Are you getting ready to hit the Santa Barbara, CA, bars and clubs? Whether you’re celebrating your 21st birthday with a serious night out or you’re well beyond 21 and just looking to let loose, you want to make sure you hit all of the right spots. These bars and clubs are some of the best when it comes to the Santa Barbara nightlife scene. Read on to learn about some of the best lounges and nightclubs in Santa Barbara for residents and visitors alike.
1. Indochine
Night Club
Price Point: $$
Let’s start this list off with the popular Santa Barbara nightclub, Indochine. When you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted by loud and eclectic music that ranges from hip-hop to reggaeton, both current and old-school.
It’s an older boutique nightclub with seriously vintage vibes, but that’s not a bad thing. Despite being a bit more low-key than some other popular bars in downtown Santa Barbara, it’s still a great place to dance, have a stiff drink, or even order bottle service. Locals and tourists love it.
2. EOS Lounge
Night Club
Price Point: $$$
EOS Lounge is another hit bar in Santa Barbara, CA, with fantastic party vibes. It definitely feels more upscale, so you want to dress to impress if you feel like going. The excellent service and stiff drinks make the higher price tag worthwhile. You may want to reserve a table if you plan on getting VIP service.
EOS Lounge is only open Thursday through Saturday between 9 PM and 2 AM, so expect a crowd. Everyone wants to be at one of the hottest nightclubs in the city. Every night you can expect events of some kind, so if you find yourself waiting in line, rest assured that the wait will be worthwhile for one of the hottest spots in Santa Barbara.
3. Pearl Social Santa Barbara
Cocktail Bar
Price Point: $$
If you love good cocktails, you don’t want to miss out on Pearl Social Santa Barbara. It’s an elegant little cocktail bar with a lot of character, and Santa Barbara locals love it. It definitely feels upscale and classy, and it’s open until 10 PM on weekdays and 12 AM on weekends.
You can also order food while you’re there (though only in the form of snacks). It’s not your average bar food, either. You can get duck fat peanuts, duck liver mousse, and a variety of other tasty things to munch on while you drink.
This bar is right in the middle of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, so stop in while you’re exploring.
4. Backstage Dueling Piano Bar
Piano Bar & Night Club
Price Point: $
Who doesn’t love a good dueling piano bar? Don’t miss out on the one and only Backstage Dueling Piano Bar next time you’re looking for great live music and a fun time in Santa Barbara. This three-floor club is known for great music, wine, and craft cocktails.
Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, you can watch the popular dueling piano show while enjoying stiff drinks with your friends. When the dueling piano show isn’t happening, you can expect fantastic DJs and other musical acts to help you dance the night away. This fun music club in the city is definitely worth a visit at least once! Make sure to bring your dancing shoes when you visit Santa Barbara!
5. Wildcat Lounge
Lounge
Price Point: $$
The Wildcat Lounge was once voted Santa Barbara’s best dance club, so it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in the Funk Zone. It also has another bar within the bar, the Bobcat Room, so you get two bars in one great little location.
The Wildcat Lounge is definitely a place to party rather than relax. It’s a large space that’s perfect for drinking wine and beer and dancing with friends. The Bobcat Room, on the other hand, is a quieter cocktail bar that’s better for sipping classy martinis when you need a break from the loud music and fun.
The lounge opens at 4 PM and stays open until 2 AM. There’s a great little patio outside that’s perfect for summer afternoons with a beer or wine in the Santa Barbara sun.
6. Rodeo Room
Cocktail Bar
Price Point: $$
The Rodeo Room is a newer addition to Santa Barbara’s nightlife scene. It’s a whiskey bar and gastropub, so if you’re hungry for a great dinner and craving a good glass of whiskey, it might be the perfect place for you. They also have a daily happy hour between 5 and 6 PM.
It’s a small and cozy bar, so this isn’t a place to party or go dancing. It’s an excellent spot for a date or a few drinks after work with friends and coworkers.
Because it’s such a small bar, you may want to make a reservation if you’re trying to go during happy hour or on the weekend. It fills up quickly. It’s one of the best spots for cocktails in town.
7. Elsie’s Tavern
Pub
Price Point: $
If you’re looking for a classic pub when you’re out in the Santa Barbara Funk Zone, Elsie’s Tavern is a solid spot to start. It’s completely unpretentious and relaxed, but still a great time.
This bar is unique because it’s also open in the morning for coffee and cafe-style treats. The Tavern opens at 7:30 AM, so you can even stay there all day if you’d like. Note that there are no traditional bar foods, but you can order simple snacks.
Elsie’s Tavern only takes cash, so make sure you have enough on hand. It’s not somewhere to go if you want craft cocktails, but if you’re in the mood for coffee, wine, or beer, you’ll be in the right place. Sit and talk with friends or play a game of pinball to pass the time in a cool and classic bar.
8. The Good Lion
Cocktail Bar
Price Point: $$
The Good Lion is a great little bar in Santa Barbara for anyone who likes high-quality drinks and a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. You can listen to live music and drink creative and delicious cocktails with your friends in a cozy space.
It’s one of the smaller and more popular bars on State Street, and it’s definitely worth a visit for anyone looking for the best quiet nightlife spot in town.
The Good Lion carries a variety of high-quality spirits, and the bartenders clearly put a lot of effort into their drinks. Each mixer, liquor, and even glass is chosen with care, and that makes this one of the best bars in Santa Barbara.
9. SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
Restaurant and Night Club
Price Point: $$
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club is a staple of Santa Barbara’s nightlife. It’s one of the most fun restaurants in town, and the food is delicious. They partner with local farmers and vendors to support the local community and provide the freshest and most delicious food possible.
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club serves dinner every night until 10 PM and late snacks until midnight. This is a great location to go if you know you need a little something to eat whenever you have an evening out. When you’re hungry in downtown Santa Barbara, CA, you know where to go!
It’s fantastic for wine lovers, beer lovers, and cocktail lovers alike. Regardless of your preferences, you’re sure to find a great drink. Of course, it’s also a good spot downtown to dance the night away due to the lively music that’s always playing.
10. Uptown Lounge
Restaurant and Lounge
Price Point: $
Are you looking for a low-key spot in Santa Barbara where you can grab a bite to eat and a few beers outside in the sun? Uptown Lounge might be the perfect spot for you.
The menu at Uptown Lounge largely consists of pizzas, salads, and snacks, but that’s perfect for when you’re out having drinks. There’s plenty of space outside on the patio, or you can enjoy the cozy and comfortable interior of the bar.
Uptown Lounge has karaoke and live music to enjoy depending on the day, so make sure to check out their events calendar if you’re planning a visit to Santa Barbara.
11. The Red Piano
Piano Bar
Price Point: $$
Yet another piano bar on the list for those who like live music, The Red Piano is an excellent place to have a few cocktails in Santa Barbara, CA. In the center of the main room, you’ll see the namesake red piano ready to play beautiful music.
This Santa Barbara bar has a wide variety of wines, beers, cocktails, and even mocktails. Their wine selection rivals some high-end wine-tasting rooms. Come prepared for fantastic drinks and a desire to get on the dance floor!
12. Night Lizard
Taphouse
Price Point: $
Night Lizard is an excellent spot for anyone who loves a good beer-tasting or trivia night. This unpretentious little brewery is relaxed and a lot of fun. While this won’t be the best nightlife location for anyone who loves to party, it’s the perfect spot for a quiet evening out if you’re someone who loves the taste of craft beer.
They’ve partnered with a local Mexican restaurant so you can get delicious food while you drink your beer and have fun.
13. Whiskey Richards
Bar
Price Point: $
This is not a fancy nightclub, but it’s a Santa Barbara, CA staple. Whiskey Richards is the place to go for affordable drinks, pool tables, and a good time. It’s another cool spot on State Street that’s ideal for a relaxed evening out and a few games.
Note that they don’t serve food at this location, but there are plenty of places to eat nearby in the city. Once you’re full of pizza, stop into Whiskey Richards for a drink.
Where Will You Spend Your Nights in Downtown Santa Barbara?
After a fun day enjoying the Santa Barbara beaches and wineries, these Santa Barbara nightlife staples are sure to give you the perfect night to round out your day. Whether you want to relax with a glass of wine or you’re more inclined to dance your heart out on State Street all night long, at least one of these bars, clubs, or lounges will be perfect for your next Santa Barbara night out.
So it’s time to start planning your Santa Barbara trip. Where will you go first for the best nightlife in town?