40 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Barbara

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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. “

“most amazing restaurant I ever been to“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“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!!“

“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 🍜 ♥️“

“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.“

“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!“