47 Best Cocktail Bars near Goleta

“Step into a time warp of the quintessential 50s cocktail bar. Think Don Draper, low key lighting and vintage digs. Superior service and strong, hand crafted drinks with (often times) period correct music in the background. Not a place for beer but they do have one on tap.“

“We were celebrating our anniversary and wanted to stay on property so chose The Bistro. From start to finish, everything about our experience was absolutely incredible. The service was warm and attentive, the ambiance was just right, and every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. We had the seabass and beet salad, both of which were perfectly executed. The chef and team ensure you have a wonderful experience with delicious food and impeccable service. Whether a special occasion or a just looking for a great meal, go to The Bistro, you won't be disappointed.“

“Went for a club meeting on a beautiful sunny day. The outside patio is a comfortable place to watch golfers and enjoy the scenery. The food was well cooked including the vegetables that were not overdone, and the service was efficient and unobtrusive.“

“Excellent service, extremely tasty food, great atmosphere and unique flavors! Definitely will be returning. Wide variety of beer selections with a clear understandable menu. I normally don’t drink beer ever, but the waitress recommended the blood orange to me and it was fabulous and shockingly tasty. Very impressed with my experience here.“

“We utilized the Open Table reservation system for the first time and were thoroughly satisfied. We brought our Frenchie with us and sat in the covered patio area. The servers were very friendly and we enjoyed our meal in a nice, quiet environment. The food was great and the entire experience was pleasant and enjoyable. We will probably return in the future because we were welcomed with warm smiles and great service.“

“Lovely atmosphere. I'm a connoisseur of tortilla soup and have tried all kinds of varieties from all over and the soup at La Paloma was outstanding! More than that, Linda, our server could not have nicer! She helped make the experience a good one.“

“I had a main course of chicken, a side of rice, and a dessert (a panne cotta variation) and mixed drinks. Using Indonesian & Vietnamese flavors, the chicken & rice succeeded deliciously! I sat outdoors by a fire and enjoyed the street scene -- State St., Santa Barbara. Nothing could match that evening since the theater district experienced magic at next door Granada Theater, however, you can create your own magic at Sama Sama!“

“Staff is great, service is wonderful, drinks are fantastic, and you must try the wings and brussel sprouts!

It’s a cute little cozy bar that seems to transport you back in time to the 30s with probation style drinks, and their very unassuming exterior makes it feel a bit like a speak easy.“

“I don’t know what’s better: the vibes, the food or the bartenders. We loved our experience here! Such a hidden gem off the beaten path. A local told us to try the Reuben egg rolls - I don’t even like corned beef - but we still got them, they were amazing. We got a second order and a cheese burger. Such a great spot and memory.“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“Authentic, and a pleasant surprise.“

“Good cocktails and a nice place to relax especially for Friday Happy Hours.“

“Ashley was an amazing bartender! The pocket full of parrots was absolutely amazing!! Best cocktail I've been had! My sister had the summer spritz and it was delicious as well. Highly recommend this joint!“

“We were a party of 4 and thoroughly enjoyed Gracie. The atmosphere and view is outstanding as we were there at dusk and into the evening. Beautiful view of the harbor and Santa Ynez Mountains. The service was excellent, never felt rushed and had a very relaxed time. The food was also excellent. In our group, we had guacamole and chips, (appetizer), citrus chicken breast sandwich, and crispy salmon. The guacamole and chips were very fresh and tasty. The citrus chicken breast sandwich was grilled and on homemade Focaccia with goat cheese. Excellent flavor and very tender. We opted for the french fries, also very good. The crispy salmon was a good size as it too was split between 2 people. It too had very good flavor and was excellent. Highly recommend and go as the day turns to dusk and into the night, just an amazing view and atmosphere.“

“The Cliff Room, located at 1828 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood, has been a cherished local bar since 1980. 

Under the ownership of Scott Hail, the establishment has garnered praise for its welcoming atmosphere and attentive service. 

Patrons appreciate the bar’s post-COVID makeover, which has enhanced its cleanliness and comfort, making it a place where even families feel at ease. 

The Cliff Room offers a variety of entertainment options, including a jukebox, pool tables, and karaoke nights on Thursdays, contributing to its lively and engaging environment. 

While the bar does not serve food, its reasonable drink prices and friendly staff make it a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic Santa Barbara experience. 

Operating hours are Monday through Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Thursday and Friday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM. “

“Tonight for delicious dinner, great specials,great service!👍🌈“

“Always fun! Great times had by all! Free pool! Happy, friendly, and CLEAN staff.“

“Awesome Tiki bar. Super fun cocktails 🍹 with fantastic presentation.“

“Miracle in the funk zone is the reason that I tried Pearl Social but I will be back to enjoy this neat little spot!“

“We love the atmosphere and bartender are AMAZING❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️“

“Ensaladas y mariscos en realidad todo está riquísimo“

“Taylor thanks so much for helping our large party get accomodated. We haven't been in yet but are excited for our reservation. Taylor was such a huge help, got us in contact with the right person, and was pleasant and professional. I reached out to several restaurants in the area but none were as responsive as the ladies at Blackbird/Californian. Thanks again!“

“Loved Haley!!! We had great conversations!!“

“Great spot for low-key locals.“

“One of my favorite local, unspoken treasures. Staff is always friendly . Music is ALWAYS on par with the people in the space. Great place to let “your hair down” and just enjoy all the fun, funky, cool things Santa Barbara has to offer“

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

“Intermezzo by Wine Cask is a true gem! The restaurant boasts a stunning atmosphere with gorgeous decor and perfectly set lighting, creating a wonderful ambiance. The service we received was truly phenomenal – our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience even better. We tried the pizza, fries, and chicken, and each dish was outstanding. The quality of the food was evident, and everything tasted incredible. This was an amazing experience, and we can't wait to return. Highly recommend!“

“Dusk Bar at the Drift Hotel is hands-down one of the best spots in Santa Barbara to grab a drink and soak in the atmosphere. The space itself is beautiful—open, modern, and airy during the day, then intimate and moody at night. It manages to feel both elevated and approachable, making it perfect whether you’re stopping in for a quick happy hour or settling in for the evening.

We tried - The Picante Amante, Dapper Dave, La Adelita, and Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em were all phenomenal—balanced, bold, and beautifully crafted.

Goose and Shiloh, behind the bar, were absolute masters. Their artistry transformed each cocktail into a sensory experience. Their craftsmanship made every sip feel intentional and the evening memorable. Goose and Shiloh are not only skilled mixologists but also genuinely personable and welcoming. They take the time to connect with guests and make you feel like a regular even on your first visit.

We will be back soon!“

“Never had tapas like these! Loved it! So sad we live in Europe…would go there everyday! It was soooo jummy!“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“Food was great! We tried the sweet breads- my favorite, lobster gnocchi-daughters fave, ramen-good, scallops-super lite and fresh, and the catch of the day-very tasty. The amazing menu doesn’t necessarily lend itself to picky kid eaters (my son) but he loved the catch of the day with the sauce on the side. The food took a while as they were pretty busy so the manager comp’d 2 desserts which were both spectacular! We will be back!!“

“Complimentary sourdough bread - served hot with whipped butter! This was a satisfying start because the last restaurant we went to earlier in the day was served cold bread with stiff butter.

Raw Oysters - grassy bar from morro bay. Tasted fresh, non fishy, and premium as described.

Charbroiled oysters - flavorful and tender. Actually went well with the complimentary bread.

Lure fries - thinner cut, crispy, and well seasoned. Supposedly they use lemony seasoning they usually flavor fish with.

Clam linguini - perfect balance of flavor, lightness, and health, with plenty of clams. Not too thick or heavy.

Service: Julissa was very friendly and welcoming to first timers and explained items on the menu well, including their local daily catch menu. We also sat by the back wall for more quiet & privacy, and she checked in on us at the right times and frequency without being overly attentive or having us talk mid-bite. 5 stars!

This was our favorite seafood spot during our 3 day santa barbara trip. Would definitely return!“

“Great ramen and ambiance 🍜 ♥️“

“Delicious Margaritas - Amazing food and service. 5 ⭐️“

“What a beautiful discovery in Santa Barbara, The Cruisery offered great service, waitress was a great resource in laying our food with greet cocktails! The ambience is perfect for today’s food culture-foodies! Stop by try the grilled filet tacos and drunk pig —all shareable and get the crack fries! Absolutely perfection! Oh, and they have a section to choose a game to play when you need to take a break from your device and enjoy playing with friends!“

“Wonderfully situated on State and Mason, The Society presents a wonderful street-side environment in which you may enjoy wine (both in flight and bottle) in which varietals from many a region are offered. And whilst the wine selections are fun and interesting, if you're fortunate enough to be served by Connor - a delightful young man who will treat you as one of his own, the experience will be all the better.

Well worth a stop to imbibe for a lovely afternoon.“

“The food and drink selection is great and has been consistently good since they reimagined their menu a couple years ago. It's a great neighborhood place and fills a gap for the area. The reason for removing a star is because the service is inconsistent at best. I still highly recommend coming in, especially if you're a local. I don't recommend bringing in out of town guests (due to the service).“

“We visited Marisella for Valentine’s Day dinner and were fortunate to secure an 8:45 p.m. reservation. From the moment you pull into the circular drive for valet at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, the experience feels elevated. After being directed through the property to the back where the restaurant is located, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly at a table that was ready and waiting for us.

For Valentine’s Day, they offered a curated four-course menu rather than à la carte ordering. The courses were well executed and thoughtfully paced. I have a fruit allergy, and the staff was very mindful of that, which I appreciated. Accommodations were handled professionally without making it feel like an inconvenience.

Service was somewhat mixed. Our primary waitress seemed informal and borderline overwhelmed throughout the evening. In contrast, the support staff—runners, bussers, and cocktail servers—were polished, attentive, and proactive. At times, they felt more engaged than our assigned server.

The food itself was excellent. Everything we had was flavorful and well presented. The wine list was strong, which is not surprising given the property’s location and reputation. There are plenty of higher-end selections available. The exclusive cocktail menu, however, is fairly small. They can certainly make anything you request, but if you are hoping for a large selection of signature house cocktails, you may find it limited.

Overall, it was a very good experience, especially for a major holiday evening. I would absolutely return and look forward to visiting again on a non-holiday night to see how the restaurant performs under more typical conditions.“

“No kitchen, but restaurants and Ralph’s are in the same shopping mall. Nice people, reasonable prices. More a local hangout, which I look forward to. If in the area search “dive bars near me.” It will come up. It’s a nice place, just not a tourist stop. Clean and friendly. I’ll be back next time I’m in town.“

“Swanky place that will be very quiet. Suddenly crowds will arrive and before long, there will be a long line of people just waiting to get inside. Good to arrive early.

Great bartenders who are very good about noticing abandoned phones, securing them, and then returning them to distracted customers.“

“Saint Remy is a cute little spot connected to the Marriott on State St, the restaurant area has such a fun and beachy atmosphere I loved it! I had some yummy poolside drinks and food, and the service was great! Definitely one of my new favorite spots.“

“Amazing service and good. The decor was great. I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap and chicken Sharma platter. Both were great. I let our server know we would be driving back home thst might and it ws about a 3 hour drive so he checked in with us multiple times and made sure we had a great experience. Pricing is very reasonable for santa barbara. Highly recommend!!!“

“Stopped by after a local recommended this place and it was well with the stop for drinks and a great snack! We had frose, burgers and tacos and everything was so delish! We especially liked that it was dog friendly and had a puppy menu! 🐾“

“love this place, great atmosphere and i love how they have games or you can bring your own!“

“Love this restaurant, great service and their menu keeps getting better.“

“Very small restaurant, almost felt like we were in an extension of the lobby. Food was very good from a limited menu. Servers were excellent. Noise level high. This was our first time there. Because of the food & service, we'd come back.“

“absolutely the best chowder . artichokes and fish are awesome. Great service today from Manuela ! highly recommended 👌 💯“