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The Good Lion

4.6 (456 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars
Closed • 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

The Good Lion Photos

THE GOOD LION ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Trendy
Intimate

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Recommended Reviews - The Good Lion

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Reviews With Photos

Janet H.

What a great place. Drinks and atmosphere are awesome. Great place to chill. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Santa Barbara.

Edgar - Ken-tiki Kentucky

The Good Lion is hands-down one of the best cocktail spots in Santa Barbara, and a huge part of that is Edgar. Absolute legend behind the bar. He takes incredible care of us every time welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about what he does. The cocktails are consistently some of the best in town! Edgar always knows exactly what to recommend and somehow makes every visit feel like you're a regular, even if it's been a minute. If you're going to The Good Lion, sit at the bar and let Edgar do his thing. You won't be disappointed.

Marlene B.

The drinks here are great and average priced. Stopped by here after grabbing dinner next door on Friday evening. The tables were a bit dirty, i asked for a napkin to wipe down but still left sticky. Other than that, it was a good experience.

Martini
Jolie F.

What a great find! Like a hidden gem on State street in downtown Santa Barbara! Nested on state street right next to the Granada theater is this unique bar! This is almost like a speakeasy but out in the open! A cool place to just kick back in a relax environment with some solid cocktails that are very well balanced! Note only drinks at this establishment! You can get traditional cocktails or unique ones offered at this establishment! This establishment has a few tables that line the windows inside along state street. Plus a couple tucked on the side and some bar stools. Truly a cool environment with decorations and sophisticated environment. A perfect place to go before dinner or a show. Note: this bar is part of a hospitality group thus they have other establishments to visit. Each with their own unique vibe.

Gin martini
Sydney G.

Our favorite bar in the world! My husband and I are huge cocktail connoisseurs. We've been to over 30 countries, and honestly, we always gravitate back to The Good Lion. The technique from these bartenders is so unique, the vibe is sexy, and the drinks are consistently amazing every time we visit. This time, I stuck with a classic gin martini, but their Kentucky Mule is also incredible. It has a little spice to it that makes it stand out. Feels like a speak easy vibes, you can either sit/stand inside or sit outside on State Street.

Marcella N.

Came here at the recommendation of the bartender at Dusk, and it did not disappoint. Craft cocktails and amazing decor. Quiet enough at happy hour to hang out and talk. Loved their fizz drink and their seasonal cocktail. We would come back here again.

Tangerine spritz, espresso martini, and east side

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5 months ago

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2 months ago

Lauren and Griffin are brilliant. They can make any drink you can think of, or pretty close to it. Give them a raise!

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3 months ago

Jenna makes a fantastic spicy margarita! Awesome service and music choice, love the ambiance.

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10 months ago

Ambiance is lovely for a date. Prices are so reasonable and how much cocktails should be priced anywhere nice. Drinks were delicious.

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7 months ago

Really cute cocktail lounge. The bartender was really sweet and quick. This was my first time here and I will definitely be going back.

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Ask the Community - The Good Lion

What kind of music do you play? Is there ever dancing?

Hello Deanie, Thanks for reaching out! We generally play an upbeat mix of old school hip hop and neo-soul. We do not have a formal dancefloor, but if the music moves you...

Is it air conditioned?

Yes! The Good Lion has air conditioning, as well as large ceiling fans to keep the air moving

Is happy hour back? What are the hours and specials?

Hello Marcie, Happy hour is back! Mon-Fri 4-6pm with $9 Negroni, gin gimlet, dry martini, and a rotating seasonal cocktail available. We hope to see you there!… Read more

When is their happy hour?

Hi Blake, Unfortunately we have suspended our happy hour due to restricted seating from Covid. We hope to bring it back weekday from 4-7 once all restrictions are lifted.… Read more

Do you need to be 21+ to enter?

Thanks for your question! The Good Lion is 21+ only. Our sister bars Shaker Mill and Venus in Furs are able to have guests of all ages.

Is the 4-7 happy hour offered on Saturdays too?

Yes!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Pearl Social Cocktail Club

Pearl Social Cocktail Club

3.8(107 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

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.

Photos
Pearl Social Cocktail Club - Cute decor!

Cute decor!

Pearl Social Cocktail Club
Pearl Social Cocktail Club - Accident in paradise and Stay Ready cocktails.

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Accident in paradise and Stay Ready cocktails.

Cutler's Artisan Spirits

Cutler's Artisan Spirits

4.4(67 reviews)
1.0 mi
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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.

Photos
Cutler's Artisan Spirits - Our cocktails

Our cocktails

Cutler's Artisan Spirits - Signage on patio

Signage on patio

Cutler's Artisan Spirits - 33 Bourbon and a shot of their Cold brew coffee liqueur.

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33 Bourbon and a shot of their Cold brew coffee liqueur.

Santo Mezcal - Quesadillas vegetarian  QUESADILLA FLOR

Santo Mezcal

4.3(2k reviews)
1.0 mi
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My friend and I haven't been back to Santa Barbara since 2021. So here we are back in May 2026. My…read morefriend and I took a Santa Barbara Sunset Sailing tour. I knew we would arrive back late and there're not a lot of restaurants open past 9:00. We arrived back at the dock at 8:30PM. My friend was hungry and as we were walking back to our hotel, we saw Santo Mezcal still open YEAH! As we have seen in the past, the place is packed and super lively with diner finishing up. There were spots open at the bar we took. Edgar the bar tender (cocktail aficionado) was great! We ordered Cocktails, Espresso Martini and a Mezcal Paloma (so good) I ordered the Shrimp Empanadas. My friend ordered the King Fish Crudo and the Enchiladas Verdes. Even though they were ready to close our food came out hot, fresh, presentation great and tasting delicious. It was a great ending to our sunset cruise night. Atmosphere: fun lively. Service: excellent. Food: excellent.

Super easy and convenient location if you're arriving by Amtrak Train…read more This was the perfect place for lunch on the patio after arriving to Santa Barbara. Service was great and very attentive. -The pulpo or octopus tacos were insanely delicious. The meat was so soft and tender. And oddly their rice and beans were also really really good. -The ceviche was not worth ordering tasted like red chili oil on ceviche.

Photos
Santo Mezcal - Seating area

Seating area

Santo Mezcal - Picana Oaxaquena

Picana Oaxaquena

Santo Mezcal - Sopecitos

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Sopecitos

Oku - Santa Barbara's premier waterfront restaurant

Oku

4.3(1.1k reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$$
Rooftop seating
Gluten-free friendly

Andreina was our server and provided outstanding service from start to finish warm, attentive, and…read moregenuinely hospitable. She made the entire experience feel elevated and personal. The sushi was some of the best we've had in Santa Barbara fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The ocean view from the second floor made it even more special. What really stood out was Andreina offering my girlfriend a blanket to keep her warm such a thoughtful touch that you don't see often these days. We'll definitely be recommending this spot and coming back with friends. Highly recommend! -Ian Lantz

My husband and I dined here for an early dinner with a reservation. I think after checking in it…read moremight've taken 5-10 minutes to be sat. Our server was really kind and on point with everything! Everything came out quickly. We ordered the otoro sushi, ikura sushi, rainbow roll, and two orders of the filet mignon. I have zero complaints about the sushi. It was incredibly delicious! I do think the filet mignon had beautiful plating, but it was very underwhelming, and didn't come out the requested way of cooking. I don't think I'd order that again, but we enjoyed our food overall. We chose to dine outside since it was a nice day and I thought that was pretty nice. We did bring our baby and had enough room with a high chair etc. we'd come back!

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Oku - Gorgeous place for our post-work drink!

Gorgeous place for our post-work drink!

Oku - Yellowtail Carpaccio paired with Sakuna Rose Sake

Yellowtail Carpaccio paired with Sakuna Rose Sake

Oku - Way of the Dragon Roll and Piranha Roll. Paired with unfiltered Momo Kawa Sake!

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Way of the Dragon Roll and Piranha Roll. Paired with unfiltered Momo Kawa Sake!

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

The Society: State & Mason

4.5(92 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$$

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.

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.

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The Society: State & Mason
The Society: State & Mason - Bubbly rose

Bubbly rose

The Society: State & Mason

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The Good Lion - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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