42 Best Cocktail Bars near Montecito

“It was an AMAZING stay!! The staff, the stay, the service.... all excellent!! Every staff member we interacted with were both kind and helpful, as well as, friendly; always behaved and spoke professionally. The property is beautiful and you can't beat the view of the sunset!“

“Came here with the wife to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.
The food was great and we left so full, the atmosphere was amazing and the service was incredible.
It was a memorable experience and we will try to come back in the future.“

“If you want a posh, beach side cocktail experience, do not sleep on the Beach Bar. Yes, it is very expensive. If you go to the beach in Montecito expecting to find bargains, you are in the wrong place. The drinks were good but very pricy. We tried a variety of tacos and they were all good. The service was sharp and friendly. And of course the beach view is what you are paying for. If you are looking for an upscale cocktail experience to impress your friends, hustle your Bentley over to the Beach Bar and go nuts. We will return.“

“My parents went to Lucky's for breakfast on Mother's Day and absolutely loved it. My family and I have been there for dinner a few times but my parents were the first to try out Lucky's breakfast and they said we all need to go back as a family!“

“The Calamari, Brussel Sprouts and Short Ribs were the tables favs. The brownie Sundae was a happy nostalgic treat. I love that you're able to choose both vanilla and chocolate or just one flavor if you'd like. Renee and Christina gave exceptional service. Would absolutely return. Thanks for making our birthday celebration special.“

“Paloma absolutely delivered an excellent dining experiences in Santa Barbara.

The crispy cauliflower was the perfect start—light, flavorful, and honestly hard to stop eating. The steak frites was cooked beautifully and packed with flavor, exactly what you hope for when you order it. And the panna cotta to finish… incredible. Smooth, balanced, and the kind of dessert you remember after you leave.

What really elevated the night was the service. Linda took amazing care of us—attentive, warm, and genuinely on top of everything without ever feeling overbearing.

Great food, great atmosphere, and outstanding service. We’ll definitely be back.“

“Chicken Vietnamese are bomb! Noodles are good. Chicken satay was pretty good. All the food came out kinda cool. Maybe they need to hear their plates better or get it to the table quicker. Will definitely be back. We came at a time when they weren’t that busy.“

“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.“

“That is the speak easy spot to be in Santa Barbara. Matt our fantastic bartender served us signatures cocktails and they have the best deep fried pickles in North America. From the Canucks who appreciate California’s hospitality, we seriously want to make you our 11th province! Cheers!

Steeve“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“Authentic, and a pleasant surprise.“

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

“Food was fantastic. We tried the tuna melt and Wagyu burger. The burger was fresh and so flavorful. Not a frozen patty. My husband and I are local and enjoyed a nice lunch with a great view of the harbor and beautiful Santa Barbara mountains. It took a while to be seated, get our table cleaned and pay our bill… they seemed a bit understaffed for the size of the lunch crowd on a gorgeous sunny January afternoon. One of the servers was wearing casual clothing and could’ve been a bit more professionally dressed as a server. But the food came out fast and tasted amazing and the view was perfect and was a great price value. I highly recommend trying Gracie‘s if you are visiting Santa Barbara and want to be near the waterfront and boat activities. Very large outdoor patio with lots of great seating. It would be a great location for celebrating a special occasion or birthday.“

“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. “

“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!“

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

“I love Sunday nights on the Rooftop from 5-9 ❤️😍 🌅“

“If you're looking to make a lasting impression on your special someone, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. With its refined ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and impressive wine selection, it offers a truly exceptional dining experience. Having had the pleasure of dining at numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, I can confidently attest that this one stands out from the rest. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by beautiful gardens and breathtaking views, leading to private bungalows. The staff's warm hospitality and welcoming smiles further enhance the experience. For a truly unforgettable high-end dining experience, this venue is an absolute must.“

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

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

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

“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!“

“Ensaladas y mariscos en realidad todo está riquísimo“

“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!!“

“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!“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“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!“

“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 🍜 ♥️“

“This place rocks! This small intimate environment allows for everyone to feel closer to the performer and close to their friends. Singing, dancing and drinks what more could you want for a great night out? I will come again and every time I am in SB.“

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

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

“Dog BEST Friendly! They have their own Dog treats they make daily and also different sizes of Dog beds your pup can use! We ordered The Holy Guac appetizer 🥑, the Chimi burger 🍔 and chicken tenders 🍗 which both came with thin cut fries 🍟. All to food was so good and the staff and atmosphere was amazing! Definitely a great spot to stop and grab a bite whether or not you have your 4 legged companion with you! 🩵🐾“

“Wine tasting in a relax, low key, fun place. Excellent wines. Our server explained all the wines to us. We enjoyed the meat and cheese board. It was very relaxing and not rushed. The bathrooms are very clean. They had bottles for sale and a little shop. Pleasant atmosphere.“

“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.“

“Excellent food and a great beer and alcohol selection. Detroit style pizzas, excellent salads, happy hour specials and nice outdoor seating. It can get loud inside with big parties, and it can be loud outside with mesa traffic so plan accordingly.“

“Perfect place for a night out! The Bobcat Room is like a more elevated version of Wildcat, offering craft cocktails and a higher end, cat themed atmosphere. Overall, it’s a great place to begin your night out and the Wildcat dance floor is right next door.“

“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!“

“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! 🐾“