We stopped at Dusk Bar for about an hour on 05/23/2026 (at about 6:30pm) while we waited for a table at a nearby restaurant. I love how this State street facing business, which is part of the Drift Hotel, has a Dawn (coffee shop) and a Dusk (bar). We were looking for a good cocktail before dinner, and this did not disappoint. We were a party of two, and there are plenty of seats inside, as well as some patio seats outside. I had the Sweet Gidget, which is a tequila based drink with strawberry liquer, lime and some strawberry sugar rim. We also shared the chips and salsa, which had some absolutely delicious chips and some great green tomatilla salsa. It actually had a pretty nice spice to it, which we really loved. We would return again in the future. read more

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Cody is a FANTASTIC bartender! I had a flight of Mezcal and ended the night with Morning Dew. WE LOOOOOOOOOVED AND I MEAN LOVED MORNING DEW. Absolutely fantastic drink!!!!!! So smooth and refreshing and dangerous lol... super friendly and calm atmosphere! Great music too! read more

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Chill vibey bar with good drinks. We came here on a Friday around 6pm and the wait time was only 5 mins or so after ordering. We ordered two mocktail drinks Lyer'ita and No Nada. The Lyer'ita was very tart and tasted like juice. The No Nada tasted like alcohol. My girlfriend was taking a break from alcohol and these were great alternatives. Great service and smaller relaxed bar for great conversations in the heart of downtown SB. Lyer'ita: 4/5 No Nada: 4/5 read more

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We had such a great experience! All three bartenders were incredibly sweet, kind, and attentive, we had such a genuine conversation about life while they were making our drinks, which made the night even more special. Big shoutout to Cindy, Cody, and Shilo for making our experience amazing, you all truly made our evening! read more

Dusk Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Came here on a Friday right when they opened to start the weekend. We were welcomed in by Michael behind the bar and he started in on making our first round of drinks. They were both amazing! We also ordered the whipped feta and toast. It was packed with flavor and a perfect light bite to compliment the cocktails. We ordered a second round and he even made an off menu drink for my husband. If you are looking for some amazing drinks stop in this place! read more

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Dusk bar is one of my favorite cocktail bars at the moment the drinks never miss, they have a very well thought out menu. The small bites are also pretty good and surprising for a "hotel lobby" bar, my favorite it's the guac. I do have to mention tho because of how small it is and how busy It can get sometimes, if you want a more mellow vibe go earlier in the day, in the evening you usually gotta brace yourself to catch a bartenders attention at the right time to order. But the drinks are so good that it's worth it. Pretty obvious but they have a very good and big tequila selection, as well as Mezcal and other spirits of The Agave/ Agave adjacent variety. read more

Dusk is an excellent bar located within the Drift Hotel. We were extremely pleased that this was attached to our hotel, and we visited it multiple times during our stay. They have multiple happy hours and special nights during the week that allow you to get high-quality cocktails at a reasonable price. One of my favorites was the Oaxan old fashioned. We also got the whipped ricotta dish, which was incredible--a perfect bar snack. The bartenders were kind, particularly Will, and spent time telling us about the best spots in Santa Barbara. Overall, I highly recommend this bar and would come here even if we weren't staying at the attached hotel. read more

Dusk Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We were recommended this place by the hotel we were staying at saying it's a happening place. Went there on Friday for happy hour with my wife. Very few selections and not that good. Overhyped. read more

Okay so to start, I originally came in to the Dawn Cafe to work. Super cute and chill. Lots of work space. Espresso was delish and they gave me tonic without having to request it. Immediate 5 stars. I ended up staying until the Dusk bar opened and I had the happy hour Paloma with mezcal, the oysters, and the aquachiles. The oysters were kumamoto, my favs, with like a thai chili and fish sauce. SO good. And then I had the aquachiles. No, it's not your traditional aguachiles but it was amazing. I asked for extra Serrano and jalapeños to add to it and it was perfect. I will be back. read more

I'm drawn to pretty drinks and made my daughter and her friends come with. They went out the night before and still had the "no alcohol" mindset. They didn't want to drink and maybe that should have been my sign. Let me reiterate again, I only drink alcohol when it's aesthetically presented beautifully. I opted for into the sky because the description clearly stated "cloud of smoke" and the pics on yelp proved this. Well my drink got slapped with a flower instead...okayyy?! One might say who cares, as long as it's alcohol but that's not my motto! I hate when descriptions and pics don't match reality. Also, service was kinda weird, in the process of making our drinks the bartender closed out 2 tabs. like finish making our drinks first, no?!! Instead of stopping mid. So this was my experience, reading other reviews, I'm sure they beg to differ. read more

Dusk Bar - Into the sky sans the smoke bubble - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My friend and I came here after dinner since we were staying at this hotel and wanted to check out their bar scene. I loved the aesthetic of the bar, it is so warm, cozy, and small but intimate with the dim lighting. There's bar seating and another long table behind the bar for seating. We came on a Thursday night around 8PM and it was practically empty. The bartender was really nice and chatted with us about his favorite spots of SB that we should check out and made our drinks. We got their mint mojito (5/5) and it was really good! Not too strong with the alcohol and the presentation was beautiful. After a while, more people starting rolling in so this place does get crowded after a certain hour, but it was still really enjoyable. Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Dusk Bar - Mint Mojito - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Delicious cocktails from a skilled bartender. Ambiance is lovely and it was so convenient- right in our hotel and on the Main Street. Lovely happy hour specials. Our bartender even recommended other great places- the Good Lion, Test Pilot, Pickle Room, and Shaker Mill. read more

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Paul is a local legend. I'm happy his talents are on display for Santa Barbara to appreciate. Ask him for any drink, he'll come up with something great. read more

Stayed at the Drift Hotel on a girls trip to Santa Barbara and was able to stop by Dusk Bar. I absolutely love the concept of having Dawn Cafe during the day and Dusk Bar at night. The bar was beautiful, modern, and aesthetically pleasing. We chose outdoor seating and got the best of both worlds, where we were near the bar and also amidst the night life of the street. The workers were quick to notice us, get us seated, and did a great job at explaining any questions we had. Our orders arrived to the table promptly after. My friend and I ordered the baja oysters and 2 no nada mocktails. The baja oysters were the best oysters I've ever had. The oysters were fresh and the sauce that they came with were so delicious. It had just the right mix of citrus, spice, and sweetness. I hope to be able to come back to SB for these again! The no nada mocktails weren't my favorite. They had a slight bitter aftertaste that made the drink fall short. I had a great experience here at Dusk Bar. read more

Dusk Bar - baja oysters & 2 no nada mocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We happened to be in town for their 1 year anniversary. Im not sure if the menu was different for this event but everything we had was worth ordering again. Ordered the Oaxacan old fashioned which was very strong! Really good but strong! Hubby ordered the ah huevo which let me tell you was amazing! The flavors and aromatics were on point. So good that I traded with hubby and ordered two more rounds of this. I really hope this drink is on their regular menu! Oysters were on the menu so why not?! There were 2 kinds so we ordered 4 of each which were topped with a house mignonette and micro cilantro. These oysters were incredible! The simple dressing over fresh oysters were amazing. We ended up ordering more because they were that good. Service was great, such a friendly cozy vibe. Small dark bar with few seating but worth it if you can get a seat. Will definitely be back. read more

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Stopped by on a slow Monday and were greeted warmly. We had a mezcal old fashioned, a mocktail, and the chips and guac. Everything was a little different than expected but tasty. Would recommend a stop by, especially in the evening. read more

Came here with my partner for a quick drink after dinner, wish we went elsewhere. The bar is part of a hotel, so it was easy to find. It was quite quaint, with primarily bar seating. The drink menu was a bit disappointing for me. They seemed to specialize in tequila, with very few other liquor options. My partner got a vodka-based drink that was initially tequila and I got a beer my bartender recommended. The drinks were okay, nothing special. My big qualm here was the lack of service. Throughout our visit, the bartender wasn't very attentive. We waited at least 10 minutes trying to get his attention for the bill, but he was very focused on a conversation with other patrons. Nothing wrong with being friendly, but I wish it didn't detract from our experience read more

Yassssss! A bar with an extensive tequila and mezcal collection! And I do not mean your mainstream brands. They procure their inventory from family owned businesses and small business. Not only do they have an extensive collection but their cocktails are delicious and quality! The mixes that they use are natural fruit and beautifully crafted. The price point is typical for around town but it is well worth it. The bartenders are extremely friendly and take pride the cocktails that they make. They have a few bites on the menu so don't come expecting to have a meal and cocktail. Their menu includes tuna ceviche, olives and oysters. They also have slushies with alcohol that have flavor switch outs. Perfect place to stop by for a cocktail or two and or a flight to taste the extensive tequilas and mezcal they have to offer. read more

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Modern, moody vibes bar with a great paloma. I loved the attention to detail as my bartender made my drink, with peeling the grapefruit, altering with tequila or mezcal, Tajín or salt. Absolutely delicious cocktail, perfect for happy hour. I find it a little odd that happy hour ends so early (3-5pm) but nevertheless a great drink. Dusk is part of the Drift hotel on State, and in the mornings is a coffee shop called Dawn. You can see from the photos that it's pretty dark inside - however, there is Wi-Fi so it's a nice place to get some work done and have a drink. Definitely more of a "treat yo self" establishment - haven't been to a bar on state that offers oysters at happy hour. read more

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Here's to the finish of the best manhattan I've ever had. Served down with a hand-stenciled rock. Amazing, thanks Victor. Dusk Bar is a must visit while in SB. read more

Dusk Bar - Best tailored Manhattan you'll ever have... - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I was pretty disappointed coming to dusk bar. I came here with my partner and we sat at the bar top. The major reason I was coming here was for a smoky cocktail called into the sky. I ordered it and it didn't even come out with the smoke that it said it came with on the menu. I would have at least appreciated communication from the bartender that the cocktail wasn't going to come out as promised. The large majority of their drinks were also tequila based, which was unfortunate. I was hoping they would have more variety of their liquor choices and better, higher end liquor choices as well. None of the drinks that were displayed on their seasonal menu were available; they were all out of stock, which disappointed my partner quite a bit. My partner's beer also tasted awful to say the least. To make a poor experience even worse, we waited at least 20 min for the bartender to stop talking to a guest to get our tab closed out. I was hoping this was going to live up to my expectations, but I will not be coming back. read more

Dusk Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I stopped by the new hot spot Dusk Bar for some well-crafted cocktails. This bar is connected to the Drift Hotel, which is also the latest addition in the heart of downtown. The bar itself is pretty small, and very limited on seating. I believe it seats about 6-8 people, but there is a communal table available to sit at. I mainly came here to check out happy hour, but I just missed it by a few minutes! Happy Hour is Sunday through Thursday from 3-5pm. Most of the drinks on the HH menu were about $8, which is very reasonable since their regular menu prices range from $15 and up! So, plan ahead and try to take advantage of those prices. The two ladies that were bartending here were very sweet and cranking out orders as fast as they could on a busy evening. I didn't catch both names, but Claudia was one of them. Thank you, ladies, for making some great drinks! I ordered a guava margarita, which was customized for me and not on the menu. If you don't see a specific flavored margarita that interests you, then just check with the bartender to see what fresh juices are available. They can work with you on crafting your drink. For my second drink I decided to try the Picante Amante. This is made with pink peppercorn tequila blanco, mezcal, prickly pear, lime, and habañero. I was expecting this drink to be a little spicy from the habañero, but unfortunately the spiciness didn't quite come through. The drink itself was still good though, and I was glad that the mezcal wasn't too over-powering. Overall, a cute little bar nestled inside the Drift Hotel. I will definitely check out their happy hour when I get a chance! read more

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worst imaginable drink service. food was very quick then drink order was lost and then filed incorrectly. incompetence of this magnitude takes a special talent. read more

What a cool new spot of State street. I went here for a quick drink with my colleague and loved the vibes here. This is definitely a higher scale bar with serving really delicious cocktails. All of their cocktails are made with love! They had light bites including some oysters, but we opted for some guacamole and chips. The customer service here is on point. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. They seemed super excited to accommodate us and be welcomed into the city. Definitely add this to your list if you're looking for a date night with some cocktails in SB. read more

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Love the concept! Dusk to Dawn! I havent tried Dusk yet but that's next! I came in during St. Patricks Day and it was busy. Took a while to order and get our drinks but that's understandable given the volume of people. I really enjoyed the negroni drink with mezcal. The gin drink was ok but nothing to rave about. I would definitely come back! read more

Dusk Bar - Negroni with mezcal and a gin drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Spent a couple of days at Drift Hotel and had to give their Dawn to Dusk concept a try. Great vibe, and even on a Monday sitting at the bar in the evening was so much fun to people watch. This is on the portion of State Street that's closed to cars. Such a great vibe. Love the concept -- it's Dawn from 8am-3pm, get here for coffee - ask for the orange cardamom oatmilk cappuccino, or be bold and try a Sprofashioned (yep, espresso with bitters instead of an old fashioned). But, that's a separate review. Highly talented and knowledgeable bartenders. Oaxacan Old Fashioned; mezcal, agave and bitters - a touch on the sweeter side, but absolutely delicious. House margarita: so perfectly balanced, that it will take your breath away with its simplicity and complexity. Picante Amante: (pink peppercorn tequila blanco, mezcal, prickly pear, lime, and habanero tincture with a pink peppercorn salt) - with just the perfect hint of smoke from the mezcal, the pink peppercorn salt adds a zing to the lips, the habanero adds flavor but not uncomfortable heat. Into the Sky; kaffir lime tequila blanco, pistachio orgeat, blue curacao, lime and an instagrammable moment with the final touch of a cloud of smoke. Be warned, this is infinitely drinkable, but highly potent. Quicos - roasted corn nuts flavored with seat salt and tajin lime. This beats out regular nuts any day it threw me back to my life in India where I would get corn from the street vendor roasting it on a little charcoal burner and then he would take half a lime dunked in his own mix of red chili, salt and pepper and smear it all over the piping hot blackened corn - so extra bonus to Dusk for eliciting a fond childhood memory for me! They take their Baja roots seriously with their blue fin tuna tostada with chili adobo, lime and cilantro mayo over a house-made tostada, or their daily ceviche with cucumber, lime, chile and red onion. The tart from the lime, combined with the crunch of the cucumber and red onion makes a perfect foil to the fresh cooked-in-lime healthy chunks of fresh catch fish. For a departure from the traditional, the fresh catch of oysters are served with a Thai chili and fish sauce mignonette which offers up the right amount of tart, kick, and umami for a really fantastic mouth feel. They serve these up on a bed of house-made snow liberally sprinkled with chili flakes for a fun visual. read more

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I stopped by the desk bar today to have a shot of tequila and let me tell you. I'm very glad that I did. I normally have Casamigos when it comes to tequila today I stepped out of the box and tried Arette reposado. It was so smooth and didn't bankrupt my pockets lol. Very chill and the place is very clean. Ask for Claudia and trust me she will give you the rundown on all of the tequilas. I will definitely be back! I added bonus to my wheelchair users This place is definitely wheelchair, friendly and accessible. Thanks again Dusk bar read more

What a great spot! It's got a really upscale feel and the cocktails are complex and moderately priced. We ordered the Dapper Dave and Sip on This and they were both perfectly balanced and delicious. We also *asked about* their flight options and tasted amazing tequila that we will be buying after this date. Claudia, Ian and Victor are great bartenders. Come here for happy hour Sunday - Thursday. Bummed we missed it while we were in town. See ya next time! read more

Dusk Bar - Ask about spirit tasting - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Such an intimate place to grab a craft cocktail before or after dinner. This place is great to meet up with friends for a night out on the town. The bartenders are super friendly and attentive. The drinks we got were tasty and presented beautifully! Check this place out! It's a great place to start since it's near cool restaurants and bars. read more

Dusk Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Fantastic cocktails. Everything is unique but not pretentious. The bartender was so friendly and patient in helping us decide what to order. I'm still thinking about how good their espresso cocktail was. There were a couple tasty mocktail options, too. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in SB! read more

Excellent cocktails! Caught the tail end of happy hour (ends at 5) and went with the paloma. Presentation was great and you could tell the ingredients were fresh. Friendly service and bartenders are knowlegeable and willing to answer all your mezcal questions. Didn't order any food, but the snacks I saw others ordering looked great. In case you're not in the mood for alcohol, they also have a creative mocktail menu! read more

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I hate to give this place three stars! I'm actually giving it 3.49 stars... because I kind of love it. The space is cool, it has a great vibe and even though at the end of our evening all we ordered was beer we want to come back. My first posted draft of this review criticized the seating for being limited and many of the seating areas as not comfortable. I immediately received messages from the owner of the business. He is aware of the issues and a lot has to do with delays between ordering seating and receiving it. When a business owner publicly responds to a review (as he has) or privately messages someone who is critical to say "we are working though it" or provides an explanation it means a lot to me. I LOVE the vibe, the employees were awesome and their drinks seem superb. The design is beyond magnificent! But currently the space isn't being used to its full potential. I'm told additional barstools are being custom made and plans to add sidewalk seating are in the works The main bar has seven seats. With a lower side bar that is ADA compliant. There is what I would call a "community table" which seats eight. While we were there four people were sitting at it and we didn't feel comfortable squeezing in. The space is actually fairly large so I am looking forward to revisiting it when it rises to its full potential in the next few months. On the plus side I understand that the happy hour is amazing and the prices are extremely reasonable. Oh, and if oysters are your thing....they seem to specialize in them and have other food options. read more

Dusk Bar - SB's newest bar. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I stopped by here waiting for some friends. Bartender Ian was so nice, he made some great drinks! I had the Picante Amante cocktail, it was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, and not to sweet. Also had the ceviche tostada, that was amazing too. The fish was fresh and the tostada tasted handmade and super fresh. I love that the bar is open to the outside so you feel like you are really outdoors. Finishes are minimalist and warm. I am very happy I stumbled upon this place. read more

Dusk Bar - Ceviche tostada - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Nice new little bar on a State St. Our drinks were refreshing and delicious. Lauren made me the best Paloma I've ever had! What great service she provided. Can't wait to go back when I have more time to relax and enjoy a few more drinks. Cheers read more

Dusk Bar - Mango Tequila Tajín and chamoy. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My husband and I are staying at The Drift Hotel and came to their bar called Dusk. Claudia the bartender was amazing and has alot of talent making craft cocktails. They were delicious and beautiful. She was extremely friendly as well. Very happy. Thanks read more

Dusk Bar - Espresso martini and a spice cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Welcome to downtown State street a new hotel and street level bar. This is a work still in progress. The bar will be called Dawn to Dusk but only the Dusk part is open with limited area, bar snacks and a great cocktail, wine and beer list. Walking by so, had to stop. Claudia the bar tender was super friendly, efficient and it was fun to sit at bar and observe her artful craft of mixing extraordinary cocktails. This is a fun stop, wide open to the outdoors and streamlined decor. Customers were relaxed and talkative and enjoying a afternoon appetitive. Conversation was light and joyful atmosphere. Great people watching. Need a break while downtown, recommend a stop. I will be staying tuned for the Dawn to open. read more

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So I stayed at the Drift and this is the bar that they have downstairs. You cannot miss it because you actually enter through the bar area to go to your room. I came down here on one of the nights that I stayed and I had a margarita and it was great. They do not take cash at this time. Payments are contactless. The vibe and the atmosphere were popping. Wall to wall people chilling and having a great time. Thank you very much and see you soon. read more

Great cocktail bar Cool design Sleek & new hotel attached Great for cocktails 80+ mescals = heaven read more

Dusk Bar - Expresso martini & Picante - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Dusk bar and Dawn coffee shop are a part of the Drift hotel. Let me just say that Dusk has some of the best drinks in town. You can definitely tell the bartenders know what they are doing and understand how to make a good cocktail. We ordered the oysters and ceviche to go with our drinks and we were blown away by how good the food was. The oysters came with a sauce on them that was sooooo good. This place is a must if you are near by. read more

Dusk Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Dusk is by favorite bar in Santa Barbara! The Mexican inspired cocktails and bar bites are incredible. The staff are extremely warm and the open concept and ambiance of the space make it so inviting for people walking on State street to pop in. John and Claudia are so kind and have made every experience at Dusk so special. My personal favorite cocktail to order is Fine Fine Fine - super refreshing and a little tart. But their Paloma is a close second! Don't forget to check out their food to pair with your drinks... Their Laguna Bay oysters are so fresh and Tuna tostada is one of the best I've ever had. (I'm still dreaming about it!) I will keep coming back here. Love, love, love! read more

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