14 Best Bars in Santa Barbara (Where to Drink Right Now)

best santa barbara bars

Nothing like a long work day or week to make you feel blah.  But worry not! We have just the cure. We have put together an extensive and incredible list to chase away the blues and refresh and rejuvenate you. This spot was once renowned for its wine, now there are plenty of spots that can whip up a mean cocktail too! These are 14 of the best bars in Santa Barbara CA to drink well.

14 Best Santa Barbara Bars

The Good Lion

View of different cocktails on a bar

πŸ“ Address: 1212 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ• Hours: 4 pm – 1 am Mon-Fri, 3 pm – 1 am Sat & Sun

This is a neighborhood bar that serves some of the most refreshing cocktails. The place is high end and classy, and if you want a change from the rancorous atmosphere of the bars scenes, then head over to The Good Lion. 

The place is dimly lit, and the atmosphere is intimate with a hipster, trendy vibe, a small front patio and nice high ceilings. The ambience is subdued, so it’s a great spot for a quiet night and some great drinks. They have both classic cocktails and their signature cocktails, and all of them are delicious and perfectly balanced. The menu is rotation, so be sure to check out what’s on offer for the season!

The Red Piano

View of a alcoholic drink on a piano

πŸ“ Address: 519 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 358-1439
πŸ• Hours: 12 pm – 2 am Wed-Sat, 12 pm – 12 am Sun, Closed on Mon & Tue

The drink options here are endless with great cocktails and a big selection of local beer and wine. The live music performance is super fun and enjoyable. The entire place is spotlessly clean and nice, with outdoor seating available.

The place is lively and full of energy. They offer an amazing range of cocktails and beer that you can enjoy either indoors or out on the lovely patio settings.

Finney’s Crafthouse

Burger and fries on a wooden board and two beer mugs

πŸ“ Address: 35 State St a, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 845-3100
πŸ• Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon-Sun

The ambience at Finney’s is very classy, without being pretentious. Do not forget to order the Buffalo Cauliflower while you are here, it is superb! There is outdoor seating as well, with plenty of heaters when it gets really cold. The place is dog and kid friendly.

They have a huge selection of beers for all beer lovers, along with more than a dozen cocktails and 16 varieties of wine. The beer selection varies from Light, Lager, Ale, Cider, Sour to IPA and more. The ambience is hip and trendy, and the service, nice and attentive.

EOS Lounge

πŸ“ Address: 500 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 564-2410
πŸ• Hours: 9 pm – 2 am Wed-Sun, Close on Mon & Tue

This is one of the best clubs in Santa Barbara, with its Live DJ who will really bring the place down. There are indoor and outdoor seating options, along with VIP Lounges. There’s plenty of space if you want to tap a leg too.

The lounge is upscale and would be a great place to celebrate a special occasion, be it a birthday party, an anniversary or a bachelorette party. The bartenders are professional and the service is usually prompt. They have 3 full service bars, serving beer, wine and cocktails.

The Lark

View of a bartender poring a drink to a glass

πŸ“ Address: 131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 284-0370
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Sun-Thurs, 5 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat

The Lark is located in the historic Fish Market Building. As soon as you’re seating, you will get a bowl of popcorn, the flavors that keep changing. The place is good for a date night or if you’re hanging as a group with family or friends.

They have a well-thought-out selection of several cocktails making use of the finest artisan spirits, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The wine list is pretty extensive, featuring local wines and ones from far off. They have few beers on draft and some bottles and cans.

Test Pilot

View of the Test Pilot from the outside
(photo: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock)

πŸ“ Address: 211 Helena Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ• Hours: 4 pm -1 am Mon-Thurs, 2 pm – 2 am Fri & Sat, 2 pm – 1 am Sun

This is a Tiki bar located in the Funk Zone, so plenty of places to walk around after your time here. The ambience is warm, inviting and hospitable. The Tiki drinks are affordable, creative and sumptuous. The outdoor patio is fun, with heaters placed to warm the guests.

The drinks are well balanced on flavors and combinations. Their cocktails are simply the best! They serve some of the most exotic cocktails including their signature Test Pilot Cocktails which is the house run blend, clove, citrus, bitters and absinthe foam. The service is stellar, and the tiki ambience is on-spot.

Santa Barbara Wine Therapy

πŸ“ Address: 12 W Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 729-0722
πŸ• Hours: 3 pm – 11 pm Mon-Thurs, 3 pm – 12 am Fri, 12 pm – 12 am Sat, 10 am – 11 pm Sun

This is a great place to socialize with a glass of delicious local wine and beer. The bar’s interior and decor is very hipster and trendy. They also have a nice selection of board and card games to have fun with. It is great for friendly outings and date nights. There’s a fun photo booth too that you may want to check out!

The staff here are friendly, considerate and accommodating. The place allows dogs in. They are very popular for their frozen drinks to have on a warm day. Definitely one of the must-stops in Santa Barbara if you want to try something unique.

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Mordern Times Acedemy of Recreational Sciences

πŸ“ Address: 418 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 566-9194
πŸ• Hours: 12 pm – 9 pm Wed-Thurs & Sun, 12 pm – 11 pm Fri, 12 pm – 5:30 pm Sat, Closed on Mon & Tue

They have a stock of over 30 tasty beers, nice little wine selection along with ciders and cold brew coffee. The food is not far behind, with plenty of vegan options to go with the drinks. The beer options are daunting, and the IPAs even more so! There’s plenty of outdoor seatings as well, which is nice and relaxing, and umbrellas for shade. Your pets are allowed on the patio too.

The arts and plant decor all over are charming and the ambience is classy and trendy. It serves equally well for dates, friends meets or celebrations.

The Neighborhood Bar

View of a cocktail on a bar counter

πŸ“ Address: 235 W Montecito St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 963-7600
πŸ• Hours: 4 pm – 12 am Fri, 12 pm – 12 am Sat & Sun, Closed on Mon-Thurs

This is one of the best Neighborhood bars in Santa Barbara. They serve 12 beers on draft, along with great food. They can whip up a mean cocktail too! If you are looking for a super fun, casual place to hang with your group and drink some beer and catch the game, this is a wonderful place for it.

There are 2 spacious outdoor patios and 9 beer pong tables. Apart from Beer pong, there are a variety of other games like ping pong, darts, billiards, shuffleboard and cornhole. The drinks are all reasonably priced and it’s a great spot to watch the big game from the copious number of TVs available.

The Pickle Room

πŸ“ Address: 122 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 965-1015
πŸ• Hours: 4:30 pm – 12 am Mon & Tue, 4:30 pm – 1 am Wed-Sat, Closed on Sun

The Pickle Room is located in the heart of Downtown, with solid drinks and great food. The Pickletini is their signature drink which is nothing but martini with pickle juice in the place of olive juice, and your choice of gin or vodka.

The place is a bit low-lit, and they play some jazz music in comfortable and classy settings, so it’s a great place to relax and unwind after a tiring work day. The decor has some Asian inspirations including Chinese lanterns and red leather booths, which adds character to the place. Which is probably why the crowd here is eclectic.

The Honor Bar

View of a glass of cocktail with lemon on it

πŸ“ Address: 1255 Coast Village Rd STE 101, Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 969-6964
πŸ• Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun-Thurs, 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat

The drinks are extensive, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The wine list in particular is infinite, there’s something on offer for everyone! In all, there are 10 cocktails, a dozen wines and half a dozen cold beers.

The outdoor patio is beautiful, the ambience is cozy and comfortable, with plush and cushy booths all around to enjoy a bite and drink. The service is highly professional and consistent, even during rush time. The place is dog-friendly too.

Milk & Honey Tapas

πŸ“ Address:30 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 275-4232
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 9:45 pm Tue & Wed, 5 pm – 10:45 pm Thurs-Sat, Closed on Sun & Mon

This is a go-to place in Santa Barbara for the award-winning craft cocktails. They have beer and wine too, if cocktails are not your thing. The tapas served here are unique and will be unlike anything you would have had before.

The service is stellar and the staff are always happy and ready to help you with recommendations. There are 15 varieties of craft cocktails, half a dozen beers, and 10 wine varieties. Classy and intimate, it’s great for a date night!

Toma Restaurant & Bar

Glasses of wine and champagne on a bar

πŸ“ Address: 324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 962-0777
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 8:30 pm Sun-Thurs, 5 pm – 9 pm Fri & Sat

The place is loaded with an incredible selection of cocktails and wines. The Italian wine selection is splendid and perfect. The ambience is classy, and the outdoor seating’s offer a beautiful view of the ocean. The decors are lovely and tasteful. The service is excellent and top-notch.

Finch & Fork

πŸ“ Address: 31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (Google Maps)
πŸ“ž Phone: (805) 884-0300
πŸ• Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Tue, 5 pm – 8 pm Wed-Fri, 8 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm Sat, 8 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 8 pm Sun, Closed on Mon

The ambience and decor at Finch & Fork is stunning with attractive and spacious dining rooms, high ceilings, and plenty of warm wood and tasteful leather. They serve 9 delicious signature cocktails, and 9 local wines, all of them delicious.

The menu is chef inspired and mind-blowing. The devilled eggs and ribs are some of the many popular and tasty dishes to try out here. The ambience is upscale, the service is impeccable, and the food and drinks are to be savored.

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