Deus Ex Machina - Emporium Of Post Modern Activities — Restaurant in Los Angeles

So let me start by saying that I was driving by and at the red light out front, noticed the Deus sign on the side of their building. I follow motorcycle blogs such a bullitt.blogspot and I'm well aware of the hipster culture cafe racer motorcycle/surf shops such as Deus, Iron and Resin, and Dime City Cycles and I self identify with that culture. When I went in there was plenty of parking in the back and a great atmosphere. There was plenty of places to sit and relax inside and out. To my surprise, there was a small cafe attached to the shop. The served espresso drinks and light lunch items such as sandwiches and pastries and also "cold pressed" juices. The barista was formerly from Starbucks and from our brief conversation about espresso and the latte I had, I could tell that she knew a lot more than your average coffee jockey. A+ Going further into the store, things started going downhill. While they have a bunch of impressive motorcycles for sale such as what looked to be a Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE, their clothing selection (which I'd imagine is why most people stop by) left much to be desired. Let me begin by saying that most of their t-shirts are about $42. I don't mind paying that in many circumstances, but here is were Deus falls short: all of their shirts are heat transfers, not silk screen. If you don't know, the difference it is essentially this: heat transfers put a coat of plastic on top of the fabric in the shape of the design (plastic is not breathable), while a silk screen changes the color of the fabric to leave it as breathable as a plain white t-shirt. It's more expensive to produce but infinitely more comfortable in terms of fabric stretch and breathability. Even though the fabric was soft and seemed comfortable, if I'm paying almost $50 for a single t-shirt it had better be the best money can buy and these simply were not. Furthermore, most of their designs were simply giant advertisements for Deus with no character or appeal other than showing off their hexagonal brand logo. If you want a graphic shirt with a cool design it was likely only offered in child sizes or XS. I was unable to find anything I liked that was in my size (medium). Side note, plenty of jackets and sweats ($110+) for those not staying in SoCal much longer. On the same note of buying a t-shirt, I like buying cool little things from places like this: stickers, keyrings, patches, bottle openers, temp tattoos, etc. They had about half a dozen different designs of keyrings, none too attractive, mostly just the uninspired Deus hexagon shield logo in different sizes and colors, not much else to speak of in the sub $20 department. Lastly, I'm not generally in the business of making alternative suggestions, so I'll be brief, but Iron and Resin in Ventura succeeds everywhere this place falls short. I had a much better experience when I went there. I spent a lot more money, but only because I wanted to. It's a very similar store, but very different in the little details that matter. Check them out if you can and write a...

Deus Ex Machina’s Emporium of Post Modern Activities in Venice, CA, is a unique blend of a high-end motorcycle and surf culture store combined with a cozy café. This eclectic venue is a haven for enthusiasts of motorcycles, surfing, and stylish apparel. The store offers a wide range of products including men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.

The café opens at 7 AM and features a warm, inviting atmosphere with varied seating options. The menu includes Levain toast, paninis, pastries, and fresh fruit. Often hosting community events and art exhibitions, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy coffee and socialize.

During my visit, the atmosphere was enhanced by lively Brazilian music, which perfectly complemented the laid-back yet enthusiastic vibe of the place. This combination of retail and café creates a dynamic and welcoming environment where like-minded individuals can gather, shop, and enjoy quality food and coffee. It’s an ideal spot to start the day, blending shopping and socializing in one of Venice’s most vibrant locales 

I highly recommend Deus Ex Machina for its unique fusion of style, culture, and community spirit. It’s a must-visit for anyone in the area, earning a well-deserved five stars.

2...

I only give it 2 stars because of the young barista who was, although not all enthusiastic, but willing to answer a couple of questions. After reading about it and discovering that it has a few international branches I finally had the opportunity to visit it all the way from Wisconsin. The initial interaction with another of the employees was not very heartwarming after I joyfully displayed my excitement and mentioned that had just arrived an hour earlier from Wisconsin. I was in the cafe business for 7 years and an unfriendly, unwelcoming employee has no place in this business. Despite Mainly overpriced memorabilia with not so many great designs I purchased a $42 teashirt, the only one I cared for, for a friend of mine, because they don't have a range of sizes. Aside all that, I'm happy I got to see the place and a few cool bikes they had on display. Great concept. Not so great implementation....