The Good Lion

If you're searching for a cocktail experience that transcends the ordinary, The Good Lion is your sanctuary. Nestled in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, this intimate bar is a masterclass in mixology, ambiance, and hospitality. The drink menu is a rotating showcase of seasonal ingredients and global inspiration. Whether you're sipping a smoky mezcal concoction or a delicate gin-based floral blend, every cocktail feels like a story told in flavor.

Mine and my friends' favorite cocktail bar in Santa Barbara The Good Lion is one of a couple of the highest level of quality and service for cocktail bars in Santa Barbara. In addition, their prices are the same or lower than other cocktail bars, and often lower than cocktails from restaurants. The bartenders are always willing to help guide you through drinks, both on and off menu. This is great place if you are visiting Santa Barbara and want to plant yourself in downtown or experience some of the best SB has to offer. It is also a great piece of a date night, meet-up with friends, or simply for someone who wants to have the confidence their classic cocktail will be made very well. Putting 4 stars on the atmosphere only because, during peak times, it can become crowded and hard to find a place to sit due to its smaller size. Aside from that, it's great. Dimly lit with an almost speak-easy vibe.

Amazing rotating menu of delicious craft cocktails.

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.

great service and lovely atmosphere. the bar tenders are so nice and I love going here when im craving a good conversation with people in the community. also drinks here are sooooo good too

Played a show here. The drinks are dope. The crew had a great time . Though all of California need to do something about the drinks being super high in price, I understand it’s inflation. We need to find an alternative such as paying a fee for self serve like a jukebox for drinks. To cut bar costs and help more people coming. Just a thought.

Best cocktail bar in town! I love the Full of parrots and the Spring spritz. They are only two bartenders, so come with an open heart and go to the bar to place your order.

I decided to book a last-minute vacation in Santa Barbara and The Good Lion was the very first place I visited, and I am so glad this was the case. What a great way to start this getaway! Matt and Taylor are very friendly and knowledgeable mixologists and if you happen to stumble upon this place while they're working, rest assured you're in good hands. They were quick to answer any and all questions regarding the spirits selection and passionatley explained the business' philosophy regarding the support of small batch distilleries. It's a young and hip atmosphere on a Saturday evening, not too crowded at all-very comfortable. I couldn't recommend the Good Lion more!

Lauren was our bartender and gave us great recommendations. The east side was one of the most delicious cocktails I have ever had. We also loved the espresso martini and the tangerine spritz. The ambiance was wonderful- it's not too loud, I love when I can still hear the person I am with at a bar! Highly recommend this spot.

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.

I love Good Lion I really do. The ambiance is perfect for a sophisticated (sophistic?) Friday or Saturday night. Indeed sophistry is imbued in a strange way in the high-brow preparation of classic prohibition era cocktails as well as contemporary twists on old faithfuls like the Manhattan or the Old Fashioned. Out of peak season (ie winter) it's fairly easy to get a seat, but in spring, summer, and fall it can be very crowded on weeekend nights. I give them a 4/5 for two reasons: 1) the bar is often sticky and dirty; 2) while they do rotate their menu seasonally, this often means that to-die-for cocktails creations appear and then suddenly disappear, and even upon request they don't have the ingredients to remake them. I still, to this day 3 years later, can taste the Cow Jumped Over the Onion Patch, a wonderful twist on the classic Gibson martini, but it's never returned since August of 2020. Please bring it back!

This is an awesome bar! Staff is friendly and quick! They have pretty good happy hour drink specials to enjoy after work! The bartenders can make all the classics. Their old fashioned is my favorite! They have a small outdoor seating area that is dog friendly!

I stopped in here recently on a Friday after work and it was so fun! Definitely seems like a popular spot right on State Street next to the Granada Theater. The bartenders were both very attentive and immediately caught our attention to take our order. They had a great menu of options, including seasonal drinks to choose from. I opted for a gin cocktail from the seasonal menu. Such a great time sitting outside and people watching. They do have indoor seating too.

I was looking for somewhere to get an expresso martinii! Stumbled upon this place and so glad we did! It was absolutely delicious and we loved the aesthetic. Our bartender was also very sweet and helpful.

Simply put, the Good Lion is the best bar ever. The drinks are high quality and delicious, the service is excellent , and the vibes are immaculate.

The ambience is very nice. They have amazing drinks for Happy Hour and they are located in a good spot. One of my favorite bars to visit.

I haven't been to this cool little bar in years. It's still great. My cocktail wasn't as great as I wanted it to be but it was nice & balanced. Cheers!

Love this place!!! What can I say? From the minute I walked in, I loved the vibe. It's pretty much my fave bar and its location is perfect right next to the Granada. The drinks are epic and bartenders are excellent! Even found out they have a happy hour at 5 perfect timing after work!

This is my go-to cocktail bar when I visit Santa Barbara! This intimate lounge serves high quality drinks on a rotating menu to provide their customers (me) with a difficulty decision every time they visit. I greatly enjoy visiting to see what new concoctions they put together, and it feels like a great spot to grab a drink before or after dinner right along State St. I highly recommend!

This was a cool little spot to try. The vibes are very relaxed and the service was good. I had a nice time with my partner. My only two complaints were that the area we were seated took a while to be cleaned to the point where we had to move the stuff ourselves and i wish the bartender knew the alcohol selections a little better--especially if customers can't see all the bottles at night. Overall it was a pleasant time with tasty drinks

Beautiful bar right on state street. The front has large bay windows so you can't miss it. They had holiday speciality cocktails and their other drinks were great as well. Definitely a booster in mood after the awful pizza down the street. Kylie was super kind and informative while serving us. Highly recommended!

Stellar spot. One of the absolute bests and one of my absolute favorites. You can feel confident they will make your favorite drink here, but do make sure to have one, or two, of their pristine, unique, apothecary like cocktails. Love the indoor seating, intimate and lamp lit, like you're deep in a secret area of a library. Perfect for an intimate conversation. Bar seating and higher stool seating ( good for larger groups), as well and outdoor sidewalk/ street seating. Sorry, no photos. I'm always immersed in conversation and delightful libation when here... so in the moment, forget to. But promise to remember next time as the drinks are so pretty and fine upon arrival and must share!

The good lion is one of several cocktail bars owned by the same group in SB, though I believe good lion is their original spot. This has been our favorite cocktail spot for years! The menu frequently changes (though you can always order their staples even if you don't see it on the menu -- Kentiki Kentucky is a favorite of ours!). They always have a great mix of cocktails whidh include options that are liquor forward, citrus heavy, sweeter, coffee mixed in, etc. anyone could find a beverage they couldn't enjoy here! I unfortunately didn't get a menu pic for the names of our drinks but we ordered a citrus forward gin drink (had pear in it, was DELIGHTFUL and such an easy sipper) and a rum drink which had old fashioned vibes to it but with rum instead, also delicious.

The best cocktails! I had a whisky sour and my husband had a Oaxacan old fashion. The vibe is good but the drinks is what you come here for.

I think this is the best bar in SB. Not only do they have over 300 cocktails in one of the largest lists I've seen, but they have a seasonal menu as well, with some more experimental (?) or themed drinks for the season. The quality of the drinks were very high, and the bartenders are very friendly and engaged with the crowd. Even starting from 5PM, people are already drinking and initiating the party to come throughout the night. I would be very inclined to come back and try some of the classic drinks on the longer list.

I liked my drink. The service from the waitress was top notch and the drinks are always pretty. Our waitress even checked on us. The ambiance is nice but it does get loud inside when it is packed.

Stopped in with some friends to grab a drink on Wednesday night. I'm from Ventura and go to their sister bar Bank of Italy pretty often so I thought it would be a relatively similar feel. At 9pm, it had a nightclub feel. Dark, super loud, intoxicated dudes being borderline creepy. Buttttt, the bartenders were pretty on it and served us promptly. We managed to get a spot at a table and made fast friends with another group which was cool. The drinks were pretty good (hand-crafted) and it was an overall good experience. I don't think it would hurt to turn down the music a bit. Everyone was struggling to talk to each other and it didn't really serve any benefit for it to be that loud. With such a cool ambiance, it just doesn't make sense.

We stopped here for a quick cocktail after having dinner at Barbareña. A friend mistakenly told us it was only wine and beer but it turned out it was mostly cocktails! I prefer sweet drinks over non-sweet so I opted for the first drink on the menu, which had gin, almond, lemon, and a few other flavors. It was good but actually TOO sweet for me. One of my colleagues got the last drink listed on the menu and it came with some chocolates from 24 Blackbirds, which we visited earlier in the day, and some salt, which was interesting. On a Wednesday night it was about half full, which was nice because although it wasn't quiet, I could still hear and converse with my colleagues.

Spent New Year's Eve at The Good Lion and had a nice time. Tried their French 75, which was pretty delicious, and the 'Walk the Pine', though the pine flavor was a bit much for me. The staff, from the doorman to the bartenders, were super friendly and helpful despite the busy night. The place has a charming vibe, but it gets packed on special occasions, so finding a spot was a bit tight - managed to snag a seat at the bar eventually. Overall, a good spot for a New Year's celebration with a lively atmosphere and very decent cocktails.

Small and quaint. A great spot to grab a cocktail before dinner or a show. Depending on the day or night service can be a bit slow.

Nice ambience, good music. Limited Happy hour selections. Friendly bartender who was serving the entire place around 5p.

First time visiting this cocktail bar -- obviously a local favorite. Exceptional negroni! Places like this deserve support.

The bartender is such a jerk. Just not interested in being friendly. We went in for a drink on 7/30/23 and he was just rude, wouldn't look us in the eye, and just did not make it a friendly place to go. On the second round I told my friend to go get the drinks because I did not want to deal with him and she also said he was not nice. We're local and come once in a while as the drinks are sometimes really good and sometimes just fine, but it could be a nice atmosphere if the bartender was reasonably kind.

We came here last night for drinks before our dinner reservation next door. Cute bar that smelled heavenly, like the perfect cocktail, when we entered. It was a Memorial Day Sunday so it wasn't packed but they were busy. We ordered 4 cocktails at the bar and sat outside as we had our kids with us. One of the waiters came out and lit up the heater for us . This morning we realized our child left his Switch behind We knew the chances of getting it back was extremely slim. We emailed the bar. We reckoned that we would be on our way back to LA before anyone responds. To our surprise, Adam responded immediately to confirm they found it and told us to swing by at 4pm when the bar opens. Alleluia!!! Aside from yummy drinks and cute setting, these guys are so responsive & trustworthy. Thanks for making my child believe in the pure goodness of people. 5 in my books!

My uncle and I came here to have a cocktail. Lauren was our bar tender and she was so friendly! She educated us about the seasonal drinks and made a few recommendations. I thoroughly enjoyed my drink as did my uncle. I do have to commend The Good Lion for the atmosphere! This was such a nice (and hip) place to sit and relax. Plenty of seating inside and outside (for those who enjoy people watching). I will definitely be back to try the seasonal winter drinks!

I love going to Speakeasy's for drinks. Being a huge fan of Prohibition cocktails it can be hard to find a bar that has the esoteric, hard to find alcohols that are sometimes required. I find that Speakeasy's specialize in these types of hard to find libations. The Good Lion is the perfect spot to get one of these drinks. When you step inside the lights are low and the music soothing. We bellied up to the bar and were immediately greeted by a friendly young lady that was very knowledgable and helpful. There was a drink that I had been wanting to try for a while but did not have a couple of the liquer's necessary to make. I showed her the recipe on my phone and of course they had all of the items necessary. She even copied the garnish in the picture. Unfortunately the drink wasn't quite for me but at least I can say that I've had it now. If you want a bar that can serve you something more creative than the standard Whiskey Sour or Jack and Coke, Good Lion is the place for you. You don't have to do what I did and find something specific you want to try. Their standard menu is very good also.

There is an endless list of cocktails to try and lots of different types of alcohol. Located next to the theater, it is a great place to go before the show. Also, relaxing outside on tables on State Street, the people watching is a must. Overall, it is a little pricey and drinks aren't as strong as I would like. Next time, I may just order a glass of wine after the first cocktail!

I think I may be obsessed with this bar. I love finding a good, dedicated bar that focuses on quality, well-crafted cocktails and doesn't worry about food or beer selection much. The drinks are usually better. This place is no exception to the rule. I have enjoyed cocktails at this bar on three separate occasions now and each time I have had an all around perfect experience! I usually order scotch cocktails and they made a delicious penicillin, to which I add egg whites. Each time the bartenders mixed an impeccable drink and also knew how to shake both without and then with ice to ensure the egg whites were perfectly frothed. I also sampled a Last Word, which I had with Belvedere vodka instead of gin and it too was perfect. I honestly plan to come to this bar each and every time I am in Santa Barbara.

Well. It's fine to nitpick cocktails so let's go. No cherry in my Manhattan and it was an orange garnish. At least it wasn't shaken. (Yes, I'm particular about my Manhattan's) The atmosphere is great for a cocktail lounge. People watch by the window or hang back by the bar or go deep inside Service was excellent. We visited in the middle of the afternoon so not too busy and perfect noise level to hold a conversation. It's a great option when on State Street.

Loved our cocktails Would have ordered another but the bartender let a dog lick her hands and didn't wash them before making another drink!

Always excellent service at good lion and I love that the drink menu is always changing so there's always something new to try. I've never been disappointed in a drink. They get pretty busy on the weekends so I tend to check it out on the early side. I'm glad they extended the patio since it can get pretty noisy when it's busy inside.

I love its atmosphere, the bartenders are amazing, and they know the drinks, they are professional and kind. I recommend this place to my friends. If you are visiting Santa Barbara, I recommend you to visit this bar, even when you are not in a good mood.

Yum! Craft cocktails, sweet vibes, nothing too crazy. Always down for this place post Bowl show.

Great ambiance. The bartender was lovely. She made us a Cosmo and the Matcha Randy seasonal drink.

Great atmosphere and cool bar, however the service was incredibly slow, even just for a couple of beers. We stumbled upon this place while walking around town so we decided to pop in as it was very lively. I definitely prefer Test Pilot over this place, and they also had a very crowded weekend- but the service was still great. We tend to hop around to check out multiple bars to compare which ones we enjoyed the best. Probably a good idea to add more bartenders to improve the service as it seems that is what's missing in order to have a better experience at the Good Lion.

best place for drinks in sb!! the ambiance is always amazing, drinks are creative, and the hospitality is great (especially the bartender Junior, 10/10)

In a world where craft cocktail bars are a dime a dozen, Good Lion stands out for its exceptional hospitality, great cocktails, and a team that goes above and beyond to ensure your visit is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a casual drinker looking to elevate your libation experience, Good Lion is the perfect destination to indulge in the art of mixology.

I ended my birthday evening here and was not disappointed! The drinks here were designer delicious and the bartender was great! Each drink was so creative and were the perfect balance of alcohol and fresh ingredients. The ambience was so unique and unlike anything else in SB, I definitely felt like I was in NOLA. Will definitely return during my next visit!

The Good Lion is the premier cocktail bar in Santa Barbara! Every drink is hand crafted, tastes amazing, and is so refreshing on a hot summer SB night! Our bartender, Ethan, was very knowledgeable, kept us entertained with his bartending skills, and made some perfect drinks for my friends and I.

Cool bar on state street! Specialty drinks that are delicious! Great prices and we got lucky enough to hit happy hour. Definitely recommend stopping here for a spirit or two.

Pretty good place, indoor has a nice ambience but we sat outside due to COVID. There is no table service, you order at the bar & sit where you can. They have a lot of heat lamps outside so was nice & toasty. I really enjoyed the Family Robinson drink. It was easy to drink, not too sweet & pretty refreshing. Hubby got a straight gin & tonic.

The bartenders here make an excellent old fashioned. It's a great cocktail bar to chill with friends and have a tasty libation.

One of my go to places for great cocktails! Absolutely love this little place! Not even sure if they offer food but the drinks are amazing g!

Great craft cocktails made with fresh juice and infusions. Order some appetizers from Sama sama which they bring it right to you. Our servers were lovely, but service was sometimes slow. Our servers had personality and Know the drinks. Cassie and O'Neill get special shout outs. Note the food is served in to go containers with plastic forks. I hope they are actually made from something other than plastic and I recyclablecat The cocktails and water come in real glassware. You sit outside in front of the Granada theater and enjoy watching the people go up and down State Street. Easy parking in the mini lots nearby

Out of all the bars my friends and I checked out in SB, this was by far our favorite. The ambiance is so nice! Elegant but not too serious, good music and nice vibes. The drinks were all delicious, strong but not in a gross way. Interestingly, a lot of bars close pretty early in SB, but not the Good Lion! Good prices, good drinks, good vibes! Can't ask for much else. Can't say anything about parking though because we ubered there

A great spot to catch up with friends! Distracted by the Granada Theatre, I've actually completely walked by The Good Lion so many times without knowing what it was. Once I figured it out, my friends and I gave it a try when the spring seasonal menu was offered, and I'm glad there were heaters outside. Fruity but not too sweet, the kumquat paycheck and do the dew were my prime picks. I couldn't taste the banana in the bananapamu, but props for a clever name! When I ventured out of my fruity comfort zone, the puesta del sol was spirit forward and way too strong for me, but the server was really sweet and made me a new drink to replace it. My friends enjoyed their coffee negroni, pocket full of parrots, and spring spritz. I also appreciate that the server was able to split the check amongst my friends. I'll be back to try some cocktails from their summer menu!

Drinks are great. just get rid of the obnoxiously loud and arrogant bartender that likes to shout snd curse.

We popped in for a cocktail before dinner. What a quaint place. Casual with a very impressive specialty cocktail menu. We were warmly greeted when we entered by the bartender who told us we could sit anywhere and gave us drink menus for when we were ready to order. It was 5:30 on a Friday so there was a mix of people who were off work and people like us waiting to go to dinner. Our cocktail presentation was impressive. Each glass was unique and suited for the drink inside. Cut crystal double old fashioned for whiskey, cut rounded martini glass for my dirty martini. And a highball glass with a spear of aloe for my daughter's tequila, pineapple, mezcal, pepper drink. Again, the waitstaff were all so friendly. Maybe I've been treated with indifference at other places but we really appreciate great service. Try the Good Lion. You'll be impressed.