Sans Souci Cocktail Lounge

Ostensibly a staple dive bar in Ventura, Sans Souci is more a hipster joint as much as it's a beloved hole in the wall bar. It attracts an enclave of local hipsters who're sometimes territorial and confrontational. The first time I went, I was treated like a member of the community, and patrons and bartenders were friendly; the second time, I was told that it's a 'locals only' bar and any outsiders should "watch their backs!" with bartenders rolling their eyes when I ordered a beer. I don't know if it was me and the absence of a handlebar mustache, but I don't remember being bellicose or rude to anyone.

The reason I'm giving it three stars is because it does bring in some local bands to play. The quaint bar area with two sofas may not be large enough to hold in a large audience, but the bands that play are actually pretty good.

Sans Souci has a mercurial crowd that makes going a risk: should I risk being judged and harassed by locals? Depends on how many drinks I have before I go in.

Why are you guys calling this a dive bar?  It is a hipster bar, masked as a dive bar.

Anyway...

I don't know how I feel about a bar that advertises itself as 'Ventura's Premier Dive Bar'.  Being put-off by their sign upon entering, I'm sure my review is extra-critical.  For that, I apologize:

We came across Sans Souci on our trek to Main Street after enjoying a few specialty cocktails at Eric Ericsson's.  It looked nice and dirty and cobblestoney from the outside, so we decided to check it out.  I think our visit was around 5:00pm on a Friday, so it wasn't crowded quite yet.  In fact, most of the patrons (mid-thirties, righteous, unshowered types) were hanging out on the front patio, smoking Camels and waving their hands around a lot.  We ordered a couple vodka-cranberries and settled at a table in the corner.  No music was playing in the bar, so I felt it was my duty to serve as DJ for my twenty minute stay.  Nobody was responsive to my Warrant, Skid Row, or even Three Dog Night selections.  You guys suck.  I'm drunk.

The salmon and Indian food-hating bartender at Paddy's also recommended we check out Sans Souci after communicating to him our affinity for dive bars.

Pass.

<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lostintheunderbelly.com&s=5af5f6557cf3a07161c6af115e5e35933cac407b83296f84ef3c946bba4af95a" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.lostintheunde…</a>

Have been in there so many times and it is RARE that someone greets you or let alone takes your order. I will be sitting at the bar for minutes and have to aggressively ask the bartender if he/she is working...etc. I hate that. Went in there Friday night and there were two bartenders. Stood there for a few minutes and nothing. Won't be back!