Venus Spirits Adding Second ‘Beachside’ Location

May 8, 2022 – Venus Spirits is expanding its galaxy.

The Santa Cruz-born-and-bred distillery, which added a slick restaurant-cocktail bar-patio that opened fully last year, just announced plans to debut a second location.

It also marks the end of an era, as it will take over Café Rio on the Esplanade at Rio de Mar beach, which has occupied the spot for more than four decades. 

The vision for Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside is built around 1) cocktails crafted with the distillery’s spirits, like its flagship gin, Scandinavian-style aquavit and new Californian mezcal; and 2) food that echoes the local product-driven menu at the existing Westside location, with a greater focus on seafood that honors Beachside’s name and location. 

That bodes well, as drinks like the Gin No. 1 and Gunsmoke—plus fresh and clever fare like an elote chile relleno, fried chicken, and crispy Brussles sprouts with jalapeño cashew crea,—made Venus easily one of the top 10 new Monterey Bay Area restaurants for 2021.

When it comes to the new Aptos outpost, owner-operator-distiller Sean Venus is enjoying the innovation arc that comes with starting up a destination.

“I’m excited about going through the process and the creative energy that goes into opening a new spot,” he says. “I’m also super excited about the location.”

While Café Rio enjoys legit institution status for the wider community, the Venus clan enjoys a personal bond with it. Sean Venus used to work up the street and would dine there religiously; his wife’s family has been eating there since the 80s. 

“It’s a magical location. It’s right on the beach. Beautiful sunsets,” he says. “I think a lot of people have fond memories there.”

He adds that its position allows for a synergy with the OG spot—close enough for convenient oversight, far enough not to cannibalize business—and the opportunity to build out something slightly different. 

“We get to express another version of Venus,” he says. “Bring some of the favorites over, focus on more ‘from the sea’ type stuff, and that all will expand as we get more time in the space.” 

Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside will open in Aptos as soon as next month. If that sounds quick in the restaurant world, it is. Fortunately staffing is in place, as is a liquor license and health department approvals. Structural changes—“to Venus-fy the space,” Venus says—will be minor but meaningful.

“The [timeline] is definitely a challenge, but given all the things we’ve been able to accomplish in the last two years, I think we can do it,” Venus says. “Summer is very important to that location.” 

He makes a point to salute Café Rio owner Jeanne Harrison, who’s been there since its beginning in 1979, for making the project possible. (Edible wasn’t able to reach her by deadline.)

“It’s a cool story for her, a good send-off,” he says. “She can retire after COVID years that were difficult for all restaurateurs. I’m glad we were able to connect and push the vision for the space even further.”

More at venusspirits.com.