With a surge in the popularity of outdoor dining due to local restrictions enacted as a result of the pandemic, The Pier House, a beachfront restaurant and bar in Venice, CA with a coastal California style seafood menu, has recently extended its patio to accommodate a surge in customers. It’s no wonder the restaurant is popular, thanks to the relaxed breezy vibe complete with sunset views out over the sand. Venice Beach local of over 30 years and co-owner of The Pier House Michael J. Dobson would love to discuss the steps he and his team have taken to obtain permits from the city to expand the patio, new protocols in place to ensure the safety of restaurant guests and staff, and the recently refreshed menu.
Paying homage to Venice history and The Dancehall of the original Venice Pier in the early 1900s, the venue represents an all-new vintage-inspired design, bringing a refreshed vibe to the area known as Washington Square. The seafood-inspired menu features classic fish house dished with a modern twist. The beverage program, created in collaboration with Barlingual, serves beach renditions of classic cocktails, an approachable wine list, and a boutique assortment of spirits.
The Pier House, a vision of The Venice Restaurant Group with creative direction from Create Hospitality, created a destination for tourists and locals alike to savor a refreshed vibe of Venice Beach. Designed by LA-based studio Jeffrey Kurt, who wanted to pay homage to the early 1900’s buildings like the Dance Hall of the original Venice Pier. Just as in Abbott Kinney’s vision, a visit to the Venice Pier House is a memory-maker.
The design celebrates all three major incarnations of Venice Beach: turn-of-the-century Venice Beach, bohemian Venice of the 1960s and 1970s, and Silicon Beach Venice of today. The muse for the project was always the Bohemian Gypsy/Coachella Girl and we couldn’t think of a more supreme gypsy than Stevie Nicks.
Nods to notable LA bands like Fleetwood Mac and the Doors are seen in the BoHo Lounge and a tribute to Rhiannon, the Celtic butterfly goddess, was literally translated into the wall-covering where some of the butterflies are now a commentary on today’s lust for social media attention.
The design of The Pier House is very material and texture-based, all finishes are living. This means that from the tables and chairs to the tiniest fixtures, nothing is precious or sealed, allowing the space to evolve as each visitor interacts with it.
“The heart and soul of the design will come through and look better as objects age and patina, as patrons use the restaurant it will literally become a part of the community, reflecting the people who have made and will continue to make memories there.”
