Renee's Courtyard Cafe

Been there a couple times.\r \r How is it even legal that people smoke EVERYWHERE in this place?\r \r It's like it's 1960, I just got off at the mill, and a slow suicide is my only hope for the future.\r \r Seriously, unless you're a smoker (first or second hand), there's no point in going here unless you want yourself and your clothes to smell like a well-used ashtray. Pros: Um, it's kind of unique Cons: Prices are nothing special, post visit dry cleaning bill, post visit lung biopsy more

Went there to celebrate brother taking the GMATs and a friend of the owners pointed my brother out and said he threw up on him in the bathroom. We had just arrived and ordered our second round. The bouncers immediately escorsted out even though the waitress had informed the bouncer that no one was drunk. As we argued and gave up, right as we were walking out the door, the friend of the owners said, ""Well, I guess it could have been someone else."" \r \r Our entire party of 10 left and will never go back. I'd rather spend $10 on a drink somewhere else. Pros: None, would rather spend money elsewhere Cons: That friends of the owners have power to kick out anyone they please more

I know Renee's from my bar-hopping days as a super-busy meet market, but a friend recently told me that it is good as a restaurant, so we went on a weeknight. They did have decent food but they allow smoking, even providing ashtrays. Not only is smoking illegal inside any public building in California, but in Santa Monica even outdoor patios and public areas such as the Promenade are smoke-free. This ""somewhat"" qualifies as a patio, but is still illegal because it's in Santa Monica. \r \r it was gross to smell other peoples' smoke while I was trying to eat. I sure hope Santa Monica steps up on enforcing this code and penalizing establishments who allow patrons to break the law. Pros: um... Cons: SMOKEY and slow service more

I went here on a Sunday night at 8:30pm to watch a friend play an acoustic set in the front lounge. Had some beers and buffalo wings (decent value - twelve pieces for $8). Apparently Renee herself was shuffling around the place greeting patrons. It?s a really cute restaurant, dark and romantic, BUT-- \r \r I had a HUGE problem with table service. My food, though tasty, was cold when it got to me. About an hour and four drinks into the night, the waitress told me that the kitchen was closing and she had to close my tab. I didn?t get my bill for another 25 minutes! Had to ask where the bill was and she said she hadn?t had time to do it yet. Drops off the handwritten check with the total (tax was arbitrarily rounded up to the nearest dollar??), and I had to wait another 5 minutes to tell her to just charge the card she?d been holding since I ordered my first beer.\r \r Probably the worst service I?ve had in Los Angeles. I?d go back for drinks at the bar because it?s a cool looking place, romantic for a date, but I'll never get table service again. Pros: Romantic atmosphere, easy street parking Cons: Horrible service, tax rounded up to nearest dollar more

Renee's has a Alice in Wonderland feel to it. The decor is odd, but who cares, the drinks are good. Great joint! more

I've been here a few times in the past few months for a night out and overall it's just a great place to drink and hangout with friends. Not a typical L.A. or Westside bar crowd, pretty mellow but it gets crowded, the outdoor patio is the highlight. You won't even know you're outdoors until you look up. Great for smokers actually. Bartenders are friendly, music is decent and parking is very easy. Pros: Parking, outdoor patio, service Cons: can get crowded more

i know it's a restaurant, too, and the food is good, but i go to renee's for the bar scene.. there are a bunch of different rooms (all pretty cozy) so if you want to escape the crush of a friday night you can.. there's an outdoor patio that's really charming and comfortable, and it gets really full on the weekends.. theres often a DJ who spins good, hip-hoppy latin-y kind of music (think jurassic 5), the bouncers are hilariously large and nothing's too expensive.. parking is super easy, too. this is my favorite bar on the westside, no doubt. more

The food here is surprisingly good. We had only thought of Renee's as a bar hangout, since the ambiance on the patio is so fun and entertaining. The wine and food were really good. Great little spot in the SM neighborhood. Sit in the back area if you're looking for a little privacy. more