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Elsies Tavern

4.1 (167 reviews)
InexpensiveBars, Coffee & Tea, Kombucha
Open 9:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Elsies Tavern Photos

ELSIES TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
DJ
Hipster
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Elsies Tavern

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Reviews With Photos

Lambic, radler, and instant noodles.
Cynthia W.

I love this place so much. Cash only, and the pinball machine ate my 50 cents, but the pacman game works! It's no frills, and they have instant noodles and pop tarts and other snacks behind the bar that you can buy. We got a Radler and an Lambic. They apparently open super early (7:30am). There is also an outdoor patio with heat lamps. Can't wait to come back here.

The bar!
Nathan N.

I came here with my friend Jules a while back, during safer times, as we were meeting some of her classmates. It was strange for me to no longer be in school but to still be interacting with people in an academia-oriented space. It was interesting mingling as an adult, but there were good vibes abound. We had some really sweet bartenders serving us, with some really funny mishearing of me asking for something sweet to drink. "Can I get something sweet?" "Coke?" "Something with alcohol in it?" "Sprite." "With alcohol!" "Oh!!!" I have a sweet tooth but I am still trying to be a grown up, so could you blame me? The drink I had was pretty good though I couldn't remember what it was. I trust the bartenders could make more sweet drinks for people like me who don't like the bitter taste of alcohol.

Half pour of Raspberry Blush
Douglas M.

I don't want to review Elsie's. It's my spot, I go there all the time. It has a vibe, it has a crowd and it has an amazing poster of Easy Rider.... Maybe I should say it's a horrible place. They don't take credit cards, don't have a full liquor license so it's pretty much a beer and wine spot, But unless I post a review I worry that my photos might not show up. They have beers on draft. Good ones too!! Oh and the beers in bottles. My favorites!! Chimay, Roquefort Trappist and Delerium Tremens. Oh wow, most people don't love those so just stay away. The staff....if they love you, they really love you and if they don't.... Kind of a Honey Badger thing (look it up on YouTube) So there it is, I adore the place because I agree with it, many others do too. If you don't I'm guessing that nobody who has any involvement with Elsie's will lose much sleep over it and that is why I love them.

Schmag and a beer, on the back Patio.
Top S.

There is exactly one really good place in all of Santa Barbara, and this is it. No, you can't get a cocktail or use your effn ApplePay. No, you can't order Tapas or brunch or goddamn avocado toast. Yes, you can feel at home among genuine people. Yes, you can choose from among many wonderful coffee, beer, and wine selections, served with care and warm attention from the beautiful people who work hard here. Yes, you can come early in the morning; leave, and then come back late at night. You can get some work done. Yes, you can smoke on the patio! No, you may not ask others not to smoke on the Patio. Yes, you can lounge well, read peacefully, play games (including billiards), and gather your friends for a delightful time together among yourselves and many others. Elsie's says Yes. As long as Santa Barbara does -- apparently Elsie's is not a legacy-enough business to avoid being displaced. No, Santa Barbara. Please, don't. https://www.sitelinesb.com/proposed-apartment-complex-to-displace-elsies-tavern-and-green-table/

Back area in the rain

The best lil freak show of a bar around. The best people run the joint and they hire the best! It's got a chill indoor seating area with couches and a competitive (free) pool table. Additional outdoor seating really completes the vibe of the place. Cash only, but an atm in the front is there if you need.

Buck at Elsie's back porch
Buck B.

I practially called Elsie's a second home for the last few years. I often studied and worked during the day and visited my friends in the evening. The staff are as friendly as can be, and the atmosphere exactly what I need when I'm looking for an agreeable social enviornment. It's not for everybody, but for those who find it agreeable, it's perfect. I hope it survives the COVI-19 pandemic shutdown. If it goes, then I'd feel as if Santa Barbara lost a minor cultural institution.

Pacman machine
Greg W.

Elsie's is cool, it's hipster to the max, and it's a breath of fresh air away from the downtown bar scene. People tend to arrive in large, diverse groups and you'll definitely enjoy Elsie's if you prefer life to be interesting. The beer selection is vast enough to satisfy most people and the wine list is decent. There is a ton of places to sit here yet people crowd around the bar for almost no reason sometimes. Board games are available which makes this one of the best bars to hangout. The poor table sucks but it's free and people get in the way so it all makes for a unique experience. The appearance of Elsie's will keep you staring for hours if you've never seen anything like it. It's always a good time. Note: Cash only, it's a huge downer but there's an ATM next to the PacMan machine, next to the bathroom, next to the seats in the small little room next to the entrance.

Fruit Herbal Tea out on the patio!!!

Having some non-caffeinated tea after a latte at my new favorite morning spot taking some morning meetings from the patio with Elsie's free wifi. I've been coming here for years at night but never knew they were open in the mornings!!! Best kept secret!!

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Cute little bar and punk aesthetic to be found but the crowd here is borderline creepy and weird. Bartender chick was nice

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8 years ago

My favorite bar in town! Cool vibes, comfy couches, awesome bartenders, excellent artwork, and delicious drinks. The perfect off-State bar.

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4 years ago

This place is incredible. You will make life long friends instantly. So eclectic, creative, and welcoming social vibe.

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Ask the Community - Elsies Tavern

Are there TVs for sports?

Hi! Elsie's doesn't have TVs.

Is it 21+ only?

Yes it absolutely is

Do you guys mind if people chill there with their laptop?

I've seen ppl do it! So I'm assuming it's okay. Lot's of spaces to chill. Roomy enough for some chill time!

Do you make cafe latte? If yes, do you make it at any time of the evening? Thanks!

Hi Kenji! Thanks for the question. We do make cafe lattes with option of milk or oatmilk as well as options to add flavor like hazelnut, vanilla, raspberry, and mocha. We… Read more

Does Elsie's serve dinner?

We don't serve dinner anymore!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Elsies Tavern

It's a beer-and-wine, cash-only bar (ATM on premises), so don't expect fancy-shmancy cocktails or expertly crafted appetizers.

Mentioned in 14 reviews

Read more highlights

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Revel Kombucha Bar & Acai Bowls - Acai Bowl and Jun Kombucha

Revel Kombucha Bar & Acai Bowls

4.7(208 reviews)
26.1 mi
$$
Locally owned & operated
Kid friendly

I was visiting Ojai for a retreat and found Revel on a lunch break. I love trying new kinds of…read moreKombucha and was excited when I saw the sign. I had no idea the magnitude of what I was about to experience. I sample kombucha every chance I get, and I can say with confidence that Revel has the best commercial kombucha that I've ever tasted! I had the pleasure of being served by Adam the owner, who is a superb beverage alchemist and has created an array of blends that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Revel is an apt name for these drinks as the sublime colors are as delightful as the pleasure of their tastes. The interior is spacious with minimalist decor, an attractive menu board, a feeling of earthiness with natural wood, and the clean brightness of white walls. It's the kind of place where you might meet a friend for a healthy drink, work remotely, or buy some growlers for a unique contribution to a dinner party. It was a gloomy rainy weekend, and I visited four times. I wasn't eager to go back out in the cold, and a few times I was the only customer so I had a chance to chat with Adam. I was intrigued to discover that Jun Kombucha uses honey instead of sugar for the fermentation process. I started home brewing Kombucha in 2011, and was taught that honey's antibacterial properties would block the fermentation process and kill the culture, aka SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). Enter the unique Jun SCOBY which only feeds on honey. It was amazing to talk to Adam about his brewing journey. He poured me samples and it was difficult to pick a favorite because they're all so good. Even the bottles are a work of art carrying the theme of the business. Recommended 100%!

I'm visiting my daughter in Ojai and a must stop is always for my favorite kombucha. Today they had…read morea few more flavors available in the four packs which is what I always get so I can take them home and enjoy them one a day. I tried the sunbeams which is citrus and vanilla but it was a little too subtle for my taste so I tried the Hoppy Valley, which is fabulous and my favorite is always the OM which is the bar in lavender. I decided to get the happy Valley for the first time and the nice young lady serving me said that I could mix a match so that made me really happy because no one has ever offered that to me before. I decided to get two of the happy Valley and two of the OM Which came to a total of $22. I signed up for the loyalty points, hoping to get my first purchase towards earning rewards, but the employee told me that the four packs don't count towards rewards. This is why I only gave four stars for the very first time because this didn't make any sense to me. Oh well. I guess things aren't perfect here after all. I will keep returning, but it made me sad not to be earning points for my purchase.:( Happy New Year's Day and may you enjoy the best kombucha ever and come here and try it. It's a really fun place to just hang out and it's nice and quiet and they have fun little games to play. I just added the review from four stars to five stars because Adam, the owner, responded to my constructive criticism and said that he was going to have the system changed to allow loyalty points to be earned when customers purchase the cans. He also added loyalty points to my rewards account for my purchase today. Thank you For being a responsive owner to your customers needs and coming up with a solution right away. That's what makes your store so excellent in addition to serving an excellent product.

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Revel Kombucha Bar & Acai Bowls - Jun Kombucha Flight

Jun Kombucha Flight

Revel Kombucha Bar & Acai Bowls - Jun kombucha on tap.  Lavender and blackberry along side ginger and spirulina.

Jun kombucha on tap. Lavender and blackberry along side ginger and spirulina.

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Whalebird Kombucha - If Whales could drink this delicious brew, they may fly too :)

Whalebird Kombucha

4.8(36 reviews)
79.6 mi
$

Whalebird Kombucha is the latest kombucha business we have given a try with and we enjoyed the…read morethree different flavors we had fairly well! The Berry Fizz was one that we had. I am often reluctant with berry flavors and wonder how sweet it's going to be. Sometimes it's just too much. But this one wasn't bad at all and the sweetness was subtle and none of it was overpowering so that was a good experience! Another Kombucha was the Stawberry Limemade. Another berry oriented flavor again but with strawberry I can usually roll with that pretty well in most cases. But with the lime at play it too was subtle, pleasant and refreshing to have with those two primary flavors playing off of each other. The third and final one was the Pink Grapefruit. Absolutely no worry with this one on being too sugary since Grapefruit is the opposite but it too was well balanced, well flavored and not too bitter. Very good experience with this Kombucha place and I will be on the lookout for other engaging flavors in the future by them!

Simply put: My all-time favorite kombucha brand, call me a stan…read more I've been drinking Whalebird for a while now and love the product first and foremost, but also love the branding on the cans, the logo, and the people I interacted with all the time at the little taproom they had in SLO. I put a couple of people onto Whalebird and they love the booch as well. My go-to is the Lavender Lemonade for classic kombucha and the Island POG for the alcoholic variants. Also really enjoyed their new LITE line they released. Sadly, I recently went to their taproom recently and they had to close down I'll still support via the web! Just ordered my 16-can pack yesterday. Keep going team @ Whalebird. PS - can you get some places in the Bay Area to carry your stuff?

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Whalebird Kombucha
Whalebird Kombucha - Jake, the co-owner, is super-cool  & knows his Kombucha! At SAVOR SLO event.

Jake, the co-owner, is super-cool & knows his Kombucha! At SAVOR SLO event.

Whalebird Kombucha - Everyone savoring Whalebird
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Elsies Tavern - bars - Updated May 2026

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