I didn't know that Mel's had re-opened. I live in L.A. now but while I was in school (at Brooks Institute) Mel's was a favorite hangout. While up visiting, I texted a friend about getting a beer and he replied "I'm at Mel's come on by!" He sent me the address and I was on my way. Great crowd, great bartender! The place is a bit newer and cleaner than the old spot but the spirit is still there. Long live Mel's!! read more

Mel’s Cantina - Sign Outside - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wonderful place to unwind from work/stressful day etc..... you gotta try the Cadillacs!!

Went In for a nightcap. ordered 2 beers paid for both beers up front and as we were leaving the owner lady had security stop us at the door and he put hands-on us and I didn't know why so I tried to get away and he ended up hitting my nose and I got a bloody nose. She tried to say we didn't pay our bill yet I had two receipts to prove it. I was very upset that I got a bloody nose and was accused of stealing so I called the cops. After all was said and done she decided to tell the cops that I don't owe her money after all. And I could not press charges becauuse she said that I hit him first. b******* Clearly I won't be going there ever again I miss the old owner. This place has gone way down hill. read more

Mel’s Cantina - The after math. Never going there ever again. - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The service is amazing and the owner and bartenders are very welcoming ! I will definitely be coming back to distress from a long day of work ! read more

I like to go dancing there on Fridays there's a DJ (Spanish music). And Saturdays they usually have live music from Norteñas to Rock en Español read more

Divey but charming little spot. Mel's has been a fixture of the Santa Barbara community for probably 60 years. It's a no-nonsense setting good for a heavy pour. The current location doesn't have the same level of nostalgia that the original spot next to the Paseo Nuevo movie theater did, but it's a lot larger with a hidden few seating rooms on the western side of the venue. Parking is nearly non-existent with the small area currently being used as a parklet, but you shouldn't be drinking and driving anyway! Take an Uber! I've been when there's a crowd but prefer coming on a quieter evening mid-week. For being on an extremely busy corner, I'm in awe over just how small-town the interior feels. The service is very personal which I appreciate. I've been served by Jennifer, the bartender, and feel that she does a great job. I was here the other night and happened to walk into a small, impromptu stand-up comedy show. I didn't expect to be entertained but it was a fun time nonetheless! Mel's may seem like a drive-by, but stop by and see just how special of a spot it really is. read more

I don't usually like coming here but I found out one of my favorite bartenders works here now her name is Rosa and she is amazing. I will now bring a better clientele of people to this place only when Rosa is working she is fantastic and will put a smile on your face and make sure your drinks are full. She puts time love and energy in your drinks she is also very funny but not afraid to talk shit with you . read more

Here is a riddle: Mel's used to be a little dive bar on De La Guerra half a block off of State Street, then it was in the Paseo Nuevo Mall, now it is on Carrillo, yet it has only moved once... how can that be? The truth is that the Paseo Nuevo Mall built itself around Mel's. Did anyone ever wonder why there was a dive bar in the middle of a fancy shopping center? Seemed so out-of-place but I was so proud of them for standing their ground! The clientelle back in the early 80s was so different than it is today, seems like when I would walk by it was a bunch of barflys who would gravitate there after work, or maybe instead of work. Today Mel's is in a new spot and it is kind of trendy. They still have a pool table but the electronic darts are popular and they have a very cool TV lounge which has been begging me to come for Sunday football. The atmosphere of the place still screams "Locals Only" and even in the new location there is something very nostalgic about ordering a drink at Mel's. It is the kind of place that begs you to order bourbon or gin rather than a shot of patron. You kind of want to drink what the barfly crowd used to drink 30 years ago. This past Saturday my SBHS class had a class reunion (Go Dons) we went to Mel's after the homecoming game. It seemed like the right place to be. There was a good band, a handful of fun people and two bartenders who might still remember the names of some of those barflys. I was most amused by the sign (I posted a photo) They have a "Happy Minute" 2:59-3:00 every day! Well drinks are half priced! read more

Mel’s Cantina - Order quick! - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great place to watch GAMES & get away from the Mundane "Playing Field" We call #DOWNTOWN..... It's not for the COLLEGIATE Crusaders... Lol read more

Mel’s Cantina - One of the bartenders... Chicken & Chorizo NACHOS... #DoIT!! - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place is pretty good, but also slow, buddy weekend with all hotels completely vook3d this place was slow and dead. I don't know why, but it was. read more

Mel’s Cantina - people watching tvs - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Little local spot. Decent beer. Pool table so time too. Fun during comedy nights. Managements seems a little unprofessional at times. But aside from that decent local little bar read more

Yikes. Mel's needs a little help. Dive bar Is not a way to describe it. Dump, crack house type bar might be more like it. First of all we walked in and it was as if the record stopped. The place is sketchy and I mean sketchy by the types of people in the place. I wouldn't be surprised if they have fights or people pulling guns out there because that's what I was scared was about to happen. Bartender lady was very nice but unfortunately it wasn't worth staying because of her. We had one drink and left and I'm glad we did. read more

I cut my teeth on the Old Mel's. Franny and Sunny from the Old place took great care of us when we needed it the most. Fran is still there slanging drinks at us like the Pro that she is. Still a safe place to be and now they have Food!!! Thanks Guys read more

Decent dive in town with a jukebox and a random mix of people you wouldn't expect to see in Santa Barbara. Could use more beer on tap though .. read more

Me and 3 of my girlfriends spent our one night in SB at Mel's because it was the only place nearby with karaoke on a Tuesday night. We clearly weren't the typical demographic for this place, but boy did we have a great time. Our waitress/bartender Enez (sp?) was very on top of it and had a great personality. She makes a mean margarita. The usuals at the bar were very friendly, but not in a creepy way. We had so much fun! Definitely a highlight of our girls trip down the California coastline. read more

Best margaritas!!! Inez is a great bartender!!! Mel's is a great place to hang out with friends and just chill. Everyone is very friendly and there's never a dull moment!!! read more

This place get the stars only for Mike and Inez. Since new bartenders have came they ran off a lot along with myself. Rude bartender. I won't even risk my night if I don't know for sure Inez will be working. Shame because my co workers and I would always go to this place to unwind from work and now we gotta drive up the Mesa. I would still recommend this place because at once this was the only bar I would go to. And mike is amazing. read more

Mel's has evolved into a Mexican bar. Be prepared for mariachi on the juke box! Nice bartender!

Our night at Mel's was one for the books! We stopped into Mel's not knowing what to expect, but we were met with friendly faces, a great staff, and a night of singing out hearts out. We felt very comfortable and would definitely go back! Be sure to stop in if you're in the area!! read more

REALLY fun dive bar! The crowd and atmosphere is lively. The drinks are strong and cheap! I only wish it was open past midnight.

Oh God, I love getting fucked up here. It's like a mancave during football season. There's a room with racing seats and too many TVs to watch every game at once. Boner. read more

Cool, come as you are, stiff drink pouring locals dive bar. And by Dive Bar, I mean the kind of place that prides itself on being a dive bar. Juke box, TV, low lights, attentive service. Cheers! read more

My boyfriend and I were in the area and quickly researched a good bar to grab a beer. I'm SO happy we stopped by Mel's. The bartender and the patrons were very welcoming and the drinks were cheap. Although Mel's has a divey feel, it's very clean and appears to have been remodeled recently. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Santa Barbara. read more

Great Bar, Wonderful Staff, Fantastic Food, Always a blast hanging out here.

A comfortable joint away from the club scene to enjoy a great cockail, hang with friends, and get simple but tasty appatizers. I recommend the sliders. read more

This placed is filled with a lot of old timers. Bartenders are cool. But not feeling the place because there's no music, and the only thing on are the tv's. I'm not saying this place needs to be like a night club but it could be a little more lively. Some of the older men who come in here are creeps. read more

Mel's Lounge is an awesome neighborhood sports bar where you can relax, get a drink, watch sports on one of the 1000 High Definition TVs (ok that's a slight exaggeration, but they have lots of TVs) while lounging in ultra-comfy chairs in the Football room, play pool, shoot darts, listen to live music and see live comedy whilst drinking tasty beverages and eating yummy food. Listed as a dive bar on Yelp, but it's too nice to be called a dive. read more

Great place to see a sports game (Go Cowboys!) and great place to see and hang out with your local SB friends. And the drinks area reasonable price. read more

Came from out of town to meet my brother early in the day. Had a great Bloody Mary. Bartender was very friendly.

We've been going there off an on for about 5 years. Just recently I had an encounter with one of their bartenders... what a feaking jerk. Happy hour was from 4 to 6 ($1 off beers), we got there at 4p, We ordered beers, we paid, then we asked bout the pricing, this butthead said it doesn't start until 4:20, its not his fault because the cash register is off and starts at 4:20, we make jokes about it and he got obstinate and said said he is fed up.... piss on him, we're not going back. 4/25/17 read more

Was in town for a couple of days and found this place advertising live music, so we strolled on over and found a great bar with a great band. The staff was friendly and the drinks were good, recommend this to anyone wanting a great place for drinks and live music. read more

My boyfriend and I went to have some beers and appetizers at 6 o clock today, a Saturday. We sat in a booth and waited for a while (like 10 min) before we realized no one was going to approach us so my boyfriend got up to order us some beers. We were drinking our beers and waited another 20 minutes unnoticed until we asked a girl if she worked there and if she could take our order. She happily agreed to even though she was 6 ft away from us the entire time sitting by the bar. Apparently the bar tender was done with her shift and the waitress hadn't started hers yet, and the waiter that was supposed to take care of us was nowhere in sight. It was a pretty awful experience, since we were both hungry and it wasn't even busy. I doubt its normally like this but I will not be returning any time soon. read more

That Mexican bartender/waitress is no good for business- very poor customer service and very rude . I honestly don't understand why she's still there . I've been there twice and on both occasions she has been the issue , other than that I really liked the place . A good place to see locals read more

Overcharged my card an astronomical amount and was terrible about communicating the resolution. If you wanna listen to the same jukebox music, and have people not care about fighting (including the security), then this is the bar for you. read more

I had a wonderful experience tonight. My bartender Olivia was awesome. She made our night as good as she made our martinis. She made us the best dirty martinis ever. read more

I don't even know where to start! Nice location, variety of music and people!! But the Bartender I don't even know if to call her that! She was so wasted as we walk in been our first time. She was taking shots with a costumer wasted as well! He bought us drinks but then we caught her on the second round we said no!! She was like huh! And she had her friends there and making out with a guy! And all the beer him and their friends had she would charged this older man who was wasted after maybe an hour of him not having drinks she was charging him and we told her why he had already payed you! She said don't worry about him! Worry about you! His my costumer and poor guy he was wasted, she probably does this to many costumers! That's why she's there!! Makes money for the owner! read more

Lots of TVs, darts and pool, great garlic & cheese fries (a combo of the other available fries).

Well first time ever getting kicked out of a bar and sober at that why?? Simply because I asked for my change after Yáñez the bartender walked around with my bill wrapped around her finger and gave 2 dollars in quarters for the pool table from the cash register she forgot the rest of my change and yelled "I havent cashed it yet" she proceeds to tell the old man buying her drinks with out change obviously that I'm asking for 8 dollars he then laughs and says I'll pay for it if he wants me to which in turn I accepted his offer to then be furiously yanked around and my beer taken by Yáñez and poor Nicole who has no clue what's going on she starts yelling and calling me names the old man then gets out of his chair and starts calling me names as well poor guy can't even stand straight dont know why they keep serving him Mike must be in in this because I guarantee it's not the first or last time this happens so please be aware of snakes read more