40 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Barbara

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“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!“

“Paloma is a beautiful spot with a stylish atmosphere, delicious food, and attentive service. The menu offers creative dishes made with fresh ingredients and plenty of flavor. The inviting setting makes it perfect for date night, dinner with friends, or a special evening out. Great drinks, thoughtful presentation, and a welcoming vibe make it worth visiting!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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..“

“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.“

“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“

“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!!“

“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“

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

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

“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*.“

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“Probably one of the best places to go if you’re craving fish. Every piece of fish is infused with butter, so everything is incredibly rich and flavorful. That said, I wouldn’t bother with the daily specials — honestly, I think the fish on the regular menu is cheaper and more classic.

The sides are somehow even better than the fish itself. And you absolutely have to try the grilled oysters. They were phenomenal — genuinely the best oysters I’ve ever had in my life.

The one downside is that the drinks are not very good.

As for the service, it really depends on your luck. I’ve had some absolutely wonderful servers who took the time to walk us through the dessert menu and recommend different fish. But I’ve also encountered servers who are noticeably ruder to nonwhite customers. So, the experience can be very hit or miss.“

“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!“

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

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

“Great ramen and ambiance 🍜 ♥️“

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

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

“Our main course (Kansas beef) was absolutely delicious. But tuna crudo as a starter was lacking acidity. Salad we ordered was very good. Mocktail ordered at the start was forgotten. Overall service was very good, but nothing exceptional. Location perfect and very pleasant.“

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

“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 arrived at 5pm and one brave soul seemed to be the only front of staff they had. After a few short minutes he was joined by others and they did an excellent job of serving us. Drinks were great and that steak flatbread was fantastic. Oh, and they call them ‘crack fries’ for a reason. They got some heat but I could have ordered another round of those. A great shareable dish.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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! 🐾“