The Imperial

My favorite bar in the area! The cocktails and drinks are made with care, and bartenders are very kind. The mocktails are super delicious and very fancy. Even of you are the dd, you will feel like you are having a drink! The warm nuts they have on the menu are addictive and recommended!

Step into a time warp of the quintessential 50s cocktail bar. Think Don Draper, low key lighting and vintage digs. Superior service and strong, hand crafted drinks with (often times) period correct music in the background. Not a place for beer but they do have one on tap.

Whoops! We got a Uber from the hotel and wanted to check this place out. Super, super friendly staff. Beautiful and tasty drinks. Great atmosphere. Well we drank too much, but it was worth it. Great place to hang out, relax, and socialize. Good luck to the gentleman moving to Italy. Enjoy retirement!

Great vibes here, so much good energy! Ask if they're making anything special. You're going for the cocktails and the aesthetic so don't be in a huge rush when you get there, be chill. It's a boutique bar with fairly large capacity so good things take a little time.

Shout out to Hugh for having wonderful taste in not only flowers, but also friends, and ESPECIALLY drinks! If you’re looking for unparalleled company, cocktails, or corsages… please visit Donald or Scott at the Imperial for an unforgettable evening!

Love this hidden gem. It’s a true speakeasy as it’s hard to find and in a surprising location. The tiki inspired drinks are delicious and fun. The setting is great for both an intimate date or a larger party. They have a great outdoor patio with comfy couches and delightful decor. The service is just right as they’re there when you need them, but never rush you.

I went here with a large group (over 10) The organizer of our group phoned ahead and the staff had a corner area set up for us! Waitstaff is very professional, atmosphere is wonderful, drinks unique and good! The "bar snacks" were these amazing potato chips! Only recommendation is some kind of easy to do food is missing. Otherwise a surprising find / a total Gem discovery! Highly recommend this place!

This place is amazing. Our bartender Steve, who is amazing how is a tentative, and made some of the best drinks ever had. I was stopping by on a work trip and so glad my friend Caesar found this place. speakeasy vibes for sure.

Super fun and engaging bartenders, fantastic atmosphere and amazing cocktails! This is a perfect place to start or end your evening. They don't serve food, but I believe food can be brought in, and they have awesome kettle chips to munch on with your cocktails.

When you go on vacay and find a neighborhood staple that treats you like a regular, that's a win in my book! My friends and I hit up spot after our hotel bartender recommended this place, and we weren't disappointed. A true cocktail bar w/ a tiki living room vibe. They seriously can make you anything. I asked for a hot toddy b/c I didn't get the memo that Santa Barbara was on the chilly side. I came in these cute holders. The bartenders were really great...friendly and attentive. We like this place so much we went back to their 10 year anniversary party...the Tom Selleck invite LOL. If you're in the area, definitely check them out.

$19 mediocre drinks behind a dark strip mall with bartenders that make degrading comments. Snarky af bartenders told my girlfriend "ever heard of gooogle!!" when my she asked about local food rec's and then ripped on multiple times and laughed in the face of my 65 yr old mother when she said she was from out of state. I guess they were cordial for the last 10 min and gave us some chips that seemed to give us hives after eating.

went there for a special event on Thanksgiving Eve. Got there early to reserve a booth for friends. Some booths were taken or had a reserve sign on them and found one that didn't have a sign on it and was told after 10 minutes. It was in fact reserved for someone else even though it was not marked as reserved.... Did not appreciate the way they treated us at all and wouldn't have stayed except for the fact that it was a friend's birthday who we invited to go there. They obviously don't care about the fact that I will never go there again, but it is still wrong What they did and the way they did it.

Food - only serves chips upon request. Service - phenomenal Ambiance - spectacular and sufficient

NOT VET FRIENDLY I was seriously looking forward to the jungle bird. I am a disabled vet psychiatric service animal. Two time combat and Purple Heart recipient. The host was really rude and turned us away. Under the ADA and California law, state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. Please change your policy. There are people have fought for this country and our way of life. They deserve to be treated with dignity.

Nice little out of the way place if you want a good drink and laid back throwback speakeasy atmosphere without overly loud music. If they had much on the food menu besides a bowl of warm nuts, I didn't see it. This is definitely more of a cocktail lounge. Found it while on business travel. My coworker and I were probably the oldest people there. Pretty eclectic crowd, but not to the point that I felt out of place at all. Bartender was attentive and unobtrusive. Too busy to chat, but not harried or unfriendly. Professional. Nothing negative happened for the four stars... I like to visit a place at least twice before I give it the full monty. Looking forward to another trip to Goleta in a few months... which isn't something I would have said before finding this place.

Such a cool spot! It's a a speakeasy so expect it to be difficult to find the door and dark inside lol. It's around the back of the building and there's a sign out but it doesn't say imperial. Our server Claire was phenomenal, great recommendations and just an all around sweet person. We were one of two tables there Saturday at 5pm right after the sunset. It filled up by the time we left two hours later, I think it was only Claire and the bar tender - need more staff!! The drinks were delish, quite a selection and vibes immaculate.

A gem in Old Town Goleta! This hidden speakeasy is unique and amazing. You will NOT see a large sign with "Imperial" on it. You will see a small neon sign with Bak Dor on it. This is the former bar at this location. The friendly bartender Donald told me that the Imperial was purchased from the 92 year old owner of Bak Dor and in his honor, they kept the sign. There is a faint "Imperial" etching on the door. The interior is dark, cool, intimate with a lot of comfortable seating (booths, couches). Then there is the beautiful patio with equally comfortable seating. Win-win!! They have wonderful cocktails but only one beer on tap (a Pilsner). There is an assortment of bottled beers, No real food to order (just bar nuts for $5) but they offer free potato chips! This is a special place. Go.

Other than the guy chasing me down in front of everyone to check my ID (which was really weird, btw. He wasn't near the front but ran over to me through the crowd and popped up in my face out of nowhere asking for ID...) I'd say I like this place. It's small in size but it's very intimate and has bar seating, intimate inside seating as well as a nice sized patio that feels warm and inviting. They took full advantage of the space and somehow created extra room even though it's small. Some of the patio chairs sat VERY LOW...so just be mindful that you're going to have to squat way down to sit on some of the furniture, but overall, the place is fun and would make for a fun first date. Just tell the guy working ID's not to comment on people and age. He told me "good job" for not looking 40. Yikes.

This bar is truly a hidden gem in Santa Barbara/Goleta. Just by reading the other Yelp! reviews we stopped by . . . and it was even better than we could have imagined. On the menu, we had the Mazatlan Mule and the Cucumber Margarita. Our bartender, Scott, mixed some fantastic original concoctions including a Hot Tamale and his best attempt at a Mexican Candy Shot. The ambience is fantastic . . . Definitely a cool, speakeasy vibe . . . with and old school hi-fi system pouring out tunes and plenty of leather seating areas. Seriously, this is a perfect bar.

I was reminded last Friday that I love this place and that one Mai Tai needs to be my limit. Oh yes, a second one sounds good but then there is a strong possibility that I will forget what happens after the second Mai Tai because that is one strong drink. Happily, there are many other great options and if the listed drinks didn't suit, the bartenders know enough to mix you something "especial." I tried to photograph my and my companions drinks. No, I didn't drink them all! Things I like, the dim interior with the classic bar and the fresh outdoor space. I also appreciate the collection of spirits and the staff who know how to use them. In addition to the aforementioned Mai Tai our group enjoyed the Jungle Bird , a Last Word and an Aviation plus a few more. They have proper ice and fun barware which is a plus. Finally, people are generally friendly. They don't have a kitchen but somehow the ruffled chips and warm nuts are just what you need, after a Mai Tai. So, while I usually enjoy relaxing at home on Friday evenings. Getting out and hanging here made for an excellent change of pace. If you decide to visit, remember those Mai Tais are strong.

Very cool atmosphere and good drinks! I wish they had a wee bit more vodka specially cocktails but they have one I really like.

The Imperial Lounge is everything you expect in a quintessential speakeasy. It's hidden away in a nondescript strip mall behind a bike shop - definitely a destination! You won't see "Imperial" signs guiding you there. Instead, there's a small neon "Ba'k Dor" sign, homage to the 92-year old former owner of that bar who sold to the Imperial. The ambiance and décor are awesome; the place is dimly lit and intimate, with comfortable seating and an outdoor patio. Things were crowded the night we were there, but we were lucky enough to get seats at the bar. The bartenders are all friendly, welcoming and most importantly, amazing mixologists! We found it best to give some guidance on what we like and let them do their magic. Such exceptionally well-crafted cocktails! This little Goleta gem is the perfect place for date night or for a gathering of friends. The only downside is that there's no food, other than bar nuts. So plan to eat before you go and then sit back and leisurely enjoy some after-dinner cocktails.

I was really disappointed with the lack of customer service at this bar. It looked like a cool spot to check out, so I decided to give it a try. I brought an energy drink with me and was planning to order a drink once I got settled. I was meeting a friend who had already ordered a drink, and we sat on the patio. However, the bartender approached us almost immediately and said, "If you're going to bring an energy drink, you have to order a drink." I understand this policy, but we had barely sat down and hadn't even been given a menu yet. I wouldn't recommend this place--it's not worth the hype. It looked like a cool spot, but I was pretty disappointed, especially since I was just visiting town. It's no wonder there were no customers in there

Loved the vibes inside and all the bartenders were super friendly even though it was super busy. Can't wait to come back!

The Imperial was recommended to us by a fellow wedding vendor. We came in pretty late after a wedding weekend and the bar staff was really sweet. Our bartender made us custom cocktails and chatted about weddings. We sat in a comfy boot and it was just what we needed!

Phenomenal vibes & service. Great ambiance. Bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and very personable.

Love this place! The cutest hidden gem- like what others say, it's very much a speakeasy vibe. Super cool ambiance. Chase is the best bartender! Love it!!! Thank you for a great experience!

I checked out The Imperial last night for the 1st time and was shocked by how awful the bartender treats people. As I walked up to the nearly empty bar to order, the bartender (a bearded guy with tattoos all over his arms) was not friendly and immediately gave attitude as if our presence was an inconvenience to him. Never being there before, I shared that my date and I were there for the 1st time and were curious if any of the drinks on the menu were more popular. The bartender dismissively told that he doesn't know what I like and to just look at the menu myself, then proceeded to completely change his demeanor and hit on my date! Shortly later, being that there's no cell service in the bar, I kindly asked the bartender if there was wifi. He responded saying that they have wifi, but when I asked for the credentials he rudely told me he doesn't know the password?! He made no effort to find it and just dismissed my request again. 0 for 2. My date and I were so uncomfortable by his negative energy we went outside away from him. When were were outside, were were served by another bartender name Claire who was great. Being a former bartender at a top ten world class resort in Montecito, I know the value a good bartended brings to a business dynamic. You'd think paying $16 - $18 a cocktail the ownerships would hire a bartender that doesn't treats their patrons terribly. Other than the horrible bartender, the ambiance and drinks were good. However, due to the bartender, my friends and I will not visit again.

The Imperial is a very special and unique bar & lounge. The manager at the hotel we were staying at recommended it. We ended up stopping by both nights we were in town. The owner is fun to talk with and the bartenders are super friendly. Great drinks, chips and ambiance. Wish we had The Imperial here in Frisco! The only negative? I wish I could have gotten one of their anniversary glasses!!!

This spot was so cool! It's a hidden gem in a strip mall in downtown Goleta. The bartenders weren't bartenders, they're mixologists! Dressed in old school 20s clothing and spinning vinyl records. We had Whiskey Sours that were made with egg whites. The way they ought to be made! Highly recommend this vintage vibe bar!

There's a reason Imperial has garnered five-star reviews from almost anyone has reviewed it: it's because it's REALLY GOOD, y'all. This place has a distinct speakeasy vibe. Located in the back side of a bike shop, it's pretty easy to miss (hint: look for a sign that says "Ba'k Dor Lounge"). On the plus side, there's a parking lot and plenty of spaces! The decor here is amazing. An impressive vinyl collection punctuates the tiki-cum-speakeasy vibe, and the lighting, furniture, and noise levels are all conducive to catching up with friends, or maybe even meeting some new ones... ;) On the intercom, I heard Tom Jones and Buena Vista Social Club and I was reaaaally enjoying the vibe. The outdoor area was a tad chilly, but offered even more room and visual diversions. Taking a seat here felt cozy and welcoming. Donald greeted me upon my entering and steered me to a fantastic cocktail called a Clover Club. Raspberry, lemon, egg white and gin took their turns dancing on my tongue and the result was tremendous. I got a taste of the Oaxacanut and a mystery Holiday Special and those were both also to die for. There are also plenty of food options in the area if the bar nuts that Donald and the crew serve don't sate your hunger. Could not throw enough support behind this business. Get there already!

Definitely a hidden gem with a speakeasy feel. Came here with some girlfriends and we all loved the cocktails that were on the menu. It has cozy seating arrangements and a very nice interior.

Attention, attention! I have a favorite bar in Santa Barbara! ... well, I guess technically Goleta, but the excitement still stands. Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you--this is anything but a dive. Step inside and the decor feels like you've stepped into a secret speakeasy from the 20s. It's the perfect spot to cozy up with a cocktail for an intimate conversation. My favorite kind of bar is one where you can tell the bartender what you like and they'll whip you up something perfect. This is that place. Everyone I've encountered behind the bar is an expert cocktail maker and I have not had one bad sip. I loved one of the creations so much I asked what it was, and the bartender shrugged and said "I don't know, it's just my favorite thing to make right now." An Imperial original! The outside is perfect for large groups (call ahead if you can), but the line inside can get a bit long since there isn't a server to bring drinks out there. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your tab. Good quality cocktails come at a premium, and it's easy to spend more than you mean to when they're this good. Overall, I'll be back. Again and again and again.

It's a mid-century lounge. The Imperial is a perfect example of an intimate, friendly, warm, and inviting lounge. If the décor strikes you as authentic and comfortable you'll be happy to discover the small group of people who operate The Imperial are truly happy to make sure their customers are taken care of. I mean, that's rare. Chas was mixing the night we were there. A very pleasant woman, whose name I don't know how to spell, was also mixing that night. Both are the at the top of my very short list of local bartenders who know what the "ef" they are doing. Clare mixes as well and was in the process of training Crystal who was serving. I picked a drink from their program. It was a variation on a gin martini which they have tweaked the bitters for a slight hint of orange. My partner ordered a Paper Plane from the program. Bourbon, amaro, Aperol, & lemon juice in equal parts. You're welcome. Both drinks were very well done. A customer changed their mind about a drink before it was delivered to the table so there was mixed drink with no where to go. The staff poured it out into shot glasses and passed them out to a few of us. I think it was a Reilly's Kitchen. A specialty cocktail unique to The Imperial. Next up we ordered and split a French 75 which was perfectly mixed. They used Prosecco instead of Champaign. Last, I ordered an Improved Whiskey Cocktail. Chas needed to go look it up, which he gladly did, and then proceeded to create the drink. It's a great recipe and Chas agreed. To quote Chas, there isn't a bad bottle of liquor in the house. Also, they don't use "mixers". You know, that unlabeled plastic bottle with a pour spout and a pale yellow liquid inside. Surely it comes in a powdered form and might taste vaguely like citrus. No! The Imperial uses fresh produce for mixes. Good liquors, good mixers, good bartenders, friendly staff, warm lounge atmosphere, not too loud, drinks outside if you want. If you want Studio 54 look elsewhere. Get real and go to The Imperial.

Love this place - drinks are great, atmosphere is fun, kind of speak easy vibes. Great experience every time.

This place rocks. Had some fantastic drinks and great bartenders. Just walked in and was very impressed.

Loved this place - very calming vibe/atmosphere, met some fascinating people from UCSB. Bartenders are top notch. Only a block from the Goleta Hampton Inn where we stayed, so no driving required. Worth a visit if you are in SB! They were not spinning their vinyl the Saturday night we dropped by, perhaps next time.

One of the best spots in all of Santa Barbara. Friendly bartenders and even better drinks. I can't speak highly enough about this place.

The drinks are pricey, but they are also strong and delicious! Love the ambiance and it doesn't get too crowded during the weekdays. The oaxacanut is the best drink they have. Their mulled wine is also pretty good when they have it!

The best Bar/Lounge in town, why would you go somewhere else? The attention to detail is all around you, great atmosphere. The people that run it are awesome and genuine. We used to run our Comedy Hideaway show nearby and come here after every week!

This bar has ruined me! I refuse to drink anywhere else as all other drinks are not in par with what Donald and Chase create here. The blossom and clover club are my absolute favorite. In the last 1.5 years I've noticed Imperial become more popular.

Ambiance in this spot is amazing speakeasy vibe! Love everything about this bar! If you are in Goleta area recommend to stop in for a night cap!

This was such a nice spot for a solo drink or two. Beautifully presented cocktails which were balanced, dimly lit with tasteful decor, and the mixed nuts are great.

Best place In SB for vibe and drinks. Ask for these shots, I call them the "Mexican pizza's" lol.

Very cool hidden spot in Goleta. Drinks were yummy and strong and staff were very kind. They were extremely busy and were training some new staff, but Sarah was sure to check on us often and apologized for the delay. The owner Donald was super helpful as well. Lots of booths so good for a few people to sit together and the vibes are great. Patio is cute and spacious as well.

Had the best martini of my life the other day- it was made by this guy who is so talented and passionate about his craft. The bartender's name has slipped my mind but I can't stop thinking about his beautiful martini and how I will be returning to The Imperial very soon for another one! Ambiance galore!!!

Theyyyyyyy're baaaaaccckkk!!! After being closed due to the pandemic, The Imperial have reopened. The mixologist are thrilled to be back, serving up yummy drinks and advice. The Imperial gives off that 70's vibe with a speakeasy feel. It actually jogs my memory of my parents living room of when I was a teen. No, my parents didn't serve up drinks in their living room. The drinks are amazingly tasty. Cucumber gimlet, Imperial Mai Tai for me, and an Old Fashion for the hubs; each made with care and love by the mixologist. The vibe of this establishment is friendly and homey. You can plop yourself down on big lounge couch, booth, sit in the patio or belly up to the bar. My choice is the bar. You can exchange banters with the bartender or fellow patrons. There's nothing negative about this establishment. Ample parking and hidden for those of you who are secret drunkies. LOL Just an all around amazing bar.

Thanks for pointing us to this fabulous cocktail lounge, Yelpers. What a gem. Great retro look and feel with modern and classic mixology done by experts in the field. We loved it, and can't recommend it strongly enough. Step into the Imperial and you'll be transported somewhere really cool.

Wife and I have been going to Imperial for years. Cool vibe. Service is excellent and drinks are great.

This place is one of Goleta's hidden gems. The ambience and aesthetic are on point! Calming with the dim lighting, a hip rustic feel, and the music set the right vibe. This was such a cool date night place, we could hear each other speak and the bartenders were so friendly and gave us many laughs.

I've been to the Imperial for a few dates and with a few girlfriends and the service and food has always been outstanding! The atmosphere inside is warm, welcoming, and classy. The staff is always very happy, polite, and has gone over and above with their service. Whether you're looking for a date night spot or renting a room for an event, the Imperial is where it's at! The upstairs bar is perfect for larger groups and gives plenty of privacy. If you're in the DC area, I'd highly recommend stopping by!

Such a cool vibe. Great decor. Strong drinks served by a friendly bartender. And delightfully off the beaten path... Mahalo!

Hidden gem!! This place is so cool and chill. Great for classy and tranquil dates. Definitely a must.

John our bartender was flippin awesome! Great atmosphere, great drinks (very very generous with the alcohol) one drink will set you off to the moon lol. Will recommend 100%

I've had a lot of Hot Toddys in my life and there is no shame in that. The Imperial's was the best I've ever had. Which is saying something for a drink not on their menu.

What a great cocktail lounge! Funky, comfy, retro decor with a great vibe. My date asked the waitress a question about a particular drink and she had the bartender come to our table to make sure he got it just right. Originally went in for a quick drink and ended up staying two hours! We'll be back!

Wow, very cool place that we just happened to luck upon. We've been coming up to Goleta for the last 4+ years with two daughters at UCSB. One just graduated, but we have another that's a sophomore so we'll be coming up a few more years. Asked the front desk clerk for a nearby local bar just to sit back and relax. He recommended The Imperial so I took a quick look at the Yelp reviews and they have a 4.5 Star average. It was also a short walk from the hotel so we gave it a shot. It's hard to find the first time because there's no real signage out front of a very nondescript door. But once you open the door you feel like your sucked back in time to the era of the tiki bar. It is old school in their with a beautiful classic bar and comfortable lounge seating both inside and out. The bartender, Ronald, is also very retro and a true mixologist. The menu brings back drinks of the bygone era and adds a little twist to some of the classics. We arrived on Aloha Sunday so they had a bunch of island drinks. I told Ronald i was from Hawaii and had my share of Mai Tai's, but wanted to try their version. It's called the Imperial Mai Tai and it was both delicious and potent. Thank God I walked since I would've been blowing a .12 for sure after just one drink. I gave him bartender's choice for the next drink and he whipped me up a Zaya Fire. He had a feeling I liked rum and he was correct. This drink was refreshing and tart and easy to drink. I had never had anything like it and I was amazed at how much he read into what I would like from our brief conversation at the bar. I told him I'm back in two weeks to move my daughter from her summer rental into her sorority and that we would be bringing some friends with us to The Imperial on that visit.