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Hello my fellow Yelp Elites. I ventured into the Funk Zone. After a visited the Fess Parker wine tasting room. I had Validation Ale SmashBurger Tacos on my mind. As I posted up at the bar I spotted Nico sitting and enjoying his meal break. We chatted about my options for food and drinks. Eliana arrived and took my order. I ordered the SmashBurger Tacos and a Spritzer. About that time Sam checked on me to make sure I was being taken care of. About that time Nico resumed his position behind the Bar. I've visited Validation Ale several times and the Customer service has always been excellent. Today was a step ahead in Service. These three ambassadors took such Great care of me and everyone else on a busy Saturday afternoon. Thanks Eliana, Nico and Sam for a great experience. Thanks Validation Ale for everything you do for our Community. I appreciate you I will return. Ronnie S
meandering around the funk zone and we stopped by in here. super nice and airy ambience with a small lawn/patio in the front. these fries were really good actually and i swear the ketchup had like, barbecue seasoning it was something i'd never had before but i was very happy with. my drink was also great! i asked one of the bartenders for his opinions and he was not in the wrong. bathrooms were also very clean and futuristic
Lots of interesting beers to choose from. There were also a few cocktails. I had a Pineapple Mai Tai that was really refreshing. My husband had the Hibiscus Margarita. We also ordered some truffle fries which were decent. There's a lot of seating here and also corn hole outside. Kid-friendly.
I love coming here whenever I'm in the area. This place is full of energy and always a good time! Whether you're coming here solo or with a group, it's a place that's always poppin. They have a great outdoor area with cornhole to keep you or the kids entertained. They also have live bands Tuesday & Thursday, as well as bingo night, trivia and pop-up markets. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but the ones I've had here are always good. You can ask for a sample too, which is great when you're not familiar with beer types. They also offer gluten-free beer, local wine, seltzer, ciders, kombucha and now cocktails! I tried the Passion Fruit Spritz, made with vodka, Lillet Rosè, and PF. It was very refreshing and enjoyable. Premium spirits are also available. The food here is always delicious! I've had the burger, totchos (tater tot nachos), truffalo cauliflower, fries, and recently the Gochujang fried chicken sandwich. I don't have a big appetite, but I could have easily eaten two of the chicken sandwiches! I hope they keep this one on the menu.
Shoutout to Angela R. and Jara S. For turning me on to this spot. I've watched these friends post about this spot and share how great they are, so I was eager to try them out. Validation ale is the cool place to be. It was definitely one of the busiest spots we stopped in at the funk zone. Indoor and outdoor seating, this spot is impressively massive. I love how on the outdoor space they have games and make it a very social setting. We opted for inside but near their patio chairs for some people watching and hangs. As busy as it was, I appreciated that they had both registers open and we didn't wait at all. They were on top of service here and it was great how quickly the drinks and food were done. Staff here are friendly and on top of it. While they are known for their ale, I appreciated that they had a cool cocktail menu for an ale house. Extra kudos points to them. For my cocktail I went with the blueberry bramble. I'd say it was a 4 out of 5. I appreciated the presentation, color, and taste. Again, just happy for those who are bar hoping I could keep up with my cocktails here opposed to having to go with a beer. The real stunner was the chicken karaage appetizer my friend and I spilt. Honestly, a really nice surprise! I didn't expect their chicken to rival other more authentic Asian restaurants. Dark meat chicken it was juicy and the batter was light and flavorful. Served with ranch which I wasn't expecting but they have good ranch so it was a win. Really a solid appetizer and I would highly recommend splitting this with your table mates. 5/5 for an app. Validation ale was a good time and there is so much more for me to try here that I'll definitely be back soon.
Stopped in with my amiga and I were visiting from Ventura County. Located at the Funk Zone and busy busy when we got there. Great vibes! Staff was super nice and gave of tastes of different drinks until we decide what we wanted. I got the hibiscus kombucha, it was good! My friend had a marg and it was strong. She is not much of a drinker , so for her , it was too strong. We didn't taste any of their food but it looked good.
Sweetest service and staff ever! My husband loved the German Amber while I enjoyed the Rose. Great atmosphere. We didn't eat but the menu looked awesome
Our visit: Disorganized when it came to bringing our food out. Server took our order number before our full order came out. I had to go talk to the cashier to explain that we were still waiting on another order. The beer was alright, it tasted watered down. I'll definitely come back for the food. (3 stars for food)
The beer selection here is great, the thing they do with the validated versus the vying beer is super cool. The best part about this place, which I didn't discover until after I had already had a beer, is that they have a chilled Sangiovese on top right now, they might be the only place within 100 miles of here to have a Sangiovese on tap. Staff is friendly, service is good, at least once a month there's typically a single night here on Tuesdays, that's the company called June Dating, if that's something you're interested in check them out. It does feel very "Corporate Mixer" though. haven't tried the food here, but I have tried the food at their annex location on de la vina, and it did not disappoint, I'm sure quality is similar here.
It was great stuff! Loved the smash burger and karaage nuggies the best. Drinks weren't too sweet (maybe a little strong at times but hey who's complaining) I also had the honey brew which I thought was unique and delicious.
Incredible spot in the funk zone. Maybe it was the magic of being home for the holidays but I really enjoyed this spot. The open patio concept allows for a child-friendly yet adult-fun experience. Mobile ordering is a plus, although it was down when I went. I suspect it was due to the approaching NYE reservation. Regardless of the hiccup there I was able to order quickly at the bar and everything came out piping hot within minutes. Sandwich was excellent, the locality of tri-tip but the invention of making it Philly style. Chips on the side were nice.
Open air outside area to play games very busy great drinks great easy food love the atmosphere. You order at the counter and find a table or open space great place to hang out with friends and have conversation. It's right in the middle of the funk zone.
If zero stars were an option, that would accurately reflect our experience. A group of friends and I cycled to Santa Barbara and chose Validation Ale for brunch and a beer. This was our second visit -- and it will absolutely be our last. During our first visit, the staff were so preoccupied setting up an outdoor television that they couldn't be bothered to acknowledge us. Not even a simple "We'll be right with you." In hindsight, that should have been our signal not to return. Today's visit was worse. Shortly after we were seated, the owner arrived. Rather than greeting customers or ensuring the experience was positive, he took issue with where our bicycles were placed outside. Instead of approaching us directly, he sent a very polite employee to relay his demand that we move our bikes from the outdoor standing area to the sidewalk -- completely out of view from our table and vulnerable to theft. Anyone with even a basic understanding of cycling culture knows that bicycles are significant investments. Many cost thousands of dollars and represent both financial and personal commitment. Expecting customers to move them out of sight -- particularly when the outdoor bar area was entirely empty at that early hour -- demonstrates a complete lack of awareness and consideration. Had the owner approached us respectfully and asked us to consolidate the bikes neatly in one area, we would have gladly complied. It wasn't the request itself; it was the arrogance, the absence of courtesy, and the unwillingness to engage with customers directly. Leadership requires accountability. Sending an employee to handle an avoidable confrontation reflects poorly on management and undermines the staff. Speaking of staff -- the employee who approached us was gracious and professional. She deserves better representation from ownership. If the owner treats his employees with the same dismissiveness he shows customers, turnover would not be surprising. Six returning customers will not be back -- and we will certainly share this experience with fellow cyclists. Customer service is not complicated: communicate directly, show respect, and treat patrons like valued guests rather than inconveniences. And while you're reassessing your approach to hospitality, you may also want to fix the wobbly table.
1 year ago
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Brian D.
What a compliment, thank you! We love SD (and Seattle) and having…
11 months ago
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Brian D.
Appreciate the kind note Wendi. See you for lunch again soon!
Fun Brewery great beers I'm not sure I've seen Validation Brewing here when we last visited but Santa Barbara needs more breweries. The wine tasting has gotten too expensive. Looks like they have some great food choices. Next time we'll eat here, but the beer was excellent! I had the Mo Frosty Cold IPA and my wife the hazy IPA. Both were great ! read more
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Brian D.
Hi Pete, thanks for coming in. Highly likely we weren't around when…
4 years ago
Truly a great place to stop in have a bite to eat and some amazing drinks! My wife and I were in the area with my parents and it was 100°. We were looking for a spot that was big enough to not be crowded (and feel that body heat). So happy we walked past Validation Ale, this spot is amazing. They have a solid amount of tables, once more people visit they will definitely start using the outdoor space for seats =), we were able to secure a table next to the brewery tanks! I truly recommend anybody looking for a space that isn't too hectic, YET ;) to try Validation Ale! Drinks are awesome, staff is amazing and food is Phenomenal! Double thumbs up!! read more
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Brian D.
Double thumbs up?! Thank you Branson! I'm very proud of team at…
1 year ago
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Brian D.
Glad you had a wonderful time, thank you for visiting! Out of…
1 year ago
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Brian D.
Thank you for visiting Adrian. We'd love to hear how we can improve…
3 years ago
What a beautiful place. Friendly staff and some decent beers on tap. I loved the beer fridge where you could just pick what you wanted as well. Great place to watch a game. read more
Brewery in the heart of the funk zone! I want to say they have about a medium size selection of beers to choose from in comparison to other breweries in town and a few bites to eat such as fries burgers and sandwiches to munch on. They give you the option to buy the glass of beer when paying for your bill. The fries beware...you can share, the portion is huge! We got the regular fries and the truffle fries, the truffle fires were too salty for my liking but the smoked ketchup that came with it balanced it out. The star plate is the validated smashburger. It's a smash burger delicious meat in a brioche bun topped off with aioli and bbq sauce. Double Patty! Did I mention it has bacon! It's a little more pricier than other smash burgers in town but it's still worth devouring. The place is excellent for big groups and pet friendly! The service is efficient and staff really friendly and helpful with questions on beer! read more
Business owner information
Brian D.
Glad you enjoyed he smash burger & beers! We're launching new beers…
2 years ago
Just passing through looking for a place to grab a bite and came across this establishment. The lobster roll was sheer perfection. Perfectly cooked with a buttery juicy finish. And it's all tied together with the perfectly toasted roll. Highly recommend Validation Ale! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Business owner information
Brian D.
Patrick, thank you so much for the kind words! At Validation Ale our…
4 years ago
Great atmosphere! Wonderful beer and good food. Loved the service. Would definitely return. read more
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Brian D.
Nice pictures Bonnie! Thank you for contributing to the good…
We stopped in here to sample some of their beers, and were treated to exceptional customer service and best tri-tip sammy I have ever tasted. The counter servers poured our flight with finesse and descriptions that were spot-on. We loved everything we tasted, but for the beer that tasted like mint & chocolate. That's a no-go for me next time. But the beers were cold and frosty, the place feels fun, and the lunch was exceptional. We'll be back! read more
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Brian D.
Thanks Deb, look forward to seeing you again soon! Appreciate the…
2 years ago
WOW! This Brewery is on a different level. From the hydraulic folding windows, to the custom 3D printed tap handles. Someone isn't settling for the status quo. Now for the brew. Incredible. As a ale drinker exclusively and finding this place by accident the experience was over the top. The brewer here gets it. I had a few minutes to speak with him and knowing his back ground tells a story. But after tasting his " Cold IPA" ( Mo Frosty) we were sold on VA Brewery. A must visit brewery when in Santa Barbara. read more
4 years ago
I'm not a beer person, but I give Validation Ale 5-stars! A place who's beer list is based on a guest voting system making the menu interactive!? Count me in! I first became interested after reading an article about how the owners, Brian and Briana Deignan, used to be in tech, and decided to bring a little bit of tech tact to a brewery by making a voting system and allowing patrons to decide which beers stay or go. It gives the atmosphere a fun competitive flare, making a visit sort of like a game where you can bet on which beers are best! I As for food; Chef Matt Marsit cooks up simple but good bar food in categories; Fingers, Hands, Bowls, and Specials. The vibe is pretty casual but positive, and to me, a way better value then some of the overpriced tourist traps you find within a stones throw. I ended up having the chop salad with cabbage, dried cranberries and bacon and added chicken, very tasty and about $14. The location is awesome, right next to the beach and in the heart of the Funk zone. There are open windows with long tables so you can look out and people watch while sipping on a beer. Staff is super friendly. This is a great place for a company happy hour, or casual meet up with a friends. read more
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Brian D.
Not a beer person and still 5 stars?! Kidding, we want Validation to…
1 year ago
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Brian D.
I'm shedding a tear right now, into my VA beer, thank you for the…
1 year ago
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Brian D.
You can't leave us hanging like that!!! What beer??? Favorite beer…
3 years ago
Ok, ok, since I've been here more than ten times since they opened, since they now have the "promised" Wee Heavy on the list of available beer it's time to update my rating to Five stars!!! Every time I'm here the feedback of the guests sitting around me is quite amazing. Everyone seems to love the place. Today I sat with a local architect and she couldn't have been more impressed by the space itself! For me it continues to be the staff itself that makes it so enjoyable. read more
Business owner information
Brian D.
Updated: Thanks for the updated rating Doug! Always a pleasure to…
4 years ago
Never have I ever been more excited to have tried a new place like Validation Ale! I, along with my friends, had to check out this amazing place and we are so thrilled we did! Validation Ale you have won our hearts and I cannot wait until I come back here again....and it will be soon! The space was gorgeous and lots of tables to sit at and enjoy the company. It felt very open and very modern which we loved! I tried out a beer flight and it was very refreshing and had wonderful flavor profiles! Their IPAs and Stout were a big win for me. The food.......the food was by far my favorite eats in the Funk Zone! Their Tri-Tip Sandwich Philly Style....you need to try this sandwich! We also sampled the Chicken Sandwich, Smash Burger and Totchos! The food here is amazing and I highly recommend eating here. The food was recommended by the owner Briana and we are so thankful for her and Brian being such amazing hosts! Thank you so much to the amazing owners with their recommendations and creating such an amazing space! Loved every minute of it and see you next time Validation Ale! read more
Business owner information
Brian D.
Great pictures Brandon and thank you so much for the kind words.…
2 years ago
Great service and good food. I got half mango habanero and half buffalo wings with truffle fries. I love the concept of seeing the different beers compete against each other. Open atmosphere so the sunlight is immaculate. Overall great vibes if you're a brewery person! read more
I have come here a couple of times since the opening, and it is a standout in the funk zone. Not only is location excellent - the staff is also always so friendly and helpful (including the personable owners who treat you like family), the food is impressive, and they have a great selection of craft beers and wine. From the tastings I have enjoyed here, I really liked the hazy and imperial IPA, they are really interesting and nice to sip on. The owner, Briana, mentioned that there were a few beers that wine drinkers like, and I am more of a wine person, so I was curious to try them. One that she recommended was almost like a cream soda beer, I am pretty sure it was the spiced brown beer, but I forgot to write it down. I am sure they would know what you meant if you asked for a creamy beer, it was so distinctive. I really appreciated Briana taking time to recommend options for those who don't regularly drink beer - but truly if you don't drink beer at all they also have a fridge with kombucha and seltzer as well as wines. Foodwise, I have been able to try a few things here, and haven't been disappointed yet! Appetizer standouts have been the Karaage Nuggies (I personally enjoyed the sweet maple dipping sauce that paired perfectly with the savory chicken), Jalapeno "Poppers" (these are surprisingly spicy, but taste fresh and aren't fried which is nice), and the Tomato Crostini which accentuated by the flavorful goat cheese they pile on below the fresh tomato. For entrees, I have only tried their smash burger and WOW it can definitely compete with the local smash burger favs. Their beef is really good quality and the American cheese on the smash burger really added a good nostalgic flavor (think backyard BBQ growing up, but top-quality meat, bun, and toppings). The ambiance here is really open because of the large ceilings and open windows that overlook the funk zone. Another note is that they have contactless ordering, all you do is scan a QR code and a few minutes later your food or beers arrive right to your location, HOW COOL! Their staff is super friendly as well, which always makes a difference when you are trying to have an enjoyable time out. Alvin was especially helpful in picking out beers for my flight. I am so excited by this new spot and look forward to coming back soon! read more
Business owner information
Brian D.
Thank you so much for the detailed review Erin. It's our goal that…
Great new brewery in funk zone, fun design, very modern and open air atmosphere. Love the look and feel of the space. Easy and welcoming place to spend a little time enjoying drinks and food with family or friends. Of course on our visit we had to sample all the Validation brews. Different and interesting flavors. Would like to have a more full bodied, hoppy IPA. Both the hazy and imperial IPA were too light and lacked flavor. The Oatmeal Stout good strong flavor but the Netflix chai a little to sweet finish for me. If you like that taste a wonderful choice. They do carry about five other draft choices from around the local area so there are plenty of choices. Husband had the Channel Island west coast IPA. Always a great full bodied choice. This brewery is definitely worth a visit. Note to owner: Please make sure prices posted on menu are same as what your register is charging. We were charged more for our flight then what was posted. Group and family friendly, with food and drink options, so check it out soon. read more
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Brian D.
Thanks for visiting and thanks for the feedback Rosie. Glad your…
3 years ago
Validation Ale is great. I came here on a trip to SB. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly and the beer selection is not bad at all. They have a rye Belgian ale that I really liked it reminded me of some of the dunkles I tried in Germany. They have a fridge next to the bar where you can walk in and select different 4 packs of beer and other drinks. Over all I liked it. Great place to hang out if you have a little ones too. read more
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Brian D.
So glad you found us on your trip! Thank you for the review and for…
3 years ago
Really good brews with a variety to match most tastes. I recommend the fried chicken sandwich! Not only a great spot for beers and food, but it's evolving into one of the best performance spaces in The Funk Zone! read more
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Brian D.
Appreciate the words of kindness Mark! We're trying hard to make…
2 years ago
3 years ago
Validation Ale has a beautiful space. I got the lemon sour beer and my boyfriend got an IPA. They were both decent but nothing to really write home about. Would come back for the vibes alone. read more
Awesome new brewery in the Funk Zone! Good beer and a pretty extensive food, which I plan on trying the next time I'm back. Looks to be an awesome spot for Sunday football with plenty of tv's for game day. Plenty of space to sit and stand with open air windows. Looks to be a cool concept and definitely worth stopping in for a beer and more! read more
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Brian D.
Sunday Ticket will be on full display for game days! Hope to have…
Super cool concept brewery in a great location. The owners really put a lot of thought into the space. A collapsing glass window opens out towards Anacapa St and provides for great people watching. Looks like some things are still in the works (patio? Parking lot?) but I believe there were some delays in permitting which in this town isn't surprising. They offer beer and wine along with a selection of food. They make their beer onsite and have a list of "validated" and "vying" beers. If a vying beer outsells a validated beer, they'll switch it out. read more
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Brian D.
Thank you Sara! We put a ton of thought (and blood, sweat, and…
4 years ago
Absolutely love this place and I cannot wait to go back! I would dare say this is my new favorite place in the funk zone definitely has my favorite food. Truly a beautiful space. Very bright and open plenty of great seating options for groups large and small. The concept is very interesting and you as the customer decide the beer menu. The Validated beer is the current recipe and the Vying a new recipe that if enough people love and purchase becomes the next Validated beer option. Very cool! You can order directly from your table. The food and drinks came out quickly. The staff was so nice. I cannot say enough about the genuine great vibes from this staff. The owners Brianna & Brian definitely have a great team and wonderful concept. Everyone was very welcoming. The food here definitely won me over. Brianna recommended the Tri Tip Sandwich Philly Style and after seeing the amazing options my friends and I decided to split the smash burger and the original chicken sandwich. Brianna did not steer us wrong the Tri Tip Philly is phenomenal and perfectly made I don't even like onions typically and let me say there was no picking around we loved everything. The food here speaks for itself but deserves all the praise! I will for sure be visiting again. read more
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Brian D.
The feeling is mutual Mona - loved having you and your friends in.…
4 years ago
I cannot rave enough about this place!!! I was fortunate enough to have met the owners, Brian and Briana, during my first visit, and both are truly wonderful and welcoming people (I want to be friends with them). Their staff was so attentive and quick, I had a beer flight in front of me before I even knew it. Brian came over to my group of friends and explained the whole concept of their place, which was really innovative and interactive. Basically, they have beers on tap that battle each other for a spot on their rotating menu. You can see in live time the sales for the day between the beer matchups. My favorite of the day was their oatmeal stout, and I can't wait to come back and try more. And while their beers were solid, THEIR FOOD IS PHENOMENAL. I don't think there was an item that I would say was "so-so." My friends and I sampled a little bit of everything. We sampled the Karaage nuggets and the Totchos to start (sadly, I don't have a photo of the nuggets). The nuggets were crispy and well-flavored and didn't even need the sauce in my opinion. The tots had a great crunch and the beer queso added the perfect amount of saltiness. After this positive experience, my friends and I decided to split the Validated Burger (smashed), the Fried Chicken Sando (classic), and the Tri-tip Sando (Philly style) on Briana's recommendation, and she did not disappoint. The Philly Tri-tip was the standout for my friends, but I personally am always biased towards a flavorful smash burger (but don't count that chicken sandwich out!). I also just want to point out the great lighting and layout of the space (very reminiscent of San Diego breweries I have frequented in the past), the ease of their online ordering system (I do think their staff is still figuring out which orders go where, but that's a kink that can easily be worked out), and the inclusive restroom layout (single stall user with a hand-washing station to the side). I wish this business all the success and hope it remains a staple in the Funk Zone for many years to come. read more
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Brian D.
Zekee, we appreciate your wonderful comments and feel fortunate you…
1 year ago
Business owner information
Brian D.
Matt, so glad you enjoyed the vibes and the team! We will make sure…
2 years ago
1 year ago
Came here for a break in the middle of the day to watch some college football. While it was very busy and not many tables available, we sat at the main bar. The ordering was funny and you order off your phone and you get your food/drinks pretty quickly. The menu was quirky but was very helpful in helping select what beer to choose based off taste. I really enjoyed the wings too. You can also order beer any size you want which is nice because I didn't want to drink too much after a long weekend of drinking. read more
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Brian D.
Joanna, thanks for watching some football with us. Glad you enjoyed…
Came here to compare thier smash burgers to 3rd window. We came around 4 so it wasn't too crowded. They do allow pets so bring your fur baby to drink some good ale. I still think 3rd window is better but if they were overly crowded I would come to validation ale. Validation ale's smash burger was tasty but too cheesy for me (usually I order burgers, not cheeseburgers- as a disclosure) I would definitely order the smash burger again, but would request just one cheese slice. The burger itself was nice and juicy from the wagyu meat, and even tho it says it has jalapeños, it wasnt spicy. They provide chips with the burger but no salsa or dipping sauce. I hope they change that or consider changing chips to tater tots in the future. The pickle on the side had a sweet but slight tang to it. The chicken wings were a good size and soft texture (not crispy) and the sauce is just your standard Buffalo sauce. We tried a couple different beers and they were very drinkable not bitter( red ales, pilsner and nitro). They do give you a small taster if you're unsure if you'd like beer or not. The service here was really good and the staff come by to check up on us regularly. When you pay for your meal, you have the option to take the glass home for $5. read more
More info about Validation Ale
Ask the Community - Validation Ale
Are you able to accommodate a large party?
Absolutely. We have large groups all the time and semi-private or private events ranging from 50 to 150+ guests. Please email admin@validationale.com to inquire about a specific date / group size.
Are you dog friendly?
Yes definitely have seen folks bring their dog to the outdoor patio area.
