About Townhouse, The Del Monte Speakeasy & Venice!

The town house has been a favorite of the Venice locals and the Slyde crew for a little while great for after body surf session drinks. As you may or may not know the town house has  a very rich history dating way back to its first opening back in 1915

Menotti's Buffet, located on the South side of the street at 52 Windward Avenue, opened to rave reviews in 1915 and the name is still visible on the original tile floor at the front of the bar today. During the Prohibition era of the 1920’s, when liquor was banned, there was an illegal speakeasy, now called The Del Monte Speakeasy, hidden in the basement. Murals adorning the basement walls of The Del Monte Speakeasy were originally painted sometime in 1915 and depicted landscape scenes of early Southern California, including some romanticized canal views in Venice. Also in 1915, the Venice Grand Prix was held on St. Patrick's Day as 75,000 spectators watched the 300-mile automobile race as Barney Oldfield, driving a Maxwell, won in 4 ½ hours with an average speed of 65 MPH. 

Sometime in the 1950’s the old bar’s name was changed to Grady’s Town House. On May 2nd, 1972, Ronald and Annie Bennett purchased the bar from the old owner, Gus Hinkleman, with the name now shortened to The Townhouse. Both Frank and Annie had been a mainstay in Venice until November 1990 when Annie passed away and left Ronald, known as Frank to most family and friends, at the helm until his passing in September 2003. 

The Townhouse legacy continues today and is home to one of the oldest continuous running bars on the west coast. It has been a family tradition for over 30 years and is now operated by the Ryans.

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