Venice Café

Found this place in the Atlas obscura and made a point of visiting while in town. Definitely a unique bar with live music and certainly worth the visit! Cash only so be sure to bring some though there is an ATM that you can pay a fee to use in the basement

Most eclectic live music bar ever! Levels upon levels of cool weird!!! Corporate types stay away. This is nitty gritty fun. Cash only so heads up.

This bar is a gem. It's got the most eclectic decor. Art and mosaics and sculptures everywhere. Often has live music as well. Nice patio too. And some fountains. Cash bar only and often has a cover.

In contrast to the typical pub - you have the Venice Cafe.

A mix of madness and art coming together in absolute chaotic beauty. A former house and fairly small venue - packed to the absolute gills with every visual object you can imagine. Doesn’t matter where you look, you’ll find something to try to figure out or discern the meaning therof.

A super cool place that hosts live music and is cash only. Prices are great and the people always look happy - which, is a rarity in bars.

If you’re in town, this is a must see - if for nothing else the visual feast. I particularly like the small, intimate conversation room on the second floor.

You won’t be disappointed.

Venice Cafe in Benton Park, St. Louis, is a cash-only gem that seamlessly blends a watering hole with a vibrant performance venue. The funky folk art and lively mosaics, both inside and outside, create an atmosphere that's as eclectic as it is welcoming. The wacky, goofy charm extends to the live music, playing from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am, Monday through Saturday. This vivid burst of color everywhere is everything I needed.

This is quite simply a magical place! When you walk in you are transported to somewhere that exists in several decades at once. We were lucky enough to get there while seats were still available during a performance. The atmosphere was amazing, the music was great, and the people you were surrounded by are awesome as well.

Be sure to explore inside, outside, upstairs and downstairs. Everywhere you look there is something to see, and when you look again you won't notice something else! A must see!

Venice Café is a unique artistic experience catering to all senses! You will love the Music which will get you up and dancing. We got to hear the Buttery Biscuit Band live enjoying some great blues covers. The mosaics will cater to sight and feel. Your choice in drink will get you smell and taste going too. This place is gem within all of St Louis!

One of a kind, cash only spot with great service. I popped into this eclectic, cash only, bar on Valentines Day and did not regret it. The live music was incredible, the vibes were high and our bartender was hilarious. Looking forward to returning here the next time I'm in STL.

Some friends and I came here for the first time last weekend and I love this place. They had these $20 mystery boxes for sale at the bar and we bought them. They were full of just fun goodies that made no sense and I think that was the point. Great place to take some Instagram photos and just chill to have some drinks. We'll definitely be back.

Love this place, if you’re visiting St Louis for the first time, this is DEFINITELY a go-to spot! It is CASH ONLY though, drinks are reasonably priced and it’s got such a unique ambiance. Super busy in the evening time over the weekend so if you want to get some cool pics with few people go around 4-5pm on a week day!

This is a cute cozy space with a very friendly staff and great vibe all around. We enjoyed sipping our drinks to the tune of a live band whilst enjoying the mosaic, art, funny captions. The patio was closed in Feb 2022, but must be amazing to sit there if it’s open in Summer. A definite go to place.
No food though but Cafe Piazza close by is good. Also this place is no card only cash, great prices too.

A very fun and unique bar! I enjoyed my time there. Good music, awesome aesthetic, and good drinks. The bar tender was very friendly and the atmosphere was amazing. Recommended.

The boss is a creative curmudgeon and the employees are snarky artists and they're all wonderful; like hanging with the cool-cousins at Thanksgiving dinner. Drinks are cold. Prices are low. Entertainment is everywhere. They welcome food but dont serve. Cash only

This place is insane... in a good way!!! Artistic, imaginative, and so many wondrous things to look at, you will never see them all. The indoor bar is flabbergasting, but the courtyard will absolutely blow. your. mind. Every surface is covered in a mosaic of glass, plastic toys, lighters, tile, and found object art. This place is truly unforgettable, and a quirky couple's dream date. Not to be missed!

Absolutely wonderful outdoor bar. My rum punch was amazing. I loved that they asked for my vaccination card and id, even though we were outdoors. Absolutely beautiful atmosphere. The bathroom was interesting, not sure if I like a ton of mirrors but it was clean and the soap smelled nice.
I recommend this place if you want a nice atmosphere and simple yet good drinks.

Really funky place... there’s so much history on those walls. Really interesting. The place is cash only (which means, really good prices). The menu is really simple, not many options but enough if you’re not too picky, if you are maybe the drinks menu won’t be enough.

Food wise they have this small menu (sandwich mostly) that’s from a place across the street (I think). Didn’t get any so, no opinion on that. The night I went the band was a blues one, entertaining for sure.

Greatest bar ever. If you don't have fun here, book a therapist immediately. So fun. Art everywhere. If employees get sassy, reflect on yourself. It's you.
I don't drink but love hanging at this bar. That's a fun bar!

A fun and trippy environment that is one gigantic art installation with alcohol. Mosaics and tchochkes everywhere. You'll find something new at every turn. To enhance the evening, find the awesome bartender out on the patio and engage in a conversation. You won't regret it!

What a wild little place!
I drove by it and decided I had to come back when it was open.

So so so much to look at!
They have a couple mixed drinks available and some canned yummies.

Cash only! I know it says that but I didn’t notice haha!
ATM in the basement though.

Want to come back for sure for sure

Being drunk here while the music is loud is like a fever dream. It is visually overwhelming in a great way. Drinks are reasonably priced, cover is cheap for the consistent quality of bands that play- I've never seen a dud in the dozen times I've gone. Keep in mind it's a cash-only bar. Do yourself a favor and visit during the spring or summer when you can access the full patio area, it's just as crazy as the inside.