As a Santa Barbara Local this was my first time visiting this great hole in the wall and Alice made me feel like a local that's been coming for years. Great drinks and pool table with a great staff. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Alice made our night awesome and played pool with us, best bartender ever. Drinks were great and she made us her special chaser for our vodka shots. Good atmosphere read more

Came across this cool bar yesterday. The bartender Stacey was so sweet. She made us feel so welcome. The other patrons in the bar were also very nice. Good drinks too. We will definitely go back there when we come to Santa Barbara. read more

One of the best locals bars in town. Great people, cheap drinks, and awesome vibes. One of the great enduring institutions of Santa Barbara.

ALICE WAS AMAZING!! She was genuine, caring, and patient with customers! I have never been here before, but I WILL BE COMING BAVK 100%! Very local, homey, and enjoyable! Thank you ALICE!! We love you!! ALSO FREE POOL TABLES read more

Alice was amazing! She was super accomadating and helpful and had great service. The drinks were good.

Drinks were reasonably priced, service was good. The bartender gave us a few starburst candies between drinks! We went in the early evening, there was plenty of seating and it was clean. read more

My husband Matt B. and I visited the Sportsman a couple weeks ago for a round of beers after dinner on State Street. We'd been to the Riviera the night before, which took over the Sportsman's old location, and were curious about this place, as it was apparently a Santa Barbara spot that had been around for ages. We stopped by around 10:30 on a Sunday night and it was pretty calm, with an unassuming dive bar atmosphere. There weren't a lot of people and we talked to the bartender for a while, a woman who's been with the bar for quite a long time. We got a couple of draft beers--two IPAs on tap, I think Figueroa Mountain and Firestone--and played a couple rounds of pool. It's a good thing there weren't a lot of people around because we (and me especially) are absolutely dog shit terrible at pool. I was embarrassed that my own husband was there to witness my astounding lack of coordination. Like if someone wanted to blackmail me with the footage, I would probably be willing to pay. We should never do that in public. Even so, it was fun, and the beer was good and refreshing. We enjoyed our visit to the Sportsman and would be happy to go back for more beer and maybe pool, as long as no one else is watching. read more

The Sporty is my happy place and when I walk in, even though it's a newish location- it still feels like home. The staff are all wonderful, they pour a great drink and the juke box ( do they still call it that?) will play songs that warm my heart. read more

Drinks were great customer service friendly and accommodating. We had Washington apple with beer. The place was fairly empty but Nate was great we enjoyed the quick visit and will surely be back! read more

My daughter and I were taking a mini road trip(Thanksgiving day) and decided to stay the night in Santa Barbara. My daughter said she wanted to play some pool table and we found this place and there were three ppl sitting at the bar and one of them was the bartender's (Alices) boyfriend because that's how she introduced him. We walked in sat down and Alice seemed a little tipsy. She served us our drinks and after a few minutes my daughter and I decided to walked over to the pool table (we were playing for fun, not professionals or following the games rules). One of the guys approached the table and "I got winner (of course he was drunk) but he started saying that he could fuck me sideways and asked if my daughter was my lover! I thought, ok he's drunk so I told him that she is my daughter and after that he kept apologizing and until one of the other guys told him to leave us alone he walked away, but kept coming back to apologize. Then Alice came by to the table and said that she was sorry because she started saying that my daughter and I were lovers! Then I thought if the bartender is getting drunk, who would keep control of the place if someone gets out of control? So anyway she apologized, but throughout all this she kept drinking shots and passing them out like candies. The last draw was when the old 67 yr old man walked over and started a conversation with me and kept saying " come on let's be honest, this is a bar for straight people and we accept you how you are" I was like how am I?"He said"come on let's be honest" I was like "honest about what?" He said " about you two?" I got even more upset because apparently two women cannot walk around together because according to those small minded ppl they are automatically lovers, apparently. We left and Alice was just drunk and talking up her ass. We were so damn sorry to have wasted our time in that place and getting harassed by all them ppl. read more

This is the only place in the area with heavy pours and low prices on top shelf liquor. I went right before intermission at the WORST MUSICAL I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE (and that's after 5 years in NYC, reviewing musicals and seeing tons I don't review). Officer and a Gentleman musical was appallingly bad, but too many people were waiting on my review (not a formal one, just FB). I knew I would need much liquor to survive Act 2. I'd never been to the old Sportsman, so I had no idea just how big the pours were. I ordered a double that was more like a quadruple or a triple and a half or Bulleit Rye. 20 dollars for a triple! The old sign (which doesn't appear in the Yelp pictures) is cool. Country music, a pool table, and serious drinkers. I could have gone to whatever that place next to the Granada is calling itself and paid way too much for a single cocktail. I'm thrilled to find the SB equivalent of the Frolic Room. I will definitely be back, but hopefully not to ease the pain of a terrible non-Equity musical through Broadway in SB. The next one should be better: Jerry Mitchell involved in Hairspray. Nothing could be worse than Officer and a Gentleman musical (not the fault of the cast: the Oscar-nominated screenwriter butchered his screenplay, turning into a comedy and changing the basic traits of the main characters). The best thing to come out of that show was finding out about The Sportsman. read more

As others have mentioned, a divey spot through and through. The Sportsman is a longtime establishment but has only been at its State Street location for a few years. The place is fairly deceiving as it's in the center of the theater district where most every neighboring establishment errs on the upscale side. Dive bars like this one are usually found on a side road - and that was where The Sportsman was housed for decades. Either way, it's kind of neat to see that they offer a different kind of atmosphere in an unsuspecting part of town. The venue is long and narrow with a dark main room and a decently-sized rear sitting area with a few arcade games. There is also a front parklet area. A lot of spots to find a seat. I was here the other night and there were a good amount of patrons here. I could instantly tell that most (if not all) were locals. This is the sort of spot where the customers and the bartenders all know you by name. No frills here and the pricing isn't necessarily affordable, but it's a good spot to sit back and converse or enjoy a game of pool. read more

The Sportsman - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

"oh shit" - our bartender after pouring the most devilish long island ive ever consumed read more

The Sportsman - the aforementioned drunk people/long islands - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

CARMEN was the "bartender" and was the rudest experience we've had in Santa Barbara. It was a Friday afternoon, happy hour time, and as soon as we walked in we did not feel welcomed. She was rude, snooty, and made that accent feel like she was not welcoming anyone other than old white people. Carmen needs to be trained in how to be welcoming to all people. I won't go back as long as she works there...I know I must not be the only one. Carmen = Karen read more

Randomly found this bar as we were walking down State St. It has a real chill vibe, pool table and sports on TV. Stacy the bartender is all-time in my book. Super fun and friendly who knows how to pour a solid drink. We enjoyed this place and Stacy so much we came back the next day for a few rounds. Good thing I don't live in Santa Barbara because I'd be here everyday. Go visit Stacy and tell her Batman Alan said hello. read more

The Sportsman - Hazy IPA And whiskey - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came by on a Sunday and ordered simple drinks. Tequila soda and lime cost $33, Bacardi and rum cost $27, and a light tequila soda and lime cost $16. Meanwhile, other people in our party ordered a two tequila sprites and the total was $15 (same tequila). Seems like they were trying to take advantage of customers. read more

A nice place to drink. Relaxed atmosphere. Friendly people. Decent prices. This is not a tourist bar but a spot for locals and their friends & family. It is listed as a "dive bar" but I don't find it to be a "dive." It's more of a no-nonsense, no frills, good, old-style bar. read more

The Sportsman - Sign - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Dive in. You're welcome here. Oldest bar in SB Golden Tee and Big Game Hunter Pool table TVs Jukebox Booths to pass out with your friends (not encouraged and a sure way to get ejected) Friendly bartenders Sure The Sportsman is a dive bar and yes, it looks like a dive bar but no, it does not smell or even feel like a divey dive bar. Don't get me wrong. This is not a nice place to bring your parents for a cocktail after a fancy dinner but it is a place to have a beer with your dad on a Sunday. It's relaxed here and while other dive bars in town feel very clickish and turned off by outsiders, The Sportsman feels welcoming. I'm no regular but it is my favorite dive bar in town and have been known to walk out when the lights go out. It's also where I like to spend Christmas eve in while the family is at the Mission for midnight mass. I'll pray here. Cheers read more

The Sportsman - Street Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This bar is awesome! Didn't think much of it at first but our bartender Alice made our experience impeccable. Not only is she a great mixologist, she is down to earth and stole our hearts with her charm. Thank you for making my birthday one of the most memorable ones. Best bartender ever! read more

The Sportsman - Alice in wonderland! - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Absolutely horrible. The whole staff is disrespectful. I bought two drinks and around closing time the lady took both drinks away from me and drank them herself telling me that they were closing. She was so incredibly rude and honestly a weirdo. I will never be coming back. Fire the lady. read more

Cool dive bar off of State Street. Most of the places around this area are a little nicer or a little more uppity, we were searching for a dive and found it... It's a locals spot, they had the juke box blasting which could be viewed in different ways depending upon your mood. They did not have beer on tap which I might go so far to lower the rating to 3... but everything else including the mounted wild game on the walls made up for it... good spot overall. It's a dive. read more

The Sportsman - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stacy is the best bartender in Santa Barbara. We came here to catch the first half of the Celtics/Heat game before meeting friends from dinner. Had a great time- friendly, unpretentious vibe, and solid drinks. I'm a wine drinker, and the Sauvignon Blanc was good, but I'd say this is more of a draft beer or we'll drink spot. read more

Oldest bar in town. Best bar in town. One of the stiffest drinks in town. Staff has always been friendly. The outside area on State is nice now that the street is closed. But if you are looking for something fancy, this isn't the place. Just a good 'ol watering hole with interesting and fun people. And to the reviewer who got yelled at...like I said, interesting people. Thats what you get with a locals dive bar.... Should just come back anyways and have fun. read more

We love dive bars, especially when the bartender makes bloody Mary's from scratch! No premix crap! It was a Monday morning and the bloody mary really hit the spot. Very small place but clean. Locals spot, friendly people read more

They don't know how to tell between a real and a fake ID . They refused to serve me and I am 25 years old. Also they didn't ask to see my 30 year old boyfriends ID. Most ridiculous bar experience ever!! M read more

The Sportsman - Wouldn't serve me and I'm 25. They don't know how to tell between a fake and a real! - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Such a great experience here! Good drinks, great music, fun experience, and Alice and Dean treat you like family. My friend had the best birthday ever thanks to the wonderful hosts! Can't wait to come back here soon read more

There are relatively few dive bars in Downtown Santa Barbara, hidden between upscale Italian bistros and fusion sushi outlets. Among them, The Sportsman generates some seriously good vibes. It doesn't fit all the dive criteria: the floors are clean, it smells good and the interior is free of dusty health hazards from a bygone era. But it still manages to deliver on warmth and heart. What is a dive bar, for the record? I've thought about this for years. For most drinkers, it's a dank alleyway reeking of stale beer and urine cakes. There's always a jukebox playing G&R and a special on Jägerbombs. Going to the toilet is an adventure into the depths of the human subconscious, somehow adding to the experience. This saddens me, because we're all entitled to be free from squalor, regardless of how stinky and decrepit we are in truth. The Sportsman, in that respect, has cleaned up their act. You can lean against the bar without sticking to it, and order a drink without being shouted down by shot-swilling millennial fiends, devoid of hope or empathy. In other words, it's alright. By my definition, a dive bar is simply a place for those burly, bearded guys who would be barred from entering anywhere else. Those people who have a few too many and find themselves shouting their universal love for humanity from the rooftops. Those sensitive rejects who need a place of acceptance. The Sportsman is that place, and on this lonely Wednesday night, I'm glad I found it. read more

Good drinks,love the atmosphere. Music varies from country to jazz,nerf berger, punk etc . cool patio.fun times to be had by all.

I went outside this establishment to have a smoke earlier tonight. Total stranger here. In town for a concert with a buddy. When I returned my half-empty beer had been placed in the bottom half of a shaker filled with ice... In other words, the dude behind the bar thought enough of my beer to treat it like fine champagne while I was away from it. If you don't agree that that level of service and hospitality requires some sort of acknowledgement then we're probably from different planets... and you should return to your home-world before I find you and kill you. read more

This is a dingy looking spot right next to many much nicer bars. Not sure why you would come here when there are so many better options right around. Seating is super awkward on tiny tables with seats only on half the tables. The woman at the bar also turned us away because my wife's ID had a hole punch on it because she just changed her last name. You could clearly see her birthdate. Wouldn't have even bothered to leave a review had it not been for that. We got served literally at the next bar we went to with no issue. read more

Solid dive bar. The Sportsman is a nice escape from the SB bar scene. It's very low key and the people there are chill. Bartenders are also chill and drinks are priced well. Pool table is a little slick so be prepared to adjust for that. There is also a jukebox which is pretty cool if you're into that. This is the place you bring your friends to if you don't want to deal with the noise. read more

Stopped by while walking around area that's been blocked off due to pandemic. Wanted to grab a drink and a bite before meeting friends for dinner later on. Our kind of pub! Excellent cocktails! Down to earth watering hole with friendly and helpful bartenders/servers! Will absolutely recommend it and will definitely come back! read more

The owner Phil is a very nice guy. We were served by both Phil and Dean. Both of them are amazing. We spent more time chatting with dean and he is very personable and hilarious. I absolutely recommend this place for a very chill atmosphere and good conversation. If you are in the are definitely stop by for at least one drink! read more

The Sportsman is a dive bar, and a good one at that. I have lived in SB now for 14 years, worked in bars in town off and on for the better part of 8 years- and for some reason i still feel that I am not "Local" enough for this place- You will pretty much find a mix of everyone at the Sporty- from high brow to low low brow, they come here. it really is a great place that i have not gone to nearly enough as i should have- stiff drinks at uninflated prices and a crowd that isnt out to impress anyone- you can relax with your friends and actually have a conversation where you arent having to yell over the THUMP THUMP of the clubier joints my problem with the Sporty- for some reason about 80% of the time i end up here is at the end of the night, most of the other bars are closing and you can still pull in at least one or two more drinks here- if you are drunk enough that you think this is a good idea, then you are drunk enough that it is probably a bad idea- too many bad ideas read more

This place is right up there with Don's and the old Mel's for ultimate dive-bar in Santa Barbara. You REALLY dont know who you're going to run into at this place.... one night I ran into my high school ex-GF hanging out with Ryan Stiles from Who's Line is it Anyways..... LONG story - anyways - if Nerf Herder writes a song about it, its got to be awesome... read more

This has always been one of favorite bars in SB, and the new location works. The space is a lot fancier, but fortunately, the eclectic crowd, economical drinks, and friendly service are the same! read more

Do you like dive bars? Do you like friendly dive bars? Do you live in Santa Barbara or plan on visiting there? Go to the Sportsman. Good jukebox, strong drinks. Scary looking locals who turn out to be friendly as all get out. A minimum of State Street fratboy jagoffs. Yep. read more

How can you not love this bar? This is one of the more popular dive bars in SB...yet it doesn't get filled with the typical SB asshole...so that's always nice...plus, I've done some "questionable" things in the bathroom...but that's what memories are made of, right!?!? Plus, I love Tonka. read more

WORST BAR EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER HAD! I've never been treated so rudely as I was here. Both male bartenders were a disgrace to not only me, but my friends as well. We had to leave because we simply could not support a place like this. This is the ONLY bar in Santa Barbara that I'll never go back to! Do yourself a favor and skip this bar. It's super dive-y anyway, and not in a good way :/ read more