By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
The Ventura Village Carousel and Arcade at Ventura Harbor was a beloved institution for more than 20 years. Not the newest or most glitzy venue, it’s true, but a local favorite, and a reliable source of entertainment for kids. In addition to a variety of video games, it offered carnival-style treats like caramel apples and popcorn, homemade fudge and the pièce de résistance — a classic merry-go-round.
Its closure in 2022 left a carousel-sized hole at the harbor. The Loose Cannon, which opened in October, is doing its best to fill it.
Ways to Play
New owner Aaron Running has done more than replace the arcade. He’s revitalized the space with bar, table and bench seating, new electrical and state-of-the-art games.
He intentionally chose a mix that would appeal to all ages. There are classics like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, simpler machines for the younger set, some pinball and contemporary games with impressive graphics — including a few virtual reality stations.
Prefer more analog game play? Check out the air hockey, Skee-Ball or basketball options. There are also two duckpin bowling lanes.
No need for tokens anymore — the more modern system now uses swipe cards for game play, which can easily be loaded onsite. The cards keep track of credits, too, so handfuls of tickets redeemable for prizes are a thing of the past. Added bonus: The prize redemption process goes much faster as a result.
“We’re maintaining a family-fun arcade vibe,” Running explained.
Good Taste, Great Taps
And for him, that means adults as well as children. In addition to a fresh lineup of games, The Loose Cannon now offers a full food menu, craft beer and wine.
The space that once held the carousel has been converted into a commercial kitchen, complete with a wood-fired pizza oven — perfect for the not-so-basic toppings served on a thin hand-tossed crust made from a sourdough starter more than a decade old. Pesto, buckboard bacon (handmade by a supplier in Washington), figs and goat cheese are among the gourmet options, although the more familiar pepperoni and Margherita are available as well.
The menu also includes artisanal sausages, smash burgers made with Wagyu beef, cheese curds and Bavarian pretzels. Running likened it to a gastropub, serving “good, quality comfort food.”
And with 20 taps, beer lovers will have plenty to sample.
“There’s a big beer culture in Ventura,” Running explained. “So we’re offering something that other breweries don’t have.”
Half of the taps feature locally made brews; the other half are for imports. A lime- and salt-infuse Mexican lager called Buenaveza, made by Stone Brewing, has been a big hit with customers. Weihenstephaner is said to be the world’s oldest brewery, making beer since 1040 in Freising, Germany. The Einstök white ale comes from Iceland. There’s also cider, mead and hard kombucha, and some of the taps are rotated to keep the selection interesting. Don’t miss the draft root beer!
The wine list isn’t quite as extensive, but there are some nice pours, like a chardonnay from Au Bon Climat, a pinot from Gainey and an Italian Prosecco.
“We’re trying to meet every taste profile,” Running said.
Prime Position
Running grew up in Washington, and has fond memories of Leavenworth, a city near Wenatchee in the Cascade Mountains that’s modeled after a Bavarian village. That city’s popular beer gardens inspired him to create something similar in “the Danish capital of America,” Solvang. The Copenhagen Sausage Garden proved to be popular, and Running opened a similar concept in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, the SB Biergarten. He followed this model for The Loose Cannon, even borrowing the menu.
“I wanted to mesh together family fun with a beer garden,” he explained.
In addition to an impressive beer menu, the atmosphere is distinctly laid back. Picnic tables in the heart of the action are great for groups, while grown-ups can watch the goings-on from the comfort of the bar. There are also tables in quieter spaces, for those who want to get out of the noise, and patio seating with fire tables, a fire pit and phenomenal views.
Whether guests are looking to socialize or relax, The Loose Cannon can accommodate.
Running said that during the day, the age range skews younger — particularly since school’s been out. But The Loose Cannon sees plenty of action after dark as well, with teens and college students coming out to play and couples enjoying date night.
It’s also a popular party venue.
“From day one, we were getting three calls a day for events,” Running recalled.
“Our events are very flexible. If someone has an idea, we can customize. Our event coordinator works with clients to get the best experience.”
Running said that since opening, visitor feedback on The Loose Cannon has been very positive, and he hopes to continue to build on that. He’s happy to be a part of the Ventura Harbor Village community, with its friendly atmosphere, beautiful location and bustling community.
“It’s as prime as it gets,” he said.
The Loose Cannon
1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 100, Ventura
805.350.2728
www.theloosecannonventura.com
