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Santa Barbara

Entertainment in Santa Barbara

  1. A

    Red's Espresso Bar and Gallery

    With Ring of Fire on the stereo, a concrete floor underfoot and scruffy barflies at the counter, Red's is just your typical small-town bar. 'Cept this is Santa Barbara, so make that your typical small-town coffee bar with local art hanging on the very red walls. In the heart of the Funk Zone, east of the tracks, the vibe is cool and the java cheap. Live music on the weekends.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Muddy Waters

    A yard sale's mix of cosy furniture? Check. Pool table? Check. Internet access? Check. Live music on the weekends and a kick-ass backyard patio? You got it. Seems Muddy Waters has everything required for the quintessential indie coffeehouse. And the coffee's darn good too. Great place to escape the State St hordes.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Brewhouse

    Rowdy dive down by the railroad tracks crafts its own unique small-batch beers and has rockin' live music Wednesday to Saturday nights.

    reviewed

  4. D

    EOS Lounge

    Ladies love the lighting at this trendy nightclub currently hot with SB's martini-sipping scenesters. The sexy décor - rippling waterfall, glimmering fireplace, twinkling patio - is on par with the hippest of Hollywood lounges. Small dancefloor for those wanting to get their groove on.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Dargan's

    Settle in for the craic at welcoming Dargan's Irish pub, where appreciative crowds listen to lively Irish bands in the back room on Thursday nights. Up front, shoot pool and sip Guinness just past the big green leprechaun waiting by the door.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Arlington Center for the Performing Arts

    Aside from being home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, the Arlington Center for the Performing Arts is a drop-dead-gorgeous, old-fashioned movie palace when the orchestra isn't playing. Great place to catch a flick.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Sportsman Lounge

    Tucked on a low-traffic corner just west of tourist-heavy State St, this dark and cozy watering hole is a plain-old dive bar with no higher pretensions. Great jukebox.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Granada Theatre

    This restored 1930s Spanish-Moorish-style theater is the new home of several arts institutions, including the ballet, the opera and the symphony.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Soho

    Unpretentious brick room located upstairs behind a McDonald's has live bands nightly, from indie rock, funk and folk to jazz and blues.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Press Room

    Tiny but raucous Press Room can barely contain the locals, Brooks photography students and European travelers that cram the place to its seams. But there's no better place to catch the game or quaff some views with your tastebuds.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    James Joyce

    Santa Barbara's fun zone revolves around Lower State St where crowds usually pack the Guinness-soaked and peanut-shell-covered planks of the James Joyce pub.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Epiphany

    Ideal for a glass of bubbly if you're wearing heels and a dress (or if you want to impress someone who is); it's also a chic little restaurant.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Santa Barbara Brewing Co

    They've got microbrews on tap, including a killer Rincon Red ale made with Oregon hops. Pool tables are in the tatty lounge out back.

    reviewed

  15. French Press

    With shiny silver espresso machines from Italy and beans roasted in Santa Cruz, these baristas know how to pull their shots.

    reviewed