Wonderful, fun, tropical themed bar in Santa Barbara with indoor and outdoor seating. Interesting cocktails and relaxing vibes.

Test Pilot lands somewhere in the orbit of tiki without fully crash-landing on a bamboo runway, and honestly, that works in its favor. In a stretch of Lower State packed with breweries, wine bars, and roaming weekend energy-drink humans in vintage bowling shirts, it threads the needle nicely between cocktail bar and tropical escape pod. The menu leans tiki-adjacent rather than deep-cut exotica, but the drinks are smartly built and avoid the "every problem can be solved with more rum" philosophy. There's a solid spread of spirits across the board, which makes the place feel more welcoming to a broader nightlife crowd instead of strictly rum disciples clutching vintage Trader Vic's mugs. The Oaxacan Dead was the standout for me. Smoky, balanced, endlessly sippable. One of those drinks where every sip quietly talks you into ordering another without turning into a sugar avalanche. The Jungle Bird was also great, though presented more in the direction of a Negroni than the punchier tropical versions you usually see. Bitter, restrained, and easy to settle into. Crowd-wise, things tilted a little frat-floaty as the night rolled on, but the staff handled everything smoothly and kept the vibe from turning into full pirate mutiny. Service stayed friendly and composed even when the volume of the room started climbing like a malfunctioning theremin. Big bonus points for the location and outdoor seating. Being right in the middle of Lower State makes it an easy launch point or final stop depending on your evening trajectory. Grab a drink, people-watch, drift between breweries and wine spots, repeat as necessary. read more

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Love this tiki-themed bar in The Funk Zone. Really cute nautical themed decor everywhere. I will always try a tiki bar. Besides the bar seating there's also a little alcove for some privacy as well as couch and outdoor seating. I sat at the bar though and talked to the bartender a bit. He was very chatty and friendly. I tried the Juice Box and the Millennial Flacon Fizz. They were both tasty but the second one was definitely my favorite. The coconut milk just made it. I want to try replicating it at home. My only complaint and why I took off a star was that the drinks were weak. I had two and basically felt nothing. Tiki bars by definition should have strong drinks! But maybe it was just that particular bartender, I dunno. read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Fun place that puts a gentle twist on tiki classics. We were game for another stop after dinner and found out about this place, which we learned was affiliated with The Good Lion up the street. Since that's where we'd had a pre-dinner drink, it seemed quite fitting that we should have a post-dinner drink here. It was sizable and nicely decorated, with a convivial atmosphere. It was also mercifully uncrowded on the night of our visit. I got the Ube pina colada, which had a hint of ube to make things a little different and wasn't too sweet, like so many tiki drinks. The hubby got the Thai iced tiki, which had passion fruit pearls you fished out with a little wooden paddle--another interesting touch. The drinks were good but tended a bit toward the sour side. If you're in the mood for tiki drinks off the beaten path, give them a try. read more

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The place was cute inside, a good little vibe. The drinks were cool and tasted good. The prices were ok. The bartender was not efficient. You would walk up, he would apologize for the wait, take your order 5 minutes later, and then proceed to take 5 other groups orders and close everybody out and still didn't get my drink...... i ended up ordering 2 drinks at once since i was not going to do that again. read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Cute little tiki bar in the funk zone! Went there early on a Friday and ordered two Ube Piña colada. Perfectly balanced cocktails! Staff was nice and service was fast. read more

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The drinks and atmosphere were a hit for us at this tiki bar in the Funk Zone. It was pretty packed but we were served quickly after we selected from the fun menu options. As a fan of banana, I loved the Bananacapa and found it to be well-balanced. We sat outside because the neighboring winery was hosting a DJ but I would definitely return to enjoy the music and vibe inside. read more

Test Pilot - Bananacapa - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Happy that my friend introduced me to this spot and we came for a pre-event cocktail. I'd always heard great things about Test Pilot so I was excited knowing that I was finally going to get the chance to try them. Test Pilot is giving tropical, sailboat, jungle vibes lol. This spot is fun, festive, and inviting. It's dimly lit inside and spacious enough as they have bar seating, cute little table nooks, and some outdoor space. The bar isn't too big but when we stumbled in it was still quite so easy access to some seats. Unfortunately I forgot the bartenders name but he was very nice and kind. He knew my friend so they chatted for a bit and he hand crafted each of our cocktails beautifully. I opted for the purple Mai Thai and it was super good. Refreshing, pretty presentation, the right amount of sweetness and not overly strong. A solid drink and the menu here is really creative and fun. I wish we could've stayed longer, but I'll definitely be back. There were so many different cocktails on the menu that I need to come back to try and I can confirm that at least what I ordered was a 5/5. read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I was really excited to check this place out but I probably just came during peak hours because service was super slow. I also noticed a lot of people getting helped first before my group which wasn't too great. I got the ube pińa colada and it was a tasty drink and you can taste a hint of ube but I was just a bit bummed of the drink to ice ratio. I mentioned it to the bartender but he didn't do anything about it and just handed me the drink. I also had the Thai iced tiki which was pretty good and I really like the popping boba on top! The interior was nice and they have lots of seating as it shares an outside seating with a winery next door. I would like to give this place another shot but hoping to visit when it's not too busy. read more

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Had to come back for the Millennial Falcon Fizz. This cocktail is my favorite in the entire world. It was one of the first cocktails I ever tried back in 2021 when I became of age to drink and started to explore downtown SB. The bartenders here are attentive and there is ample seating outdoors. It can get pretty crowded inside by the bar but they'll always get your order in! read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great drinks. Some are pretty adventurous. Bar staff is great. Very cool ambiance. You can enjoy your drink inside our out on the patio.

Great drinks. Great service. Great for big groups. Great indoor and outdoor setting. Martini espresso is also great :) read more

Test Pilot - Outdoor indoor fun - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Small parking lot, street parking. Good outside tables. A little small inside but why not enjoy the good weather outside. Bathrooms behind the bar- 2 stalls for the women's bathroom. Clean Drinks looked really fun. I loved the Thai tea tiki I got! Bartenders super friendly too. Would be back :) read more

Test Pilot - Thai tea tiki - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Manny, Kate, and Will were excellent! We had an amazing experience at Testpilot. The drinks were amazing & the vibes were high! read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Test Pilot is one of those places in town where you go to if you're in the mood for an inventive cocktail that's giving tropical vibes. It's categorized as a tiki bar, but would I deem this place a tiki bar? Not really, but the cool tiki mugs give you that Polynesian vibe. It's also the only place in the Funk Zone that provides tropical drinks. My only gripe is that they tend to be overly filled with crushed ice, and leaves you wondering how much drink did you really get for your money. Aside from the crushed ice, the drinks are packed with a punch so you won't need that many to make you feel buzzy. Every cocktail that I have tried had a well balanced blend of exotic flavors making each sip enjoyable. On my latest visit I tried the Ube Pina Colada. Not only was this drink a beautiful purple color, but the taste was yummy! I don't like sweet drinks, but this one was perfectly made. The Thai iced tiki was a nice creamy drink that I also enjoyed. The vibe here is lively on the weekends, and tends to be busier. If you're lucky, you just might catch a DJ spinning great tunes outside. They do have a fair amount of indoor seating as well as outdoor patio seating. I love sitting in the hanging egg chair whenever its available. Great photo opp! Overall, whether you come here with a group of friends or enjoying a solo adventure in the Funk Zone, this is a great place to check out. read more

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You want a badass bartender? You've come to the right place! This spot makes delicious tiki drinks. I really love their themed drinks and cups. I was just drawn to watching the bartender make everyone's drinks. It was entertaining to watch. The vibe is casual and relaxed. It's a cool spot to enjoy well made spirits. Do try their Kentucky drink, I have to say it's the best one on the menu. read more

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I absolutely love tiki drinks. We always make it a point to come here when we are in town. I've been trying different drinks on the menu. They've all been fantastic. My favorite is the jungle bird. We finally tried the purple Mai tai which seems to be a favorite for many and it was good. Service is always fantastic and we love sitting both inside and outside depending on the weather read more

Test Pilot - Zombie and Oaxacan dead - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Manny is a fantastic bartender! Went with a friend and we both enjoyed two drinks each. Ambiance is fun and playlist is great. Tip: there's a mini secret menu if you read the About section of the menu. read more

Test Pilot - Thai Iced Tiki with passion fruit popping boba - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place is not only beautiful on the inside, the drinks are spectacular and the service was outstanding! We went twice on our trip to SB, once at night & I thought I left my hat there....So we went back to see if my hat was there & it was! Since we were there, we decided to stay for their Happy Hour & that was so nice, price wise especially. We will definitely be back! read more

I love asian inspired cocktails and these were good but didn't wow me. We also had two different bartenders make our Ube Coladas and noticed they were inconsistent in taste so keep that in mind! The vibes in here are immaculate though! read more

Test Pilot - Ube Colada & Thai Tea Cockfails - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

On a late Saturday afternoon in September, we popped in for a drink or two at this bar. The inside was packed with people around the bar area. We were able to obtain a drink menu off the bar to decide on a refreshment or two- the drinks are tiki like style, so most of them are on the sweet playful side. Most drinks start at 14 dollars. We decided we better quickly order before the next wave of guest arrived- the bartender was kind in attending to us two, before the mass of groups poured in. Drinks were made quickly and to the menu specifications. Given the mass amount of people- large groups, that consist of bachelorette parties, we decided to grab one refreshment and hit the road. So what is the atmosphere is like- it is definitely a place to visit if you are the party mood rather than the relaxation mood- the music is loud as well as the crowd. The seating is not made for relaxing. Although the bar offers super cute seating at the bar- bar stools over tiki like statues. Plus there are high tables, a room for groups with bench seating, a comfy seating area with swing chair, and a lot of seating for cooler days on the patio. No food offered at this bar- just drinks. Parking can be challenging in this area- especially during the summer time as close to the beach and in the funk zone that consist of a lot of bars, restaurants and shops. With that said, there is street parking a small city lot around the corner. If you are in to tiki drinks, worth a stop for a drink or two if you are in the mood. read more

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Out bartender Joey was the best, we asked for multiple special cocktails off the menu and he fully delivered on all of them, great experience if you're new to sb or a local that hasn't had the pleasure of visiting yet! read more

Test Pilot is a fun, tiki bar located in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. We stopped by here while waiting for an event and really enjoyed the drinks we got. We got the Ken-Tiki Kentucky and Oaxan Dead. Both were great but we both agreed that the Ken-Tiki Kentycky was the better of the two. It was not crowded when we went but we both still enjoyed the atmosphere. read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This bar is such a great spot for gatherings with friends or celebrating a birthday! The atmosphere is lively and fun, making it the perfect place to relax, laugh, and enjoy good company. The drinks were fantastic. read more

Very very kind service, cute tiki ambiance, and yummy juice box cocktail! Only 4 stars because those bar stools were so extremely uncomfortable I had to switch seats. read more

I'm not from here, but this place made me feel so welcome! The open-air atmosphere is super relaxing, perfect for unwinding. I had the Ube Piña Colada, and WOW--it was absolutely delicious! Creamy, tropical, and just the right balance of sweet and boozy. Cocktails are around $15, which is totally worth it for the quality and vibe. If you're looking for a great drink in a laid-back, friendly spot, this is it! read more

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We had such a fun time here. Great vibe, great atmosphere, crowded yet not too crowded and good drinks. I had the passion fruit mule and it was yummy. Cute little outdoor patio to keep the party going too. Will def go back next time I'm in town. read more

Great spot to have a date or meet up with friends. Good drinks and fast service. My only issue would be the curly headed bartender, dude was just staring at my girlfriend whole night so much so it made her uncomfortable. read more

Bartender was fantastic! Personable and knowledgeable. Excellent cocktails and conversation. We were there during an off time, but I can imagine it has a laid back vibe during busier times. This is not so much a tikki bar, as a cocktail bar that has some tikki tendencies, but makes great cocktails and has an extensive rum selection. read more

This review is one for the books. This is both mine and my wife's favorite place to grab a cocktail. The service is amazing and the ambiance matches it. I've had a lot of the menu and still haven't found something to complain about. If you want a quality cocktail. This is your place. read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Highly recommend if you're looking for a well made craft or tiki cocktail. Kate was our bartender and was extremely knowledgeable. Had a great time talking with her and learning about the rare liquors they carry. Even got to try some! Came on a Monday afternoon and was not disappointed. read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It was pretty dark in here, but it was a definite vibe. The Ube Pina Colada and Thai Iced Tiki hit! Definitely recommend! And the service was quick and servers were attentive. read more

Test Pilot - Purple Mai Tai and Ube Pina Colada - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Typically Tiki style drinks are not our style, however, we found a couple that we really enjoyed. Ken-Tiki Kentucky and the Loose Cannon. Both were nicely boozy and not too sweet. read more

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Really cute little tiki bar!! But be warned the drinks are strong lol I definitely felt the alcohol in the drinks, so come here for a night out or a pre game before heading to other bars The bartender was nice, there was only a few people inside on a Monday night around 10 pm read more

Test Pilot - Inside - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

While Santa Barbara isn't a city I visit frequently, I find myself here every few years and certainly take the time to explore its beauty, great weather and excellent restaurant and bar offerings. I had Test Pilot on my list from about 3 years ago, but it was closed on the day I attempted to visit. Fast forward to 2025 and a successful visit occurred and it was absolutely worth the visit. Though I unfortunately cannot recall the name of the bartender who served us, we not only were served fantastic craft cocktails but were treated to some great conversation and friendly interactions. The venue itself is small but extremely comfortable. But the drinks were amazing. I love a good Mezcal Negroni and I probably had one of the best ones I've ever had here. In fact, I had two! I highly recommend Test Pilot for any craft cocktail seekers. You won't be disappointed. read more

This bar is meant to be a tropical little oasis serving handcrafted drinks with cool twists. We had the ube piña colada and the Thai tea. Who doesn't want to mix boba and alcohol into one drink right! The names of these drinks sounded so good, so we decided to check it out on a busy Saturday night. I made it to the bar area and waited about 5 min to be asked what I'd like to order (this isn't an issue as it was a weekend and they were busy)! The bartender made our drinks in front of me and this is where I got a bit disappointed. The entire cup was filled with ice, mind you I love crushed ice but if I spending $16 on a drink please give me a decent amount of a drink. I got our drinks and sat down to taste them, I was hoping the ube piña colada would have a nice mix of ube, coconut and pineapple. Unfortunately I didn't really get any of those flavors coming through. The Thai tea also didn't have any resemblance to a non alcoholic Thai tea. The popping boba was also on top of the ice and was a nice little treat. They have a wide menu, it's possible we just didn't get the right drinks for ourselves. Others have had wonderful experiences here and you might too. However, this wasn't for us. read more

Test Pilot - Thai tea & ube Piña colada (I hadn't taken a sip yet, you can see the amount of ice) - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I've been here twice now and as a tiki lover, I think this place hits the nail. It has a brightness that is still tiki but the option to sit outside and enjoy the sun. It has a slight boat vibe which is fitting for Santa Barbara but still tiki. The service was friendly and warm. I ordered a test pilot, my partner a jungle bird and we shared the drink in a pineapple. I do agree with the other reviewer who said it had too much ice. Plus compared to other tiki bars we've gone to, they aren't the strongest. But I won't dock a point for that if the flavor is great. They had everything tiki should be- flavorful, full of depth and fun. They have a couple of non rum tiki drinks and the option to ask for a classic cocktail if you'd like. Definitely a nice spot! read more

The ube piña colada was really good, but the slushie was not (very bitter). One of my favorite nice bars in SB! read more

Test Pilot - Painkiller slushie - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I came to test pilot for a drink after a friends birthday and the bartender I think his name was goose was so accommodating and nice it was a great experience and made for such a great night! Thank you so much! read more

These cocktails are awesome!!! So yummy and beautiful! If it's a friends birthday, I suggest getting a Montenegro for Two as it's served in a pineapple and it super cute! They also have really great mocktails for sober friends! The staff there were patient in helping me choose a drink and made them pretty fast without sacrificing taste! read more

Test Pilot - Tiki Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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