Zoey’s Cafe

We’ve always enjoyed the music, food and service here. Last night we had cocktails, fries and pulled-​pork sliders. YUMMY! The entertainment rocked!

Good comfort food, drinks and service. Music was too loud for our old ears so we left.

This is a really sad review for me to write. I had been here before a few times after they moved from the old location and absolutely loved everything about it! I recently went back after a while and found a lot of changes on the menu. The drinks and staff were amazing as usual, but the quality of the food has plummeted. The live shows and drinks are great! But definitely do not come here looking for a good meal :(I was really disappointed and saddened by my experience.

Cool spot. Good bartender (Doc). Wonton poppers and spicy chicken were both awesome. Happy Hour deals made me feel like I was a thief. The place has a very local feel but without the local only attitude. They had live music. The bands were good but not my style. There is nowhere to hide from the music so if it bothers you, you’re out of luck.

Impromptu stop turned into an impromptu dinner and concert. I am not sure if you call it a concert, the venue is tiny but very intimate. The fact that we lucked out into getting tickets was nice as it was sold out before showtime. Came for dinner to try something new and there was a Unilocal deal for ½ off happy hour. Place was empty. Makes you think twice and we debated to leave but gave it a chance. No beer on tap but the bar has no room for it. Wish they’d set up some taps somewhere else because the place is pretty big. Glad we stayed because the food was great. Jalapeño won-​tons were consumed almost instantly. So good. Burger was handmade and tasty. Wanted to order three more.
We liked the uniqueness of the place and the fact that they have live music. Anytime you can offer good food, stiff drinks, and a different experience, we’re in.

the BEST spot to see live music in Ventura. I lived in Ventura for 4 months last summer and I would pop into Zoey’s on a random night and they always had live music. 9 times out of 10 I would end up loving the artist playing. Great staff, great sounding room, & a great food & drink menu.

Best music venue in Ventura. Full bar, great staff and food. Talked to the owner for a while last time. He’s a pretty relaxed nice guy. They even carry my favorite local beer — South Swell from Surf Brewery. Can’t go wrong for a good night of music at Zoey’s. Go. Try. Listen.

I was looking forward to coming here since it was well recommended. My girlfriends and I ordered drinks and let me tell you, they need to upgrade this bar. Tequila was horrible, we asked for a blended margarita and was told they don’t have a blender? really? OK. I ordered nachos! Nachos were brought in a small plate, tostito chips, melted cheese from a can and sliced Chile Verde… Awful. The bartender was not friendly and yet did not bother to waive our nachos after we returned them.
Drinks, place is cute, but will not return

You simply have not lived until you’ve tried their wonton poppers. Working so close to them, I get to order them all the time and they NEVER get old because they are DELICIOUS.

The photos are very misleading. Though their photos show delicious looking food, they didn’t have salmon or fish — or entrees at al! They ONLY had pizza, sandwiches and salads. I was starving and didn’t feel like a salad… and I was sad to have such limited and high-​calorie choices, otherwise. So kind of a bummer for me. We thought maybe that was because it was around 9 in the evening, but the server/​bartender said that what we were offered was their all-​the-​time menu. Its really more of a bar /​music venue. The music was good (something really cool with a harp!) and the service was friendly and fast… but they really need to change their Unilocal photos so people have realistic expectations. :(

The atmosphere is really nice but if you are 20 and under (like me) you won’t be as excited about this place until you are the drinking age limit. It’s more of a bar and band type of place.
Wasn’t that smart to celebrate a 19 year old birthday with a party of 12+ considering there was only 2 waiters serving everyone at the place. We didn’t get our food 1.5 hrs later.
Other than that I will probably visit again when i am older because the scene was real cool and hip! (you probably won’t take my word since i’m saying hip: p) but ya thought i was in L. A while there!

Finally got to try this place and may I say, so happy I came. Started off with the wonton poppers… oh my gosh I could have eaten them all night. I had the veggie sandwich with sweet potato fries… SO GOOD! Was very satisfied with the orders.
Got there right at 5 when they opened so it wasn’t busy at all and it was happy hour so the poppers were half off!!! $ 3 for 5 poppers… Worth it!
The people were very nice and the food was yummy. I know I will be going back soon and wasn’t even there for the entertainment which I have heard is great.

If I live near Ventura, this will be my hangout spot every weekend! Great food, good drinks and great music! And when you are here to see a gig, they have the most intimate venue. Dressed in red and dim the lights, a few of my favorite bands has played here and I enjoy every minute of it. J.R. Richards shows are always sold out! Chalk FarM, Meiko, Glen Phillips! I love these artists and usually would travel wherever they would perform. And when they do it at Zoey’s, I’ll make my little weekend trip out there and always a blast!
P. s.~ and don’t forget to end the night with their desserts! :-)

I visited this quaint little music venue more than once, to see my favorite artist, Glen Phillips. Loved the ambiance; felt as if you’re in someone’s living room with good friends. The menu was limited, and server was quite busy, but my group enjoyed a pizza and salad with a nice glass of wine. Both times were an enjoyable experience; we’ll definitely go again!

A 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tourrrrrrrrr (from OC)!!!
But nevertheless, I love the intimate atmosphere of the venue. Like Hotel Café but with more tables and smaller space (standing possible in the back if you want).
Meiko and Rosi Golan have been here, so you know it’s good!
Love also that downtown Ventura has FREE parking structures (yeah, I’m Asian like that).

LOCAL MUSIC /​GREAT TIME!
I got to know Steve and Polly, the owners, when I worked in Ventura with a non-​profit organization. Super nice people! The café downstairs, and the music venue and bar upstairs is sooooo great. Terrific sound, lovely and comfortable setting, nice salads and amazing pizza. It’s makes a really nice evening out, whether you are on vacation or just in the area.
As a side note, the whole downtown Ventura is terrific. Main & California to be exact are filled with nice and varied restaurants and bars, movie theatre, and the 3 best things — the beach, super nice and unpretentious locals, and fantastic local musicians!

Was there Friday night to catch some live music. Bartender was great, live music was great and so were the food/​drinks. Really nice place. Will definitely go back for more.
Tiny bummer: I had to order my food and drink at the bar because of the waitress… Soon after I got both, she handed me the check before even asking if I wanted to anything else (I did want another mojito).
But other than that, a great place!

Love love love Zoeys! It really has everything you need, great food, live music, full bar, amazing owners (Steve and Polly), and they have literally created a music scene so strong Ventura wouldn’t be the same without them.
There’s a listening room that is separate from the bar, so you can hear the music as it’s meant to be heard. Usually they have the performances being pumped into the bar area and broadcast on the TV so if you want to socialize but still experience the music, you’re set.
A great selection of bottled beers (all the standards, plus Delerium Tremens, Telegraph and Chimay for you big hitters), and of course a full bar. I love their toasted veggie sandwich.
If you’re into a great atmosphere to have drinks, hear music and hang out, go here.
Also! Open mic every other tuesday…10 artists max and signups are at 7:30. Great place to get some easy stage time in.

Drove from LA to see a band at Zoey’s on a Saturday night.
This is a diverse space with a large patio with a retractable roof, private party room in the back, main bar with cocktail tables around, plus the music hall.
We arrived early and enjoyed a few cold Green Flash IPAs and watched the place fill up from our seats at the bar.
The bar staff was very friendly and seemed to know the majority of the patrons coming in. It seemed like a family atmosphere and we felt welcome as well.
The music rocking from the stage sounded good. I spent the first half of the set sitting on the right hand side on the long booth. I found it comfortable because I could cross my legs do a little tricky yoga to see correctly, but I heard some guys down the row saying otherwise. The second half I was bouncing around listening from the front row and the music was loud and clear — just how I like it.
I would come to Zoey’s again if a special band was coming to town. Rock On!

This laid-​back café in downtown Ventura offers a relaxed setting and live jazz, folk and bluegrass in the evening.
If you want to get a feel for what Ventura is all about, I highly recommend Zoeys. A delightful ambiance, very good food for the price, excellent wines, indoor/​outdoor old town location, you’ll meet lots of local Ventura folks. I’m not into Bluegrass but Thursday nights they jam for free!
I travel up here quite a bit. It’s a great quick get-​away from the L.A. scene.