The Matador

The Matador is everything a dive bar should be: dark, loud, a little unhinged, and absolutely perfect. Carla was behind the bar slinging drinks like a legend! Sharp pours, no nonsense, and the best playlist I’ve heard in a decade. It was like my 1st gen iPod got reincarnated and found its way to Santa Fe. We are from out of state. The crowd? Cool without trying. Vibes? Filthy in the best way. If you’re looking for overpriced cocktails and LED walls, keep walking. But if you want a stiff drink, a killer soundtrack, and the kind of night that leaves your ears ringing and your soul soothed, this is your church. Long live the hole-in-the-wall. Long live The Matador. And long live Carla. Thanks for everything! Much love!

Simple: play the same tone and energy of the room. Your DJ cannot jump around so erratically, it’s bad. Beautiful space though

Cool, small downstairs bar. They had a really good DJ, shout out to DJ Litespeed, playing all the bangers from rock to hip hop! Earl the bartender will take advantage of you if he sees your intoxicated 👎. So keep close eyes on your tab. If your paying cash on a busy night he will keep it, and forget about your drink.

Nice late night dive with decent local acts crooning with discernible effort despite minimal turn out on a weekday evening. Overpriced local beers served by a somewhat expectedly salty tender. This bar doesn't accept cards, and instead relies on the customer to use their ATM to withdraw cash at a steep fee of $3.50. Quite clever accounting gymnastics, making an extra fee off a customer while simultaneously avoiding any record of these transactions. Bathroom smelled of urine and ammonia, and was deeply neglected. Beer selection was more than ample, giving the venue a nod toward the positive despite the obvious shortcomings described.

The best dive ever! The music was amazing (punk and the like) and the atmosphere is perfect if you love a great dive bar!

Small basement dive bar. Great Wall murals. Not cheap, cash only. Was with other friends so didn’t stay long. Wish I could have.

Had an interesting and lovely night, made many new friends. Loved the bartenders and vibe. The next night we returned to reconnect with our new friends but instead encountered a night filled with predatory men. I told the bouncer and he looked past me like, don’t tell me how to do my job. That night my phone was stolen by one of those creepy men who was later stabbed right outside of the bar…

Fantastic dive bar - 💯 recommend!