20 Best Cocktail Bars in Ventura

“Of all the places to breakdown, my car chose Ventura. Lucky us. I think... While waiting for our rescue, my daughter and I popped into this establishment. After the panic and stress of the preceding hours, I was in need of a cocktail.

The build appears historic, It has a nice patio area in the back and a second back bar. I can see a bad was setting up. We were promptly seated inside. My very tasty Paloma can quickly. We order the artichoke dip and each had a Grilled wrap with chicken bacon cheese and chipotle sauce. Our meals came out immediately after our our appetizer which is alway a small peeve of mine but everything was delicious.

The dip was very rich but yummy. Probably better splitting with 3-4ppl. Our wraps were great and the fries were and interesting twist literally like the thin sliced semi-sprial steak fry. Very good. My daughter thought she ordered sweet potato fries but they were in fact circle chunks of sweet potato. Not what she expected but he menu was accurate. We just interpreted it wrong. The portions were generous as both of us could not eat more than 1/2 of our meal. The table next to us was raving about the Texas parfait.

The manger or maybe owner popped by to ensure everything was good. I could see he was connecting with all guests an effort that means a lot.

Great food, nice beer selection and full bar. I would eat here again 100% if in the area.“

“Fun place to get together with friends“

“Had a fantastic experience at Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust in Ventura! The cocktails were exceptionally well crafted, and they definitely don’t skimp on the pours — every drink was generous and perfectly balanced. The chili margarita was a standout: the ideal mix of bold flavor with just the right amount of kick.

Absolutely looking forward to coming back!“

“Best end of night going out:-)“

“Servers were very attentive/kind, atmosphere was great, and drinks were creative.
Food was good but not much more - mid. Sushi, ramen, and other bites were very middle of the road. Probably best for a late night drink with a bite on the side, but would prefer a highly rated Japanese/sushi place for actual dinner.“

“Thank you Kevin and the team at Lure for not only serving us a great lunch but going above and beyond to mail me my glasses that I left on our table. Truly great humans here and this will be our forever spot to eat at whenever we drive up the coast again. Thank you! 🙏“

“Just visiting and I fell in love with the staff. The staff is so nice and has some great suggestions for food places in the area. They make delicious drinks and shots just taste sweeter with how nice the staff are. They have an area in front for smokers and vapors. The place is really clean and thw bathrooms didnt smell. If you are solo you will make friends and if you have a group then your group will grow. I absolutely lovveee this place! I would travel back to Ventura just to see the staff again!“

“Great place!! Love this bar and all the regulars. 🥰“

“Karaoke 🎤 with Steve Luke and Joanie 💜“

“We hadn't been here since before the lockdown, and I was pleasantly surprised. My salad was crunchy and fresh, my salmon was great and the sauteed onion/pepper bed was well seasoned. And of course, the marina views are very relaxing. We'd go back....“

“When I used to frequent this place, the aspect that I truly appreciated was the speedy service they offered, especially when compared to other establishments. It was often quite challenging to have drinks promptly served elsewhere. Moreover, one of the highlights of visiting this bar was the engaging nature of the customers. They enjoyed interacting with me, striking up conversations, and creating a lively atmosphere“

“Only one pool table, so for me that was a strike right there. My first time there I noticed that the bartender took care of all the ppl she recognized before I got to place my drink order. I didn't see any food being offered , but there was a great band from LA playing Rock-a-billy\\ pulp fiction type music that were really good. Last call was at least 1 hour early and they closed early even thoughit was Saturday night and the place was packed. 12:30 instead of 2am. So that was not good , especially if your the owner. Otherwise for a small neighborhood bar it was ok.“

“Big ole BRC w/Avocado Burrito $10 includes chips/salsa 👌🏾“

“Model Citizen exceeded every expectation and made my birthday celebration truly memorable. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely personal, making us feel like valued guests throughout the evening. Each dish was exceptional—the patatas bravas were unique and perfectly executed, and the pork chop was outstanding, cooked to perfection and full of flavor. The atmosphere strikes a rare balance between sophisticated and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a special occasion. The cocktail program is equally impressive, with a top-notch bar team crafting meticulously prepared drinks that rival those of any premier cocktail destination. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, and the entire experience felt seamless and special. I’m grateful to the team for making my birthday so enjoyable, and I look forward to returning again soon.“

“Great views , good food! Casual place. \n\nWe wanted to eat by the water. We sat inside but there is also outside seating. \n\nHusband had Ahi sandwich and it was cooked rare, and he said it was good. It was pretty big with fries! I had shrimp and crab quesadillas, they were served with an avocado cream sauce over it and a large scoop of shredded cabbage. Delicious! (2 could split it) \n\nFull bar available too! Place your order and you get a beeper, head over to the bar and order your drinks, pay separate from food. \nGet your parking ticket stamped for free parking.“

“Everything is perfect 😍 Always I go to the Finney’s in Westlake for dinner 🍲 I love this restaurant 🤩“

“Great teppanyaki food and entertaining chef performance!“

“Amazing tacos! Its conveniently located on the start of the boardwalk so it was easy access. Prices are very reasonable! I got the shrimp street tacos, which the sauce was amazing. Same for the ahi tacos as well. I will definitely come back if I’m in the area!“

“Located on the edge of Ventura’s downtown in the Clocktower Inn, the food and service are great. Good margaritas, solid guacamole, and salsas. If you like super hot salsa request their habanero (yellow) salsa - no extra charge but take it easy! Chicken quesadillas have pulled super moist chicken. Service quick and friendly. Staying at the hotel will garner you a little discount. Good weekday happy hours.“

“Fantastic drinks! Great location!“