49 Best Cocktail Bars near Montecito

“We just came back from Europe last July. We dined in The Ledbury by Chef Brett Graham, and at The Dorchester by Alain Ducasse, also at four different Michelin Star restaurants in Montpellier, and finally at Bistrot64 by Chef Giacomo Zezza and La Pergola by Chef Heinz Beck in Rome. I am not listing all these restaurants to brag but just to make the readers aware that I am a food enhusiast (in my opinion). Dining at Caruso’s again, my impression? The over-all experience was SUPERB! It was really a THREE-Michelin Star experience! Whenever we dine in these kinds of restaurants, I am always searching for the surprise effect in my palate. One of my favorite movies is the cartoon about a Rat Chef, Ratatouille, when he was describing the mélange of food in his palate and fireworks appeared in his mind, and when the scary critic was brought back to his childhood after he had the first bite of this simple peasant dish ratatouille, those are some scenes that come to mind. The meals are like that in Caruso, they are exceptional! Of course, I have to mention the impeccable service of everybody particularly of our main waiter Alejandro and his assistant Ana, and the Sommelier of the night, forgot his name but he looks like Tom Cruise. And the ambiance? Oh, our view was the beautiful pink sunset across the Pacific and the gentle waves of the ocean. Caruso should have attained the Three Michelin Star status already!“

“The setting here is stunning, the hotel and facilities are outstanding, and the restaurants are exceptional.

But what really makes this place so special and sets it apart is the attention to detail of the staff and the warmth and depth of their hospitality. Everyone is authentic, and their sincerity and care create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.“

“Service and ambience were good, and the little fireplace for chillier days was a really nice touch. The views were fantastic and definitely a highlight of the visit.

The menu was slightly different than what we saw online, and there weren’t many non-spicy options, which made choosing a bit tricky. The food itself was good, but felt slightly overpriced for what you get.

Overall, a great spot for the atmosphere and views, but check the menu in person before you go if you’re particular about spice!“

“I had not been to local in a while because the last experience was not so great but this time was wonderful. I love sitting on that lovely patio and our server was delightful and what my friend and I ordered was absolutely delicious. So hats off to the restaurant for making some changes and I look forward to coming back before long.“

“Food was real good, as it should be for the price. But you must be careful at which table you are seated. When we came in they wanted to sit us by the kitchen door. We got a better table than that but I we were in the hallway. From desert to when we left 40 people walked by, mostly servers going to better tables“

“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.“

“We enjoyed an excellent vegan meal at La Paloma. Delicious homemade tacos stuffed with a potato-zucchini mash on a bed of flavorful black beans. Served hot, it really hit the spot. Also ordered marinated portobello mushrooms and lentils infused with honey, ginger, and truffle. Original and satisfying. Thanks for the great service too, Beth.“

“If I could give this place more stars I would!
It was eight of us yesterday and we get to try many different tapas and everything was amazingly delicious.
It’s not our first time to dine there and the experience is always more than satisfying.
All and all the food is delicious, service is excellent, super friendly people and a great location!
Highly recommend ?
One more: don’t forget to try their Sama Sama “The Peacock Chardonnay”.“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“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!“

“How could you go to the pickle room and not get a pickletini? You can’t! A delicious night cap at what feels like a local joint. It was packed but we got a seat on the booth at the back of the room near the end of the bar. Feels so homey and relaxed, the waitress was so kind. The pickletini was the best I’ve ever had and the pickle garnish was a perfect and necessary touch! I might just go back tonight for round two 🥒🍸“

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

“Authentic, and a pleasant surprise.“

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

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

“My husband and I just had our first dining experience at Gracie, and we loved it! 😁 The remodel is fantastic—definitely an upgrade from the Breakwater—with gorgeous harbor views that made for the perfect romantic Friday night.

We started off in the bar area, which has been beautifully reimagined with a sleek, club-like vibe. The plush blue velvet bar stools were super comfortable. My husband ordered the P.O.G. Margarita, while I went with a Nojito (with a splash of pineapple). Both were beautifully crafted—so much so that my husband happily switched to the Nojito as well.🍹

For appetizers, we shared the cannellini bean hummus with warm focaccia, the stone fruit burrata, and the sweet potato croquettes with labna. Each one was delicious, flavorful, and beautifully presented. My husband ordered the steak frites au poivre, and he loved the sauce—a high compliment coming from a Frenchman! 😄

Our server, Jazz, was warm, attentive, and so much fun, which made the evening all the more enjoyable. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish. We’ll definitely be back 👍👍😁“

“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. “

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

“Ensaladas y mariscos en realidad todo está riquísimo“

“We recently had our wedding after party here at EOS Lounge. Shasta was the point of contact at EOS who was very attentive, professional and friendly. Shasta made sure we had everything confirmed and communicated with us the entire way. Our experience with Bottle service and reserved lounges made our night so easy and a blast. The marquee sign that was custom to our Wedding Party was such a sweet and memorable way to commemorate the night. Thank you EOS for taking care of us! Would love to come back for another night out soon.“

“This restaurant offers a huge variety of drinks and food. The drinks are well prepared. The food is delicious and presented in a delicate manner. We had the Peruvian ceviche served with banana chips and the Spanish potatoes. The Peruvian Ceviche was prepared very well!“

“Last night was our 12th anniversary. Blackbird staff was friendly and lovely, our outdoor seating was not too noisy and the food was exceptional. I'll add my voice to the reviews that loved the focaccia, and the smoked trout rillette was tasty. We had the scallops and risotto and for my part, I've never had a better risotto, even if it is already one of my favorite foods. 10/10 am glad I'm local and can eat there again“

“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!“

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

“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!!“

“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.“

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

“Had a long and jacked up trip in to the Santa Barbara area. Had an early supper/dinner at Lure. Happy hour Old Fashions for $10! I did a full three course meal figuring I’d have leftovers. I was wrong. Was so happy I took some chowder to go. Everything was delicious, perfectly prepared and the service was dynamite! Can’t wait to go back!“

“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.“

“Great ramen and ambiance 🍜 ♥️“

“A fun red music themed bar. Plenty of booth seating. A few patio tables for people watching. Eleven bar seats. Friendly staff. Overall just a very cool bar. No doubt fills up at night. We visited late afternoon. Plenty of seating. Love the classic rock live musician nailed it on every song.“

“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!“

“bunch of mf Karens in these reviews smh i almost didn’t order! glad i ignored ????

got uber eats delivered was still hot when i got it. for Santa Barbara the price and the taste was working for meeee. The brussel sprouts were the top item, great sauce on them. Average smash burger and fries, you can tell it’s not a chain but nothing too fancy. Great after a day on the beach or hangover cure ???“

“Great spot for low-key locals.“

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

“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.“

“This is a little slice of heaven. What a nifty joint. A little swanky spot with yummy hand crafted cocktails. Such a great atmosphere. Get here early though. The place tends to fill up. Another great feature is that it connects to the wildcat around back. So you can always start your evening here and then transition to the kitty later. Really enjoy their drinks in this cool retro-like place.

Parking: take an uber or lyft. cops are just waiting to get you here on ortega.“

“This was a beautiful day to sit outside in Santa Barbara, sipping a tasting flight of Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, and Liqueur at Cutler's Artisan Spirits. We ended up buying 2 bottles of Grandma's Tommy's Apple Pie Liqueur. It was like drinking an apple pie out of a glass.“

“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.“

“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.“

“The bar tenders on the third floor are horrible. After waiting 10 minutes they refused to sell me beer and friend wine. Went to second floor and got drink service in less than 30 sec. Place would be better off installing a vending machine on the third floor to replace the bar.“

“Great relaxed environment to eat delicious food. The beer selection has some classics and lots of local central coast breweries on tap. Highly recommend the pizza as the crust is perfectly light and crunchy - ideal for deep dish. Dog friendly patio, kid friendly indoor and outdoor seating. Sunday special tri-tip sandwich is always lick the plate clean good. The service is friendly and efficient. We keep coming back and are always very satisfied no matter the occasion.

Kid-friendliness: We’ve come from lunch, brunch and early dinner and the kids have always been welcomed. Lots of other families usually dining here as well.“

“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! 🐾“

“We had our civil ceremony lunch here with our close friends and family and we had an amazing time. From the planning process with Anthony, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, to our waiter Jake, and Manager Sabit, the staff were all attentive and really accommodating. As soon as we got there, the staff came out and introduced themselves which we appreciated. We had one special request for a Vegan dish and the Chef went above and beyond to accommodate. Overall, the food and drinks were amazing. Huge thank you for making our special day that much more memorable. We will definitely come back. Thanks all!“

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