunny Saturday afternoon in early autumn. You can knit here while enjoying a perfectly made gin gimlet or dig into a good, thought provoking book with a classical rye whiskey sazerac. Or just play cornhole with your daughter in the parking lot while your partner decides which blue agave bottle to buy for home. Blanco, reposado, or añejo? If only all choices in life could be so simple. Due to local liquor laws, Venus can only offer customers a tasting of 2.5 ounces of their spirits daily. You can sample several spirits in tiny amounts, or you can go all in on a single craft cocktail for around $12. There is also a spirits club with four annual pickups at the distillery, including bottle discounts, complimentary tastings, and happy hour pricing on cocktails for you and a single guest, anytime the tasting room is open. If you're here as part of a fun weekend outing, I'd recommend a cocktail per person and a bottle of spirits of your choice for home. There are lots of other wine, beer, and eating out options nearby along Swift Street and Fair Avenue, like Bantam, Verve, Humble Seas, and Stockwell Cellars. I like to wind down my Westside outings with a leisurely afternoon cocktail here before heading back North up the coast while the sun is still shining. Consider it an option on your own next Santa Cruz visit!

Absolutely loved exploring this part of Santa Cruz, including walking to Venus Spirits after a round at Humble Sea--after all, they're a short five-minute walk apart. First things first, the space is beautiful. Open, industrial-ish, cool bar area plus plenty of additional seating. I imagine this place can get pretty hopping. Spirits are solid. We shared a flight (swapped out a tequila for a bourbon) and a gin & tonic--everything was solid, but the highlight for me was the gin. Really clean, easy, can stand alone, or do its thing in a cocktail. Always a good day when drinking local and discovering new gems.

I love this place! I am not a huge gin drinker but these cocktails were so artfully done and had such pure and healthy ingredients, I was won over. My friend said that it felt like we were drinking an herbal bath with really healthy booze! We ordered some small bites that were excellent! My only recommendation would be to give the bar staff more help. We were seated at the bar and it was hard to get a food order in because they were so slammed serving cocktails for the entire restaurant. The bussers were very attentive - especially one young man named Kyle. Cute as a button!

Honestly had higher expectations but was disappointed. We got the Venus flight and the Wayward flight so together we could taste 9 of their spirits (2 gin, 2 agave, 2 rum, and a bourbon, rye, and single malt). Things started off well - both gins are fantastic! Definitely worth buying a bottle. But things went downhill from there. Everything else tasted mediocre and some were hardly drinkable. Maybe it was my tastebuds but my partner and I visit as many distilleries as we can and both agreed. Honorable mention to the El Ladrón Reposado and the Single Malt Whiskey. But could've passed on everything else. Cute decor, and food looked good but didn't try anything as we just came for the booze.

Exceptional Distiller A big fan of the GIN, and they have several cocktail options from their bar menu that place Venus into a category unto itself. If you eat at the restaurant, it has a tight menu which always pleases the palette from the burette to the burger and fries or salad everything is well executed

Drove to Santa Cruz (from Oakland), picked up a friend and was searching for something to do. She had been wanting to try this spot and they had a great Groupon for four people, so off we went. Disclaimer: I am not a gin drinker. I've tried many different kinds, and I don't like it. After tasting the one here, I still don't like it (but you might, so ignore my prejudices about gin). What I really enjoyed was their Wayward single malt whiskey (nice smooth and would order this at a bar), and the El Ladron blue agave spirit (tequila). This was really, really, really tasty! I give it 4 stars because of the gin, and also because we weren't immediately acknowledged when we first arrived. I get they were busy (and appeared to be short staffed), but at least just see us and say something like, "We'll be with you ladies in a minute." But, once we started tasting, the service was excellent. One thing the pointed out was the artwork within the label, which we thought was cool. I would go back and just skip the gin part! LOL.

I really liked venue and tasking room. The service was fine. I had a tasting flight which was decent. This should be a great place for Gin and Vodka fans. I'm not a big fan of clear spirits, but they specialize in Gin. The different takes on Gin and Vodka where interesting and likable. The barrel aged whiskey's had very harsh finishes to me and I wasn't a fan. My primary interests are Bourbon and Rye whiskeys. Unfortunately for me, nothing here moved me to buy a bottle. Coming from Colorado, I have a lot of options for great local whiskeys that I prefer.

This is a great distillery in Santa Cruz, they make their own Gin, Agave Spirit (Which is Tequila), and Whiskey. The only thing you should know before you come here is that they can only serve, per person, either tasting or cocktail, but not both, that's because of their liquor license limitation. Hopefully they can get an upgrade on their permit and everyone can try more than one drink. I came here on Thursday afternoon with a friend, and we tried the tasting, which consists of 3 types of Gin, 1 Blue Agave Spirit and 2 types of Whisky. I'm more of a whisky drinker, so their Gin #2, which is aged in a barrel, caught my attention. I loved the oak flavor in their Gin The Agave Spirit, which is Tequila, but they couldn't called it Tequila because it wasn't produced in Tequila, Mexico. It is just as outstanding as the Gin. My favorite of the night is the Single Malt Whisky, it is mild and smooth, with great amount of flavor, and it was outstanding. The Rye Whisky was great too, but personally I prefer the Single Malt, and that is why I bought two bottles!

Staff was super friendly and place was very clean and welcoming. Got a whiskey flight and the rye was excellent.

Brunch here is fantastic! Our group split the fries (made them awesome) and we all had the fried chicken sandwich! We enjoyed our meal so much and the patio was great - very dog friendly. We all also greatly enjoyed our cocktails. Will return next time we're in Santa Cruz!

Super great spot! They followed all covid rules.. outdoor seating is cute! The food is also worth trying, definitely going to be back to explore the menu. We ordered some drinks and a flight of six different varieties of whiskey, tequila, and gin. So tasty! Can't wait for my next visit

Our first time at Venus. Nearly our waiter's first time as well. We asked a few questions about ingredients in their signature cocktails, to receive the answer, "I don't really know, I've only been here 2 weeks." Alright, hey, let's just google this right now and we can both educate ourselves here." This seems pretty off the mark for a place that is ostensibly a cocktail bar. Frankly, maybe you ought to spend a few minutes learning the menu before you start working. I certainly did when I waited tables in college. The cocktails were seriously delicious, however. Right down to the high quality ice cube. Now, on to the food. We had heard the food was Meh. Ordered a burger and fried chicken. Burger was pretty decent. The fried chicken was definitely Meh. Could get better fried chicken at pretty much any fast food restaurant. Oh, and if the waiter sells you on how amazing the bacon jam is for the cornbread? Decline that. It's good, but not worth $3 for two tablespoons of bacon jam. Finally, our sendoff by waiter is "Ask for me next time you come back". Hmmm, not sure about that, my friend. I would absolutely consider stopping back for a tasty cocktail, but I wouldn't get food. And, I think I'll take my chances with another waitperson who might be able to better help and recommend. After all, I think that's why we give a gratuity on the check. Not just for pushing the buttons on the keypad for putting in the food order. Sorry to be such a downer. It's a great concept. But, needs more work on execution. From staff education to food quality. On the obligatory COVID note. All boxes checked. Good job here.

Was visiting home for a birthday we ate here but before we went to the tasting room! Very Santa Cruz loved the vibe and the drinks were yummy!

It was a super hot August afternoon, and, we stopped in for a few drinks. When we arrived, seating was at capacity and we were asked to stand/drink as we waited for a table. The drink menu was creative & great. Gin & Tequila, all you need for a Sunday! When our table opened, we were greeted by a nice server...who... came back and told us he wasn't our server...to be greeted by another server... who asked us the same questions...and then told us that she wasn't our server... and was replaced by our first server. The food was really good, however, we did have a lost burrata. I wish we could give a 5 star, however, with 2 mix-ups... they have a couple things to iron out. We will certainly be back!r

I've begun to learn a lot more about alcohol over the past couple years. A few years ago I would occasionally have a beer or maybe a cocktail but didn't really know much about the company that produced it or the people that put the hard work into creating it. I've grown a serious appreciation for the people and companies that produce a fine alcohol lately. At the top of my list of favorite local companies is Venus. I say company but really it's just a few people that make some of the best spirits I've tasted. The chill and amicable Sean Venus distills a great whiskey, gin, and agave. Before tasting the Venus gin I was standoffish to gin in general. But the Venus gin has me converted. One can drink it neat and marvel at the flavors and wonderful aspects of it. The people that tend the small tasting room bar and run Venus are all so personable and fun to talk to as well. On top of the great staff and legit spirits and cocktails Venus also has a cool vibe inside. Makes for a great experience to stop by on a weekend and relax. They're also starting to do yoga + cocktails events with Downward Drinking Dog which are not to be missed!

Try this place out if you are coming through Santa Cruz. Several great tasting available when they pour.

The IPA was delicious and my wife really enjoyed the cocktails. When it came to eating a meal. As Vegans we felt the menu was extremely limited. We ordered the (Vegan) Caesar Salad which was basically a bowl of lettuce with a nut sauce and some sesame seeds on it. (They forgot to add the chickpeas) And even then though tasty could hardly be called a meal. Anyway I always judge the quality of a restaurant by whether I go seeking more food after I leave, which unfortunately was the case here. The Ambience was nice but unless the menu changes and offers more substantial plant based options we wont be going back.

Everything about this place was outstanding- stellar bevs, original and tasty food, and kick ass service. From the perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts I began with to the chocolate torte and everything I ate in between - I devoured each and every morsel. Our experience began with our killer waitperson noticing that our table was topsy turvy and bending down and fixing it. I wish every restaurant I've ever been to or ever will go to is as good as this one.

We were in the area checking out some of the other things nearby (cute shops & humble sea) and saw that Venus Spirits was nearby, what surprise, a local distillery that has a tasting room! We ordered a gin & tonic in addition to a flight with the listed spirits (and were allowed to swap out one tequila for a port barrel aged bourbon instead). For me, I felt that their Gin #1 was their shining spirit. I agree with some of the other reviewers who said the bourbons had a bit of a harshness to them. The space itself is really beautiful, a little dark and industrial but nice and open especially with the roll up door open. Overall it's worth a little visit if you're in the area and looking for something more unique to do.

One of the best damn ginger beer I've ever had!!! I haven't had a chance to try their alcohol but their ginger beer is tasty!!!!

Amazing service, food, spirits, drinks, staff. We have found out new go-to on westside. Really enjoyed the cornbread, fries, Laura Palmer and G&T. I recommend this place and will be back soon.

Excellent relaxed place for a glass of wine or one of their outstanding mixed drinks. The food is very average, I expected more. How about some true gluten free options, maybe a separate fryer? Why not try something with a little spice/hot? Mote food imagination will earn you five stars. Until then it's drinks only.

This place used to be really good but I think it isn't anymore. I ordered the Like a Boss cocktail that was supposed to have a bit of jalapeño spice to it but is just tasted like watered down margarita mix from a jug. The mock tail similarly had no flavor of the cinnamon it was supposed to have but just tasted like it was plain tangerine juice. After making a big Production about how they would not cook the steak any more than medium, it came completely over done and was gray. The brussels sprouts were fine and pretty tasty but the whipped feta came with three slices of bread when there were four of us at the table and they charged us extra for a single piece of toast. I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.

I was incredibly impressed with the quality and service at Venus Spirits--would highly recommend!

Venus used to be a go-to spot but sadly I left last night feeling very underwhelmed. The drinks are good, but the food is lacking flavor. I ordered the gnocchi which was made well, however, it wasn't very warm and needed more flavor. The real disappointment was my guests and I all got our food together, but we had to remind our waitress that my bf's food never came out. He ordered the make it awesome fries, by far the simplest meal our group ordered. It came when we were mostly all done eating and he was starving. For the price you pay, it's not worth returning at this point when you get good food coupled with good service at other local restaurants such as West End, Lillian's and Trestles.

This was a fun little place. We stopped here after along day at the beach. It was a party of four for tasting but then I decided to have a drink. It was a fantastic drink, Life's Tricky. We had a very knowledgeable guy service us. He did a great job explaining all the different tastes while I enjoyed my pretty drink. We had our fiver year old and she was welcomed. Great place!

Atmosphere is wonderful, great location, very friendly, they know there stuff. Stop in and try. I will go back.

I haven't been back since treated like serious trash from the hipster bartender. What was worse was the email from the owner defending his actions instead of actually acknowledging the mistakes of his employee. Here's what happened: Friday happy hour: I arrived with a gal pal and interacted with the youngish male bartender. I ordered an Under the Plum Tree while my friend ordered the peach drink. It was so delicious that she bought the next round, and I drank another plum drink. While the bartender seemed full of himself at this point, I took it in stride. It was when I approached the bar with my boyfriend later, though, that things took a nasty turn. We bellied up together & discussed what we would order. I was sticking with the plum drink & decided to buy another round for my gal pal & myself while my boyfriend was buying himself a drink. In the process, there was a mason jar on the bar, and since I see with my hands, not my eyes, I picked it up & ham-handedly tried to open it. At that point, said bartender reprimanded me & grabbed the jar out of my hands. He continued to condescend to me loudly, ensuring that the other patrons could hear, and people's heads swiveled in my direction. When he caught a breath, I said, "If it's something that you don't want touched, then you shouldn't leave it in arm's length." It was a batch of the whiskey after all, but I didn't realize that when I picked it up off the countertop. So my boyfriend orders his drink, and at no point in these interactions, was the bartender courteous enough to look in our direction, let alone make eye contact. He then began a tirade about how this is a "tasting room," and at no point in their liquor license are they supposed to serve more than one drink to a patron. I was confused. Not because I was inebriated, but because, at that point, I had already had 2 drinks, as well as most of the other patrons had as well. (Since I had been there!) So, he served my boyfriend, but continued to refuse to look at me. A minute or two later, I say something like, "Oh, you were talking to me. I didn't realize that as you weren't looking at me." He said something rude again, and at this point, I was blown away by his behaviour towards me. I felt publicly humiliated as I walked away with people openly staring at & talking about me. I walked over to our table, whispered into my boy's ear that I wasn't being served, and so I was leaving. I left. He literally humiliated me in front of other patrons, and my friends. And the owner excused his behaviour instead of apologizing for it. So, why would I go back? Dang pretentious place anyway!

Venus is one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz! The new dining and patio areas are inviting, fun, and spacious. The food is great, and of course the cocktails are superb!

Oh Venus, we love you, but you keep taking away the Root Reuben. Whyyyyyy? I know it's one of the most popular items on the menu. Yes, I have tried the other veg options and no, they don't even come close. Please make the Root Reuben a permanent signature menu item and/or have a similar vegetarian sandwich. My MTB has sadly just begun to go elsewhere and we miss you!

Super delicious and beautifully presented drinks! The waiter explained the taste of certain drinks. Would recommend for groups or a date!

Showed up mid week 5 PM and asked for an outdoor table. The hostess said they were all booked although at least six tables sat unused. We went over to West End Tap and was seated status immediately. Out of curiosity we drove by Venus an hour and a half later and lo and behold they still had two empty tables outdoors. We have enjoyed going to Venus but given this odd experience of being turned away with plenty of empty seats left a very poor impression.