Yup, here's a great place to escape to when you don't want the world to find you, or if you need a late night drink and bites. Although I do tend to run into someone from high school, or encounter a long-lost crush. And all with exceptional bartenders, comfy and cozy spaces at the bar, outside seating or on one of the many comfy lounge chairs spread out around the Pool tables. And lots of action going on with their Pool League Night. It was fun to see the many games happening, and watching the different styles of players. They also had some tasty vittles being served up in the parking lot area. Had a nice Grilled Cheese and Pork Sandwich, which paired nicely with their extensive Beer-on-Tap collection. I remember when this location was a classic 7-11 in the 70's. Lots of fun memories of riding the Schwinn Sting Ray bike over for our daily Slurpees. Good times. read more

Break Time - A nice little hide-away spot. - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

Break time is a down to earth honest to God Dive Bar of the kind that are fast disappearing. Anybody remember Duffys & Gus's from back in the day ? One of those place where you can still belly up to the bar and get a beer or relax at a table with a healthy cocktail. Did I say they also have 5 pool tables. It's like walking back in time ! I've been a patron here for over 30 years. Now i get to come here and play pool with my son read more

Local dive bar vibe that I always have a good time at. Servers are friendly and they get the drinks out fast. Bar tables, dim lighting, music, and decent sticks. Check them out when in the area. read more

Break Time - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

such a chill dive bar! came in in the early afternoon. people brought their dogs. 4 billiards tables, heavy drinks, and good music. couldn't ask for a better time read more

Break Time - tequila sunrise - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

Break Time is honestly the best dive bar we've been to! My wife and I went there to play some pool, but they were having a tournament, so we couldn't. Instead, we ended up hanging out with some of the regulars, and it was so much fun. Everyone was super friendly, and the vibe was great. The bartender was awesome--really chill and made some amazing drinks. We had such a good time just hanging out, drinking, and chatting. We felt safe, welcomed, and like we belonged. If you're looking for a spot to grab drinks and make some new friends, this is the place. 100/10 for sure! read more

So far The One! I've gone to some bars but this One takes the whole pizza! It's the best until today. This bar has a country atmosphere on the so-called new town in the heart of Goleta. This place is packed with 6 Pool tables, big plasma Tv's right by the barrel chair so you can enjoy your favorite game and of course with a big glass of your favorite beer. By the way, sorry to say and with all due respect to other fellow bars..... These are the best beer prices in town ($5.00 per glass) And whoever thinks otherwise please check it out and let me know what you think of "Break Time" By the way..... it's pet friendly, and unfortunately no under 21 allowed. read more

Break Time - West side of bar... - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

This is a neighborhood dive bar. Okay that's what it is, the drinks are very stiff and cheap. The seats are worn, and the clientele local and regular. If you come here often, they treat you well, which is what you want in a neighborhood dive bar. All of these 1-star reviews b*****g about the aforementioned aspects of this place seem to be from very basic batches complaining, literally, about us, the clientele as being somehow "weird" and the bartenders as being somehow inattentive. I'm guessing these are not people who frequent dive bars, but that's the vibe. Sorry. If you don't like it, go to a craft brewery. No basic batches allowed here. read more

No food just stiff drinks mixed by talented pros. The crowd varies all ages all demographics. I'm there all the time. Why? Because you never know who might walk in. The next one could be the One. Pool tables are Legit. They also have a shuffleboard. Saturday seems to be the slowest night. Thursday is probably the Night to go. They host pool tournaments as well. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. Terrible service from this older female bartender, she didn't want to make us any drinks she said she could only do shots with one liquor so she doesn't have to grab anything else. We paid in cash and she said where's my f****** tip?! (She miss counted, we tipped more than she deserved) And called my girl friend a b****. She was overly intoxicated, couldn't even count correctly. read more

Love Liz!!! Best bar in town. Heavy pours watch out. I will be back. No food but we don't care. read more

Terrible time. Bartender made some harsh comments to my friends. Okay place if she's not the bartender.

Several years ago I started a review of Break Time. For some reason I never finished it and Yelp has been asking me daily if I want to finish my review which has been saved as a draft. I guess I was at a loss for what to say. Yesterday I was back at BT once again to watch a favorite football team lose a big game. That aside it was a good time. The bartenders are the best and the crowd was great. Once I wrote a review of the Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas, certainly the best and most diviest dive bar I have ever experienced. While Break Time doesn't come close to the DD it certainly qualifies. I came up with my own definition of a dive bar and I will toss it into this review as well: 1) it is the place itself.  You cannot "create" a dive bar look, a bar has to regress into that look.  When asked to define a dive bar look it is a lot like defining pornography... hard to put it to words but "You know it when you see it"  Break Time looks like a dive bar! 2) It has to be off the beaten path and not glorify its "dive bar" roots.  In fact it almost has to be in denial that it even is a dive bar.   3) It has to be cheap.   It can't be charging $6.50 for a PBR or heaven forbid pull out a blender or buy a plant.  Not this place.    The drinks are honest and inexpensive. So if you want to grab a beer or a Vodka soda or even a Mai Tai go to Break Time, just don't complain because they don't put basil in your drink. read more

See all

I've been going to this place off and on for the last 16 years. After a long absence I went back a couple weeks ago and to say the place has gone downhill would be an understatement. The guy behind the bar was nice and inviting. When a couple of overweight locals tried to flip out over my guest attempting a massé shot on the pool table, he was quick to quiet them down and take a hold of the situation. Tried to play darts and the area was overrun by empty kegs and cases of beer. Went to play pool and there was no white chalk for your hands. There was only 2 available cues for the four of us to play with. Storage conspicuously kept under each table. Locals allowed a lot of leeway and acting like turf protective douchebags. Then I went to close my tab. 2 Bud Lights and 2 Firestone 805 beers = $26 (before the tip). W.T.F. Ridiculous. Plenty of other dive bars with pool tables around Goleta. Never going back if I can avoid it. read more

Great bar - was looking for a damn good bar where you can drink and be yourself in California - found it.

Breaktime is a great place to have a reasonably priced drink and play pool on good tables. Chris always makes solid drinks and is a class act! read more

This place is such a shit hole. The only good thing would be they have pool tables but, you still have to deal with the the incredibly weird crowd of people. read more

Hey!...At least it was open after the bowling alley closed at 10pm! Dont want say too much as i may have to go there again.

Cool locals spot with a bunch of pool tables, good music and lots of good drink choices. Definitely coming back read more

Break Time - Billiards tables. - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

Amazingly clean & fresh atmosphere. I'm so glad I stumbled on this establishment. Great people, too. read more

Great, dingy little bar. As a dive bar should be. Cool little location for locals to enjoy, or visitors passing through. Lots of game tables and plenty of seating. Stiff drinks, great beers on tap. Friendly casual service. A locals hang out for sure. But all are welcome. Make a stop and enjoy! read more

Break Time - This guy....is a great bartender - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

It's definitely a dive bar, decent selection of drinks but no food, it wasn't what I was looking for the day I went. They have 4 or 5 pool tables and tournaments if that's your thing this is definitely the spot for you. Could probably go for a makeover but I'm sure the regular don't mind it. There was a dog so I'll give the 3.5 stars for that read more

My cousin brought us to this place. We'd been to some other area bar the night before, and it wasn't a chill, good time like we wanted. So, I was happy that Break Time brought us the relaxed experience we were looking for. Comfy chairs, lotsa space, kind bartender = success. It would probably actually be a 3.5 and I am rounding up because I am not familiar with this area at all and I got a nice vibe. And my cousin was happy! read more

Unfortunately, I now live in LA (hope to make it back someday) but this bar is one of my favorites in all of SB/Goleta! Drinks = Cheap , Pool and darts = good times with friends , People and dogs = our neighborhood. My parents and their friends used to frequent this place. And when my friends and I came of age, this place was for us as well. I love coming here with my dad, childhood friends, and their parents spending time together and playing some games. I feel great that we get to share this very special place with our parents. This is where they formed their own bonds of friendship and now gets passed down to us, one beer at a time. Ok enough writing about serious stuff... Lets just go get a drink and talk about it. See you at Break Time in 5. read more

The bar tender working here last night completely ignored my friends and I when we went to order drinks. The only thing he was busy doing was talking or staring for the whole 15 minutes he made me wait, at some college kids who didn't need help or drinks; until he finally let me know that 'I need to wait a minute'. read more

I didn't go here to see the game. But they had a number of big screens with games on. I loved the bartenders! One of them gave me painkillers to help me with my headache so I could drink more. God-sent he was. Unleashed dogs are allowed inside by the way, for those who mind. And they are fed dog treats at the counter. Cocktails are also cheap and fairly strong. read more

Awesome vibe and great drinks! Came here for the first time after work to shoot some pool. We will be back. read more

Break Time - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

Cool bar, lots of pool tables, but watch out for cops. I had to hide in the bathroom one night before i was 21 while my buddy got a ticket, oh the good ole days of being too young to drink... read more

Break time is a go to spot to play some pool or shuffel board when I'm in Goleta. It's nice to get away from the downtown crowed. Love the bartenders and playing jams on the juke box, and lets not forget about the yummy popcorn for when you got the munchies. CHEERS!!! read more

Break Time - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

This place is quite dive-y, and that's not really my scene, so take my review with a grain of salt. The bartenders are okay but surprisingly don't seem to enjoy socializing with new customers. It's a little gross inside, and my beer was a little warmer than it should be. As Yelp says, three stars means A-OK, and that's exactly the perfect way to characterize this bar. read more

This place should be called "sick time" because that's exactly what you're going to need after you leave this place. Walking in to a empty bar on a Saturday night is always red flags. But we were in town and waiting for our comedy show to start. So we picked this little "gem" like the reviews had led us to believe.... in no time I realized this a bar rescue waiting to happen. The bar tender greeted us with sniffles. The couple other ppl sneezed and coughed also shortly after sitting down... i knew right away the bartender dude was sick and rubbing the lime around my glass cup grossed me out. He then took my atm card and proceeded to write down the number as it seemed like he was doing on a note pad next to the register. That made me feel extremely uneasy. Now, I'm not for sure but it's what it looked like so I'll be checking my bank everyday until i replace that card when I get home from vacation. Anywho sat down and me and my bf drank our drinks fast because we knew this place was a virus infection waiting to happen also. Fly's were hovering around me, and I noticed the popcorn machine had popcorn in it and all I could think is how many days that's been sitting there? Then the bar tender gets up from sitting down watching the game, sniffles and all rubbing his nose with his bare hands and picks up baskets for the popcorn and starts to line it with paper. This has got to be breaking so many health codes I can't imagine how they are open. The chick sitting at the tables cursed loud at the ball game on tv shouting curse words was the bar tenders friend. Couple more ppl sneezing and coughing made us take off before my drink was even done. I do not recommend this place to anyone unless they've had the flu shot recently read more

By far, the best locals bar in SB! Always feels welcoming, like coming home. The drink specials make everyone feel like a regular. Free popcorn can be a great substitution for dinner (or at least that's what my girlfriends jokingly say). I've been here a few times and it's become my new favorite spot. read more

Break Time - Break Time!!! - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

Breaktime is such a great bar! Last year we had the Salute to the Vets event and it was a blast! All day event, free, family friendly during day, tanks, jeeps, motorcycles, bands, drink specials, beer garden, vendor booths, silent auction, and more! All benefiting Veterans in the area! Can't wait for the next one coming up Saturday October 11, 2014 from noon-2 AM! read more

Break Time - First ever Salute to the Vets event! 2013 - Sports Bars Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

Great drinks, great people, music on demand (great choices in jukebox) Great dogs!!! Had a great time there and couldn't believe how little we spent! Just nice people, no haters ( not one person complained about my choices of 80s music), and yummy drinks. Then....bam! sweet dogs running through, it couldn't get any better! Thanks everyone! We'll be back! Please kiss Zita and Pup for me, and fluff her pillows! read more

By far the best bar in Goleta and Santa Barbara! Great times, amazing bartenders, nice pool tables and just an all around awesome atmosphere. BreakTime is my number 1 choice for an excellent cocktail and always a good time. read more

If ever after a stressful day at work or I just want to play pool and relax, I come to Break Time. With 5 pool tables, a shuffle board and darts it's a chill place to bring friends and relax, it's also a good place to go and watch sports games, they have free popcorn and dogs are encouraged to join, almost every time I come here there's almost always a doggo around to play with. The only slight problem which is not that big of a deal is their beer on tap, it's very selective but it's made me broaden my taste buds. So if you ever find yourself in the Goleta area and need a place to play pool and chill go on and head to Break Time. By the way Ayreanna is the best bartender period! read more

Eric is pretty awesome! He makes the best drinks. Relaxed atmosphere. Shuffle board takes it back! This spot is worthy!

Best late night dive bar. Great music, fun space and the bartender Ethan was so awesome!

Found this place while staying at the Kimpton Goodland property. NOT kid friendly. Really nice locals, great shuffle board table, pool tables, and PACMAN! Checked in on Yelp and got a free hour of shuffle board. Would definitely recommend:) read more

It is what it is... A great Bar! And the owners are really terrific: they made a place for my octogenarian Father to watch an NFL playoff game, in spite of the place being packed. Even he can't wait to go back! read more

I ordered my usual double grey goose on rocks and what i got was essentially a PINT OF VODKA. Awesome... (ow my head)