Cafe Venus and Mars Bar

09/04/2008 Posted by victoriamikael

Having been to the Mars Bar several times over the last few years, I was very disappointed with my last visit. I sat for a good hour ordering food and drinks until my friend arrived - our tab amounted to about $70. No complaints there. Drinks were okay, food mediocre but its a dive so that is what I expected. I was however shocked by how rude and condescending the waitstaff was. My friend and I went outside to smoke and were immediately confronted by a fat, underpaid, insecure, wannabe old school punk who rudely informed us we would be kicked out should we try to take our beer outside again. ??? This was our first time outside since we got there. Okay, there are several TABLES OUTSIDE, which we thought would allow us to be able to set our one beer on. Rules are rules. I understand this - if this is a rule we broke, fine. No need to be an overbearing sweaty a-hole about it. Plus we had ALREADY SETTLED our tab and tipped more than necessary... I understand this is a dive bar but please don't act accusatory towards own your customers. That's just bad business. I will never eat/drink here again and don't recommend anyone else. I'd rather not spend $70 to feel like I'm doing the restaurant a favor by a guy that makes $10 bucks an hour and has a glandular problem. Thanks but no thanks.

09/13/2006 Posted by swmarlow

Antagonistic, quarrelsome, sour, unfriendly, judgmental, and inhospitable are great adjectives for the patrons and staff at Mars Bar - based on my Tuesday night visit. To feel welcome, be sure to conform to the bar's sense of fashion. Outward appearances are very important to this crowd. Apparently, it also helps if you share the same income bracket and political views as its regulars. Diversity is not something tolerated very well at this establishment.

Pros: serve alcohol

Cons: exclusive

05/06/2005 Posted by missfer

Great food, great bartender, comfortable atmosphere. I love Cafe Venus! The best time to go is between 4-7 on weeknights. Really, really cheap happy hour. The bruchetta and caesar salad are amazing.

11/15/2004 Posted by jiffxx

The small bar in the back with views to the Needle is pretty cool. The Mars Bar isn't real good for live music. Get there early for one of the few good seats. Most seating and the stage are un-situated. Friendly bartender with $2 bottles of beer.

Pros: cheap beer

07/09/2003 Posted by polarbare

Love the place! Very funky and fun. Staff is pleasant and attentive as well as conversational and interesting. Food is great...love their version of mac'n cheese!

03/05/2003 Posted by Nanite2000

I have always had a great time at Cafe Venus and the Mars Bar.

Pros: Friendly service, Great food, pool table

02/05/2003 Posted by paigeleeds

I've been to Venus a handful of times, and everytime I do, I feel like I should visit more often. They've got a cool peek-a-boo view of downtown, great dinner/happy hour fare, and the staff have always been really nice. The food takes a little longer than your average short-order-within-a-bar type fare; that's because it's real food. Real food takes longer to make. After dinner, be sure to stick around for a show, or if you're lucky, kareoke by local Seattle rockers in the Mars Bar.

Pros: Intimate, Vegetiarian Friendly, Good Value

Cons: parking

11/11/2002 Posted by kimbenson

I could have gone to Venus and back and gotten my food faster than at the Venus cafe. On a Saturday night they were out of wine, ran out of Hefeweizen and it took well over an hour to get our food with only two other parties there. When we indicated that we should get a break on the bill for having been inconvenienced so, we received major attitude from the hipster dufus waitress who actually thought waiting for your food for over an hour was acceptable. Stupid place, hope they go out of business soon.

09/04/2002 Posted by magala

Love this place. Delicious, interesting food, great drinks (especially if Lawrence is pouring in the back bar..that guy makes terrific cosmopolitans, old fashioneds, and sidecars), and a quirky "cool bar" atmosphere. It's a terrific place to go after work or to go hang out with your friends on a Wednesday night. Check out the jukebox in the back bar---one of the best in town.

Pros: Great bar, tasty food, quirky atmosphere

Cons: no parking