I was in Santa Fe for a ridiculously niche lawyers conference and wandered into El Matador on a…read morerandom Thursday night. Then I came back Friday. And Saturday. Not because of the drinks. Not because of the atmosphere. Not because of the location. Because of Katya. Katya is not my favorite bartender. She is my favorite human being. I've spent enough time in bars to know when someone is good at their job. Katya operates on an entirely different level. She can take what feels like sixteen orders at once, remember every single one, deliver them with absolute precision, keep the entire room moving, somehow do the math in her head, and still make every customer feel like they're the only person sitting at the bar. The basement bar itself is exactly what a great dive should be; a shithole. Heavy hobo stab vibes upon entry, including Katya. Smell: multiple buttholes farting at once. Climate control: sweaty patron dependent. Lighting: liability. TV: playing a rotation of trash 80s DVDs . If business schools were smart, they'd study her. If hospitality groups were smart, they'd clone her. If Santa Fe has any sense at all, they'll do whatever it takes to keep her exactly where she is. Cash only, so come prepared. And bring plenty of it, because she deserves every penny. Katya must be protected at all costs.

Kind of a grungy, punk, divey vibe. Not exactly my thing, but where that feels unique to me this is…read morethe kind of place to remind yourself it takes all kinds. A busy setting and top candidate for beginning or ending your Santa Fe drunk parade. That is to say, it is fun. It is not refined. But it clearly does not want to be. :)

What a lovely spot! Came here for drinks and this place was beautiful and every detail was well…read morethought out and executed. Such a charming setting with prompt friendly service and yummy drinks. Drinks were on the pricier side but were good and worth it. Ambiance is a must!

The Dragon Room Bar was truly memorable. Although there's no reservation for an impromptu birthday…read moregathering of 8, we found a large round table not long after we arrived. We had been few years back for our anniversary and ever since then we had wanted to go back. The waiter did his best to gather extra chairs and we were able to all fit at the round table. To my amazement, we had found a spot for the night to celebrate my birthday. The waiter asked what we had wanted to start with besides water for everyone. We got a bottle of red wine started and some margaritas along with a manhattan. Then afterwards couple of fish tacos and some carne asada arrived. We had great drinks and tasty food. Everything is delicious and so much great fun vibes. A definite memorable birthday to remember at this small but fantastic bar. Here's to coming back to the Dragon Room bar sooner.

I stumbled in on this place to get Santa Fe night life and I'm glad I came in! The bartender a very…read morechill gentlemen who is the definition of Santa Fe. The bar only accepts cash, so make sure it bring it in small bills if possible! I came in on a night where there is live music (there was a cover charge, so don't be surprised if you come on one of those nights.) If you are in Santa Fe looking for night life, this place is a blast!

worst bar tenders so rude they need to hire new bartenders in the downstairs bar plus they need a…read morenew bouncer in the front .

Secreto was hands down our favorite spot for drinks in Santa Fe. Tucked inside a beautiful hotel,…read morethe bar has an atmosphere that's both elegant and relaxed. The massive mirror behind the bar makes you feel like you've stepped into a classic Western movie, adding to the unique charm of the space. Their signature Sage Margarita is a must-try. The bar is filled with the subtle aroma of burning sage, which creates a memorable experience before you even take your first sip. The cocktail itself was delicious and unlike anything I've had before. My personal favorite, however, was the Mezcal Paloma. Our bartender, TJ, crafted it to perfection. Watching him work was like watching a magician at his craft, every drink was made with skill, attention to detail, and genuine passion. Between the beautiful setting, creative cocktails, and exceptional service, Secreto is a place I would gladly return to on my next trip to Santa Fe.

I understand many places are understaffed especially during big events like Indian Market. In case…read morea manager reads these reviews here are some suggestions. 1. Place signs around outdoor seating area notifying guests to place drink orders at the bar. 2. Designate at least one person to take orders at tables indoors. This should be easy to track based on who has menus and who doesn't. 3. Set up an online ordering system and place QR codes on tables for easy ordering. Give option to place orders at right or left side of bar. My aunt, mother and I were ignored multiple times by multiple staff after we asked at bar if we should order there and were told to take a seat and someone would be with us shortly. Two other tables that came in after us were served. I then had to go up to the bar to ask to pay as no one came by again even after all our drinks were empty for at least 10 minutes. Again multiple staff walked by us multiple times. Hard not to read into the reasons we were ignored specifically when several groups were being tended to.

One of the locals recommended this place to us for drinks, and we enjoyed it so much! The décor was…read moreso cute, and it was so cozy inside. They have three different fireplaces and a lot of areas to hang out. There didn't seem to be any table service when we were there on a Saturday night. My boyfriend went up to the bar to get us drinks, and he mentioned the bartender didn't seem to be that experienced, having to check the book frequently to know what went in each drink. She just poured all the ice from the shaker into the glass for my margarita mocktail, for example. They have a very fun drink list, and I enjoyed the mocktails, but they didn't blow me away. We would definitely come back for the vibes and we'd love to stay at the hotel next time. They also have a lot of cute and fun items in their little gift shop that's next to the front desk. So glad we found out about this gem!

La Reina is the epitome of coziness, especially when stopping by on a cold winter night. Multiple…read morefireplaces (one by the bar and others in the main room/seating area) add the perfect touch. They host live music and different venues/events. A lovely experience for the local and/or traveler. 5/5 stars.

Another great meal at Boxcar, again with the Santa Fe Foodies. All nine of us enjoyed the meals. We…read morewent for Taco Tuesday; you can get $2 beef tacos, which many members did and said were very good. However, I decided to go with an appetizer I've never tried, the Bang Bang Shrimp, which was dynamite! You get four very large, crispy shrimp in a sweet-and-spicy sauce, though I didn't find it spicy, if that's a concern for some. The sauce was very tasty; the shrimp had great flavor, were plump and tender, and they were indeed crispy. This went very well with the arugula under the shrimp. I'd order this again in a second. I then had two tacos à la carte: Baja Fish beer-battered cod and Carnitas. Both were very large and excellent. The pork on the Carnitas was indeed crispy as it should be, and the cod was perfectly fried and delicious. My wife had the Asian Tuna Noodle Crunch Bowl: seared tuna, lo mein noodles. The dressing was superb; the Tuna was perfectly seared raw, and all the items that came with the salad (mango, red cabbage, daikon radish sprouts, kale crunch, edamame, cilantro, peanuts, toasted sesame) made for a lovely and delicious meal. Our server, Tony, did a fantastic job of keeping us all happy. My only 'complaint' was that Boxcar doesn't serve their amazing Brussels sprouts, or at least not all the time. Not on the menu. I told Tony and the manager how much I love them and was told it may come back as a special from time to time. Man, the Boxcar Brussels sprouts are amazing! Boxcar has very, very good food, and I would usually avoid what appears to be a 'sports bar,' but James Beard Foundation-recognized Chef Eric Stumpf will please the foodies every time. What is nice is that Boxcar has several seating areas, so if you're into food and not the 'bar scene,' they can seat you in an area that is quiet.

They do not offer fried pickle as a side and cannot order it in half order. Ordered the burger and…read moreI had to put the burger together myself,not sure if this is a Mountain West thing. Also the bacon was sticking out. Have to pay for ranch dressing, was told after the food was served. Waited for the dressing to come and the Orion rings got cold. Wasn't that busy but still took a while for the food to arrive. Out of tacos for Taco Tuesday by 10 pm, but they still offer the tacos at the regular price. After I asked for the check, the waiter offered drinks from the happy hour menu, dessert and asked me if I wanted to place an order of vegetable "something healthy" for the next day? First time that I been offer that. Would not go back again.

If you're looking for a moody, elevated cocktail experience in Santa Fe, As Above, So Below…read moreDistillery absolutely delivers. The moment you walk in, the atmosphere pulls you in--an almost mystical aesthetic with curated decor (think mounted skulls, vintage accents, and cozy lounge seating). This makes it perfect for a date night or a unique night out. The space is intentionally designed to feel immersive, and it works. I ordered a gin cocktail with a tajín-style rim and fresh cucumber garnish, and it was incredible. Crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of spice. Service matched the vibe--friendly and knowledgeable about what they're serving. It was easy to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. This is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem--unique, a little edgy, and far from your typical bar scene. Whether you're into craft cocktails, cool aesthetics, or just want somewhere different to hang out, this spot is 100% worth checking out.

Since I don't indulge, this rating is based on viewing my colleague's exclamations and expressed…read moresatisfaction...and her purchases! Service from the bartender was thoughtful, knowledgeable, flexible, and engaging. My colleague initially wanted to taste one item based on another vendor's recommendation to visit this venue. A wise one! The bartender noted in the flight menu that the beverage in question could be added to the flight. Very nice of him, he didn't delete a flight to fit it in, either! Another colleague asked if she purchased, would the flight be free? Answer: yes! Two bottles, minimum. She loved them all, but selected three of the flights to purchase; two full bottles and one half bottle. (Business traveler/ International colleague with a travel liquor limit). Bottles were very well priced, and she'd can't wait to introduce them to colleagues in Taiwan! The decor and spacious area set a casual, respectful vibe which lends to a great venue for small groups, solo visitors, and couples on a date. There was a solo reading customer comfortably seated in a couch set up like a living room. There was a couple in another seating area and some friends at the bar. Didn't look much further in though. My colleague was very well pleased with her tastings and purchase, and I'm sure you'll receive the same great service from the bartender!

The live music was amazing. We arrived at the hotel late and needed to grab a bite before bed. The…read moreatmosphere was great with the music and fireplace. Our service was excellent and when we stopped in a few days later our server recognized us. Highly recommend for some live entertainment and delicious snacks.

Absolutely a must go when in Santa Fe. It's slightly off the downtown plaza area, so maybe it's…read moreslightly hidden? Worth the tiny bit of extra work. If you can snag a seat in the armchairs beside the real fireplace, consider yourself lucky.

I had saved going to Tumbleroot Pottery Pub on my list of things to do in Santa Fe and after a trip…read moreto the Georgia O'Keefe museum and lunch we saw it was close by and decided to head in! So glad that we did since we were warmly welcomed and were given friendly, detailed info from the staff member there about the pottery/pub, about the air dry clay, and let us taste some beer before selecting. I had the Mexican Lager and my partner had the pale, and with our clay in hand we were ready to create. I felt no pressure at all and had all the info needed to make something. The staff member there was very helpful, and even gave each table a little dried fruit and nuts to snack on. I loved the vibes here, and it was a really fun affordable activity! I really recommend it! I will cherish the tray I made and remember the yummy beer and friendly staff!

What a fun concept! It's a brewery. It's a distillery. It's a pottery shop where you can buy a…read morepound of clay and make your own creation. We came just for drinks midday. Weekday day drinking! My wife had a bee's knees cocktail and I did the beer flight. Both are served in pottery vessels. Quality of the beer was very good. Staff were super friendly.

Joes Tequila Bar is fun for tequila flights! The food was also wonderful! if there's a wait, it's…read moredefinitely worth it

Charming Patio, Decent Food, Better for Drinks Than Dinner…read more The patio is lovely. Cool, shaded, and surrounded by greenery. It feels tucked away and cozy, with heaters for chillier evenings. This is definitely a mezcal focused bar, so keep that in mind. Margaritas lean smoky thanks to the mezcal preference, which might be unexpected if you're used to a more traditional flavor... The chips and guacamole were just okay. The guac was overly whipped, and the salsa lacked spice. I had the asada tacos. good, though a bit dry. Service was a bit hit or miss, took some effort to get the waitstaff's attention. If I came back, it would probably be for happy hour rather than a full dinner. The vibe is great for drinks and a light bite, but not a must-visit for the food.