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Test Pilot

4.4 (419 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 weeks ago

Test Pilot Photos

TEST PILOT ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
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Recommended Reviews - Test Pilot

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Bananacapa
Morgan H.

The drinks and atmosphere were a hit for us at this tiki bar in the Funk Zone. It was pretty packed but we were served quickly after we selected from the fun menu options. As a fan of banana, I loved the Bananacapa and found it to be well-balanced. We sat outside because the neighboring winery was hosting a DJ but I would definitely return to enjoy the music and vibe inside.

Melissa L.

Happy that my friend introduced me to this spot and we came for a pre-event cocktail. I'd always heard great things about Test Pilot so I was excited knowing that I was finally going to get the chance to try them. Test Pilot is giving tropical, sailboat, jungle vibes lol. This spot is fun, festive, and inviting. It's dimly lit inside and spacious enough as they have bar seating, cute little table nooks, and some outdoor space. The bar isn't too big but when we stumbled in it was still quite so easy access to some seats. Unfortunately I forgot the bartenders name but he was very nice and kind. He knew my friend so they chatted for a bit and he hand crafted each of our cocktails beautifully. I opted for the purple Mai Thai and it was super good. Refreshing, pretty presentation, the right amount of sweetness and not overly strong. A solid drink and the menu here is really creative and fun. I wish we could've stayed longer, but I'll definitely be back. There were so many different cocktails on the menu that I need to come back to try and I can confirm that at least what I ordered was a 5/5.

Emi G.

Had to come back for the Millennial Falcon Fizz. This cocktail is my favorite in the entire world. It was one of the first cocktails I ever tried back in 2021 when I became of age to drink and started to explore downtown SB. The bartenders here are attentive and there is ample seating outdoors. It can get pretty crowded inside by the bar but they'll always get your order in!

Ericka B.

I was really excited to check this place out but I probably just came during peak hours because service was super slow. I also noticed a lot of people getting helped first before my group which wasn't too great. I got the ube pińa colada and it was a tasty drink and you can taste a hint of ube but I was just a bit bummed of the drink to ice ratio. I mentioned it to the bartender but he didn't do anything about it and just handed me the drink. I also had the Thai iced tiki which was pretty good and I really like the popping boba on top! The interior was nice and they have lots of seating as it shares an outside seating with a winery next door. I would like to give this place another shot but hoping to visit when it's not too busy.

Tatiana G.

Manny, Kate, and Will were excellent! We had an amazing experience at Testpilot. The drinks were amazing & the vibes were high!

Outdoor indoor fun
Aurora L.

Great drinks. Great service. Great for big groups. Great indoor and outdoor setting. Martini espresso is also great :)

Thai tea tiki
Jenny N.

Small parking lot, street parking. Good outside tables. A little small inside but why not enjoy the good weather outside. Bathrooms behind the bar- 2 stalls for the women's bathroom. Clean Drinks looked really fun. I loved the Thai tea tiki I got! Bartenders super friendly too. Would be back :)

Hotel Nacional Special - Delicious and pretty
Angela R.

Test Pilot is one of those places in town where you go to if you're in the mood for an inventive cocktail that's giving tropical vibes. It's categorized as a tiki bar, but would I deem this place a tiki bar? Not really, but the cool tiki mugs give you that Polynesian vibe. It's also the only place in the Funk Zone that provides tropical drinks. My only gripe is that they tend to be overly filled with crushed ice, and leaves you wondering how much drink did you really get for your money. Aside from the crushed ice, the drinks are packed with a punch so you won't need that many to make you feel buzzy. Every cocktail that I have tried had a well balanced blend of exotic flavors making each sip enjoyable. On my latest visit I tried the Ube Pina Colada. Not only was this drink a beautiful purple color, but the taste was yummy! I don't like sweet drinks, but this one was perfectly made. The Thai iced tiki was a nice creamy drink that I also enjoyed. The vibe here is lively on the weekends, and tends to be busier. If you're lucky, you just might catch a DJ spinning great tunes outside. They do have a fair amount of indoor seating as well as outdoor patio seating. I love sitting in the hanging egg chair whenever its available. Great photo opp! Overall, whether you come here with a group of friends or enjoying a solo adventure in the Funk Zone, this is a great place to check out.

Kentucky
Ashley R.

You want a badass bartender? You've come to the right place! This spot makes delicious tiki drinks. I really love their themed drinks and cups. I was just drawn to watching the bartender make everyone's drinks. It was entertaining to watch. The vibe is casual and relaxed. It's a cool spot to enjoy well made spirits. Do try their Kentucky drink, I have to say it's the best one on the menu.

Thai Iced Tiki with passion fruit popping boba
Kara B.

Manny is a fantastic bartender! Went with a friend and we both enjoyed two drinks each. Ambiance is fun and playlist is great. Tip: there's a mini secret menu if you read the About section of the menu.

Zombie and Oaxacan dead
Alyssa V.

I absolutely love tiki drinks. We always make it a point to come here when we are in town. I've been trying different drinks on the menu. They've all been fantastic. My favorite is the jungle bird. We finally tried the purple Mai tai which seems to be a favorite for many and it was good. Service is always fantastic and we love sitting both inside and outside depending on the weather

Ube Colada & Thai Tea Cockfails
Misa O.

I love asian inspired cocktails and these were good but didn't wow me. We also had two different bartenders make our Ube Coladas and noticed they were inconsistent in taste so keep that in mind! The vibes in here are immaculate though!

Menu
Jolie F.

On a late Saturday afternoon in September, we popped in for a drink or two at this bar. The inside was packed with people around the bar area. We were able to obtain a drink menu off the bar to decide on a refreshment or two- the drinks are tiki like style, so most of them are on the sweet playful side. Most drinks start at 14 dollars. We decided we better quickly order before the next wave of guest arrived- the bartender was kind in attending to us two, before the mass of groups poured in. Drinks were made quickly and to the menu specifications. Given the mass amount of people- large groups, that consist of bachelorette parties, we decided to grab one refreshment and hit the road. So what is the atmosphere is like- it is definitely a place to visit if you are the party mood rather than the relaxation mood- the music is loud as well as the crowd. The seating is not made for relaxing. Although the bar offers super cute seating at the bar- bar stools over tiki like statues. Plus there are high tables, a room for groups with bench seating, a comfy seating area with swing chair, and a lot of seating for cooler days on the patio. No food offered at this bar- just drinks. Parking can be challenging in this area- especially during the summer time as close to the beach and in the funk zone that consist of a lot of bars, restaurants and shops. With that said, there is street parking a small city lot around the corner. If you are in to tiki drinks, worth a stop for a drink or two if you are in the mood.

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2 months ago

chesco is the man! Great cocktail selection, boozy slushies, and the vibes are dark and mysterious. 6/5 stars.

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2 months ago

Chesco is the best bartender, always with good service and good vibes unforgettable moment!!! Check him out best of the best !!!

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Ask the Community - Test Pilot

If we throw a wedding welcome hang out over there, will you let a 20 yr old in if they are a part of our group?

Hello Aerosin, Unfortunately our type of liquor license does not allow anyone under 21 to be within our licensed area, including our patio. I would suggest Shaker Mill, our… Read more

Are kids allowed?

Hello Aimee, Thanks for checking. Unfortunately Test Pilot is strictly 21+ at all times. However our sister bar Shaker Mill, located at 418 State St just around the corner,… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Pearl Social Cocktail Club

Pearl Social Cocktail Club

(107 reviews)

$$

Came by here on Valentines day to have a couple drinks. Place is beautiful and the vibe is very…read morechill and relaxing. Took a minute to get some service unfortunately. The drinks were well made and we ordered the charcuterie board to eat. Small place, small menu FYI. Overall not a bad little spot to hang out and catch up with friends or bring a date.

I absolutely loved Pearl Social and kudos to my friend Jara S. For highlighting them and for the…read morestellar drink recommendation. Pearl social is such a whimsical fun spot to grab a drink and a snack in the funk zone. We stumbled in for a late afternoon drink and it wasn't very busy inside - giving off "best kept secret vibe". The decor is very feminine yet playful. Loved the design and bar area. We opted for a casual booth area by the bar which was really nice. Also all of the little things were done well, crisp menus, clean bathrooms, and music done at just the right sound level. Their menu in the bar area for food is small but mighty - oysters, cheese plates, you name it. I'm definitely going to keep coming here for the cocktails. I've had one of the best sips in 2025 here - which would be The Mixtape cocktail. My friend told me I had to get it and I'm so glad I listen sometimes lol. This cocktail completely blew me away. Passionfruit forward, it's silky, sweet yet very well balanced. One of the more unique and tasty cocktails I've had ever and honestly I'm not sure how I could come back and get anything else. 10/10 Cocktail and menu. Super impressed. Kudos to Mark who was working the bar. Such a lovely spirit and kind person. He really is passionate about his menu and the drinks he's curated. Loved talking to him as we got to know a lot more about Pearl social and how some of their drinks were concerted. Really appreciated his time and expertise. Anytime I'm in the funk zone I will 100% be stopping back by here for a cocktail and good vibes.

The Good Lion - Passionfruit Fizz

The Good Lion

(457 reviews)

$$

The Good Lion is my go to whenever I'm downtown. They always nail it when it comes to creative…read morecocktails. I especially love the names they come up with for each drink. The environment is casual, with indoor and outdoor seating. I love to people watch here! Located next to the Granada and the perfect spot to grab a few drinks before a show. Happy hour is Monday - Friday from 4-6pm and offers a small menu of $9 cocktails. Sometimes it gets pretty crowded depending on what events are happening downtown. My only gripe is that I wish they had two bartenders during the busier nights. They could be short staffed though. Nonetheless, it's still a great spot for good quality cocktails.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cool artsy bar with great cocktails…read more We were looking for a place to wet our whistles before dinner and this place looked promising. Located right next to the Granada Theater on the main drag, it looked to have undergone recent renovations and had a very chill but stylish ambiance. There was plenty of seating on a Wednesday night, and our bartender was a friendly young woman. The hubby got the spiced rum old fashioned, which had an ice cube with a lion's face etched onto it--a nice touch. I got one of their tiny Negronis, which came in a cute tiny mug and cost $5 (it sounded fun). Both tasted great and we had a nice time sipping our drinks and taking in the decor. Alas we had to be on our way so couldn't linger long, but we'd definitely love to stop by again the next time we're in town.

Cutler's Artisan Spirits

Cutler's Artisan Spirits

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Cutlers was such a fun experience. They've got a cute patio area that is decorated well and they've…read moregot a small menu of cocktails. I had the apple pie mood lifter it was perfect for a warm summer day. It tasted like apple pie! And my hubby got a Negroni, which was very good. We ended up also getting a shot of the cold brew liquor and ended up taking a bottle of that home. We will definitely be back!!

After a sweet drink, at a bar nearby, I was seeking something less sweet- thus we headed over to…read moreCutler's for a drink or two. This location is in the heart of the Funk Zone near the pier in Santa Barbara. When we approached the location, we saw that they were only offering drinks outside on the patio- as the temps were ok on Saturday in early September, we felt ok sitting on a small patio on lounge chairs with relaxing music in the background. The patio is in the back of Cutler's that can be entered around the corner (map on the front door of Cutler's shows the directions). The patio is next to other tasting room patios featuring wine and next door to Lark's restaurant. When we visited the tasting room at about 3pm in the afternoon, we were the only individuals there but started to fill up with other small groups. When a large group entered, the waitress said you will need a reservation as she was only wait staff there. Perhaps a sign is needed to notify people, that groups need reservations. The drinks were spot on- the drinks started at 14 dollars to about 16 dollars for cocktails. The tasting room also offers tastings of their products too. The tastings looked small. The cocktails were well poured. I was just disappointed to find out that I could not get a Bloody Mary on a Saturday- only Sundays- the Bloody Mary looked really good. If you are done with wine, and seeking something different, come relax on the patio here if your vibe is a low key environment with solid distillery cocktails.

Santo Mezcal - Quesadillas vegetarian  QUESADILLA FLOR

Santo Mezcal

(2k reviews)

$$

Soliddddddd…read more Everything we ate here was good! One of the locals recommended it to us and we were not disappointed. The ambience was nice, crowded though but overall solid

I took some time writing this review as I stopped by this location on the way home and was left…read moreunsure about the experience I received. I found this place online based off some positive reviews. It was fairly packed for a Thursday evening but waited anyways thinking that would be a good sign. The hostess was very friendly and we were seated outside which wasn't an issue, it was the unsteady table that caused everything to shake and move while eating that was. As we were seated we were asked if we wanted chips, salsa and guac. Had we know it was a huge bowl of just guac for an extra charge we definitely would have passed. After returning with our drinks, the waitress began to take our order but in the middle of the order asked us to hold on for a moment and walked off. We then watched her for fifteen minutes seat two tables behind us. She took their drink and even food orders and it wasn't until after then she returned to our table. She stated the kitchen had a mix up and asked what we ordered. After telling her she never took our order she apologized saying it was busy. The food was just okay somewhat bland which was very disappointing but the drinks were good. After requesting the check a lady and her large two dogs walked by with only one being on the leash. The dog began to walk throughout the front of the restaurant off leash. As much as I love animals I did feel it was a bit unsafe especially considering how large the dog was. Before bringing the check our waitress stated she would be back after taking a picture with the dog. I feel the restaurant was overcrowded and overpriced for just okay food and service.

The Society: State & Mason - The Society signage with outdoor patio

The Society: State & Mason

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We had a lovely tasting here today. Wines were great but the service was even better. Logan served…read moreus today and not only was she knowledgeable about the wine but was super friendly and engaging. Do yourself a favor stop in for a glass of wine. You won't be disappointed. Oh and order a charcuterie board. It comes Goat Tree a couple of doors up. One of the best boards we've ever ordered at a winery. Tasting room has inside outside seating. Inside has some comfy chairs. Really nice place to enjoy some wine.

I feel like it's always an impromptu visit each time we're here. Obviously whenever we're in Santa…read moreBarbara then it's a must. Casey took care of us this visit which was great. It was toward the end of the day. A little tasting before dinner never hurts anyone. Plus it was nice to share the experience with some friends that haven't been before. Perfect day to sit outside with the heatwave. Also nice to start with a little bubbly. Their wine selections from Sonoma and Napa as well the coast were all amazing. We did the sunset sip which their wine offering was great. All their white, red as well as rose and bubbles were great. Rich bold and full of notes. The place is perfect as it located right in the heart of town. Just minutes from the pier and part of the hotel. So people watching is great. They also serve food which comes from the restaurant next door. A snack with your tasting or a pairing. Each visit has always been great. A nice relaxing and mellow tasting experience. The choices of wine are always excellent. Plus it's nice to taste other wines from the sister wineries versus wine just from one. Casey, took good care of us this time.

Test Pilot - tikibars - Updated May 2026

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