Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside

4.3 ( 120 reviews )
Checking... 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM See Hours
$30–50
131 Esplanade, Aptos, CA 95003, United States
+1 831-688-8917

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside in Aptos is a delightful gem offering a fusion of exceptional food and meticulously crafted cocktails. Nestled across from Rio Del Mar Beach, its inviting atmosphere perfectly complements the culinary experience. Guests rave about the varied menu, highlighted by mouthwatering dishes such as the goat cheese raviolis, miso salmon, and perfectly cooked burgers. The Crispy Brussels Sprouts and calamari received high praise for their delicious execution, making them popular choices for appetizers.

The cocktail selection is not to be missed, with standout options including the Frozen Paloma and the aromatic Venus Lilikoi. Reviewers appreciate the rotating seasonal drink menu that keeps the offerings fresh and exciting. Service at Venus Spirits is often noted as attentive and friendly, enhancing the overall dining experience. Brad Cantua expressed a minor wait for food, which was overshadowed by the quality of the dishes upon arrival.

Whether visiting for a casual dinner or a special night out, Venus Spirits provides a memorable setting for enjoying good company and exquisite cuisine. Be sure to consider reservations, especially during busy weekends. This beachside treasure is highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in great food and drinks.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Has great wine list
    • Good for watching sport
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves happy-hour drinks
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside

Brad Cantua
Jun 12,2025
We (party of 4) enjoyed our dinners at Venus. Burgers, fish and chips, salads, all were really very good ! Service, our waitress was friendly and attentive. Only one comment, dinners and cocktails took a while to arrive at our table. Just as I was going to inquire, they arrived !
Mj Stearns - Your Local Santa Cruz Realtor
Jun 5,2025
What a charming spot! I recently visited Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside in Aptos, and I was thoroughly impressed. Although I have been to their location on the Westside in Santa Cruz, this new spot, situated in the Aptos Flats right across from Rio Del Mar Beach, has its own delightful charm. The atmosphere is inviting, and the drinks and food were exceptional. Our server was attentive and ensured everything came out quickly, which I really appreciated. I started with the Frozen Paloma Libra, which was not only delicious but beautifully presented. For appetizers, we shared the calamari and the Crispy Brussels Sprouts—both were fantastic! For my main course, I ordered the burger, and it did not disappoint; it was incredibly tasty. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back! Highly recommend checking this place out if you’re in the area!
Krista Herring
May 18,2025
The goat cheese raviolis are amazing! As is the market salad and the Miso Salmon. Best cocktails in town. Our faves are the Golden Ticket, the Laura Palmer, and the Blush Negroni. Staff is super friendly. Everything is run really well, and we always enjoy our time here!
Maggie Gorini
May 9,2025
Would recommend, absolutely. If you are rolling in on a Saturday night try to get reservations (they had a lot of walk-ins). Came here with three friends and we shared the Brussels sprouts (perfect char) fries and crab cakes (crab forward and mellow). I ordered the From the Sea (sea bass with a mix of tomato/broccolini/mushroom/calamari). That was delicious. They sat us in the bar area on high tops, which was nice because at that height you can see the beach better. They have a tasty frozen Paloma, which I would get again! Pictured is the mini size. I then got the Venus Lilikoi, which is a strong, pleasantly aromatic, tangy cocktail. Thank you, Dave, for the good service. Clean modern aesthetic overall and the women’s bathroom was well kept.
Thao Ha
May 8,2025
Love this place. They have great cocktails and a huge gin selection. The cocktail menu is updated every season with new limited seasonal themed drinks. I've been there for happy hour as well as restaurant week. The steak was cooked perfectly and all the appetizers were delicious. Their chocolate torte was densely decadent and not my favorite, had other flavors listed but was just overwhelmingly chocolate.
Alejandro Blanco
Apr 23,2025
One of our favorite restaurants to visit in the Santa Cruz county area! Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen - Beachside (there is Beachside, in Aptos, and Westside, west of Santa Cruz), located in Rio del Mar village, is a great place to go for fresh oysters and a gorgeous sunset. Enjoy the cool evening air on their patio, or take a seat at their bar and sip one of their delicious cocktails while you take in the view! Their friendly staff are very attentive and helpful! The music selection can hit the soul, a wave of nostalgia sets in as you enjoy some of their fluffy focaccia bread with salty butter. The environment is very relaxed and chill, especially as the ocean waves crash just outside, seen through the big windows of this awesome place. Bring your friends, or even better, make it a romantic night for two. As they always have a great selection of oysters and drinks, from wine to cocktails, it would be a night you and your partner will not forget! Venus will treat you right!
Riley Noble-Bishop
Apr 17,2025
Tonight was clearly a difficult one for front of house and kitchen staff alike - we waited for around two hours for our food to come out due to unprecedentedly short staffing - but our waitress and the manager were attentive and apologetic, the food was delicious, and while the atmosphere was a little tense due to delays, nothing felt frazzled or out of control. All in all it was clear that everyone was working their asses off, so I want to give the accolades they deserve - bravo. One rough evening won't be nearly enough to keep me from visiting again, keep doing what you're doing
Monica Ifland
Mar 5,2025
Sat outside on a foggy evening under warm heat lamps. It was lovely sitting outside. Well protected from any breeze. Service was great. Drinks are some of the best tasting in county. We had the curry soup to start. Delicious. Meaty fish and chips that were crispy without being greasy. Calamari sandwich with Old Bay chips! We will definitely be returning.

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