Downtown Ventura is a (not so) hidden gem for bars, restaurants, and shops; it is the perfect spot to shop and soak up the sun and a prime date night spot. But with so many options and grand openings, how do you choose between them?
I’ve compiled a list of places that I think pass the “Can It Date Night” test based on their menu options, pricing, and ambiance.
The Yard Bar & Grill
The Yard Bar & Grill is Main Street’s newest restaurant addition. The forces behind Cronies are taking everything you love from their sports restaurants and giving you an elevated dining experience. And once you finish your meal, you can head to the back of the restaurant to their cozy speakeasy, The Hive.
Menu Options: The Yard has something for everyone; a variety of shareable starters, burgers, salads, tacos, and sandwiches. But the pièce de résistance: the pub fries.
Pricing: The Yard’s burgers and sandwiches run anywhere from $15.00 to $19.00, but they do come with a good portion of fries and your choice of sauce. Their appetizer menu ranges $7.00 up to $18.00 for their heartier options.
Ambiance: The seating at The Yard is very comfortable; they’ve somehow managed to take a more industrial setting (exposed brick and ceiling) and make it very cozy. I love the open air feeling, and the gorgeous wooden bar in the center of the room feels lux.
Overall: Yes, The Yard has a mid-priced menu with a huge variety of options, giving you plenty to choose from which makes this an easy choice for a date night!
Jaguar Moon
If you’re looking for a cocktail bar that specializes in tequila & mezcal with a maximalist neon aesthetic, this is the place for you. The faces behind this new bar are no stranger to Downtown Ventura- they’re also the forces behind Strange Beast and Bank of Italy.
Photos from @jaguarmoonbar on Instagram
Menu Options: This is elevated bar food, with options like fried chicken tacos and a tuna tostada that is filling and pairs perfectly with their cocktail menu.
Pricing: The menu options range from $8 (fried chicken taco) to their tartara de tuna ($23), with plenty of options at different price points in between. The star of their menu seem to be their taco selection, with something for everyone’s dietary needs. Jaguar Moon also has a great cocktail menu, with mixed drinks ranging from $11 to $15.
Ambiance: This is just the coolest place; it’s vibrant and Instagram-worthy. Weekends seem to be quite busy, but for good reason.
Overall: Yes! Jaguar Moon definitely passes the “Can It Date Night” test. It’s a unique and “vibey” spot in Downtown Ventura, and is worth checking out. With so much to offer, Jaguar Moon should be on your list of places to go for a date night.
Model Citizen
From the hospitality team that brought you Prospect Coffee Roasters, meet Model Citizen. You can find elevated interpretations of classic cocktails, and an array of menu items that feature locally sourced ingredients.
Menu Options: The Model Citizen menu “emphasizes local and regional ingredients, with a focus on preservation, to create fun, seasonal, and unique coastal dishes with flavors from California and the Mediterranean” (from the MC website). Their dishes are highly unique, with a lot of options that seem exclusive to their restaurant.
Pricing: Model Citizen’s pricing is on the higher end of this list, with options ranging from $9 (fries to share) to $66 (13 oz NY strip steak w/ frites). There are plenty of offerings in between, but they tend to run in the $16 – $20+ range. The cocktail menu also runs on the higher side, with mixed drinks from $14 – $21. That being said, the happy hour menu (which runs all night on Mondays!) has select mixed drinks for $10 and menu items from $5 – $15.
Ambiance: There’s a great balance between trendy and the laid-back charm that is Ventura. You can sit in one of their cozy booths, or relax at the gorgeous mid-century mod bar. Model Citizen has nailed the vintage-y, effortlessly cool atmosphere.
Overall: While it’s a bit on the pricier side, you can tell the food and drinks are locally-sourced and carefully crafted to be unique to their restaurant. While it’s a great atmosphere and has plenty to choose from, I’d recommend Model Citizen as a happy hour date.
VC Social 
2 replies on “Can It Date Night?”
Emilee,
I loved hearing about this article idea when you pitched it during class. There are so many date night options, especially in downtown Ventura, but I have not been to any of these places! Being in a long-term relationship, it’s good to try different places, and I’m pleased to read about your recommendations. Based on your rankings and review, I am the most interested in visiting Jaguar Moon. I turned 21 recently and have yet to go out for some fancy cocktails and food, which is criminal! I hear about that place all the time and have been meaning to go. I looked at their menu and am eager to try the Jamaica mule and their cheese broccolini tacos. Everything looks so yummy and you cannot beat that atmosphere!
LikeLike
Hi Emilee! This is such a good idea for an article. There are so many great places downtown that it can feel hard to choose where to go. This list definitely helps narrow it down. I’ve been to all of these spots except for The Yard Bar and Grill, which I have actually never heard of! I can’t wait to try it out. As for Model Citizen, I do enjoy the ambience and food but find myself going for happy hour or maybe a dessert after we’ve had dinner somewhere else downtown. In fact, this article has given me an idea for my next date night. Start off with drinks at Jaguar Moon, The Yard for dinner, and then Model Citizen for some dessert!
LikeLike