39 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Barbara

“Awesome spot. The bar has an amazing happy hour. Of course you have to get the Paloma. Grab a few Palomas and the nuts and pickles and you have yourself an awesome time. Everything is high quality, I can imagine the restaurant to amazing. Great place to grab a drink before walking the Main Street.“

“Wonderful place for dinner and a drink. Relatively small menu but the food is fabulous. Carnitas street tacos, smash burger, Korean wings, brussel sprouts - all were excellent. Service is on point and pretty much any drink in the book is available and well made. My only knock, and it has more to do with my age than anything, is that the music is a tad loud when trying to hold a dinner conversation. I have been there twice now and will definitely be back. Highly recommend.“

“I logged in and happened to notice that this place had a 4.3 rating, and I thought to myself how absurd that is. This restaurant is nothing short of wonderful - from the location, to the ingredients, to the drinks/vibe. Also sneaky has some of the best desserts in Santa Barbara (that Pavlova!). Compliments to the owners for keeping up the quality and experience for over a decade.“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“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“

“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.“

“Pretty good first experience here. The food from the short menu was tasty. The service staff were super friendly if a little absent at times. First impression is that the menu is good value , especially entrees priced $20-25, but the portions are small so you are going to go for that starter and dessert so then you are back up at $40-45. They charged us 20% automatic gratuity for parties over 6 people even though there were 5 of us. They charge 3% for using a card. Taking a star off for that alone - I don’t want to be punished for using a card in this age. Please, just roll the costs into the meal prices.“

“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!“

“My evening at Caruso’s was a world class dining experience. I have been raving to family and friends about my new favorite place to eat on the west coast. The food was plated to perfection and served with a love for customer service unlike anywhere else.
Christian and Tre took wonderful care of my wife and I as we celebrated our anniversary. We were completely surprised and delighted when Christian asked the chef to come out and visit with us toward the end of the meal. I cannot wait to visit Santa Barbara again JUST to come enjoy the Caruso experience again.

With gratitude and thanks,
Jon and Jenn P

PS…I am still dreaming about the carbonara and crudo! I can still picture each perfectly placed vegetable and amazingly prepared fruit that were woven into each dish with absolute perfection.“

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

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

“Cocktails here were top-notch. Enjoyed both the espresso martini (Stefani) and the last word (1925). We ordered some focaccia bread to nibble on to balance out our drinks and were stunned when we received a full loaf along with some bougie butter.“

“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.“

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

“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!!“

“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!!“

“This bar is a gem. I had three cocktails over two visits that each impressed me. One even converted me to mezcal! The staff were helpful and knowledgeable and helped me make good choices; my advice is to go for the slightly risky thing because it’s likely to pay off. Also, the olives are *amazing*.“

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“Dropped in for happy hour and sat at the bar—highly recommend! The tuna ponzu and the oysters were both absolutely fantastic and incredibly fresh. But the real star was the Fresh Squeezed Lure Martini. I’m not a martini drinker, and I’ve been totally into grapefruit lately, and this hit the spot perfectly. It wasn't too strong and tasted amazing.
​To top it off, our waitress was over-the-top attentive. Even though the bar area was quite busy, she never missed a beat, which really showed her professionalism. Great food, great drinks, and wonderful service!“

“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!“

“Great ramen and ambiance 🍜 ♥️“

“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 ⭐️“

“My husband and I stopped in for some drinks but ended up staying for some delicious appetizers and games. The service was 10/10 and the atmosphere was great. This would definitely be a regular stop of mine if we were local to Santa Barbara. Thanks for a great time!“

“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.“

“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.“

“My husband and I hosted our wedding reception dinner at Marisella, and we could not be more grateful for the experience. The food was exceptional, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the service was truly outstanding. Erica and Milo went above and beyond to ensure that everything ran smoothly, making us and our guests feel welcomed, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the evening. Their attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine kindness made such a meaningful impact on our celebration. Our wedding reception was an incredibly special evening, and Marisella played a significant role in making it so memorable. We are sincerely thankful to the entire team for helping create such a wonderful experience that we will always cherish.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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! 🐾“