42 Best Cocktail Bars near Montecito

“This is not our first time here, I have been coming since the first opening weekend, always one of the best experiences we’ve ever had, this won’t be our last time either! Everything was impeccable, our room on the beach was breathtaking💕“

“Exceptional experience in every way! The ambience is gorgeous and the staff professional from the moment you enter. The room is so well appointed and in December the heaters surround you with the sound of the surf outside. The table placement is perfect so they are close enough to make the atmosphere lively while the experience is very private. Our waiter Mauricio was so attentive but never over bearing. And the food.. well every course is beyond perfection. I love abalone which is almost never on the menu and it was a great treat to start. Next up was the carbonera which we wonderful and we were just warming up for the spectacular santa barbara spiny lobster another home run. We upgraded for the cheese cart at the end which was another fabulous experience and fun to have with the port. We were never rushed which is unusual these days and when we were leaving I noticed a young man ironing the table cloths with such precision and care it just reconfirmed for me that every detail no matter how small is attended too with passion and focus. Definitely one of the best restaurants in California and can't wait to return.“

“The trick is to just go here and get a drink and enjoy the view. That way you can get out of there and still have some money in your bank account! If you want more stuff, you’re in a fancy place and you’re gonna pay fancy prices and that’s OK just be prepared. This stretch of beach used to be one of the most quiet private stretches of beach in Santa Barbara but the hotel really changed the vibe. It’s OK it just part of life. Nothing stays the same so you might as well. Enjoy the fact that you can have a drink with a really nice view. He used to have to bring your own wine and blanket and it was awesome but it’s fine like this too. There are other secret beaches. You can find them if you look.“

“Great experience! Had been trying to visit for sometime! Thank you to Carlos, Isabelle and Mike of course! Food was prepared perfectly. The wings are huge and tasty! Fish and chips on point. Branzino was beautiful. Kitchen is talented and dependable. Don't miss this great place down the stairs off the main drag. It's really a gem. Ample parking below. No hassle and the bar was also a great place and full! Watched the Dodgers win while dining Al Fresco! Who could ask for anything more. Mike be proud of what has been built here and your staff is beyond great! Boom!“

“Lucky's is known for its amazing steaks but that's only a small part of their menu. It's one of the best restaurants in the Santa Barbara, Montesito area and probably anywhere. The food is awesome, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's not cheap but it's worth being extravagant now and then.“

“A downtown popular cafe that we finally tried out one evening ... met all our expectations with exception of the staff that were across the board all exceeding my expectations in attentive, helpfull services including the kitchen staff answering questions with fun diet-issue solutions.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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. “

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

“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“

“Fantastic dinner at Blackbird. The service, in particular, stood out - from wine recommendations to observant but unobtrusive attention to detail. The “Burger and Bourbon” Tuesday special was a fabulous treat, and the winter risotto was rich and filling.“

“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“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“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!!“

“Great value!

Management needs to support their staff more for when they get slammed; they know they're the most reasonably priced place for good quality seafood, and SHOULD expect getting hit.

Hadn't been here in a while. Music didn't seem as noisy.

Left VERY satisfied after having been to the old Beachside couple times. Still also a bummer Enterprise is gone. This place is holding its own.

On point oysters. Shrimp cocktail was money.“

“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).“

“1st time at this venue. All I can say is, how could you possibly improve? From the moment we stepped on the property, your entire staff was welcoming, polite and on their game. Everyone treated the guests with the utmost personal service as if they were long time friends. Job well done Rincon. Not to mention the food was beyond delicious!! Would definitely recommend Events by Rincon.“

“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!“