42 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Barbara

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“Definitely a hip place, they have some beers selections, and a well stocked bar.
Unfortunately, they are extremely limited on their gluten free offerings.
I would have really loved this place, but I feel their menu missed the mark.
The drinks there were pretty good though, and it's location was very convenient.
May pop in for a drink next time we're there, after dinner.“

“I went for their Sunday/Monday omakase and it was a wonderful experience!

The atmosphere was dim and moody, but bright enough for me to see, my eyes do not do well in very dim places, the vibes were excellent. To see 'Howls moving castle' playing made me feel like I was in a safe space. The omakase was very intimate but also warm and welcoming because of the staff.

The omakase itself was a dream, my only wish was that I had double the serving of fish. Everything on the menu was spectacular and cared for by the chef. This experience has made me so grateful, I will definitely be returning to the Rodeo Room for a drink, a bite, or even the omakase again!“

“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.“

“Sama Sama Kitchen in Santa Barbara on State Street. You thought Michelin stars were only for fancy white‑tablecloth spots…
Meanwhile Sama Sama out here serving Bib Gourmand realness with reasonably priced plates. Santa Barbara flavor, Michelin‑approved, and zero starched napkins required. Pet friendly patio!
#SantaBarbara #michelinguide #BibGourmand #foodtok #indonesian“

“I can't believe how long it has taken me to stop in here. The food, service and ambience is absolutely perfect! I had the best mocktail and a delicious light meal. It is refreshing to get served a beet salad with LOTS of beets for a change. The charred asparagus was awesome too. My friend always comes here for the burger, which he loves. It's huge!“

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

“We had an incredible romantic dinner here for our anniversary, and the entire evening felt really special. Everything from the atmosphere to the service was exceptional. The highlight for me was definitely the steak with the port reduction. It was absolutely out of this world and easily one of the best dishes of the night.

The drinks were also excellent and really added to the experience. The duck was good, but it was probably the one dish that didn’t completely blow me away compared to everything else we had.

Overall, it was a beautiful anniversary dinner and a memorable evening. The food, drinks, service, and romantic atmosphere made it a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion. We would definitely come back.

4 course meal. And added some extra..“

“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“

“Ensaladas y mariscos en realidad todo está riquísimo“

“We went there for date night and everything was perfect - the service by Jennifer, the ambience, good vibes & music that wasn't too loud. You could have conversation and hear each other. We ordered the bone marrow, which was by far the best we've ever had. And the steak & frites with a side of brussel sprouts (again very tasty and well prepared). For a dessert we had an amazing baked Alaska, flambé style! Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the Knock and we will definitely go back many more times.“

“Enjoyed a wonderful night with old friends at Gracie’s !
Beautiful views and location backed up by a wonderful dining and service !
We were fortunate to have a lovely red bearded server who looked after us and gave us space to chat and hang !
Good was wonderful and drinks were very tasty !!
Love the vibe and such a gorgeous place to hang !!
I’ll be back“

“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!!“

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

“Authentic, and a pleasant surprise.“

“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!“

“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*.“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

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

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

“I purchased two espresso martinis (probably the best espresso martinis I have ever had, in my entire life!) at the red piano, tipped a normal amount, and received a credit card charge of $92.55 (far more than the original bill). I called in and apparently there was an error with my bill, and the owner and manager on staff were very helpful in immediately helping me fix the transaction. Grateful for the customer service. Thank you red piano!“

“Great ramen and ambiance 🍜 ♥️“

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

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

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

“One star got taken for a previous experience by my mother in law (a saint of a woman) where reservations had been made and the party was made to wait a ridiculously long time before finally being seated... That said I went in with a critical eye and was overall pleased with the experience. The tower we got was like $90, I think the aesthetic wasn't really worth the pain of not being able to see over the top with the table at chest height. I'm short but, the table came to my husband's chest too haha. Maybe do a larger platter?“

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

“We had such a wonderful experience working with The Cruisery for our recent corporate event in Santa Barbara! From the planning process through the event itself, their team was incredibly responsive, accommodating, and easy to work with.

The food and drinks were fantastic, the space was perfect for our group, and the team went above and beyond to make sure everything came together seamlessly. As an event planner, having a venue partner you can trust makes all the difference, and The Cruisery absolutely delivered.

Our guests had a great time, and we couldn’t have been happier with the experience. We highly recommend The Cruisery for private events and group gatherings in Santa Barbara. We look forward to working with them 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!“

“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❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️“

“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.“

“Terrific local lunch spot. Had the tri-tip sandwich and the meat was tender, sliced not too thick and not too thin and perfectly seasoned. The bread was lightly toasted while still staying nice and soft. Terrific draft beer selection and very friendly staff. Also, the barbecue sauce is made in house and a must have with the tri-tip! So good! I'll definitely be back again.“

“The service was great, but the parts are way expensive. I’m not exactly sure if it’s the parts or is if it cost a lot for them to put the parts into the vehicle overall, Tod was very helpful. I was also able to save a little bit of money which helped my pricing was kind of a surprise, but the work needs to be done.“

“Dinner at Marisella was absolutely perfect from start to finish. The unbelievable Pacific Ocean views. The food was amazing, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent, and the service was impeccable. I especially appreciated the portion sizes — perfectly balanced and just the right size, with a more European feel rather than oversized portions.

Everything came together beautifully — atmosphere, views, food, wine, and the attention to details 🤍

A truly memorable dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.“

“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!“

“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! 🐾“

“Very small restaurant, almost felt like we were in an extension of the lobby. Food was very good from a limited menu. Servers were excellent. Noise level high. This was our first time there. Because of the food & service, we'd come back.“

“The service was poor, our server was rude and inattentive, my drink arrived nearly two hours later as we were leaving, and our food order was incorrect. To make matters worse, I discovered my designer limited-edition bag charm was missing immediately after we left. We had only walked out for a short period of time to watch the fireworks. A report was filed, and the police were notified by the security team. This raises concerns about safety here. Overall, this was a very unpleasant experience, and I would not recommend this restaurant.“