Wurstküche (Venice) Beer Hall / Restaurant

Venice, Los Angeles –

Fans of specialty sausage and suds purveyor Wurstküche have a tendency to form lines down the sidewalk at the Downtown location, so it’s hardly a surprise that the same thing happens at its sister spot worlds away in Venice.

And much like at the original, patrons at this “sausage kitchen” feed on everything from traditional bratwurst to alligator, rattlesnake, and buffalo, though the meal usually comes after a solid sampling of the venue’s more than three dozen imported Belgian and German beers.

Both the day and night scenes provide a nice overview of the standard Venice inhabitant, from wayward beach bums and aging hippies to moneyed yuppies, young families, and savvy tourists, who order at the main counter before venturing down the hallway to the dining area.

The entire venue is very simple and even industrial in design, with a central space featuring exposed brick walls, three large communal tables, and a few high-tops and benches where first dates can snuggle over a pint.

Ambient club beats bump beneath the bites during the week, while a house DJ on the 1’s and 2’s spins Euro house, indie, or electronica Thursdays through Saturdays so folks can set aside the andouille for a minute and get down.

A big second bar keeps the beer flowing long after the kitchen has closed, proving Wurstküche has a lot more going for it than just its name.