Customer service and staff - 5 stars Food - 5 stars Beer - 5 stars Ambiance - 5 stars read more

2 hour wait for food is grossly unacceptable in general but especially when you have five year old. This operation is extremely understaffed and the entire process is just slowed way down because of the lack of production ability. You have a small grill serving a large occupancy, 1 bathroom dual use. read more

Had the regular burger. Probably the worst I've ever had in my life. Patty is half the width of the burger and SUPER hard. Their ketchup has chili peppers in it... They should consider not having a food menu. They don't know what they are doing. read more

Cute courtyard... we stopped in for a cold beer before the firework show... my granddaughter ordered chicken skewers ... she enjoyed them... we watched sports on an outside Tv. One drawback there was only one restroom for everyone... including employee's..long lines... We walked so no need for parking... read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The beer is unique and amazing! However the mocktails (specifically the Mountain Sunset) knocked our socks off! Will definitely be back. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

A family friendly brewery right in the center on downtown SB @ the funk zone. Close to the beach. They also host private events. I walked in just on time as they were opening up. The staff members were all nice and kind. They greeted me and assured me with my order. I was offered a tasting of one of the beers that they suggested. I ended up liking it so I order a tall glass. Beer: Golden beer IPA 5.9% served nice and cold on a tall glass. 5/5 They have a nice outdoor patio area with tables and chairs as well as some sofas. They even have a small section for kids to play in. Very cool spot to come and hang out while you enjoy your beer or cocktail. They also have a food menu so it is very diverse. Definitely one of my top breweries. read more

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They took an hour to prepare the order. The food was decent, but the one-hour wait ruined everything; I was just about to leave when they finally brought the burger :( read more

Beers on tap are great! The food was great. Go for the garlic shrimp, a bit of spice but tastes delicious. Great atmosphere, need to come back and see at night time. read more

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Super cool spot to hang out on a chill Thursday evening. The beers were tasty (tangerine wheat was my fave), and the food smelled fantastic but I didn't get to try anything - next time! The service was also great and I felt super welcomed. The outdoor area is so nice and big! There's also a play area for little ones which is so awesome. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Flight - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It happened to rain on the hot summer day we stopped by for some beers and luckily there was covering over our tables! Not many beers to select from but from what we tasted, the hazy ipa was a great one. Fun little spot for groups with kiddos. read more

5/5 Ambience is 5 stars for being kid friendly. So kid friendly that when we first got there all the high chairs were in use. There's even a gated off kids play area with toys and play castle. There's tons of people who bring kids here and it reminded me of Germany's beer gardens. 5/5 The beer was good as well, I got the blonde and my husband got the blood orange. Both were very tasty. 2/5 Food took a bit of time and then the wrong order came out but the manager was quick to fix it. We got plain grilled cheese instead of the funk zone version which came with wagyu beef. Portion size was pricey for $20. I got a cup of tortilla soup which was ok as well. The potato cake side was just pan fried mashed potato, very salty. Overall a fun place to bring kiddos and enjoy a beer but I would grab food elsewhere. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Since my reviews are primarily about food, I rated Brass Bear's food a 2-star. However, I do want to acknowledge how good the beers and location are at Brass Bear. Overall, Brass Bear is a 3-star place. Let's talk about what I like about this place. They have beers from a local craft brewery. They have a great backyard for a casual lunch or to nurse a cold beer on a sunny Southern California day. We had the Goldilocks Blonde, Lindsay Lager, and Blood Orange Wheat; they are tasty, fresh, and bright. Regretfully, the food was disappointing. My family and I have been here before and don't recall being disappointed with their food. We ordered a Brass Bear Burger and a Portobello Burger, your "artisan comfort food." The toppings were fresh, vibrant, and thoughtfully chosen. The beef patty was made from high-quality meat and is juicy. But I find the patty bland and wish there could be more caramelization. But then there were the buns. They looked beautiful when the plate hit the table--soft, golden, lightly toasted. But the second and third bite, everything began to disintegrate like a sandcastle meeting the tide. By the end of the meal, I was eating a burger salad. I didn't finish the burger. The portobello burger. Like the burger, everything looks fresh and vibrant. The portobello mushroom is plump and inviting until I bite into it and realize it's overseasoned with vinegar. Great location and beers? Yes. Functional and tasty burgers? Regretfully, not so much. read more

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My wife and I had our wedding reception here 1 year ago and they were absolutely amazing then and now. Matt was so accommodating and made THE. BEST. DRINKS! read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Blood orange marg - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Nice vibes, kind staff and large patio to enjoy a bite & drinks. I wish you could hear the music out back but it wasn't that type of place I guess. I love the amount of shade they had for a hot day & the grilled cheese with wagyu was INCREDIBLE. read more

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I want to preface that my experience was underwhelming due to expectations set by my research on SantaBarbara.com - I was specifically looking for a fun dining experience that also catered to my dog. I read that there was a dog menu and I called (the Uptown location) and confirmed that they had a dog menu that included chicken, beef, and bacon. I couldn't find the Funktown Zone location right away because Google Maps had me stop on the backside where it wasn't super evident I had arrived. When I finally got there I was lucky in that it wasn't busy since it was a little after 3pm on a Wednesday. The person at the bar was uninformed that they could accommodate their menu for dogs but the chef that was working assured me it was totally doable. I ordered a Goldilocks ale and a Funkzone grilled cheese. Food was good for me, but I think it would work better if they shaved the wagyu vs the cubed cut. I really enjoyed the beer both in flavor and aesthetics. The person who ran out my food didn't bring or offer me any utensils to cut up my dog's beef patties so that was a little weird lol Overall, I will come back with friends but probably not for just a quick lunch when I'm out with my dog. The outside patio was adorable and I can see how a lot of people enjoy the atmosphere for a casual get-together. read more

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Great brews, food, and ambiance! Came looking for a laid back dinner spot with my husband when we were visiting from out of town, and loved the family-friendly vibes. Servers were super friendly and helpful, food was yummy and came out fast, and beers were great. Will definitely be returning when we're back in town to visit our daughter who's attending college here. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Chicken tortilla soup - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Beer was good, nice outdoor space, and the food was good. (we got hot dog, smash burger, kids, cheeseburger, and the chicken Caesar wrap). The only thing is the space is a bit crowded, so and there's a lot of kids or there's a long line for food. It's very very cramped and chaotic. When a few people left, it chilled out and it was pleasant. There is some parking around the back, and it's located between two buildings so you can't spot it immediately, but just keep looking down. There's a giant banner. :) read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - The outside space - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Found this location based on the logo. It was a Wednesday afternoon in January. We were the only ones here but it was nice. Passionfruit margarita was yummy, so was the beer. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Passion fruit margarita and beer - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Perfect family bar with a nice play station for the kiddos. I had the chicken tortilla soup, it was pretty bland but the burger was great! The service is friendly! Would definitely come again! read more

Cute spot in Santa Barbara. It was really busy when we came in. Cashier told us it would be about a 45 min wait for food so we just ordered drinks. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The food tasted old. We had the chicken Caesar wrap, it all fell apart while eating it and the chicken was so dry. The brisket tacos .... The brisket tasted like it had been reheated multiple times prior. Kids grilled cheese for $9 was even a disappointment. Not sure where the local food comes from but we won't be returning. Table next to us had the exact same experience... bummer read more

Food & drinks are outstanding! Highly recommend & send all my friends there when visiting Santa Barbara. Back patio is also a great ambiance and good time. & great service! read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Food & drinks are outstanding! Highly recommend & send friends to go try. Back patio is a fun vibe. - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I would give more than 5 stars if I could! We hosted our wedding reception at Brass Bear, and I would go way over the character limit here if I listed everything I loved about working with them. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about the entire experience. We were looking for a laid-back and unique venue, and Brass Bear absolutely delivered. From start to finish, the team (especially Emily!) went above and beyond to make our day perfect. The space itself is welcoming and full of character, while also feeling elevated and thoughtfully designed. We actually saved a lot on decor because the venue was already so beautiful on its own. The top things that really set Brass Bear apart (aside from the space itself) were the staff and the food/drinks. The staff -- Every single person we worked with was kind, responsive, professional, and genuinely invested in making sure everything ran smoothly and that it was truly the party of our dreams. They were incredibly accommodating, handled logistics seamlessly, and anticipated needs before we even had to ask. It honestly felt like they cared about our wedding just as much as we did. Also throughout the evening, on their own, the amazing staff checked in on me and the groom, seeing if we wanted a drink refill or a cup of water. The food-- Hands down the best menu we sampled while choosing a reception venue. We wanted a place that would have a spread guests would talk about long after the event, and for months afterward our friends and family were still bringing up the tri-tip and how good everything tasted. Not only was the main food insanely delicious, the welcome charcuterie table was put together beautifully with so many options. The drinks -- The open bar was fantastic! Brass Bear offered a great variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks as part of their open bar, the flow of guests being served at multiple bar stations stayed steady all evening with no bottlenecks, and they even helped me create a custom cocktail to match my purple hair. I also probably emailed (literally) a thousand questions throughout the planning process, and every single one was met with a kind, thoroughly explained answer, or a "let's see if we can make that work!" response, which made the planning feel like a breeze and really fun. If you're considering Brass Bear Brewery for a wedding, celebration, or any special event, do not hesitate. They helped create memories we'll treasure forever, and we are SO grateful we chose them. Highly, highly, highly recommend. read more

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First stop in Santa Barbara and the beer was delicious. I really enjoyed the Tangerine Wheat and the Guava Lager. They both were perfectly balanced. The staff was extremely friendly and welcoming and gave great advice on where to go. The outdoor area is nicely put together. Glad we chose to stop here once getting in town. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were near the Santa Barbara Mission and stopped in for lunch. I had the chicken Caesar wrap. The dressing was delicious and there were nice chunks of chicken in there. My husband had the cheesesteak, (one of his favorite foods,) along with one of their lagers. The couple with us had a Caesar salad, grilled cheese, and fries. We all really enjoyed our meals and the beautiful view of the mountains. Our waitress was personable and helpful! read more

Brass Bear in the Funk Zone did not disappoint. We got the Wagyu grilled cheese and the chicken Caesar wrap -- both were super fresh and hit the spot. Beers were great too. Service was friendly and chill, no complaints there. The outdoor patio is really the star though, tons of seating and such a fun atmosphere. Great spot to hang for a bit in the Funk Zone. Would definitely come back! read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My friend recommended this place for a midway stop back to the Bay Area from the OC. Great sandwiches and beers with a cozy outdoor patio. We ordered at the counter and the food and drink was brought out to us. They also have a QR code to order more food at the table. Definitely worth a drop in and a round of local beers. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were looking for a brewery place in Funk Zone and stumbled upon this place! The entrance is kind of hidden towards the back but there are plenty of outdoor seating and I love the vibe! Definitely a great place for big or small groups and it wasn't too packed when we went on a Saturday. My boyfriend and I both got a beer flight and our favorite was the blood orange ale. As for food, we got the cheesesteak bites for a snack and the prosciutto and tri-tip grilled cheese to go to so we can eat on the train back to LA! If you don't have a reservation any place in Funk Zone, definitely check this place out as they might have space for you :) read more

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I had Island Sipper and enjoyed being outside in the patio. They do host private events here too. read more

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It is a nice brewery with outdoor seating. You order inside, they also serve food too. I got the goldilocks blond, which was a light beer. I love how the patio is spacious, they even have a play area for kids. Nice spot for hang outs and love how it is dog friendly. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My wife and I often drive up from Burbank to Santa Barbara. It's a quick getaway for us. We love Brass Bear Brewing! I'm a Beer drinker, my wife prefers Wine. Here, we can have both! We love that it's accessible, and the employees are great! Especially Angie! She was a pleasure to talk to and made sure we we happy with our order! Definitely worth the drive, Santa Barbara is cool too! read more

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I've been here a couple times and really enjoyed myself, most recently this past weekend with a group of 10. The bartenders were very friendly and they have a full bar, plus beer and wine. We sat out back and it was nice and quiet, even on a Sunday in the Funk Zone. We didn't try the food, but the food at the uptown location is solid, so I'd imagine this one has similar options. Overall, a nice experience. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Honestly disappointing. Service has been bad -- slow, unfriendly, and like they don't care anymore. The drinks are even worse. Weak, poorly made, and nothing like what this place used to be known for. Ever since Napo left, it's gone downhill hard. Not worth it anymore. read more

One of the best breweries in the Funk Zone region of SB. Great selection of delicious tasting beer and burgers. The seating and ambience is also very inviting and fun. People seemed to enjoy themselves the most at this brewery compared to others in the area. Can't wait to come back and create more memories at this fine establishment. read more

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Maybe we went on an off day but we didn't have a 4-5 Star experience that the reviews may suggest. Some of the food took around 40 minutes, we had to check in a couple times and they were not busy at the time. We ordered the tacos and the salsa that came with it tasted spoiled - it had a fizzy, fermented texture and when we inspected, it appeared to have mold (top left in the picture). The beer was ok though. read more

Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro - Salsa - Brewpubs Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a wonderful spot in the Funk Zone. Delicious food and the mango margarita is fabulous! I really enjoyed the Street Corn and the Potato Cake, love the outdoors area for our dog, all in all a great spot! read more

The food is so-so, though the servers do their best. The interior space is noisy and not friendly. There is a missed opportunity here but there isn't much that I can offer positively so I'll just suggest that there are better options in the area. read more

Food was alright but also I just got a mash burger, the only thing that sucks they don't have fries just potato chips (but that's alright there's not much they can do!) The service was amazing the waiter was super nice chatted with us! The atmosphere amazing they have fire pits and they also have a small playground for your babies to come and play there while you eat or drink! read more

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Sooooo happy we chose to eat lunch and relax with our family (and dogs) at Brass Bear Brewing & Bistro! Funk Zone approved! The music playing, the shareable appetizers like brisket tacos and cheesesteak sliders accompanied our beer and margaritas well. Service was very friendly and fast. Great place we'd love to come back again. Makes the vacation worth it with great food and experience. read more

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Decent spot, good outdoor area. Expensive for what it is, the salad was nearly $25 and looked more like a $15 salad. It wasn't very big. Chicken melt was good but it's a basic sandwich. Kids hot dogs were simple, not much different than a Costco hot dog that's a fraction of the price. Beer is good and food came out quick. Good for kids. read more