Renee’s Courtyard Cafe

Loved this place. Haven’t been since I moved back to the East Coast but what a Great time I always had there. Very Sad to hear. The décor was all over the place but it was different and that’s what I really liked about it.

Be sure to drink a Renee’s special. Unfortunately this awesome place is now closed down. In it’s place is Tinga which is also awesome. Visit

Closed! OH NO! Great place great memories!

I’m really going to miss Renee’s.

Funky and weird, so I’m a fan. Heck of a lot of character.

This place is just downright hip! I love the décor and the courtyard setting. It was really chilly last night but a nice atmosphere nonetheless. I kept hearing customers say hi to a cute old lady named «Renee» and made the connection that she must be the owner.

This is my favorite dive bar. The food is excellent. The service is hit or miss. The seating layout is strange because the floor plan is all over the place, but I like it that way. There are about four «rooms» that all lead to each other. One is roofless. There are creepy dolls lurking everywhere. Pretty art in the bathroom.
It’s one of my go-​to places for first dates. If they don’t like this place, they’re off my list. ;)
Also, Renee’s has a good Happy Hour and I think that goes until 7:30pm on weekdays. Ask your server for the menu. If you don’t want Happy Hour apps, you can’t go wrong with any of the burgers and the mac & cheese is awesome. My drinks have always been strong. :)
If you go late during the school year, you’ll run into a lot of college kids. Avoid it after 10pm, if you’re old. «Blast those crazy kids!»

I really like this place for its funky vibe. Some people are creeped out by the dolls, but I think it just adds to the overall feel of the bar. Set away from the perils of the 3SP, this is a great place to go for drinks and not have to deal with tourists and street performers.
They make a strong Dark and Stormy. The food is also good if you don’t have high expectations and just need something to consume while drinking.

One word to describe Renee’s: Eclectic. You want more? Ok. Creepy, interesting, full of dolls, cheap drinks, relaxed vibe. Those all work too.
This is one of the few bars I’ve seen with this hybrid outdoor/​indoor area, where you feel like you’re inside, but there’s still plenty of open sky above you. There are plenty of dolls and other knickknacks, plus there’s the legend of Renee herself. Don’t know it? You’ll have to ask. But on my first visit she actually stopped by for a bit, so that was pretty cool.
Great bar to meet up with friends and pass the time.

Ambiance:
*Really weird floor plan
*Lots of creepy doll décor
*Social, lively atmosphere
Food:
*Good for divey drinks and divey food.

its not my fav for late night, but a cool spot to grab a drink veryyyy dark and creepy/​neat décor
happy hour — cheap draft beer & discounted food (until 7)
margarita pizza was pretty good, about $ 7 on happy hour, had some other bar food options
we were the only people in there around 5 for happy hour on a wed night, sat outside which is lite up before sunset (something I never realized b/​c always been after dark). service is usually good, really liked our waitress this day, she was sweet and helpful.

When a person moves to a new neighborhood or city one of their first objectives is to find a dependable neighborhood bar. While I am only two weeks into my new city I think I may have already accomplished the task at hand.
Renee’s is a laid-​back cozy bar right on Wislshire and 5^th about a couple hundred feet from my residence. While I have not had the pleasure to meet Renee I hope to find the opportunity to thank her for providing the neighborhood with such a dependable watering hole.
As I said the crowd is mostly laid-​back so there is no fist pumping music or bro’s pounding jäger bombs. I like the décor which is a bit melodramatic but it suits the bar well. Drinks are a ok, not too strong nor too watered down. While I will leave no stone unturned in my bar search I can say I have a dependable spot to grab my first or last drink while I live here.

Just wanted to add that Renee’s still rocks. Catch their daily Happy Hour specials from 4−7pm: $ 2 off appetizers and $ 4 beer and well drinks.
They also have a late night Happy Hour: Two for Tuesday 10:30p-12:30a.

One of the most appealing aspects of going to bars is the people watching and the atmosphere. Renee’s was like The Skeleton Key meets Haunted Dollhouse. I went in, I gawked, and promptly got lost. It’s really like a some dark fairy tale maze in there.
The people watching would have been supreme if we opted to sit outside but it was cold and there were no seats. The tiny bar area was also full. So we sat in the empty section with extremely high benches and didn’t see another soul until we walked out.
On Tuesdays, they had some kind of two for one drink special. Though I was told that they charge more than the price of one drink. What? That makes no sense.
This is not the place to come and meet new people but is cool for a drink and conversation and some side people watching. It’s kind of an old and creepy place with lots of atmosphere and a surprisingly young and stylish crowd.

Five Star Dive Bar!
I love Renee’s. When I first came here on a date, I had wondered why I had never been before. It seems to be a local secret as the only people I know that have been there are Santa Monica born and raised.
In any event, this is a great option if you are interested in a laid back atmosphere, something really mellow but good with lots of seating. Part of the bar is exposed, hence the courtyard café. But this isn’t a restaurant, its definitely a bar. The place is a bit of a maze with an odd floor plan, but it definitely makes for an interesting night. There are so many nooks and crannies, it feels like there is tons to explore.
I’ve been here several times and even when it’s crowded, it’s not too bad. The crowd is generally younger 20somethings and definitely varies depending on the night. It’s pretty barren on a weekend, but a great place for after work drinks. The place itself is pretty quirky, it looks like some Victorian home, with dolls taped to the walls. Yes, dolls. Still, they have a decent selection of beers and bars that you can usually squeeze in to grab a drink. I just love the amidst all the uppity promenade nonsense, you can find a down to earth place like Renees.

I love Renee’s, it is my go-​to local bar. Excellent service from the bar tenders when it is not crazy packed, super chill vibe, low key, really tasty food, and most importantly — strong pours.
First came here almost two years ago and immediately liked the feel; indoor /​outdoor set up with dim lighting, multiple bars scattered throughout the maze like layout, and always a different mix of people.
What has really surprised me on numerous subsequent trips is the food. The steak frites is awesome; just a simple piece of flank steak served on top of french fries, but for eight bucks or whatever it is, it packs great flavor into an ample sized portion. The steak juice oozes on top of the french fries as you ravenously attack the steak between sips of your favorite concoction.
The bartenders are great; friendly, and accommodating if you are looking for a recommendation.
On occasion, you can even see Renee, the founder, make an appearance and slowly stroll through the bar. The lady must be pushing 85, but still comes around to keep an eye on things.
Two knocks would be some of the furniture needs to be replaced and the bathrooms can get long lines, but these are mild grievances.
Go to Renee’s, have some drinks, eat some food, and leave happy.

Excellent jungle dive bar in the touristy part of SM.
This is one of the better bars in the area. (West 4^th and Jane is another good one.)
Off the tourist track, has a dark, maze like feel inside. good music playing…
Good late night dive bar.

I love this place!
Sure, Renee’s is kind of a dive but it’s still super cute and cozy. You will find all types, sizes and smells here. The place has lots of hiding places with a courtyard, back patio, and three bars. One bar looks kind of like a café, one has a dance floor, and the last is their main bar. On slow nights, just the main bar is open. All three bars are super dark and romantical. I’ve had a great time everytime I’ve been here.
Super big plus: They play good music!!!

Cute cute cute bar! We got there around ten and it wasn’t too packed. Tupac on the jukebox!!! Holla!
Love the décor, love the courtyard, $ 7.50 well vodka, but beware it’s a $ 20 minimum on cards! Order the better stuff if you’re smart ;)
Cocktail waitresses were friendly and everywhere– I love not having to go to the bar myself! Four stars for great first impressions, I’ll be back to add the fifth on another night!

Having downgraded my full-​on smoking addiction to merely «social smoking,» I liked the idea of an outdoor courtyard for some drinks and cigarettes. Although the courtyard isn’t as open as I would like (it’s more like an alleyway), the setting was pretty fun for a big group. Friends and I were there on a Friday night, and it wasn’t very crowded at all.
Drinks are on the potent side with great happy hour prices, but the appetizers, namely the pita and dip assortment, should go straight to the garbage. The waitress was super nice, as she tried to help us sort our group tab by pointing out the deadbeats who left before paying their fair share. Yeah, my friends can be a**holes but I love em (sort of).