It's a mid-century lounge. The Imperial is a perfect example of an intimate, friendly, warm, and inviting lounge. If the décor strikes you as authentic and comfortable you'll be happy to discover the small group of people who operate The Imperial are truly happy to make sure their customers are taken care of. I mean, that's rare. Chas was mixing the night we were there. A very pleasant woman, whose name I don't know how to spell, was also mixing that night. Both are the at the top of my very short list of local bartenders who know what the "ef" they are doing. Clare mixes as well and was in the process of training Crystal who was serving. I picked a drink from their program. It was a variation on a gin martini which they have tweaked the bitters for a slight hint of orange. My partner ordered a Paper Plane from the program. Bourbon, amaro, Aperol, & lemon juice in equal parts. You're welcome. Both drinks were very well done. A customer changed their mind about a drink before it was delivered to the table so there was mixed drink with no where to go. The staff poured it out into shot glasses and passed them out to a few of us. I think it was a Reilly's Kitchen. A specialty cocktail unique to The Imperial. Next up we ordered and split a French 75 which was perfectly mixed. They used Prosecco instead of Champaign. Last, I ordered an Improved Whiskey Cocktail. Chas needed to go look it up, which he gladly did, and then proceeded to create the drink. It's a great recipe and Chas agreed. To quote Chas, there isn't a bad bottle of liquor in the house. Also, they don't use "mixers". You know, that unlabeled plastic bottle with a pour spout and a pale yellow liquid inside. Surely it comes in a powdered form and might taste vaguely like citrus. No! The Imperial uses fresh produce for mixes. Good liquors, good mixers, good bartenders, friendly staff, warm lounge atmosphere, not too loud, drinks outside if you want. If you want Studio 54 look elsewhere. Get real and go to The Imperial. read more

Loved the vibes inside and all the bartenders were super friendly even though it was super busy. Can't wait to come back!

Wow, very cool place that we just happened to luck upon. We've been coming up to Goleta for the last 4+ years with two daughters at UCSB. One just graduated, but we have another that's a sophomore so we'll be coming up a few more years. Asked the front desk clerk for a nearby local bar just to sit back and relax. He recommended The Imperial so I took a quick look at the Yelp reviews and they have a 4.5 Star average. It was also a short walk from the hotel so we gave it a shot. It's hard to find the first time because there's no real signage out front of a very nondescript door. But once you open the door you feel like your sucked back in time to the era of the tiki bar. It is old school in their with a beautiful classic bar and comfortable lounge seating both inside and out. The bartender, Ronald, is also very retro and a true mixologist. The menu brings back drinks of the bygone era and adds a little twist to some of the classics. We arrived on Aloha Sunday so they had a bunch of island drinks. I told Ronald i was from Hawaii and had my share of Mai Tai's, but wanted to try their version. It's called the Imperial Mai Tai and it was both delicious and potent. Thank God I walked since I would've been blowing a .12 for sure after just one drink. I gave him bartender's choice for the next drink and he whipped me up a Zaya Fire. He had a feeling I liked rum and he was correct. This drink was refreshing and tart and easy to drink. I had never had anything like it and I was amazed at how much he read into what I would like from our brief conversation at the bar. I told him I'm back in two weeks to move my daughter from her summer rental into her sorority and that we would be bringing some friends with us to The Imperial on that visit. read more

See all

The drinks are pricey, but they are also strong and delicious! Love the ambiance and it doesn't get too crowded during the weekdays. The oaxacanut is the best drink they have. Their mulled wine is also pretty good when they have it! read more

The Imperial - Oaxacanut - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

I was really disappointed with the lack of customer service at this bar. It looked like a cool spot to check out, so I decided to give it a try. I brought an energy drink with me and was planning to order a drink once I got settled. I was meeting a friend who had already ordered a drink, and we sat on the patio. However, the bartender approached us almost immediately and said, "If you're going to bring an energy drink, you have to order a drink." I understand this policy, but we had barely sat down and hadn't even been given a menu yet. I wouldn't recommend this place--it's not worth the hype. It looked like a cool spot, but I was pretty disappointed, especially since I was just visiting town. It's no wonder there were no customers in there read more

This bar has ruined me! I refuse to drink anywhere else as all other drinks are not in par with what Donald and Chase create here. The blossom and clover club are my absolute favorite. In the last 1.5 years I've noticed Imperial become more popular. read more

The Imperial is a very special and unique bar & lounge. The manager at the hotel we were staying at recommended it. We ended up stopping by both nights we were in town. The owner is fun to talk with and the bartenders are super friendly. Great drinks, chips and ambiance. Wish we had The Imperial here in Frisco! The only negative? I wish I could have gotten one of their anniversary glasses!!! read more

This place rocks. Had some fantastic drinks and great bartenders. Just walked in and was very impressed.

All I can say is WOW!!! This spot hidden way back in a business complex beats all expectations! Retro? Check! Great Drinks? Check! Dive Bar?? Not even close! Looks like a Dive Bar on the outside, but a classy jazz lounge on the inside!! So clean and meticulously put together! I was so impressed! So many try to get this vibe and fail, but owner Dawn knows how to do bars right! Mercury anyone? It is like walking through the door back in time! Don't miss the stellar patio which is amazing, with plenty of alcoves to get comfy!! Check this spot out and say Hi to the bartender Kyle who takes pride in his cocktails and his craft! read more

The Imperial - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

Hidden gem!! This place is so cool and chill. Great for classy and tranquil dates. Definitely a must. read more

The Imperial - Josh with a Washington apple - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

This is simply one if the best bars you can go to. And not just Santa Barbara...anywhere. But are you cool enough? Cuz this place is cool. Why do we go to a bar? To get away from our everyday lives and spend a few hours not worrying about anything. What's the point if the bar looks like the outside world? Not only does the Imperial let you get away from it all it takes you back in time. You enter in through the most non descript entrance to a late 60s early 70s wonderland. The attention to detail is amazing. From the drapes between the leather booths to the original old school bar stools to the amazing barware to the period music to the incredible patio this place blows my mind. And yes the cocktails are amazing. I could go on but you just need to go. read more

The Imperial - The entrance...your adventure to cool awaits - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

This place is one of Goleta's hidden gems. The ambience and aesthetic are on point! Calming with the dim lighting, a hip rustic feel, and the music set the right vibe. This was such a cool date night place, we could hear each other speak and the bartenders were so friendly and gave us many laughs. read more

The Imperial - Ordered the absinthe because why not. - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

The best Bar/Lounge in town, why would you go somewhere else? The attention to detail is all around you, great atmosphere. The people that run it are awesome and genuine. We used to run our Comedy Hideaway show nearby and come here after every week! read more

I checked out The Imperial last night for the 1st time and was shocked by how awful the bartender treats people. As I walked up to the nearly empty bar to order, the bartender (a bearded guy with tattoos all over his arms) was not friendly and immediately gave attitude as if our presence was an inconvenience to him. Never being there before, I shared that my date and I were there for the 1st time and were curious if any of the drinks on the menu were more popular. The bartender dismissively told that he doesn't know what I like and to just look at the menu myself, then proceeded to completely change his demeanor and hit on my date! Shortly later, being that there's no cell service in the bar, I kindly asked the bartender if there was wifi. He responded saying that they have wifi, but when I asked for the credentials he rudely told me he doesn't know the password?! He made no effort to find it and just dismissed my request again. 0 for 2. My date and I were so uncomfortable by his negative energy we went outside away from him. When were were outside, were were served by another bartender name Claire who was great. Being a former bartender at a top ten world class resort in Montecito, I know the value a good bartended brings to a business dynamic. You'd think paying $16 - $18 a cocktail the ownerships would hire a bartender that doesn't treats their patrons terribly. Other than the horrible bartender, the ambiance and drinks were good. However, due to the bartender, my friends and I will not visit again. read more

Ambiance in this spot is amazing speakeasy vibe! Love everything about this bar! If you are in Goleta area recommend to stop in for a night cap! read more

This spot was so cool! It's a hidden gem in a strip mall in downtown Goleta. The bartenders weren't bartenders, they're mixologists! Dressed in old school 20s clothing and spinning vinyl records. We had Whiskey Sours that were made with egg whites. The way they ought to be made! Highly recommend this vintage vibe bar! read more

Love this place - drinks are great, atmosphere is fun, kind of speak easy vibes. Great experience every time.

Best place In SB for vibe and drinks. Ask for these shots, I call them the "Mexican pizza's" lol. read more

The reviews weren't lying when they said this place was a hidden gem! I've been wanting to check out The Imperial forever and I can honestly say I was very impressed by it. This place is very well hidden if you don't know the area but luckily our Uber driver knew exactly where it was located. When he pulled up it was like being dropped off at a secret location like you see in the movies. The whole exterior is run down and sketchy looking but once you open the door to the Imperial you are transported into a dark mysterious place. Seriously it's really dark inside! But it gets better. The interior is very old school style and reminds me of a bar you'd see in New York. I sure didn't feel like I was in Goleta! This bar is very classy but with a cozy casual feeling. Kyle and Robbie were the bartenders and they were very personable and welcoming. Any questions we had about drinks were answered without being annoyed by us and I greatly appreciated that. They really are masters at what they do and each handcrafted drink was made in a way I've never seen before. It was fun to watch! Drinks start at $12 and up so this is not a place for cheap drinks but it's definitely a place where you will get your money's worth! I ordered the famous Mai Thai that they're known for and I can honestly say it's the best in town. At least for my taste it was perfectly made and well balanced. Usually Mai Thai's make you cringe because they are really strong but this was perfectly smooth going down. I also tried the Old Fashioned Mai Thai customized by Kyle and that was equally good. This had more of an orange flavor to it which I liked. Instead of bourbon this was made with Zaya Rum from Trinidad which I've never had before but it was very smooth and had great flavor. Thank you Kyle for altering this drink for me with your own twist on it. I can't wait to go back and try the cucumber margarita! I was watching Kyle make it and it looked very refreshing. Food tip: They don't serve any food here but they do offer warm mixed nuts on the menu for $4. Overall if you haven't been here before then I suggest you make it a point to check it out! Trust me you won't be disappointed. read more

See all

Great local spot for craft cocktails. Bartenders are friendly and really put effort into making the drinks. The drinks are on the pricier side but are very strong. Super cozy vibes and decor. The interior smells heavily of cigarette smoke which is a negative for me. The outside patio is much better and has heaters when it's chilly. Great spot to catch up with friends or for a date night. read more

The Imperial - Cucumber Gimlet with Gin - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

Thanks for pointing us to this fabulous cocktail lounge, Yelpers. What a gem. Great retro look and feel with modern and classic mixology done by experts in the field. We loved it, and can't recommend it strongly enough. Step into the Imperial and you'll be transported somewhere really cool. read more

I've been to the Imperial for a few dates and with a few girlfriends and the service and food has always been outstanding! The atmosphere inside is warm, welcoming, and classy. The staff is always very happy, polite, and has gone over and above with their service. Whether you're looking for a date night spot or renting a room for an event, the Imperial is where it's at! The upstairs bar is perfect for larger groups and gives plenty of privacy. If you're in the DC area, I'd highly recommend stopping by! read more

My very favorite watering hole in town. I'm rooting for their return. I'd first stumbled across this place several years ago for an after-work event with a group of coworkers. From the front, you'd have no idea what's to be in store as it's completely nondescript. This lends to the whole speakeasy vibe and I'm all about it. Walk through the front door and you are transformed into easily the neatest time warp to the 1960s. The place is dark and windowless with colorful ambient lighting and carefully-curated kitsch throughout - but everything is immaculately clean and well-kept. Mild bossa nova is playing from their vinyl record player. You truly feel like you're in another era. The bartenders are all quite professional and enjoyable to converse with. You'll find just about any old-timey cocktail on the menu - and they are all made with utmost care and the best of ingredients. This is certainly not a spot where you order a round of shots and get rowdy. No way. Go elsewhere for that. I came here after work every single Friday for a number of years. I got to know the bartenders and they became like family. We'd always opt to sit on their wonderfully decorated side patio. It's built into the parking lot but is a true 180 from the front facade. Truly feels like a tropical mid century oasis. I've tried a number of their cocktails, and every single one has been exceptional. I'm partial to my martinis, but I do enjoy their marmalade sours as well. Honestly, though, you won't go wrong with anything on the menu here. I've been a number of times when a group of 20-30 all walk in at the same time. Note that Imperial typically only employs 2-3 bartenders, so call ahead if you're planning on a large group. I've seen the staff under pressure but they handle it surprisingly well, and they certainly don't rush when it comes to making their cocktails. I appreciate this. Imperial has been closed, temporarily, since the start of Covid. This is going on a year and I miss them dearly. I cannot wait for their return and will certainly be one of the first to patronize as soon as they reopen. It's truly a one-of-a-kind spot. read more

The Imperial - Some well-made cocktails - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

The Imperial is my initial go-to stop for a true craft cocktail. It is what I deem to be THE BEST BAR in Santa Barbara County. Picture this: -Speak-easy; Don't be thrown off by the exterior neon sign which states "Ba'k D'or Lounge" from the previous establishment, or that it's in a random location within an industrial area of Old Town -Retro cocktail bar with a selection of your grandmother's cool china cabinet collection -Tiki bar décor Sounds questionable?? Oh, trust me, it totally works! Donald and Kyle are spectacular mixologists. They can make any drink of choice under the sun and have a wide variety of liquors I have never seen before. Be sure not to miss out on their selection Japanese whiskies or their barrel-aged Manhattan. I can always rely on a perfectly shaken, consistently balanced, and stiff as heck cocktail time and time again in a different glass. I always recommend ordering a bowl of their warm nuts (don't be dirty!) to pair with a drink. It's a perfect juxtaposition. If you become a regular, you may be one of the select few local drunks invited to exclusive events during the Holidays. Something to look forward to... If you're chill, unpretentious and a fun person, just check it out for God's sake. read more

Bummer. It's closed. The owners announced the closing recently (4.6.21) due to the pandemic. It's a great spot but with no traffic from UCSB Stu's and professors and other UC staff to keep it going ... there was nothing else to do. I loved this place but I didn't go regularly. Original owner Dawn O'Brien made the space a tiki themed hang-out & doubled the space with a great outdoor patio. Sure hope someone with an urge to splurge re-opens it. read more

What a great cocktail lounge! Funky, comfy, retro decor with a great vibe. My date asked the waitress a question about a particular drink and she had the bartender come to our table to make sure he got it just right. Originally went in for a quick drink and ended up staying two hours! We'll be back! read more

This place is too cool. Like, too cool for me. I want to be this cool. If your looking for a ridiculously classy old world bar, this is the place. I loved every inch of this place. I don't know what else to say. If you're remotely close. Go. You won't regret it. read more

See all

Such a cool vibe. Great decor. Strong drinks served by a friendly bartender. And delightfully off the beaten path... Mahalo!

Phenomenal vibes & service. Great ambiance. Bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and very personable.

I've had a lot of Hot Toddys in my life and there is no shame in that. The Imperial's was the best I've ever had. Which is saying something for a drink not on their menu. read more

Hands down the best cocktails in Goleta and one of the best in SB. They have the best mixologist!!! The Imperial, is a hdden gem with a funky cool atmosphere and nice patio. We've been coming for years and it never disappoints. If you are looking for a wide selection of beers on tap this is not your place (best to visit some of Goleta's great micro-breweries) but if you want a premium cocktail- you'll be in for a treat. The Marmalade Sour is top notch! The Nikka Old Fashioned and Imperial Mai Tai are delicious, as are the Imperial French and Cucumber Gimlet. Last, but not least, one of my favorites, the aptly named Perfect Negroni. Cheers! read more

See all

John our bartender was flippin awesome! Great atmosphere, great drinks (very very generous with the alcohol) one drink will set you off to the moon lol. Will recommend 100% read more

It pains me to give The Imperial anything less than a five but I have to honest about this one. I was kind of hoping for Mercury with booze but let's be honest The Imperial is a completely different experience. A good one at that but not the epic glory I had in mind. Drinks: The drinks are amazing. They have really elaborate cocktails and it's not like that crap you get at busier bars. The Imperial has a slower pace as others have mentioned. It's a hidden gem of a bar. Atmosphere: The proximity to a hotel might be partially to blame but The Imperial does remind me of a hotel bar. The leather seating is different, the outside door is unassuming, the inside doors confusing. It's very dark as well yet intimate. This is somewhere to go on a date with probably not a good place to hang out with friends without looking like you're Sex in the City or something. The Imperial is interesting. Fair warning just like with Mercury there's no food in this area so don't get too hungry. Stay thirsty though. read more

The Imperial - The Imperial (The Cocktail, not the bar) - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

Loved this place - very calming vibe/atmosphere, met some fascinating people from UCSB. Bartenders are top notch. Only a block from the Goleta Hampton Inn where we stayed, so no driving required. Worth a visit if you are in SB! They were not spinning their vinyl the Saturday night we dropped by, perhaps next time. read more

The area of Goleta close to Santa Barbara beautiful area and wonderful community with lots of good food and environment by the coast. My self and bro got done seeing a phenomenal show at US Santa Barbara and decided to relax and have a drink after we got on yelp and found this tucked away spot and little did we know found a hidden gem . As we walked in the lights were married to him and set the mood for a romantic environment as well as just a place to lounge and relax a drink specials or handcrafted and thought of very well we each had two Imperial old fashions, and two sours. Drinks where made to perfection! I must say the people there where all friendly and welcoming. It was a packed night inside so we made way to the out doors patio which had a tiki vibe to it along with a Spanish vibe. The music was playing was both Spanish and tropical to give a calm and relaxing ambiance. We enjoyed our drinks and the company of new friends we met it was a awesome night to say the least and a must to go back to. read more

The Imperial - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

Love this hidden gem! The cocktails are amazing and the ambience is fantastic!! Very comfy and retro feel. I loved having a large group squeezed into a large booth sitting around sipping on crafted cocktails like in the 50's. It put us all in the mood to put our phones down and relax over god conversation all night. My favorite drink to order at Imperial is Goat Bubble Sparkling rosé. It's so delicious and so far Imperial is the only place I've seen it. We also loved the gimlet and the old fashioned among many others. Imperial is truly an anytime joint. read more

The Imperial - Lounges Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

Great lounge! Super pretty interior and a great place to relax and drink great cocktails! I'm a bartender (if that gives me any credibility) and I think the drinks here are impeccable Definitely visiting again, also the bartenders are super sweet:) read more

Great atmosphere. Friendly and attentive service staff. I had the cucumber margarita and it was amazing! Definitely will be visiting again. Complimentary chips and water at each table and quick service on drink orders. read more

absolutely amazing. this place is the epitome of what a bar should be. you will not be disappointed! no detail overlooked, delicious cocktails, friendly staf read more

One of the best spots in all of Santa Barbara. Friendly bartenders and even better drinks. I can't speak highly enough about this place.