boxmagic, thank you for making the first submissions!
I like Entry #2 quite a bit more than Entry #1. I really like the minimalist aspect of #2 and though I have no idea what the little logo is above the text (looks like fangs!), it is interesting and I'd like to see maybe more of that experimentation. Lastly, I like the font, but feel free to try incorporating some wispy lines or script font, or adjusting the sizes of the first letters of each word, or just the "A" in Asylum. You might also play with making "Asylum" the large word, with "Coffee Bar" as sub-script.
Entry #1 is a bit too traditional for my tastes, with regards to the horizontal red band that balloons out in the middle, and I'm not real keen on that font. Perhaps make the horizontal band thicker, without the oval shape in the middle.
Entry #12 & #13 are very nice as well! They would be quite difficult to incorporate into our horizontal exterior sign, however. We will have a long, laser-cut stainless steel backlit horizontal sign across the top of the storefront, though that could be used for lighting and be complimentary to the main logo. Nice work!
I see how your sign's going to be look now. If you want I can also give you little suggestion for the signs as well since I have many experience with stainless steel signs with backlit :)
Matt, This is how it's going to be look like if you laser cut the stainless steel and place red panel behind the sign. there should be 2 - 3 inches distance between red panel and the stainless steel panel though. Just another trial.