Test Pilot

Test Pilot is a fun, tiki bar located in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. We stopped by here while waiting for an event and really enjoyed the drinks we got. We got the Ken-Tiki Kentucky and Oaxan Dead. Both were great but we both agreed that the Ken-Tiki Kentycky was the better of the two. It was not crowded when we went but we both still enjoyed the atmosphere.

Absolutely love this place. Staff is fantastically creative and understands flavor profiles and can make recommendations for you. This is not your typical tiki bar. Very upscale, but still relaxed. Drinks are made from scratch, and never too sweet. A gem in the funk zone hidden amongst the wineries. A must for locals and tourists.

Fantastic drinks and a very cool bartender. He was understanding and accommodating of my allergy and helped me find a drink I could safely enjoy (but still served in a fun tiki glass!). I truly enjoyed my time there, We planned on being one and done, but we stayed for a second drink because we just needed to try more of the drinks and the atmosphere was so cool.

Issac is by fare the best bartender in town. He makes the best Millennial Falcon ever. If you ever go here ask for him and order one. You won’t regret it. Issac thank you wish you the best.

Avoid the one male bartender, absolutely so rude on countless occasions. The female bartender was great, I highly recommend ordering from her only, if it weren’t for the other bartenders they would be getting a 1 star from me. Absolute stain on our experience.

Best bar in town! This tiki bar is conveniently located in the funk zone and always leaves us happy. We came back a few times throughout the last few weeks for fun cocktails with dazzling visuals! Some favorites include the (Potentially) Spicy Margarita, Zombie, Ken-Tiki Kentucky, and the Purple Mai Tai was a popular choice! The seating indoors and high tables outside are both comfortable and plentiful. The bartenders here know what they’re doing and make drinks that are sure to pack a punch. Worth mentioning the crowds on weekend nights so be prepared to wait a bit. So worth it if you ask me!

Love this tiki bar. So many drinks to choose from, and many of them are rum based (rumologist here). The low, warm mood lighting and the not-overly-done decor set it off. And they had my favorite rum, Mount Gay XO. Will be back.

This is an AMAZING bar The drinks are so good, i enjoyed that the music wasnt too loud People working there were so nice and professional I enjoyed this bar so much and i can’t wait to be back! :D

Really cute little tiki bar!! But be warned the drinks are strong lol I definitely felt the alcohol in the drinks, so come here for a night out or a pre game before heading to other bars The bartender was nice, there was only a few people inside on a Monday night around 10 pm

Typically Tiki style drinks are not our style, however, we found a couple that we really enjoyed. Ken-Tiki Kentucky and the Loose Cannon. Both were nicely boozy and not too sweet.

We were looking for a cocktail bar to escape the Santa Barbara rain, and stumbled upon this spot. We loved it! We went in on a Saturday early-evening, and the bar was filled with young people who seemed to frequent this bar, and were having a great time. Even with the large amount of people there, the bartenders quickly took our orders and got started right away on our drinks. I had the passion fruit mule (pictured, $14), and my partner had a canned beer. The mule was very fresh. It had ginger and was topped with fresh mint. Yum! The ambiance of the bar was what really drew us in. It was like an elevated tiki/beach bar. There was a lot of seating, both indoor and out. Great spot for some deciduous cocktails.

This place is amazing. They don't consider themselves a tiki bar, because they try to keep their drinks dry which I appreciate! The bar tender was awesome he was super knowledgeable on the rums they served and what drinks he'd recommend. I got the voodoo and it was definitely one of the more interesting cocktails I've had. Highly recommend it if you're looking for something different. The vibe was great, we went on a rainy day so not too packed but they let us bring our dog inside which was much appreciated.

I visited test pilot and watched in horror as my friend picked a piece of glass floating in his cocktail. Thankfully, he saw the ice before drinking, but when it was reported to the bartender, our interaction with the bartender was dismissive of the concern and we paid full price. Doesn't seem to me like the staff care that there is glass in the ice well (my guess is the ice well, could also be in the mixers?) or the danger it poses to customers

Very very good drinks. Can get a bit crowded on weekends when it's nearly impossible to get a drink at the bar.

Love love LOVE the drinks. The ambiance is nice and the servers are super sweet. Be prepared to leave here definitely in a different state than when you arrive. I recommend not driving here. The attention to detail in each drink is noticeable on the first sip. It's everything I expect from a tiki bar. A well deserved 5/5.

We came on a Saturday night and it was PACKED. We were able to snag a seat at the bar but the seats were not plenty. It was pretty rainy that night so that could also be why it was crowded. Eventually through the night, the crowd started to dwindle down though! It's decorated so cute and ambience was fun. I got the "Test Pilot" drink and it was delicious. I saw reviews saying the drinks were strong, but my friend and I wouldn't say so, and we each had two lol. The bartenders were lovely and helped us have a great time. We just ubered so not sure on parking.

Ordered the Purple Mai Tai, it was really good. Has a nice vibe but I don't believe this a Tiki bar. You can't find any of the typical flotsam and jetsam found in a Tiki bar.

The drinks here never disappoint! This was my first time coming to Test Pilot in a while and I was very satisfied with my drink. It was basically an alcoholic thai tea, and it was so good! Depending on how busy it is, it could take a little while to get your drinks because all of them are specially crafted. The vibe inside is pretty chill, not super tiki themed like some tiki bars out there are like. Overall great drinks, nice service, and a great stop in the Funk Zone!

So I came into Santa Barbara early Tuesday evening. I had dinner somewhere and wanted to check out what bars I could enjoy on a Tuesday night. Now there are a LOT of bars and winery joints in Santa Barbara. A testament to what its sense of tourism offers as a city, which is cool, but I figured why not take it up a notch and try to see if there were any Tiki Bars. This is not a traditional one where there are boatloads of Tommy Bahama decor everywhere, but there are little things here and there throughout but mostly it's a kind of fancy chic place. Griffin, the bartender that night, wore a Hawaiian shirt which earned points for sure. Some notes: DRINK 1: PAINKILLER SLUSH COMMENTS: It has strong hints of pina colada taste as well as cinnamon. The slush was great. No hard chunks of ice and not too watered. Stayed slushy the whole time til I finished it. STRENGTH: 9/10 DRINK 2: UBE PINA COLADA COMMENTS: Looks Ube colored (purple). A lot of ice, probably too much. Sweeter than the Painkiller Slush, but still very strong. The sweet sugary Ube taste comes as more an aftertaste than something you actually taste alongside the alcohol. STRENGTH: 8/10 DRINK 3: BANANACAPA COMMENTS: It's very strong, like the other drinks. It doesn't taste very banana-ish because the alcohol overpowers it so much. Still good though. Just very strong. STRENGTH: 9/10 PLACE: Cool. Not big, but comfy though. Nice seating in the front and to the side away from the bar area. Bar area is okay. SERVICE: Griffin was great. Hard working. Doesn't waste time. Easy to talk to. Even knows how to respond well to the inebriated and make them feel comfortable and welcome too. Very easygoing guy who clearly has fun making these drinks. AMBIANCE: Not bad. I was cool with it. Dim is how they did it which I'm okay with. Wish there was a more Tommy Bahama kind of thing but I guess the drinks and the service should speak more for themselves, right? AREA: Not bad. It's Santa Barbara. It's kind of tucked into an area, not off the Main Street. You have to turn into a street, go past a building, then it's on the left corner after that building, across from the start of a residential area. It's cozy though. BOTTOM LINE: It's a cool place. Nice for anything from loud annoying early 20-something's to mid-late 30-something's like myself, to even 40+ people, where there was a group of them hanging outside and enjoying each others company when I got there, all cool people. What's funny is there is a winery across the street from it and I think another attached to it. One thing I've noticed about Santa Barbara is there are a LOT of wineries throughout the entire city. That's cool, I just think it's interesting. If I ever wanna go to a bar when I'm in town, this is definitely one of the choices. But I warn all of you: THE DRINKS ON THE MENU ARE ALL VERY VERY STRONG. YOU WILL TASTE THE ALCOHOL IN HIGH INTENSITY IN EVERY SIP. I CANNOT STRESS HOW STRONG THESE DRINKS ARE. YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEYS WORTH IN EVERY DRINK YOU GET. TRUST ME.

We stopped by after dinner on a Saturday night and they were poppin! I loved the vibe and the décor is so unique to any other bars in the area. They have a huge drink menu with lots of creative twists on originals and fun new ideas. Our friends grabbed a patio table and while they were busy we were able to get drinks fairly quickly at the bar. I started with an Espresso Martini which hit the spot and gave me the extra boost for being out late, although I was surprised they don't garnish it at all. My husband got the Passion Fruit Mule and loved it so much he ordered it again for his second round. I tried the Millennial Falcon Fizz and it was fantastic plus $1 from every purchase is donated to a local nonprofit that supports survivors of human trafficking.

For what it is, I'd give testies 5 stars any day. The drinks are usually pretty well balanced and the menu has a decent selection of spirits. The ambiance is so chilled, I just wish there was another swinging chair or two :)

Love this spot & we try to swing by every time we're in SB! Great drinks, plenty of outdoor sitting, and just overall great vibes.

Fun spot to hang out in the Funk zone for a cold drink. Tiki inspired primarily rum based craft cocktails. I am not a big rum person, so happy to enjoy a house old fashioned. Nice outdoor seating with live entertainment the day we were there and a couple of food trucks including oysters and Italian. Bar service was prompt and attentive.

Great bartender. Isaac. Knows his work great smile and patient with my questions Ambience is fun and especially loved the darker lounge to the side Extensive cocktail list. Think tiki lounge meets California in the best of ways. Highly recommend Look for the secret $6 shot that is like a mini daiquiri It is on the back of the menu in small print. Indoor and outdoor seating No food

They make the best Oasis Mirage and Fairy God Mother of my life. I will be back every time I'm in town. See you soon!

A few people at our dinner in Santa Barbara recommended having a drink at Test Pilot, and it was blocks from our hotel, so we decided to have a nightcap before walking back to the hotel. Test Pilot is a tiki-inspired craft cocktail bar. It was busy on a Monday night but not packed - we could get to the bar and order right away. We had a couple of cocktails (the Test Pilot and the Millennial Falcon Fizz), which were both very good. They have outside seating and inside seating and great vibes - a very fun atmosphere. I'd be happy to return and have more of their cocktails.

Beautiful drink, and boozy, like I would make for myself. Complex flavors and great presentation. This is the spot!

Manny is the best bartender ever. Period. I highly suggest trying the Test Pilot (the drink, not the entire bar) and the Zombie.

Drinks were amazing. We tried the House OF and the Ken Tiki Kentucky. Both were absolutely phenomenal. Mirod, (sp) gave us a sample of the Boozy Slushy Painkiller. So good. Love the Tiki Bar vibe and playlist. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Santa Barbara's Funk Zone.

Hip vibe, open late, very interesting drink menu that leans sweet. I enjoyed the titular drink, the Test Pilot, especially since it had absinthe foam; I couldn't really taste the promised clove, though. Bartender said it was the most dry of their drinks. Only real " meh " were the bathrooms. The establishment was so busy that I couldn't fully appreciate the place, but I noted that it's worth a return visit.

A sucker for tiki bars and this place was great! They have a great variety of drinks and the bartenders know their stuff! Tiki drinks not only look fun but they are intricate. Lots of ingredients go into one drink to make it jusssst right. It was fun watching the bartender put them all together. Just when u thought she was done, here come the garnishes and bitters. We tried the following: Thai Tea Tiki Buccaneer Purple Mai Thai Everyone loved their drinks! Small place with inside and outdoor seating. Check it out!

Excellent rum bar. The bartender, Max, helped us out in selecting some great drinks. He had some excellent knowledge regarding the rum and he helped me get over, what I now realize, was an unfounded distaste in rum. Who knew Captain Morgan is not indicative of a whole category of alcohol!! The backbar selection is also really nice. Will definitely be back next time I visit.

Came here on a Saturday night and it was pretty packed. The bar was pretty small, with not too many seats, but the service was great. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. We tried two drinks. The Juice Box had a very citrusy taste. It wasn't too strong, but it also wasn't too sweet. We also tried the Thai Iced Tiki, which had a super strong rum flavor. However, the boba on top didn't really go well with the drink, and it was hard to eat them. Overall, the Thai Iced Tiki wasn't as enjoyable as we thought it would be.

Was recommended this place by a local. Love the vibe and selections of everything. Because the sun was coming out I decided to go for one of their slushes and went with their seasonal. It was a nice Ube pina colada type and I absolutely loved it. So many places to check out in the area, but this one is a must since it's different from the others being a tiki bar.

Strong Tiki drinks, delightfully crafted with love and attention to detail. Be it a Friday night or a Sunday funday, the atmosphere is simultaneously chill, hip, and upbeat (hard to explain I know). I personally like the Purple Mai Thai, but the Oaxacan Dead will also leave you plenty buzzed and enjoying the vibe on the streets of SB for the remainder of your day. Service is cocktail bar attentive. Neither overly personal nor audaciously ambivalent. Just the right amount of care.

I'm typically not a fan of tropical drinks, unless I'm somewhere on a beach with one in hand. However, the drinks at Test Pilot are unique in its offerings (ie: Thai Iced Tiki) and proved to be strong as hell! There aren't many seats inside, but probably for the best as this place gets packed as soon as its doors open! I would recommend coming in on the weekend in the afternoon, as a DJ comes in to hype up both the Paradise Springs Winery and Test Pilot crowds.

The ambiance was really nice and the lighting was pretty good. It wasn't super loud either. The drinks were good and the millennial falcon fizz was a 10/10. I would go back just for that.

Had such high hopes since I love tiki bars. We got three different cocktails and 2 of us couldn't finish them they were so strong. We got the frozen painkiller (one of my favorite drinks normally, not this time), the Ube colada and the buccaneer. The Halloween decorations were cute but very little tiki vibes.

Mar is the best and she deserves a raise. love her. she cleaned a disgusting a** bathroom and she did it with such grace and still in such a positive attitude. she's the best.

Nice place, found another great cocktail lounge/bar. A cute tiki-inspired bar. The drinks are very creative and all the mixes are well combined. The bartender is knowledgeable and was very helpful in helping me decide what to try. The drinks here are carefully made and infused inhouse. With some drinks taking up to 3 days to make. The Millenial Falcon Fizz was so light and easy to drink, I could probably have a whole pitcher to myself, it's dangerously good. Heeling in Barbados was really good as well, its an expresso martini!! It was good order if your into coffee beverages. Oaxacan Dead was really good, the mezcal was not to strong or Smokey-like normal, It is well mixed so you can enjoy the flavors. The Buccaneer (which is usually served in a coconut but they ran out) was pretty good and refreshing This bar is affiliated with a few different bars in the area as well The Good Lion being one of them.

Waited a while for drinks at the bar. Bartender was extremely rude. Drinks are overrated and over priced. Found seating outside but unfortunately someone threw up but no one bothered to clean it up. It was disgusting.

What a cute Tiki bar!! Came here on our first night in Santa Barbara after dinner. This place was packed! I ordered the Purple Mai Tai, which was such a pretty and yummy drink! Drink prices were pretty standard; I believe mine was about $15. Also really liked the dark and laidback ambience here! Definitely a great place to grab drinks on a date or a girls night!

Manny was the best bartender ever! Made super awesome drinks and created a really great atmosphere. I will definitely be coming back :)

I LOVED this place! I arrived during happy hour on a Friday when it was empty, so I got to really absorb the atmosphere and chat up the staff. The vibe is more tropical than tiki, and the drinks are totally legit. I had a great daiquiri and absolutely ADORED my frosé. As soon as 6 p.m. hit, it started to get really busy with what seemed like an after-work crowd -- some of whom were more beer drinkers and less cocktail fans. But the vibe was still good and the bartenders could keep up no problem. I really wish I lived much closer so I could come here much more often!

This place is okay, pretty pricey and while we were there during regular hours they seemed like they were having a staff meeting or something so it seemed like we kinda inconvenienced them. The drinks were okay- they have a decent rum selection but I would be 50/50 if asked to revisit.

Love love love this place! Great atmosphere. Bartender was great. Drinks were perfectly mixed. Got the Test Pilot, Ken-tiki Kentucky, and the millennial falcon fizz. All super good. Will be back to get the cute shirt, and another few drinks!

Fun environment + tasty drinks make for a great time. If you find yourself wandering around the Funk Zone and you're not in the mood for wine tasting, stop by Test Pilot for a cocktail instead. This tiki-inspired bar is located on the corner of Helena and E Yanonali, close to Loquita and Captain Fatty's Brewery. It's right next to Paradise Springs Winery. There's a small lot out front, but it was converted to outdoor seating when we visited. Public parking is available next to The Waterman hotel, near the Amtrak station, and behind the State Street Visitor Center. Parallel parking is also an option if you can find a spot. Passion Fruit Mule - vodka, passion fruit, ginger, lime, bitters, vanilla, and soda. Out of all the drinks, our group enjoyed this one the best. The flavor was a balanced blend of tart and sweet. The garnish on top is cute and photo-worthy. Just don't try to eat it... Thai Iced Tiki - Thai tea-infused bajan rum, coconut creme, passion fruit pearls, lemon, trinidad bitters, and caribbean allspice dram. A strong drink to me personally, with a nice spicy kick to it. The popping boba was tasty, but I wasn't given a wide straw for it. I have yet to come by during the evening, but I'm sure it's even more lively!

The taller orange drink was a spiked Thai tea (was so good 8/10) and the purple drink was a mai tai if I remember correctly (also very good but def not on the sweet side like I'm used to 7/10). I forgot what the 3rd drink is but it was a 10/10 for me. Def a place to stop at while in SB.

First of all, Emiliano who helped us out here is AWESOME! Such great recommendations from this dude and he had such great vibes. The drinks I got here were all tasty: - Hotel Nacional Special (a little tart, but still sweet and refreshing - Passionfruit Daquiri (not as good as the other ones but still tasty) - Juicebox (my favorite!!! Such a nice, sweet, refreshing summery drink) The zombie is good if you like black licorice. I also liked their coffee cocktail that was their spin on an espresso martini (tastes like coffee hard candy). Would recommend!

I don't remember much but the drinks were very creative and the ambience was cool. Came here on a work trip per a recommendation from someone that graduated from UCSB. Definitely a spot for the cool kids.

Just hits the spot. Was surprised with this by a friend and it was worth it. A nice balance with a hint of sweetness. Love the tiki aspect and the ambiance.

The best tiki bar in Santa Barbara! The bartenders are always so friendly and we've been able to buy collectible tiki mugs each time we've been. Drinks are tasty and not too expensive for a tiki bar. Not a ton of seats at the bar but there is other indoor seating along with a nice outdoor area. There was a food truck next door and public parking nearby.

Mother's Day weekend and this place was packed. The bartender took my order quickly but it took a whole for me to actually get my drink. I had a purple mai tai. It was pretty to look at.

This bar was my favorite in Santa Barbara! They had great tiki drinks and the place is nicely decorated with super friendly staff. I didn't know what to order and the bartender was very knowledgeable and helpful in finding a drink that I would like. The service was amazing and fast, and our drinks were delicious and super cute! I loved the serving cups and variety of options they had. I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Santa Barbara!

Spicy margaritas are great. Nice vibe. Service can be spotty. But definitely a nice alternative to the 40 micro breweries and wine places in the Funk Zone.

I come here every now and then. Creative cocktails and a cool vibe. The service is good. Most the time I never know what kind of drink I'm ordering, I have yet to to find one I don't enjoy. Cool place to hang for bit and take in the scene.

In the heart of the Funk zone, lots of art , wine tasting and boutique shops , we are having so much fun! The drink of choice (Jungle Bird rum drink tropical yet robust, great flavor, on the strong side (nice) ! Also a tiki inspired! Island,coastal fun!

Talk about repeat offender; Friday night double date, then girls night out on Saturday. What a total difference a night makes. Friday we were treated like royalty by our female server. I wish I knew her name because she deserves the mention. She was attentive and very, very courteous. Duh Duhh Duhhhh... Saturday!!!!!! It was like the Test Pilot staff had multiple personalities. On Saturday we were greeted by Mitch. As soon as we walked up to be seated, he told one of my girlfriends she has x amount of time to "down" her to go drink. At the moment there were no seats to be had so there was no reason for her to do that. He then asked for our ID, but didn't inquire other customers for their IDs before us.Hmmmm.... I'm in my late 50's and look it, and I could possibly be his mother.I can say his attitude was uncalled for. He made us wait even though tables started to open. Don't know what his beef was but it wasn't very tasty!!! Finally got a table outside. He then proceeded to make us wait to take our order. When the order was taken there was a lag in us receiving them. The drinks were very tasty so that kind of took the sting out of initial meeting. Mitch never came back to see if we wanted to order more. We were mentally done by his antics so waived down this sweet and attentive waiter named Isaac to render our tab. Night and day, these men. If my service was this way always, I would never return. But because I've been treated better than a beggar previously I'll continue to revisit this establishment. I scored The Test Pilot a 4 for the service I was given the night before and for Isaac. Mitch deserves a zero and a good talking to by the managerial staff.