Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileVenus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside
Santa Cruz, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Venus Spirits is a craft distillery founded by Sean Venus, producing spirits in hand-pounded copper alembic stills. The lineup includes Wayward Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt), Venus Gin, Aquavit, Vodka, and El Ladrón agave spirits and rum. The distillery's spirits have earned multiple Gold and Best of Class awards, including a Gold for Aquavit at the 2021 Sunset International Spirits Competition and Double Gold for El Ladrón Yolo at Sunset 2023. The cocktails are highly rated by customers, with one calling them top notch.
- What should I order?
- Gin number 2, a rested gin expression, is a standout. The venue's own spirits are suitable for mixing, so a gin cocktail featuring Gin Blend No. 01 is a solid choice.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Those who appreciate craft-distilled spirits with competition recognition and a focus on gin and agave spirits will find much to like.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The distillery produces in hand-pounded copper alembic stills and has garnered extensive competition recognition, including multiple Gold and Best of Class awards across gin, aquavit, agave spirits, and whiskey. El Ladrón Yolo is described by Forbes as a shining example of excellence and diversity within the agave spirits category.
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
Cocktails are rated highly by multiple reviewers, with praise for the drinks being exceptional and anything from the distillery excellent. The venue's own spirits, such as Gin Blend No. 01, are positioned as suitable for mixing into cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple reviewers rate the cocktails highly, with one calling them top notch and another saying the drinks are exceptional.
Standout selections
- — The venue's own spirits are positioned as suitable for mixing, e.g. Gin Blend No. 01 is described as great on its own or mixed into a gin cocktail.
Spirits
Venus Spirits produces a range of spirits including Wayward Whiskey, Venus Gin, Aquavit, Vodka, and El Ladrón agave spirits and rum. The distillery has earned extensive competition recognition, with multiple Gold and Best of Class awards across categories.
Menu strengths
- — The distillery's spirits have extensive competition recognition, including multiple Gold and Best of Class awards across gin, aquavit, agave spirits, and whiskey.
- — El Ladrón Yolo received Double Gold at Sunset 2023 and Best of Class/Best of Category Agave Spirit plus Gold at the 2024 American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition.
Standout selections
- — Gin number 2, a gin expression rested in American oak casks.
- — El Ladrón Yolo, an agave spirit made from Yolo County agave pit-roasted over almond wood.
Community reviews
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