1. Harry’s Plaza Cafe
3313 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-2800
No craft cocktails are to be found at this upper State Street institution, but there is plenty of tennis in giant martini glasses. Not only does Harry’s call itself “home of the very generous drinks,” but it’s reputed to serve some of the strongest in town. So order up a martini (Lemon Drop or Dirty) and settle into one of the red leather booths, because it’s going to be a bumpy night.
2. The Good Lion
1212 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 845-8754
This downtown neighborhood cocktail bar, which is part of the Good Lion Hospitality group of bars, relies heavily on seasonal produce from local farms. Its short list of cocktails is regularly freshened up, but the bar continues to serve up new favorites, such as a coffee negroni with a cold brew to a swizzle with the house rum blend and green pineapple.
3. Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-4566
Sama Sama Kitchen creates cocktails with a compelling mix of Indonesian ingredients and farm-fresh produce. The 14-drink list is a mix of seasonal specials and signature mainstays that will appeal to both the adventurous and the uninitiated. Choose from a lemon basil G&T or the popular Jamu margarita with Italian orange liqueur, pineapple, and turmeric.
4. Milk & Honey
30 W Anapamu StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 275-4232
Stop by Milk & Honey for award-winning caliber cocktails. Owner Alvaro Rojas — who’s also behind Alcazar Tapas — has won many competitions and has been credited with furthering the local craft cocktail movement since 2000. His menu, which is categorized by a spirit for easy perusal, will appeal to every type of drinker from pickleback shooters to sherry cocktail lovers. There’s even a “Fauxito” for teetotalers.
5. The Pickle Room
122 E Canon Perdido StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-1015
For a taste of Santa Barbara's history, stop by The Pickle Room located next to Three Pickles Deli. This Presidio District neighborhood bar occupies one of the few buildings left of the city’s Chinatown. Here was where Jimmy’s Oriental Garden Bar served faithful locals for nearly six decades. Now it’s where bar flies and tourists, looking to escape bustling State Street, knock back $10 Pickletinis. But if martinis with pickle juice aren’t your jam, consider house cocktails and classics, such as Singapore Slings, Mai Tais, and Negronis. Drinks are affordably priced under $13, but score $2 off drinks and food during the daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
6. Riviera Bar
22 W Figueroa StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
For no-nonsense drinking and cocktails under $14, the Riviera Bar, which occupies the former Sportsman space in the Edwards and Plunkett-designed building off State Street, serves up familiar favorites, such as Old Fashioneds and martinis. Even its easy-drinking house cocktails don’t stray too much into “mixology” territory, instead offering twists on classics, such as white negronis and ginger Pimm’s.
7. La Paloma Cafe
702 Anacapa StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-7029
For those desiring a chill neighborhood cafe with refreshing margaritas, there’s La Paloma Cafe on the corner of Anacapa and Ortega streets in downtown Santa Barbara. The original La Paloma Cafe, which occupied the space from 1940 to 1983, was a traditional Mexican restaurant. This one, updated by the Acme Hospitality group, focuses on Mexican as well as Indigenous and Spanish dishes and agave spirits for its cocktails. Specialty margaritas range from the Tamarind Dreamin with ghost tequila and tamarind to the Hibiscus Margarita with hibiscus and strawberry shrub. And don’t miss brunch here, with options such as a bloody Maria and Mexican coffee.
8. Venus in Furs Bar + Bottle Shop
18 E Cota StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
Even though Venus in Furs on Cota Street is a natural wine bar and bottle shop, it also offers an array of next-level wine cocktails that go beyond sangrias and spritzes. The popular Black Leather cocktail made with amaro, sweet vermouth and lemon will appeal to wine nerds who love Manhattans and Bitter Giuseppes. While Mai Tai lovers will be intrigued by the “wine tai” Personality Crisis, a mix of dry vermouth, cappelletti, lemon, orgeat, demerara, and Punt y Mes.
9. Shaker Mill
418 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
This Old World Havana-inspired cocktail bar located on lower State Street has got all the fun libations: a variety of punches, blended frozen cocktails, fizzes, and stirred drinks. Here’s where one would find a Mango Lassi cocktail, an espresso martini available as a shot, and even a boozy Arroz Con Pollo cocktail made with bourbon, rum, coconut horchata, and mezcal pechuga.
10. Test Pilot
211 Helena AveSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 845-2518
The island-inspired Funk Zone spot evokes a warm vacay feel with its ‘jungalow’ decor, tiki masks, and banana leaf prints. Grab a seat at a tiki head bar stool and order a Painkiller slushy before perusing the menu. Because with over 20 cocktails on the list, it might take a while to decide. Is it going to be the Oaxacan Dead, a zombie variation with mezcal and aged tequila, or the Thai iced tea cocktail with Thai tea-infused rum and passion fruit pearls?
11. The Lark
131 Anacapa StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 284-0370
The Lark, which is located in the vibrant Funk Zone, has been a destination for fine food and wine since it opened in 2013. Bar manager Alberto Castillo and their team create a new cocktail menu every season, celebrating the very best of the Central Coast. An intriguing example off their current list is the Yankee Point daiquiri with a rum blend, strawberry, and sumac.
12. Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 880-3380
Loquita leans into the town’s Spanish history and Mediterranean climate with its decor, wines, and dishes, which include tapas and paella. But the bar program with its gin tonics, farmers market fresh sangria, and Spanish vermouth selection completes the Iberian vibe, especially when the drinks are enjoyed on the restaurant’s beautiful bougainvillea-dressed patio — the best seats in the house.
13. Santo Mezcal
119 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 883-3593
This hip Mexican restaurant’s bar emphasizes mezcal and tequila, but it also offers cocktails that explore other spirits, such as the Riviera Hermosa made with bourbon and housemade blood orange sage-thyme syrup with a float of local pinot noir. But its wide range of agave-based offerings should be explored. Try one of the many margarita variations with Fresno mezcal or Serrano tequila or dig into a mezcal flight.
14. Djinn
36 State StSanta Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 882-0130
Devon Espinosa — formerly of LA’s Tasting Kitchen, Ink, and the Church Key — has brought his creative cocktail-making skills to the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. As the hotel’s beverage director, Espinosa designed the drink menus for the whole property, from the pool bar to in-room dining. But the Moroccan-dressed lobby bar, Djinn Library Bar, is where to drop in for well-crafted sippers with Instagram-ready presentations. The blueberry bourbon drinks Puff, Puff, Pass is served on a moss bed enclosed in a smoke-filled glass cloche, literally ready to appear in a puff of smoke.
Life is better at the beach! Specifically, Leadbetter beach. Come and sit in the sand while enjoying their wide variety menu of food and drinks that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Craving Italian cuisine? Convivo is a ‘Nomad Italian’ restaurant & bar that has all of your favorites for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner located just across East Beach. Their beautiful patio has a lovely terrain of the ocean and you are able to admire the beautiful patio scenery.
Santa Barbara Fishouse is a family-owned operation located on the waterfront where they are able to get some of the central coast’s most pristine seafood for you to enjoy!
Finney’s Crafthouse and Kitchen is a locally owned restaurant that brings upscale American cuisine to casual dining. You will feel right at home when you are dining at Finney’s with its outdoor patio where dogs are welcome. It is open for lunch and dinner, with Monday-Friday happy hour specials.
La Paloma Café indulges its food with history by honoring its menu with Californio dishes! ‘Californios’ are the early Californian settlers who blended Spanish and Mexican into indigenous elements that are cooked over fire. Enjoy the most authentic and flavorful recipes of traditions stemming from Santa Maria and Baja, Mexico at La Paloma Café!
