What are the Best Craft Beer Bars and Brewpubs in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal town in Southern California, known for its beautiful architecture, stunning beaches, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. But if you’re a beer lover, then the city offers much more than stunning views—it houses a vibrant craft beer scene with a number of great bars and brewpubs that offer one-of-a-kind experiences. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best brewpubs and craft beer bars in Santa Barbara—so you can enjoy great beers from a number of local and regional breweries, relax in fantastic atmosphere, and drink in the best of what this lovely California city has to offer.

Brewpubs in Santa Barbara

Brewpubs are places where beer is both brewed and served – so if you’re looking for a truly unique craft beer experience, exploring the local brewpubs should be at the top of your list. Santa Barbara is home to three great brewpubs, each of which has its own unique atmosphere, selection of beers, and remarkable list of house brews.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

The Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. is located just north of downtown Santa Barbara near the waterfront. The brewpub has an inviting, laid-back atmosphere that makes it a great place to hang out with friends and try a selection of their rotating beer list. The selection includes their flagship California Amber, as well as a variety of IPAs, stouts, sours, lagers, ciders, and more – so whatever your tastes, you’ll find something to enjoy here.

To go along with the beers, Figueroa Mountain also offers a wide selection of delicious dishes including burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads and more – all washed down with a cold beer from the tap. It really is one of the best brewpubs in the area.

Drake’s on Broad Street

Drake’s on Broad Street is another great brewpub located in downtown Santa Barbara. This popular spot offers a cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), delicious dishes made with fresh, local ingredients and an impressive list of craft beers brewed right onsite. Some of their popular beers include the Nimble Giant Hazy Double IPA, Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and Berkeley Gold Kölsch.

Whether you’re looking for a place to wind down after a long day or just hang out with friends over some great beers, Drake’s is one of the best places to do it. It’s also often bustling with activity, so expect a bit of a wait for tables during peak hours – but it’s well worth it!

Wild Barrel Brewing Co.

Finally, there’s Wild Barrel Brewing Co., one of the newest additions to the Santa Barbara craft beer scene. Located in downtown Santa Barbara, Wild Barrel offers generous pours of outstanding beers crafted by their team of experienced brewers. Beers to choose from include IPAs, stouts, sours, lagers and more.

When it comes to atmosphere, Wild Barrel is an unpretentious spot that’s perfect for getting together with friends to sample one of their many rotating beers – or cheering on your favorite sports team on one of their many TVs located around the bar. In addition to beer, Wild Barrel also serves up tasty snacks like pizza and tacos – so you can nosh on something great while your trying out their beers.

Craft Beer Bars in Santa Barbara

In addition to great brewpubs, Santa Barbara also has plenty of craft beer bars – offering great atmospheres and an extensive selection of craft beers from both local and regional breweries. Here are three of Santa Barbara’s best craft beer bars:

The Good Lion

The Good Lion is an award-winning craft beer bar located in downtown Santa Barbara. With more than 20 rotating handles of California craft beer on tap and more than 50 bottle selections – all served at optimal temperatures and conditions – The Good Lion is one of the go-to spots for serious craft beer enthusiasts in the city.

Along with fantastic beers, The Good Lion also serves up delectable food offerings such as cheese plates, charcuterie plates and gourmet pizzas – so you can pair some amazing beers with delicious bites while you hang out in their lovely outdoor patio area. To top it all off, the interior design of The Good Lion has an old-world charm to it – so regardless of what you’re drinking, it truly is an unforgettable experience.

Santa Barbara Brewing Co.

Santa Barbara Brewing Co. has been a staple of the Santa Barbara craft beer scene for nearly 30 years – so it goes without saying that this place offers some outstanding suds you won’t find anywhere else. With great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing beers brewed onsite, this spot is easily one of the most enjoyable craft beer experiences in town.

Along with great house beers like their signature Solstice IPA and award-winning Nut Brown Ale and seasonal brews like their Strawberry Blond Ale and Winter Stout – not to mention plenty of rotating taps – Santa Barbara Brewing Co. also offers up some truly delicious food in their Gastropub restaurant located right next door. So whatever type of beer you’re after – whether it’s hoppy IPAs or smooth porters – you can find it here accompanied by some truly great grub.

The Dray Horse

Last but not least is The Dray Horse – a great craft beer bar located just outside downtown Santa Barbara that offers some amazing suds from some of California’s best breweries. With 24 rotating taps (including staple brews like Firestone Walker’s Easy Jack IPA and their DBA India Pale Ale), plus a constantly changing selection of bottles and cans for those who like variety – there are plenty of options to choose from here.

The Dray Horse also serves up fantastic pub fare including sliders, pizzas and tacos – plus there’s several TV sets scattered around the bar so you can watch your favorite sports teams as you enjoy a cold one enough of The Dray Horse’s famed beers. It’s easy to see why this spot is so popular among locals.

Conclusion

Santa Barbara has plenty to offer those who love craft beer – whether you’re looking for unique brewpub experiences or just want to hang out in a great spot while trying out unique beers from California breweries (or both). We hope this guide gave you some inspiration to experience what this lovely city has to offer! And if you’re feeling adventurous (and thirsty) why not experience it all by going on the Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour? This 4-hour tour takes you around 3 unique craft breweries where you can sample some of the city’s best beers with knowledgeable guides who’ll tell you stories about each brewery as you sip on their suds. It’s the perfect way to experience all that this city has to offer!