The thai tea drink alone deserves the five stars but the fact that the bartender was such a sweet person and the service was great made it even better. They even have an amazing indoor ambiance full of board games, chairs, and booths, topped off with a beautiful outdoor patio AND the prices are REALLY good. All that combined just makes this one of the best bars in Sonoma. I'll definitely be coming back. Would give 10 stars if I was able!!! read more

Starling Bar Sonoma - Bark Up The Strong Tree (Thai Tea Drink) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Sonoma, California

When a woman on Sonoma Square tells you and your friends to go to Starling Bar, you listen. Starling Bar is the kind of place where, if I lived in Sonoma, I'd be there three times a week. It has the distinct feel of a neighborhood bar, staffed by people who know the locals and make excellent drinks. The bartenders are people who obviously know what they're doing: just one look behind the bar, and you can see that they have a rhythm and ease that speaks to a lot of experience. I had the Manhattan with Black Walnut bitters--the cognac-soaked cherry, imported from France, complemented my cocktail. The atmosphere is comfortable and easy, and people are friendly and having a great time. I liked the place so much that I bought two t-shirts. Until next time, Starling Bar--and hopefully we'll run into your cape-wearing fan again! read more

If you're in town check them out! Super cool local bar with great entertainment . Good bar food and the bartenders know their cocktails! Legit read more

Closed for change of ownership. Used to be great for music and comedy nights. Hopefully, that wont change with the change of hands. Cheers! read more

The bartender was incredibly sweet and crafted some amazing drinks. She recommended the Farmers Market Spicy Margarita, which featured fresh seasonal fruits --delightful! Another standout of the night was the Thai Tea Cocktail, made from scratch by her, and it was PHENOMENAL. The quality of the drinks at such affordable prices is unheard of in Sonoma county, this place is definitely my top recommendation for a night out in Sonoma! read more

Great place for cocktails. The bartenders are always so friendly and welcoming. Quaint spot off the square.

I got an order of the spicy chicken wings and they were cooked perfectly with just enough crunch. I also tried a custom cocktail that was really refreshing and not too sweet. read more

.This little bar is a hidden gem. Best hot dogs, bacon caramel corn and best of all mixologist Sarah. Super friendly and enjoyable. We will be back! read more

I usually love starling. I'm also a bartender who works in Sonoma, and I had just gotten off work and wanted to stop by for one cocktail. There were a lot of people there, because comedy was happening. The show hadn't started yet. When I found out it was $20, a little steeper than I would usually pay for local comedy, I said I would just have one drink and go. And the guy at the door told me no. I would have had to pay $20 just to have one drink and leave. Really, really disappointed read more

Love the food. Great service. Quick & friendly. It's where the locals go. We eat there all the time

Ambience 10 Service 10 Food & Presentation 10 Friendly 10 Went twice last week. Has late night bar menu folks! Jeanne' B. From Crownsville MD read more

Only been once, but I do like Starling Bar quite a bit. Staff is very friendly and their cocktails are excellent. From the classics to signature drinks, all are extremely well done and I promise will have you contemplating ordering another (or two). Live music on certain nights as well, be sure to check the website. All in all, a very nice example of what a great neighborhood bar should be. read more

What a wonderful spot! I've been meaning to try this place for a long time now and have driven by it countless times and finally made it in for a visit. Starling Bar Sonoma is located just a couple minutes from the Sonoma Square and is off Highway 12 and W. Spain Street. From the moment you walk in you get a quintessential Sonoma experience and the atmosphere is very warm and relaxing all in one. They have a pretty large bar and a decent amount of indoor seating and they also have an outdoor area too. They even have some games you can play too and a giant jenga. The bartenders make fantastic cocktails and use local ingredients! You can tell they care about quality and it shows with their drink lineup and flavors. In addition to cocktails they also have beer and wine too. On Mondays and Wednesdays they have locals night with a cocktail on special each of those nights. They also have live music events often. I have to come back for one of those events sometime soon! read more

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Nice bar. Good selection of liquors and a lot of house-made ingredients used. Love that. Didn't get the bartender's name, but he was very friendly and patient while it took a while to decide on drinks. We didn't play any games, but they have a lot there to hang out and play. Ordered the bacon bourbon sour and pieces of eight punch to drink, and two bourbon cookies. We both very much preferred the bacon drink. Not the best of fancy cocktails, but a very nice flavor that is something different from a lot of other cocktail places. The punch was just okay. Not entirely balanced, but a decent flavor. Not something we would order again. Those cookies were spectacular though. Honestly went back and forth about purchasing them (they cost more than $6 for two) and I'm so glad I did. Any time I'm driving through Sonoma I'll have to stop back by to get more. read more

Starling Bar Sonoma - Bacon Bourbon Sour and Pieces-Of-Eight Punch - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Sonoma, California

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening here, nourished by tasty cocktails and tended to by a caring bartender and friendly locals. Excited by a unique menu that had several house originals listed throughout, I opted for a pica pepper margarita to start. I appreciated that the bartender asked me what my spice tolerance was before making it, which was evidence of them wanting to make sure I enjoyed myself. I'm a spice wimp (ask my local Indian restaurants) and I was happy that it came out middle-of the-road spice wise. They quickly shut me down when I asked after the pizza, which apparently stops being served at 7 PM. The bartender and locals talked me into a classic Chicago-style hot dog, which they assured me would be first-rate. It was fine. The pepinos on top were a nice touch, but the lack of a ketchup or sauce kept it from reaching the next level. They also have a Korean version with gochujang mayo available after hours, which I suppose I should opt for the next time I'm there. I also sampled a Brooklyn cocktail and an old fashioned. The Brooklyn was just a little sweet while also being bitter, which made it a nice bridge cocktail to the old fashioned, which was sweet and spicy. It did the work of highlighting the whiskey (Old Forester), a new one to me. I'd totally recommend this place as an alternative to the rampant Sonoma wine scene. read more

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I adore this spot. We go here every time we are in Sonoma. Excellent mixed drinks. Great live music (if you catch it) The bartenders and owners, including Sara, are wonderful. Food is good-- especially for late night options. We've bought every piece of swag they offer and replaced a hat twice bc we wore it out. read more

This is a fine bar - friendly and welcoming with a dark polished wooden bar, and a variety of seating options throughout the space, a small stage (for live entertainment), and fine craft cocktails (they even make their own ginger beer for their Starling Mules - which are really good). There's a strong draft coming through the front door on cold nights, so move to the sides or back and you'll be fine. They offer wood-fired pizzas and some creative and very good bar snacks. Recommended. read more

Starling Bar Sonoma - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Sonoma, California

5 star dive bar. Visit when live music is on stage. You'll get to meet 1/2 the adult population of the old time Sonomans. If Sean Carscadden trio is playing, you must visit. Quintessential good time rock band with a bit of blues, ska, jazz thrown in the mix. If you can manage to squeeze into the bar there a lots of signature cocktails. But honestly this is a beer drinking crowd. read more

Delicious bar snacks, great selection of drinks, friendly and professional service, enjoyable atmosphere. A favorite spot to enjoy a drink with local friends. read more

Starlight is amazing! Excellent customer service; drinks are delicious. I happen to go on a Wednesday, and they have Costa tacos outside the parking lot. Friendly people too. They have a variety of Mexican food options. Quesabirria Tacos Quesadillas Tortas Please stop by. They are delicious. My friend said that their pizza is delicious I would come back. They only have them on Friday and Saturday. read more

Starling Bar Sonoma - Beer and Long Island - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Sonoma, California

Mark invited me to come up from Berkeley to hear a free afternoon jam with the Sean Carscadden ( great singer & lead guitarist!) Trio. A really talented band with an eclectic selection of music, from Que Sera Sera to Benny & the Jets.. sung beautifully by Sean & interpreted in a unique & tasty style! Each musician, Cliff Hugo on bass & (sorry I forgot his name ) the drummer were incredible. (Mikey Cannon!! just found it on Sean's website) http://www.seancmusic.com/bio Mark started with his go to Manhattan & I, after hearing an old sort of "tropical" instrumental got the urge for a Tiki drink..Wasn't disappointed! The comely friendly tattooed young woman bartender suggested the "Punch Bowl", a huge cut crystal tumbler in which she put together a one of a kind Tiki cocktail which was delicious... refreshing & not to sweet (which I had requested) What was in it was a mystery (orgeat? & rum for sure) except for the Angustora Bitter float I witnessed. Took an hour for Mark & me to finish it....for $25 it was a bargain! oh yea...the table next to us of 4 young women & their bodyguard asked what I had ordered...20 minuted later they showed me up with a behemoth that made our drink look like a shot glass in comparison Dancing allowed! it was outside & perfect weather & there was a couple on the floor during much of the music.. the slim attractive energizer bunny, a fairy like twinkle toes & her white bearded consort a steadying partner that the bunny swirled around... fun to watch great afternoon! read more

Owner is very friendly and the drinks are definitely worth the price. Vibe is nice and relaxing they have an outdoor area and also an indoor. They have games to play if you want too. Haven't had a chance to try the pizza so definitely will be back. read more

Our fav local bar!! Sara always treats us well, been coming here since we moved to Sonoma a few years ago. Great vibes, Great drinks, great bar snacks and food offered on random days of the week by other local businesses like pizzas from the girl and the fig or the taco truck from Costas tacos. read more

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If we lived in town, we'd be here all the time. It's exactly what we were looking for, which was good cocktails. They were GREAT cocktails. Expertly made with some crazy cool looking concoctions going out to other tables. We asked for Irish Coffees that were maybe the best we've ever had and made even more special because it's not a menu item and they had to make a pot of French coffee specifically for them. I also had and outstanding Sazarac! We had some food and it was good. It's bar food and nothing super special but it hit the right spots. They apparently have pizza from Girl and Fig that looked good, but that is only at certain times. If you need a bite, you'll be covered. They seem to have some special events that look cool, too. Worth checking out to see if you can plan ahead. Super cool vibe!! Definitely drop in if you like great drinks! read more

A great place to grab a cocktail in Sonoma! Starling has a very relaxed, chill vibe that you'll easily feel right at home whether you're sitting indoors or outside at their gorgeous patio. They have so many cocktail options to choose from that there's definitely one (or two or three) for you. Starling also offers some light snacks. They have live music and some games if you're in need of entertainment. Plus, they're dog-friendly. read more

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Great upscale neighborhood bar with a cute little stage for small live acts. Solid menu of signature cocktails and local brews. Pizza and tacos on certain nights. It has a great vibe. read more

A hidden gem in Sonoma, Starling Bar features artisanal cocktails and craft beer in a relaxed, friendly setting. Mixed with cognac, Redemption rye, Bénédictine, sweet vermouth and bitters, the barrel-aged vieux carré ($12) was smooth and went down all too fast. Served with a brandied cherry, the black walnut Manhattan ($12), with bourbon, sweet vermouth and housemade nocino, is a cool take on a classic cocktail. Starling features pizza from The Girl and The Fig as well as some interesting "bar bites." The spicy sriracha bacon jerky ($9) was indeed spicy. Curried, spiced nuts ($6.50) were spicy as well. Noticing a trend here? Perhaps it's intended to speed your cocktail consumption ... The staff is super-friendly and attentive. They are mixologists of the first order who really care about their cocktails. There are a myriad of games from which to choose: Battleship, Jenga and many others. Starling has live music from time to time and there is an great patio on which to relax on one of Sonoma's many beautiful afternoons. Starling Bar is a awesome hangout just a few minutes from the Sonoma square. read more

Excellent hand crafted drinks with fresh local ingredients. Dog friendly, beautiful outdoor space and excellent pizza. Also, the entertainment is eclectic and top notch! read more

Went here on a Saturday evening after visiting wineries during the day to celebrate a friend's birthday and had such a lovely time! I appreciated the length and variety of their cocktail menu, and every drink our group tried was praised (standouts were Starry Night and the seasonal Barking Up the Strong Tree). Loved the cosy feel inside and the friendliness of the bartenders and owner, who went out of their way to help celebrate the birthday in our group! It was also so fun to have the live band playing while we were there. Will definitely be back! read more

This is a fun spot for a drink or a Friday night pizza. We love the games you can play and the vibe is good. The drinks are pretty pricey for the overall experience but otherwise nice little local bar. read more

By far my favorite bar in the county. It's very chill. Most importantly, the bartenders make fantastic drinks and how much they enjoy the process shows! I feel like a simple drink is a waste of their time (sometimes it's what you're in the mood for though). I've had outstanding luck giving them some details to build from and enjoying what they make (when it's a slow night). It is pretty cold in there with the doors open in winter and there are people who smoke outside and that wafts into the place. Still, if I have my options of where to go, I'm happy to drive into Sonoma to visit this place! read more

Great little bar. Visited right at opening on a Wednesday. Bartender was very friendly and the drinks we delicious. I highly recommend the bacon bourbon sour. The bacon flavor is very subtle and the drink is actually very refreshing... in fact, they might drink TOO easily so be carefully not to have too many. There was one regular sitting at the bar who was very nice as well. Looking forward to being back again! read more

Starling Bar Sonoma - Bacon Bourbon Sour for me and Espresso Martini for the Mrs. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Sonoma, California

Delicious wood fired pizzas Craft cocktails from friendly bartenders Live music on an outdoor patio with tables spaced six feet apart. Yeah. We will be back read more

Always good for a cocktail after a tasting. Nice outdoor area reminds me of being in Austin. Live music frequently. This time I had the Li Hing Margarita. Wow! The use of reposado tequila instead of vodka (hence margarita instead of a martini) is brilliant. Li Hing is salty-sour and the tequila pairs perfectly. Come in and chill in back or with a board game or get your dance on if the band is hot. read more

This place is a gem! Recently found it through Yelp while visiting Sonoma. Sarah, the bartender, was amazing! Super friendly and made the best drinks! She also had substantial and delicious food items. We had the pimento cheese and hot dogs, which were great and definitely hit the spot!! read more

What a great little hometown feel bar with outstanding LIVE MUSIC! This place used to be a total dive bar called Blue Moon (or something) ... people in Sonoma talk about it like it was super yucko divey ... and then I understand new owners came in and really put some nice effort into making it nice and more entertainment-centric and turned it into something more charming. We certainly liked our first experience. The band was absolutely phenomenal with a featured singer called "audio angel" who killed every song while the band perfectly executed everything she sang. They only had a $7 cover charge for fab live entertainment, which was pretty awesome. We could only stay about 45 minutes, but our experience there was pretty cool and I can't wait to go back and see what else they have going on. They also have a variety of board games you can play at your table - fun! Wonderful and unique crafted cocktails! Their marketing efforts have really paid off and everything looks so pro - beautiful menu boards and cool menus. It's so nice when business owners invest in bringing these kinds of venues to Sonoma. Yay Starling! read more

Great local bar in Sonoma with solid cocktails, friendly bartenders (what?!) and a small but smart bar menu. The space is nice with good seating options and they bring in a food truck occasionally for events to augment what is mostly a few snack items and their "bird dog" which is just a pretty decent foot long hot dog (I'm sure it's fancier than that but that's my take). The cocktails are a bit pricey for the spot but we were willing and they were tasty! read more

Great staff and great atmosphere! Great mix of locals and visitors. I would recommend going after dinner.

Fred was a very nice bartender. Cute outside seating space. However we didn't like the idea that we HAVE TO order the food in order to have a drink there. read more

Agree completely with all the reviews mentioning the super friendly, attentive staff and artisanal cocktails. That said, those cocktails are just a bit lacking : skimpy on flavor and overpriced. I like the roadhouse vibe. I just wish it was just a few notches better. read more