ABOUT Venue Restaurant & Lounge
Venue Restaurant & Lounge is an experience that every Nebraskan craves and every out-of-town visitor hears about. Our award-winning cuisine is handmade from scratch ingredients, including the freshest farm-to-table products from Nebraska farms and exquisite seafood from all around the world. We take pride in being Gluten-Free Certified and providing event and wedding catering services to the Lincoln area.
OUR MISSION
Whether dining in our extraordinary restaurant and lounge, enjoying exquisite chef-inspired catering, or utilizing one of our five event rooms, our guests can always count on getting the very best Venue has to offer. It is our pledge to provide the highest level of service along with artistic culinary cuisine delivering the ultimate dining experience.
LEARN ABOUT VENUE’S HISTORY FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER JUSTIN COOKSLEY
MEET OUR TEAM

Justin Cooksley
General Manager

Emerson Trupp
Assistant General Manager

Barrie Kuhn
Mixologist | Sommelier
Rene
Executive Banquet Chef

Eric Pomajzl
Community Outreach Coordinator

Ally Vrbas
Director of Hospitality and Events

CRAIG ZIMMERMAN
Marketing Director

SYDNEY LONG
Marketing Associate

PRESTON MARSH
President of PILLAR
Join Our Team
Every member of the team at Venue Restaurant and Lounge cares about giving you a great time. You’ll experience friendly and inviting service from everyone you interact with. Our bartenders are experts in mixology and will craft the best cocktails you’ve ever had. Also, the culinary experts in our kitchen shape the menu we serve and take great pride in every plate they send out.
Venue’s Honors & Awards
Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Top Chef Award
Dish It Up Fundraiser, Junior League of Lincoln
2011, 2012
People’s Choice – Fine Dining
KFRX Best of Lincoln
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
People’s Choice – Fine Dining
Opentable
2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018
Certificate of Excellence Award
TripAdvisor
2015, 2016, 2017

Restaurateur of the Year
Nebraska Restaurant Association
2015
Best Seafood in Lincoln
Lincoln Journal Star
2016, 2017