Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileBank of Italy Cocktail Trust
Ventura, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Inside a historic Bank of Italy building, this Italian-inspired cocktail bar pours a creative lineup from Calabrian Chili Margarita to Giuseppe the Wise. The cocktail menu runs $13-$15, with $10 happy hour drinks. A compact natural wine list and local Italian-style beers round out the program, and zero-proof versions of several cocktails are available. Customers praise generous pours and balanced flavors.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Calabrian Chili Margarita, which layers chili-infused tequila with Galliano, mango, lime, and mole bitters. For a bourbon route, Giuseppe the Wise blends vanilla, local citrus, and house vermouth with nutmeg. Happy hour brings the Negroni and Giuseppe's Americano down to $10.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail drinkers who appreciate Italian amaro and bitter elements will find familiar ground, while those seeking creative riffs like the Jungle Bird with cacao Campari will have options. The zero-proof list also serves designated drivers or abstainers.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $13-$15, with happy hour selections at $10. Wine by the glass is $13.50-$15, bottles $41-$52. Beer runs $5-$10, and non-alcoholic drinks range $4-$11.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The bar occupies a historic Bank of Italy building and leans into Italian-inspired drinks, using house vermouth blends, bitter liqueurs, and ingredients like Calabrian chili. The cocktail list extends beyond the familiar with playful names and creative combinations, supported by a compact natural wine selection.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail menu is extensive and creative, with Italian-inspired drinks built on house vermouth blends, bitter components, and infused spirits. Prices are moderate, and happy hour offers several classics for $10. Customers specifically praise well-crafted cocktails and generous pours.
Menu strengths
- — Menu includes inventive drinks like the Calabrian Chili Margarita and Jungle Bird with cacao Campari.
- — House-made elements, such as the house vermouth blend in Giuseppe the Wise, show a thoughtful approach.
- — Happy hour pricing brings the Negroni and Giuseppe's Americano down to $10.
Standout selections
- — Calabrian Chili Margarita: Calabrian chili-infused blanco tequila, Galliano, mango, lime, mole bitters.
- — Giuseppe the Wise: Bourbon, vanilla, local citrus, house vermouth blend, nutmeg.
- — Gandalf the Grey-hound: Vodka, grapefruit, Italian stuff, lemon.
- — Jungle Bird: House rum blend, lime, pineapple, cacao Campari.
Pricing: $13-$15; happy hour $10
Wine
A short natural wine list offers one red, one white, and one sparkling, all available by the glass or bottle. The selection is small but purposeful, with an Italian white and a California red blend.
Menu strengths
- — Natural wine focus aligns with the bar's Italian-inspired identity.
- — All three wines are available by the glass, making it easy to try one.
Standout selections
- — Terravignata Verdicchio di Matelica: Italian white with a clean, food-friendly profile.
- — Sorgente Prosecco: Brut sparkling for a light, celebratory pour.
Pricing: $13.50-$15 glass; $41-$52 bottle
Beer
A compact beer list pairs a classic American lager with an Italian-style pilsner and a local IPA, plus a non-alcoholic option. Prices are reasonable, and the range covers easy-drinking to hoppy styles.
Menu strengths
- — Italian-style pilsner adds regional character.; Includes a non-alcoholic beer for those who skip alcohol.
Standout selections
- — Skyduster Italian Pilsner: Italian-style pilsner, a fitting nod to the bar's theme.
Pricing: $5-$10
Nonalcoholic
Multiple zero-proof cocktails mirror the bar's creative approach, including a non-alcoholic Negroni-style drink and a creamsicle riff. Priced up to $11, these offer thoughtful alternatives for abstainers.
Menu strengths
- — Zero-proof versions of popular cocktails maintain the bar's creative spirit.
- — Range of non-alcoholic drinks from $4 to $11 covers various preferences.
Standout selections
- — Zero-Proof No-Groni: A non-alcoholic take on the Negroni.
- — Zero-Proof Orange Creamsicle: A non-alcoholic version of the Campari Creamsicle.
Pricing: $4-$11
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