22 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Fe

“So unique! Very delicious !“

“What better way to spend the evening…?“

“There is nothing we don’t love about this restaurant. The food is “real” New Mexican with some excellent special touches by the chef. The ambiance is wonderful, and the decor is authentic. Even the music is well selected and at a volume that enables pleasant conversation during the meal. The staff is helpful, responsive and friendly. A special shout out to Daniel, who is appropriately attentive and professional, always with a smile. Already looking forward to our next visit!“

“Absolutely wonderful dining experience. I brought a friend of mine here for their birthday and they had been coming to this restaurant for over 30 years... said it was still just as amazing as ever. They staff was very nice and attentive and made the night one to remember. Their food is incredibly flavorful and the presentation is superb. I will definitely be returning and I highly recommend going yourself. Santa Fe has some truly unique dining experiences and Coyote Cafe deserves its place on that list.“

“We opted not to sit at the bar because heat, but the side room was very comfortable with open windows and fans. The place has a very relaxed vibe, complemented by the excellent jazz music selection, and fun flipboards that alternate between menu items and quotes.

But the star here is the cocktails, expertly crafted by Weston. When asked about his favorites, he kind of chickened out (they're all great), but followed up with an invitation to describe what you want in adjectives so that he can steer you in the right direction. This worked very well. We're excited to come back the next time we're in Santa Fe!“

“We planned an evening at Leo’s after reading the recent article in Bon Appetit naming Leo's as one of the best restaurants in the country. We met a dear friend who was also very excited for a delicious culinary journey at this restaurant. We were on time for our reservation and seated right away through the curtains that separate the entrance from the dining area. After looking at them menu we had a couple questions about a few dishes and about any dishes that contain shellfish as one person in our party has a shellfish allergy. Our most gracious waiter spoke about a few dishes and brought over an addition to the menu that showed all dishes that contained peanuts and shellfish. We had a couple more questions and he said he would ask a kitchen manager to come talk to us. This very cold and pragmatic lady then came over and told us that they recommend anyone with a shellfish allergy to dine elsewhere!! Really? They offer no accommodations or customer service despite their top shelf prices.
The food came out all at once and was very good but definitely not special.
If you are thinking about trying out what should be a friendly neighborhood restaurant do some investigating first, especially if you have any sensitivities or allergies.“

“We visited here to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary and it was the highlight of our evening.

Aesthetics- This is an amazingly beautiful place. They took the idea of a glamorous speakeasy and executed it to perfection. The piano player contributed to the mood, playing at the perfect volume to allow us to enjoy both the music and our conversations. Even the staff’s dress alluded to the theme.

Food and Drinks - Though some menu items were pricey, others were much more reasonable. The portion sizes were generous enough that we felt sated (not like some other fancy Santa Fe restaurants where we needed to get fast food later to fill up 😉) The drink selection was varied and the cocktails were inspired. The cocktails which my husband and I ordered were artfully done, and tasted like the descriptions in the menus, while still providing a nice buzz. (I hate when I order a drink based on the description but then can only taste the alcohol!) We ate the Fritto Misto, Truffle Gouda Pasta with shrimp, and Chicken Tikka Masala. Each was impressive and delicious. We ordered the pomme d’oro for dessert; it was delightful in both presentation and flavor.

Service - Extremely thoughtful and attentive. I asked for water and they offered “sparkling, still or tap”. I asked for still; and though they left the bottle at the table, we never once had to refill our own glasses, they ensured the glasses were never empty. The waitress helped me select a cocktail, and graciously allowed us to finish our appetizer and cleared the plate before our entrees were brought to us. (This is not always our experience when dining out.) Later, our remaining food was taken to the back to be boxed and bagged before being returned to us. We dine out frequently, and lament that good service is so rare in Santa Fe, our hometown. But the service at Gatsby’s was impeccable!

Final Thoughts - I love having a reason to get all dolled up, and am so glad to have a place like Gatsby’s which is worthy of my best efforts! 😘. My husband prefers to dress casually but did wear a collared button up shirt with his jeans. There is no dress code for Gatsby’s, they welcome you as you are. But putting on something nice (and forcing my husband to do it) contributed to our enjoyment of this fabulous place. After such an exquisite experience, we plan to return.“

“Had a great time at Vara. Specifically, the team that make it all happen are super knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. I'm talking about Becca and Sean, would gladly go to Vara just to see them.
Dont even get me started on the drinks...
Sean made me some sort of matcha foam thingy, mind blowing.“

“We dropped in on a Wednesday afternoon and had the place to ourselves. Tara did a great job guiding our tasting and answering our questions. She was also a good sport engaging us in general conversation and letting us ramble on about RV travel, tv shows and local recommendations.“

“San Fran was a very nice place and we had great service. I had the ribs which were a little overdone for me. However, we had a party of six and all other members tried other dishes. All were appealing and nobody had complaints. I would go back again and try something else without hesitstion.“

“I always enjoy coming here to dance when DJ Oona is spinning!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️“

“This place is pure magic! From the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I was transported to the heart of Mexico City. The food, the ambiance, everything was simply divine. It's a must-try for anyone who appreciates authentic Mexican cuisine and a touch of elegance“

“Lovely evening: delish cocktails, tasty appetizers, terrific dinner & dessert. Wonderful service -- attentive & friendly.“

“Our first time at the Ranch House was less than an exceptional experience. Our waitress, Peggy Lee was the most professional, courteous and friendly person I have met at a resturante. She made us feel like we were old friends . The food was absolutely the best flavored I have experienced. The prime rib plate was to die for and I wouldnt have known it was being served except our waitress, Peggy recommended it. Very heads up resturante. I wish we had a Ranch House in Wichita Falls Tx.“

“A very rural but stylish place for breakfast/brunch !“

“Love love this motel vintage vibes!! Service was excellent,food drinks were amazing and the Shiner club jazz band was amazing!! Loved the mystic vibes though out the motel!! Recommend 10 out of 10!!“

“Awesome dining experience in Santa Fe!“

“Food and cocktails were superb. Can’t wait to go back!!!“

“We had a fantastic tour and amazing cocktails tonight!“

“Very beautiful theme, great big drinks and the queso fundido is delicious.“

“Excellent service and food in a lovely setting. Superb wine list too!“

“Best bar in Santa Fe, hands down. The live music is always swinging and the basement has a chill vibe for playing pool and chit chatting. Cash only, but they have an ATM (for a charge). But seriously, always packed with folks dancing and having a good time!“