42 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Barbara

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

“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!👍🌈“

“Ensaladas y mariscos en realidad todo está riquísimo“

“Great spot for low-key locals.“

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

“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.“

“Authentic, and a pleasant surprise.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

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

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

“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!“

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

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“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!!“

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

“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 🍜 ♥️“

“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!“

“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.“

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

“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 ???“

“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.“

“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.“

“Very Noleta-ish locals bar. Two bar-sized pool tables with league play Tuesday nights. Juke box. Full bar. No food but you can get food from plenty of little spots in the same strip mall and eat it in the bar. TVs to show sports events. Lots of regulars. Not fancy - and that's the point. Come in and relax. Cash & credit card payments.

Vegetarian options: Bar, not a restaurant. No food served.

Dietary restrictions: Not the best spot if you have a drinking problem.

Parking: Tons of parking for the strip mall as a whole.

Kid-friendliness: It's a bar.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Yummy food, quick service, and solid cocktails. We’ve come here a couple of times, and enjoyed everything we’ve had each time! It is part of a hotel lobby, which dings the ambience so slightly, but it’s very nicely re-done and a pretty place to be!“

“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.“

“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! 🐾“

“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!!!“

“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.“