The Santa Barbara Bar scene is extremely diverse. Just a short walk from the beach, the majority of popular bars in Santa Barbara are located on the lower State Street strip. These few blocks form a popular hub for hundreds of Santa Barbara party goers, offering a variety of sports bars, traditional Irish pubs, microbreweries, beer gardens, college bars, and small-scale night clubs. Thanks to the proximity of various local colleges like Santa Barbara City College and University of California Santa Barbara, you can count on a steady swarm of college students and young professionals to populate this area during most nights of the week. If you're looking for an extra touch of elegance, head further up State Street where a few wine bars, cocktail lounges, and upscale restaurants offer a taste of big city lounging. The entirety of Santa Barbara's bar scene does not reside on State Street, however. Plenty of other areas in the city offer a decent selection of bars, including the Waterfront, Isla Vista, and Goleta.

Free Guide to Santa Barbara Nightlife Destinations

Use our free directory of the best bars in Santa Barbara, and follow any of their links for a more detailed description - courtesy of SBclick. But don't go out unprepared... be sure to check out our Handy Toasts section, so you can arm yourself with a solid toast for any occasion.