Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The BackRoom

    4.2 (123 reviews)
    ModerateBeer Bar, Wine Bars
    Closed 1:00 pm - 7:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The BackRoom Photos

    THE BACKROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The BackRoom

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cassie C.

    Fun little speakeasy right in the heart of Solvang! through Valley Brewers! I guess it used to be free, but now it's a $5 fee per person if you are not a member - no problem. It's a small little backroom you enter through a bookcase which I honestly wouldn't notice if I was just a regular person coming in here to buy some bottles. They have a menu full of beers and a decent sized patio with heaters to sit at. Cool spot to bring someone and get away from the hustle and bustle!

    Everywhere, IPA
    Derek R.

    Sandy hosted us in her speak easy and it was amazing - incredible supply of beers, beautiful space and very friendly atmosphere - perfect place to hang your hat for a few pints, check up on the game, or pop over some emails while you sip on a cold glass of suds (WiFi available). Nice work Sandy! We'll be back soon!

    Alesong's Senor Rhino (2022).  Yum.

    It's a speakeasy with a secret bookshelf entrance at the back of the Valley Brewers. Awesome vibe and beer selection. Jamming to classic rock while drinking bourbon barrel aged stouts currently. They have a nominal daily membership fee to be a part of the club or you can join to become a member for a year. You cannot find this kind of rotating beer selection around. Great job, The BackRoom. We will certainly be back again soon!

    Very interesting chart of the profiles on the many different hops.
    Mitchell L.

    Staff here were awesome and very cool. I enjoyed the ambiance here and will absolutely love to come back when I'm in the area. A huge bonus is they are the only place to carry my favorite beer within a 60 mi radius. Great selection of alcohol here for sure!

    a glass of beer on a table
    Diana G.

    Love this speakeasy! It's $5 to enter through a secret door (bookshelf) if you're not a member, but it's worth it. The outdoor patio has misters for hot days and the beer is delicious. I love the ambiance here and it feels like you're somewhere else.

    Sharleen S.

    Our hotel person told us about this hidden gem. I knew I would love it as soon as she told me "u go through a secret door". So, of course, had to check it out. I had no idea what the door was... so of course we had to ask the lady that worked there and she told us. You walk through the bookshelf!! If you're not a beer person, have no worries, they have iced tea and coffee as well. The seating inside is pretty limited but there is more outside - with 2 TVs. I'm not a beer person, so I spoke with the lady that worked there and told her what I'm into and she let me try some and I found one. I think this was the first time I actually drank a whole beer by myself lol. I fell in love as soon as I saw the sign that said "i love dogs and beer". Its dog friendly, they have water bowls out for them, and they have succulents! Sorry, but I dont know anywhere else that would be that amazing. The variety of beers they have is amazing, I'm sure there is something for everyone. This is one spot I will tell everyone about and be sure to come by every time im in town!!

    The Backroom is through the bookshelf
    Miori I.

    I knew I was going to love this place the moment I realized we enter through a bookshelf. Yes there's a hidden door. So fun! The Backroom is literally the backroom of Valley Brewers and super cute. The details grabbed me right away. The bookshelf accents are continued on the other side of the hidden door. The antique telephone hanging on the wall adds to the vintage ambiance. The tap area, small indoor seating area, and the outdoor patio provide several seating options. Great selection of craft beer. Taps are rotating and feature breweries from all over. I love trying new brews. The staff was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The overall vibe of The Backroom is chill. I'm glad we made it a couple hours before they closed.

    Rose
    Jessika Y.

    Cute hideaway. Nice speakeasy located behind a bookshelf. It's a members only spot but mention the guest fee and you should be fine. Couldn't tell you how much the fee for 2 was though I spent $40 on the fees and one glass of wine. It's intimate and quiet in the back, a nice escape from the busy streets of Solvang. I visited during the day but I can imagine this would be a nice place to spend a evening. They have apparel and snacks up for purchase aswell. Stop by and enjoy

    a refrigerated beverage display
    Alma M.

    It is a members only but for $5 you can buy a day pass, we'll worth it. It sure is a speakeasy. From the outside it looks like a liquor store but when you ask for the bar you go to a back door that looks like a bookcase. The worker was very friendly and let me sample before I chose what beer I wanted.

    Flight, Hibiscus tea & a pickle

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rus M.
    164
    635
    4937

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg M.
    8
    126
    17

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim L.
    20
    29
    25

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason V.
    377
    331
    1170

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara L.
    424
    12
    19

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily L.
    201
    2324
    21169

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miori I.
    1685
    578
    13569

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessika Y.
    230
    327
    336

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    15
    153
    41

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yuki M.
    147
    1443
    8570

    6 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Val M.
    14
    34
    20

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    A completely hidden-away spot in Solvang with excellent beers. A very cool spot to chill and enjoy some cold ones.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The BackRoom

    Are dogs allowed?

    Dogs are allowed! Hopefully yours is friendly, as other dogs (including the owners) may be around! Enjoy!

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - The BackRoom

    It's so cool how Sandy and her husband always remember us and they make us feel like we're part of the family!

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Copenhagen Sausage Garden

    Copenhagen Sausage Garden

    4.5
    (3.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Copenhagen Sausage Company delivers precisely what the name promises, which honestly feels like a…read moresmall miracle in a town where half the storefronts are some version of a fake Danish windmill (no judgement I love Solvang!) . Great sausages, even great burgers, served unpretentiously in a setting that's perfect after a day of pretending to know what you're talking about at six different wine tastings. No fuss, no twelve paragraph menu description, no foam on anything. Just genuinely tasty food at a good value for the area, served to people who clearly just want a sausage and to sit down for a minute. This is the kind of place Solvang needs more of yet somehow has exactly one of. We keep coming back every time we're in the area, and it delivers every single time, sausage roulette has yet to fail us. Highly recommend making this a stop on any wine country trip through Solvang. Your liver will thank you for the intermission.

    Stopped by Sausage Garden and tried the double smash patty and the Bratwurst Cheddar Jalapeño…read more The burger looked promising, but it ended up being the weaker of the two. The patties had a nice smash on them, but overall it was lacking seasoning and flavor. For a double smash burger, I expected a little more punch. The bratwurst was the better choice. Nice snap, good flavor, and the cheddar and jalapeño complemented the sausage well without overpowering it. Simple, but executed well. What kept this experience from being a lower rating was everything around the food. The beer was ice cold, the cashier was genuinely welcoming from the moment we walked in, and the staff throughout the garden were friendly and approachable. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the outdoor garden made for a pleasant place to hang out. They music playing, and if it had started a little earlier before we finished our beers, we probably would have stayed for another round. Had the burger packed a little more flavor, this easily could have been a five-star experience. While the food didn't completely win me over, the hospitality did, and I'd be open to coming back and trying a few other items on the menu.

    Photos
    Sauerkroat and mustards
    Sauerkroat and mustards
    Currywurst, jalapeño, and the first two traditional ones on the menu! Full basket of fries is huge and very good
    Currywurst, jalapeño, and the first two traditional ones on the menu! Full basket of fries is huge and very good
    LOVED the ice.

    See all

    LOVED the ice.
    High Roller Tiki Lounge

    High Roller Tiki Lounge

    4.0
    (301 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    One thing we quickly noticed in Solvang is that there aren't many places open late, so finding High…read moreRoller Tiki Lounge open until 11 PM was a huge plus! After a delicious dinner nearby, we stopped in for drinks, live music, and a good time and this place delivered. They had a great live band playing fun tunes that really set the atmosphere. The vibe was relaxed, lively, and exactly what we were looking for to end the night. Their drink menu is packed with creative and fun options. I ordered the Mango Michelada, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Our waiter was also fantastic, very attentive, friendly, and kept checking in on us throughout the night. If you're in Solvang and looking for a fun late-night spot with good drinks, music, and great service, High Roller Tiki Lounge is definitely worth stopping

    We wanted to start our Friday night by grabbing a drink and checking out High Roller Tiki Bar, but…read moreunfortunately, our experience was disappointing from the start. After walking in and passing the host stand, a server who was seated at the bar got up, walked us to a table, and suggested we sit on the loveseat. The host was friendly and welcoming, and the space itself seemed promising. We were excited to settle in, have a drink, and check the place out. The restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived, but shortly after we were seated, a larger group came in. From that point on, it felt like we were completely forgotten. The server focused on the larger party, taking drink orders and delivering beverages as more guests from their group arrived. Meanwhile, we sat waiting without any acknowledgment. Another group of ladies was seated nearby and appeared just as confused about who was helping them. We both work in the restaurant industry, so we understand that larger parties can demand attention and that things don't always go perfectly. We tried to be patient and give the team the benefit of the doubt. However, after waiting more than 15 minutes without anyone checking on us, taking a drink order, or even acknowledging our table, we decided to leave. What made the experience especially frustrating was that the restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived. We never felt welcomed beyond being shown to our table, and ultimately it felt like our business wasn't valued. Hopefully this was just an off night, because the atmosphere and concept seemed like something we would have enjoyed. We'd be willing to give it another chance, but first impressions matter, and unfortunately this one missed the mark. Sadly, it looks like we definitely missed out on the famous Bowl for Two.

    Photos
    Booths in Club 433
    Booths in Club 433
    High Roller Tiki Lounge
    Seating area

    See all

    Seating area
    Fitzpatrick's Tavern

    Fitzpatrick's Tavern

    3.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This is my second visit here, and I am remiss in not having reviewed my first visit - but, ""s for…read moreeach visit! This place is non-descript yet just off the main park downtown, and an easy walk from most of the major hotels in town, or the central parking lot - plus lots of street parking as well. It seems rather small, with one area for bar seating and small tables, plus a larger dining area "next door" to the bar, but I like the bar ambiance, so it may be challenging on busy tourist days. Luckily, I travel on non-busy days and have always had a good seat. The ambiance is great, with a typical, colorfully decorated pub feel with TVs offering an invitation to relax and have a pint - or two! The menu is varied, and I had planned for what I wanted, but when the server/bartender/boss offered the daily special as an option, I quickly jumped at the chance. The special was a queso dip with house-made chips, and I had to try it! Sadly, I also ordered my usual, the Cobb salad. Sadly, because after the "appetizer" arrived, I quickly realized the full consequences of the saying "your eyes are bigger than your stomach!" The dip and chips were plentiful in both, and for me would have made a great meal on their own. But I was committed and managed to finish the salad. On my previous visit, I had the mac 'n cheese and the Cobb salad, along with a Guinness dark! That was sooo tasty as well! The food at this visit was great, and the service was as well. Sam, who is the owner, bartender, server, and jack-of-all-trades, is always friendly, professional, and efficient, no matter how busy it is, and this visit was the only one outside the kitchen. If you're in the area, give them a try! And leave room for dessert - I have yet to do that, but you can learn from my mistakes!

    Fitzpatrick's Tavern absolutely delivered…read more We went all in on the food, and everything came out spot on. The spicy wings had great flavor--more on the spicy side than "hot," which honestly made them even better and more enjoyable. The Reuben with onion rings was done right--classic, satisfying, and the onion rings were perfectly cooked with a great crisp. The bread on the sandwich had the perfect crisp as well, which really brought it all together. And the standout was the spicy melt burger. My friend ordered it medium rare, and it came out perfectly medium rare--juicy, flavorful, and cooked exactly as requested (which doesn't always happen, so that's worth noting). Everything was executed really well, and you can tell they take pride in the kitchen. Easy 5 stars. Would definitely come back.

    Photos
    Fitzpatrick's Tavern
    Fitzpatrick's Tavern
    Fitzpatrick's Tavern

    See all

    The Good Life

    The Good Life

    4.0
    (237 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I am known for many things (some good, some bad, some pretty, some ugly - but I digress); with one…read morebeing my obsession with all things medieval. In fact, I professionally moonlight as Historian specializing in medieval English history! This means that I am a sucker for anything reminding of the time period; making the Santa Barbara-adjacent Danish city of Solvang right up my alley with its medieval storybook streets/architecture. Among the many spots in Solvang that make my heart go pitter-patter is The Good Life: a cellar wine/ale/tavern- bar. Grab your favorite wench and come along to grab a pint... Stroll down Mission Drive in the famous Danish city of Solvang and you will be delighted to venture upon The Good Life that appears to pop out of a medieval history book with exposed wooden beans, plaster exterior walls and an entrance that resides at basement level (they don't call it a cellar bar for nothing!). Owned by a husband-wife team with extensive hospitality and restaurant experience under their belts in 2012; the charm of The Good Life is instantaneous and perfect for a gal like me obsessed with this sort of thing. Prepare to be instantly transported into the 15th century! Once you cross the threshold of The Good Life, the Shakesperean feel continues but is also modernized with a glowing fireplace, plush arm chairs and high bar tables (plus bar seating) and floor to ceiling wine racks. The Good Life is a perfect ratio of Solvang tradition with hints of romance making it ideal for a casual beverage, tourist pop-in or memorable date night drink. The latter is exactly how my boyfriend and I happened to come across The Good Life as we were visiting Solvang from Los Angeles for the city's Christmas-time Julefest. We had just spent the evening making holiday memories among the city's Christmas trees, twinkling lights and sugary delights. Post Danish-dinner, we decided to wrap up our forever-Solvang memory with a drink at The Good Life. We were immediately greeted by the male manning The Good Life without any attitude or distaste towards us for coming in as he was preparing to close for the evening. If he was upset with us in any way - he certainly didn't show it! The Good Life features an amazing menu of local and international wines, beers, ales, meads, ciders, and ports that make The Good Life feel fancy-schmancy and artisan; but also, neighborhood friendly for your favorite hipster or friend next door. My boyfriend and I shared a cider (I wish I remembered the specific one but alas my memory evades me) while enjoying the atmosphere of warmth at The Good Life. Other customers sat in the plush chairs with notepads and tarot cards, an older couple arrived to cap off the evening and I enjoyed the view of my boyfriend in a medieval-Danish inspired cellar bar. The Good Life is standout at accommodating to all customers and making sure no one feels out of place. A bountiful tip as important as the bosom of a medieval bar wench: the bathroom at The Good Life is labeled as 'Office'. Don't worry, you won't walk in on someone preparing accounting books and the only business happening behind this door involves you and your private matters. The Good Life is delightful and unique but doesn't just stop there: it also differentiates itself with a truly impressive alcohol selection that allows you to be introduced to local, national, Danish and international bevies you have surely not tried prior. The Good Life is recommended for a drink on your next trip to the tourist-friendly city of Solvang. Even if you aren't pretending to be in medieval times...

    My favorite bar and wine tasting downtown…read more Our server was super friendly and really took the time to tell us about each drink as he poured. The location is 21 and over which creates a really relaxing atmosphere. The drinks were so good we even bought a bottle to take home.

    Photos
    Inside seating in front of fireplace has comfy chairs
    Inside seating in front of fireplace has comfy chairs
    Charcuterie is available here
    Charcuterie is available here
    Rosè of course! Cheers

    See all

    Rosè of course! Cheers
    Solvang Brewing Company

    Solvang Brewing Company

    3.3
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    ((Friday night))…read more Try their buffalo wings! They have a great flavor. They had a bit of a crunch and the ranch was amazing. Now that that's out of the way. The place seemed very clean atmosphere was lively. They had indoor and outdoor seating. This is a place. I would definitely visit often if I was a local. One thing I will say we did have to order at the bar, there wasn't someone who would go to the table to take your order. They did, however, take the food out to your table.

    I'm not a fan of a bad review and try to look at the highlights but this brewery was caught…read moreslipping. 5 employees on deck. Out of the 3 bartenders working, only one (a really knowledgeable guy that did his homework about the food and beer) was reliable. They have two bars and this woman at the larger bar took forever to serve us and it wasn't busy at all. When we got to her counter, she seemed annoyed and said that the Amber Beer we wanted wasn't served at her bar and we had to go to the smaller one down the walkway (the Amber was on her menu board, by the way). We got to the smaller bar where the smart guy was and he said he could get us the drink but needed to go to the larger bar we just came from because that's where the tap is. We told him what the woman said and he just shook his head and apologized. This adventure alone took a good 25 minutes. Next up, the food. We saw a sausage combo plate that a young female waitress was carrying and asked if they were different sausages, her reply was "No, All three are the same". We asked the only bartender we could trust and he said they were all different and described in detail what they were a the flavor profile. I thought the ambiance was nice and Danish but the beer and the combo plate was just ok. The owners need to do some remedial training with the staff and teach them how to not only speak with customers but to know what they are serving and where to get it. No pics necessary, but I'd love to go back and allow them to do it again and I will improve my review.

    Photos
    They have two separate bars under one roof. I bar hopped 20' to the one next door.
    They have two separate bars under one roof. I bar hopped 20' to the one next door.
    Garlic parmesan fries in a cone with ranch and ketchup
    Garlic parmesan fries in a cone with ranch and ketchup
    Grilled cheese

    See all

    Grilled cheese

    The BackRoom - beerbar - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...