Reds Bin 211
211 Helena Ave, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Reds Bin 211 Menu
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Address :
211 Helena Ave
Santa Barbara, CA, 93101 - Phone (805) 966-5906
- Website https://redsbarandtapas.wordpress.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Lunch, Late Night, Dessert
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kantiki J.
It should be noted that REDS Cafe has been replaced with REDS Wine Bar. It is the same location and owner, along with a few workers, but it is no longer a hangout spot. No more coffee (other than straight espresso), no more of the same foods. It is safe to say that one Reds has died and another has replaced it. It's a bit of a painful loss that hit me as a shock upon my last visit to Santa Barbara, but it was cushioned by the great service. They still have free WiFi and are moving more towards an evening location in place of a morning spot. It will take an adjustment period than one visit can afford.
(4)Josh G.
I live right next to reds and every day after I got out of the shower and got dressed I would skate through the train station to reds for my coffee.blinded by the contrast of the bright day and the dark cement floored and walled coffee house gradually I could focus on walls filled with art from local crazy people,a frendly dog at my feet, a room full of weirdos, and if you were lucky one of the most beautifull girls I have ever seen serving coffee. I grew up in santa cruz witch is a considerably more artist ,liberal, crazy old hippie driven town, so for me gong to reds was like a taste of home it grounded me to start my day. Then one day they closed to "remodel" I heard it was open again so I went to see if I could still get some coffee. I know they had started serving topas in the evening, but i figured they still hauled out the coffee pots in the day how hard is it to make coffee. No chairs outside no one playing guitar or conversing about Obama. Inside, one s@#$ painting, black uninviting walls, no coffee, and one stuffy looking guy tasting wine at the sparsely stocked wine bar. I was ignored by the owner who was conversing to the one guy in there about people coming behind the counter and making there own drinks, well guess what you wont have to worry about that anymore because you have no customers.I would have been happier if you turned it into a f@#$%g yogurt bar. You broke my heart reds
(1)Schuyler C.
This place has unreliable hours. Nothing is worse than roughing the horrible three-day weekend tourist traffic in Santa Barbara to go to an alternative coffeehouse, only to find out that they decided to close early so they can hang out on the patio. Stupid hippie stoner burnouts!
(1)Megan R.
This place is somewhat confusing, but I'll probably need to return to make a full-on verdict. The art on the walls was pretty awesome, along with the furniture and other general aesthetic aspects, which first led me to believe this place would be super neat. However, my friend and I were clearly at least 20 + years younger than the rest of the crowd, and the insanely loud house music made it difficult to ascertain what exactly this place is going for. Nonetheless everyone seemed rather friendly and my drink was generously poured, and with the scarce choices in this area, it's alright.
(3)Mallory L.
Reds is by far the best coffee shop in town. If it wasn't for their limited hours (closed Sundays), I would be there A LOT more. They have amazing food options as well as great coffee and pastries. I usually come here to study, its a great mix of people, everyone is respectful and it isn't too loud. There are plenty of outlets, free wifi, and a variety of seating options from couches to tables to a thrown. Yes, really. I like to make my study sessions all day events and Reds makes that more than possible. They have amazing breakfast burritos, as well as great sandwiches and salads. Most of their sandwiches come with goat cheese that they make fresh there. After a coffee in the morning I will usually get an Italian Soda with lunch. I have also gone to Reds to socialize and the environment is so friendly and they always have tons of different art on display. If you want something off the beaten path, something that screams Berkeley or San Fran, Reds is the place for you!
(5)frank w.
Reds is good all around. Nuf said
(4)prachi v.
Reds is one of those places you go and instantly feel like you're in on a locals secret. It is small but so cozy. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and it was delightful. I sat outside and soaked up the sun. A group sitting near by was loudly dissecting the lurid events of a party from the previous night, but that is no fault of Reds. They were very puppy friendly!
(4)emmy c.
I went to Red's last night for a girlfriends birthday and it was great. The interior has been completely revamped and modernized from when the location was a coffee house. The wine list was small, but they had a lot of different options that you usually don't see. They weren't serving food b/c the cook quit, but the manager said that the kitchen should be back up and running soon. It reminded me a lot of the Firebird which used to be on Cota by the Blue Agave. I will definitely be back!
(4)Jerry H.
Awesome handcrafted drinks and yummy menu. The mussels are to die for. Fun bartenders and great music. Great location off the beaten path.
(5)a t.
We were excited to try this place. We sat down and an hour and a half later we received our appetizers, only after we asked to speak to a manager. Poor service. Sorry to report this but this is the way it was. The manager was nice enough to comp our appetizers, but really.. We waited a long time! And honestly our appetizers were nice and hot, like they were just cooked... After we brought this up to the manager. Poor customer service. I'm sure this is a popular place and will continue to do well... But I will not be returning.
(1)Tommy K.
The owner reached out to me and apologized for my experience letting me know that the bartender had been let go. I'll head back when I visit again and see if I have a better experience.
(3)Diego S.
I stopped here solo while waiting to meet up with some friends. It was about 4:30 with maybe two other people in there. The Italian guy at the front was very welcoming and invited me in. I chatted with Maria behind the bar. She suggested the bacon wrapped apricots and it was delish !! Especially at the happy hour price! Then I bounced. Two beers in and I can say it was not pretentious, off the beaten path from the tourists and fanny packs. Maria's cute so that helps out too!
(5)Heidi G.
This place is awesome. The service is wonderful, the atmosphere comfortable and funky (oh, it's in the Funk Zone). The music was great and the food scrumptious! Went both Friday and Saturday night while in Santa Barbara for a friends birthday. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Amber E.
Stopped here during happy hour for a bite to eat. Liked the atmosphere, and the fact that it was very cool (some of the tasting rooms get pretty warm in the afternoon). Tried the grapefruit jalapeno martini ($7) - tasty, the grilled asparagus (pretty good) and Sicilian oil w/ dipping bread (pretty good; was excepting something a little different). Met some nice folks there, too. Came back again later at night, and it was not so good. Ordered the daily drink special, and the guy behind the bar first said he'd never heard of it, and then, when I told him it was their daily drink special, he threw 2 ingredients into a glass and passed it over (was not good; he winked at my friend, as if to say, "let's see if she'll drink it; tasted it; was pretty bad; he comped it; we left. Overall, had a really good time the first time, not good the second. Based on the average of the 2 experiences, I'll rate it a 3.
(3)Rose A.
This is a wonderful placeI ordered the Bruschetta not expecting much since it is a bar setup - but honestly the bruschetta and all the foods here blew my mind. Everything is DELICIOUS. The staff is wonderful and fun . The Bruschetta are served with goat cheese and the crispiest baguette slices
(5)Victoria H.
Discovered this place after going to the beach.... Love the drinks and food.... Plus our dogs can come inside.... Amazing drinks, awesome food and my dogs can join..... The best.
(5)Michelle C.
Our group stopped in Reds Bar for a quick beverage while making our way down the Pacific Coast Highway in November. First thoughts: Santa Barbara is a cool town! We all would like to go back sometime. First thoughts of Reds Bar: cute, and a little divey. I dig. We were the first patrons to arrive and the only patrons during our brief stay. Despite this, service was pretty laid-back. We had to walk up to the bar to order our drinks and, even though there were only four, one of the drinks was incorrect. It was mine, of course, but I went with it and the drink I received was pretty tasty. Not sure how the low-key service would fare with a larger crowd but it was fine for just our little crew. That bathroom could probably use a scrub down, though.
(3)Tim V.
Live music crazy eclectic crowd playing games throwback music and a pretty good wait staff that was able to find me in the sea of people.
(4)Elizabeth F.
0 stars if I could. I've never seen anything like this- the bartender turned on the house music during the middle of a (local) band's song without warning or any communication, ending their gig abruptly at 10:40 (they were slated to play until 11:30/12)- it's a Saturday night, they started @ 9:45 and were the headliners. I felt really bad for my colleague whose very cool band I had come to see for the first time. I asked the bartender why he had interrupted them and he said they hadn't brought in enough people (fiesta is stiff competition!) so he decided they shouldn't keep playing. The whole thing was incredibly disrespectful and unprofessional, and really sad to watch. His response to my inquiry was dismissive and rude. As a music lover and long time member of the SB art community I was offended and cannot support a business that treats artists and community members this poorly.
(1)Ellen S.
I came on a Sunday after noon, they had a live band with young girls. Holly cow! They were awesome! A great performance with a bloody Mary, I wished the drinks was a little more lemony but The drink was a bit on the stiff side.. I'm not complaining it was so yummy!!!!! I'm coming back for you guys
(5)Brooke N.
Beautiful restaurant! Amazing service and food. Great vibe, music and so clean... Had the 211 Mac and cheese and bruschetta. So happy with our experience. I would recommend this place over and over again! Thanks Dana!!
(5)Victoria O.
As many years as I've been in SB, I've only been here twice. The sign says it's been around since 2002, but I never came to the Funk Zone at all until 2011. The first was a weeknight around 6:30 and very chill. The tapas were excellent, particularly a date and goat cheese or apricot something or other I loved. Maybe wrapped in bacon. Last night I went later with boyfriend and couple who likes to dance. My boyfriend doesn't like to dance and he tends not to like louder venues unless seated comfortably. Redfish was playing and for live music at a casual venue of this side, I was so impressed with the guitar and bass. It really was fun. Dana, the owner, is incredibly nice and we spoke awhile before I realized this was the owner. Note: If you dislike heat, your only option in summer is the outdoor area. I really am averse to heat and in love with air conditioning. In New York, there is just no way around the horrifying humidity, but Starbucks, for instance, is an igloo. Sometimes you need to carry a sweater because the places with a/c are positively frigid. Still, I would definitely recommend Reds to people weary of the horrid Marquee. I hate that boom boom bad club music. The Sazerac was pretty good and for 10 very good. The music here is so much better and it's a relaxed and fun casual hangout with good wine, drinks and snacks. Parking is bad but that's true of the Funk Zone in general
(4)Jasmine T.
Reds is a really cool locals bar. Great drinks and amazing bartenders!! Dog friendly, live music and the best bloody Mary's ever!! What more could you wish for??
(5)Deidre S.
José mixed it up with great drinks. The Bloody Marys have a mini feast as garnish. No visit to Santa Barbara from LA is complete without stopping to eat, drink and dance to live music at Red's. Try the ginger chicken tacos and anything from their new expanded menu.
(5)Edmarie G.
Red's Bin 211 was a refreshing way to kickstart my boyfriend and I's first time in Santa Barbara! The Blood and Sand drink made with Maker's Mark was such a hit with my bf that one was just not enough. The bartenders shook it like a Polaroid picture while they made our drinks, they were really great in making sure we were enjoying ourselves. I wish this is where we started our time exploring the Funk Zone rather than wasting time and money on tastings elsewhere. I would definitely recommend coming by, checking in with that 20% off first round of cocktails, and enjoying some well-made drinks and the relaxed atmosphere!
(4)Amanda H.
I really enjoyed hanging at Reds on Friday evening! It was fun to say the least. I really am taking off one star because they need to remove their Yelp Check-In offer, I think it is really shitty to still advertise and then to tell patrons, who are NEW, that "we aren't doing that promotion anymore" we practically had to beg the bartender to hold the end of the deal and give us the damn discount. Good on his part I had 8 people in my party, all of which had minimum of 2 drinks. I loved the live music, it was awesome, and the crowd was cool. The bartenders were really sweet, and the drinks were nice and strong and I LOVED my mojitos!!!! I also recommend the grapefruit basil martini, YUM!! Will be back!
(4)Catherine F.
Food was tasty --- we had Asian pork sliders but the bottom bun on mine was soggy --- the reason why it's only 3 stars is that the bartender we had wasn't very helpful and for Lack of a better word sucked. I ordered an old fashioned... It wasn't an old fashioned.. It was whiskey and water. Very disappointed as I used to love this place!
(3)Steve O.
Top notch service. Stiff drinks. Good food. GREAT ATMOSPHERE. Live music is steady and enjoyable. Plenty of great beer on tap. Try the Cubano Sandwich. Thank you Dana for the wonderful hospitality. See you again soon!!
(5)Amanda O.
It looks like a dump from the outside, but that's pretty consistent with the area. The drink specials were great and cheap. The food was good. I wish my wings had been cooked a little longer for a crispy skin. The bartender was great- funny, cute and knowledgeable. We spent a little over an hour at the bar and he didn't hover but was always available. Great little spot for a drink and a bite.
(4)Caleb P.
Very good food, nice location, only downside was that the music was wayyyyyy too loud.
(4)Anna G.
I'd give them a zero, if I could. The service wasn't great. The scallops I ordered came with so much sand I thought I'd break a tooth and I found something floating in my glass. Not hygienic, really gross and I'll never be back.
(1)Douglas M.
Of course I am giving Reds five stars! It is where I roll... my hangout, my home away from home... Ok maybe that is getting carried away but I love this place and I am there on a fairly regular basis. Reds has many different faces and once you get to know it you will enjoy each and every one. On a Friday afternoon it is completely chill. A small gathering of locals, good drinks and a friendly staff. The new chef is terrific and you can certainly get a wonderful dinner without breaking the bank! Reds is a great place to celebrate a birthday, have a going away party or just an after work get together! Coordinate it with the music. They have awesome bands and for being off the beaten path they can draw quite the crowd! Some of the popular bands that play in Reds are Flock of Cougars, King Bee, Spencer the Gardener and Tina Schletzky (I am sure I butchered that spelling) but she is GREAT! I do recommend that you call ahead and find out what is going on or better yet get on thier facebook page. Oh and the best thing for Yelpers is that when you check in your first round is 50% off!
(5)Desiree P.
LET"S GET FUNKY Stop in and see Steve -- cocktail master ! Enjoyed the bacon wrapped pineapple prawns ... and thanks to Bobby for the great chat and security making sure the newly-installed sign didn't fall on our heads! ... Can't wait for the updated menu created by the new chef Jasmine ... and looking forward to the happy hour. Fun place ... live music and cool place to hang out! Depending on the time of day ... we came in the afternoon and it was quite and relaxing .. but on a Friday night with a DJ spinning it would be a party atmosphere. Next to the Urban Wine Trail in the Funk Zone.
(4)Fred S.
I been here several times following a great band 'Roosters". Every time I have been there (last night included) the service sucked. They completely ignore you. They talk amunst themselves even though the bar is packed with people waiting. I wait for 5 min, and they service the person that just walked up next to me, obvilous to my presence. I am not the only one. This holds to all the tenders there. Not just last night but every time. I am fighting to give this two stars but it has happend every time (5-6 visits). They are really ignorant to what good service is. I appreciate they may have been busy, but you can see they are inexperienced, apathetic or both. I do not recommend going there.
(1)Wendy S.
What happened to this place? I was there this past Sunday (07/20). They had one bartender who had more fun making drinks than serving people? People walking away they were so frustrated it was taking so long. I ordered a simple drink - grapefruit basil martini - he didn't bother to muddle the basil - just scrunched it in his hands and tossed it in the mixer. Oh I get it - he was saving one minute by not making a $10 drink properly. BUT - what really bothered me - he tried making THREE drinks from the one mixer - my drink was one shot - for $10? At first I thought he was giving me a taster - then asked if I wanted to keep my tab open. Are you kidding me? REALLY disappointed. (and disappointed in myself for tipping the guy.) Owner needs to remind that bartender that people are paying to have a drink made the proper way, and that trying to be cheap is a great way to lose a customer.
(2)Nico D.
Great vibes! The service and people here are very friendly(Saturday night 9pm). Great spicy micheladas. Can not vouch for their food but the tapas menu looks good. Live band was great with rad ambiance.
(5)Ellen D.
We wandered over to this place on a Sunday evening. It was about 8pm when we arrived and we were told the kitchen was closed, even though there were a handful of patrons there. Really? Many of the other restaurants in the area were still serving food. The music was also blasting at ear-splitting level. There is no way we could have had any conversation over dinner if we had been able to eat there.
(2)Jennifer N.
A bar that serves mixed drinks in the middle of the Urban Wine Trail - either perfect, or a recipe for a disaster. We came around 5:00 on Labor Day Sunday, and the bar was PACKED. So packed, I think it took us almost 20 minutes to order drinks. They had a lot of fun recipe concoctions to choose from - though the wait to order is so long, we kept it to a one drink stop. The live music outside is fun, and funky, and a lot of people dance, depending on how far along they are in their wine tasting. The food truck also was an added bonus, and if I had been a little more hungry, I definitely would have stopped. I think you could probably go to the food truck without going to the bar, so it might be a nice stop while wine tasting for some carbs. The bathroom situation was pretty terrible - one bathroom for women, never works. A little too crowded, but good drinks, and definitely a party atmosphere.
(3)Rachel H.
Great little place for appetizers and a drink - and live music. I love the hip ambiance and the bar staff is awesome. Bartender guy had a great sense of humor. And when I checked in on Yelp, we enjoyed a 20% off offer - limited time only so check it out quickly! We will be back next time we are in the Funk Zone.
(4)Dan S.
Best mixed drinks in town! My go-to is the old fashion, but I also like having the bartenders make something up for me. If Steven is bartending, he really knows his stuff. They also seem to garnish with basil which gives the drinks a nice smell.
(5)Voiceof R.
Forget the overpriced, packed bars on State Street and head to this hidden gem. The staff was super friendly, the drinks well poured and the band was stellar!!! We danced and drank until the wee hours.
(4)Jessica S.
If you have been going here for the past three years you know what to expect - it's not a Johnny Rockets or Starbucks, its a scrappy little bar in the funk zone and that means its weird. in a good way. the paint is kind of sticky and the toilet doesn't lock all the time and the staff looks like they are underpaid and act like it. its real. the needle skips every now and then in real life and the place doesn't try to apologize for it. its only a matter of time before it gets taken over and turned into a pottery barn so enjoy it while you can!
(4)Glen N.
The most unpretentious and bro-free bar in SB, which is why it's our favorite.
(4)Nida K.
On a Friday night around 6PM, I was looking for a Happy Hour in SB and found Reds. As we walked in, I was surprised because there didn't seem to be many "happy" people hanging around... in fact, it was pretty dead. Unfortunately, there were only drink specials, and none on the food (womp womp), but $4 for a big pour of wine made me happy. By the name, I was expecting a bigger selection on food, but we picked a couple of things off the menu written on the wall. We tried their mac n cheese and cuban sandwich. Both were okay, definitely nothing to write home about especially since they were at full price. If you want to drink, this place is great especially during happy hour. If you want to eat, I suggest going elsewhere.
(3)Ray B.
Worst service ever. The bar is too cool for you to exist. The bar tender looks at you then goes to someone else that just got there. What a fry. The owner should fry her shitty help.
(1)Preston M.
great spot...great happy hour. Love the atmosphere and also really like the locals that Reds brings in...super friendly patrons all the time!!!
(5)Ryan M.
Good drinks, live music, cool setting, and a few good friends made for a nice little Friday night. Our group took over the side room (off to the right when facing the bar) and had a nice couch to sit on and enjoy the show. Will pop back in again...
(4)T A.
Jerry knows how to serve a great wine tasting! 12 lil shot glasses, sitting in a row..12 bottles of wine behind them. *claps maniacally* Yay! There was a lot of art within and surrounding this place. It definitely made you feel like you were in Santa Barbara. I had a lot of fun here... the patrons are pretty stuck up. But who cares about other people when you're havin fun with the person you're with? At some point they started serving food.. so we had the grilled ham and cheese grilled and the Sicilian oil with french bread. Both were decent and probably needed to sop up all the wine in our bellies. I definitely recommend getting a tasting here. You get to try a many varietals from various vineyards and even pour yourself a refill of the ones you really enjoyed ;). OK well maybe you're not allowed to do that, but I did and it sure did kick things up a notch on the fun meter.
(5)Taylor W.
I can't give a solid review as we only stopped in for a drink around 9:00 on a Saturday night. The vibe was alright, with some people dancing and others hovered around the bar. The bar menu looked great, and Reds has a lot of unique mixed drink options. I used the bathroom and noticed that there is a tiki themed room in the back. I'm assuming this is the restaurant portion? Decent experience when we went.
(3)Anthony D.
Slow bar tending service and payed full price for a beer that was already poured in the fridge.
(2)Tammy L.
cute bar with an "older" crowd. the live music on saturday was super fun and good. drinks however were inconsistent. hubby asked the bartender to make him a spicy, tequila concoction. the first one he got was delicious. slightly sour, but with a good kick and just the right amount of tequila. but then he ordered another (made by the same bartender) and it was COMPLETELY different. this time it was super sour and had no spice. BLEH. same thing with my drink, I ordered something similar to whiskey pineapple, my next same drink was different then the first. I'd still come back regardless since I liked the music, the people are friendly and chill, and drinks are fairly inexpensive!
(4)Lindsay R.
Had very yummy, cheap drinks here when we were visiting a friend, thanks to the Yelp check-in offer.
(4)Jake A.
Great fresh hand made cocktails. The place is a mix of a dive bar and high end cocktail lounge.
(4)Danah W.
My experience at Reds was one of the strangest experiences I've ever had at a bar. I arrived on a weekday evening around nine and was looking for a good late night wine bar to wind down after a busy day. My faithful Yelp app, came through with good reviews of Reds so I decided to check it out. When I walked into the bar there were an eclectic bunch of patrons clustered on the patio, in seats, at the bar and scattered throughout the venue. Good sign. There was a band playing new age folk rock. One of them was an employee of Reds. The crowd was a non-diverse mix of hipsters and old men. Reminiscent of the North Hollywood scene. I made my way to the bar and took a seat on an empty chair as I watched the bartenders socialize with the patrons. I sat there for about 10 minutes patiently waiting for one of them to acknowledge me but no one did. A few other people at the bar stared awkwardly at me with that "who are you glance" and I shrugged my shoulders, smiled and continued to wait. At this point I was committed to the task being that I had already waited so long for service. A tall, slender man with a broken foot and long hair approached the bar and stood behind me, ready for a refill. (He later introduced himself as Jason.) This is where it gets really strange... The blond, short-haired bartender, also named Jason, then immediately turned to face him, unzipped his jeans (with no underwear underneath) and proceeded to pull out his wang teasingly at the Jason standing behind me. I was shocked. I got full frontal nudity from the little bartender. Tall Jason teased back verbally and the little bartender Jason, put his very, little friend back in his pants. Gross! While all of this was going on, another bartender, a petite woman with short blond hair, was behind the bar talking to customers also. I found out later that her name is Dana, and she is one of the owners. I felt horrible for Dana because she seemed to have no control over Jason and his outrageous behavior. He just got more vulgar as the night progressed and talked to her in very condescending, smart-ass tones. It would have been embarrassing behavior for any restaurant professional and I can't believe she tolerated it. Okay, back to the story...tall Jason behind me, noticing I had been sitting there for quite some time without once being spoken to, asked if I wanted a drink and then gave little Jason my order. He said he was part owner of the joint and bought me a couple of glasses of wine. I chose a red, a Zin I think, and it was delicious. We talked story for awhile about how I was new in town and he said that Reds wasn't a good fit for me and that I belonged in a place like Cafe Lucky or Lucky's. I haven't been to either yet but I'll check them out. I haven't been back to Reds since, though I've told a bunch of people about my experience. I don't think I'd go back again but I'm curious if my experience was unique or not so I might give it a whirl...but probably not. I'd rather go to Blue Agave or Milk & Honey where at least I can get good service and not have to worry about being flashed by a cocky bartender.
(2)Jenna C.
This place is fun. I know, that's not a very useful sentence, but it's just kind of an average experience, nothing super good, nothing super bad. They do have a good amount of space for the size of crowds that usually frequent Reds. I think their happy hour selections are pretty good - hummus and pita, mac and cheese, I think a bruschetta. I always get wine, which is always fine. The staff is super friendly! They kinda have raunchy conversations with each other, but it's cool. I guess it matches the paintings on the wall. And if you don't know what I mean, take a look at the wall when you go. I just like this place for some snacks and possibly follow-up drinks after Kalyra wine-tasting.
(3)Jennifer D.
My husband I had just checked into our hotel, and I decided to yelp a place for drinks. We found Reds! It was a tuesday night, so there wasn't a big crowd. A dj came in a spun 80's music, and I danced the night away with some new friends! It was so much fun! and the drinks and Tapas were a pretty good deal!
(4)Lemonjelly L.
I had an appointment elsewhere in the Funkzone one afternoon and rather than schlepp myself all the way back to Goleta for the last half hour of the workday, I hunkered down at Reds with their free wifi and finished up my work there. The atmosphere was quiet enough that I could do regular office-style work there. Plus, it turns out they have happy hour from 3-7 pm during the weekdays, and the happy hour food menu is just $4 per item. (UPDATE: I've come here since then, and the happy hour food prices are now $2 off regular prices, I've adjusted prices in my photos.) These weren't greasy salty snack foods designed to keep a patron parched and drinking. The menu is based on their standard menu of sandwiches, bruschetta, quiche, things you and a friend can dig into or dishes you can consume solo. I ordered a couple items for myself and a few others. First up was the mac and cheese, made with Reds' tangy cheese sauce. The pasta was a large elbow macaroni, and held lots of the sauce, which really did have a pleasant chile zip to it. I am a fan of mac and cheese that has a little breadcrumb crunch on top, and these has a light sprinkle of them. It's a small portion, and the regular menu price is $5, so it comes down to just $3, and it's one of the most comforting. The standard menu cheese plates differ by the number of cheeses you want on the plate, with correspondingly different prices. For happy hour, it is simply one cheese in the serving. It might sound like a small amount for $7, but the chunk of cheese is ample, and it comes served with apricot spread, fruit, and toasted French bread like crostini. All plated nicely around artistic swirls of balsamic reduction. The cheese was manchego, a Spanish firm sheepsmilk cheese. I consider everything on the happy hour menu to be a deal, but the chicken sandwiches might be the biggest bang for the buck on the menu. The $7 will get you two sliders of pulled chicken breast with Reds' BBQ sauce, served on toasted rolls with a pickle wedge on the side. This caprese crostini surprised everyone, by being much more generous than expected. I even asked if I'd accidentally been served a double portion. No, it really is five slices of toasted French bread, each topped with sliced roma tomatoes and topped with melted mozzarella, julienned basil and a drizzle of olive oil. This was great to share. The final item was a tri-tip panino. I didn't actually order this, it was another patron's of Reds who was nice enough to let me get a photo of it. This sandwich was highly recommended by the bartender on duty, and while my particular group wasn't in a red meat mood, I thought it needed to be represented, given its accolades. The bread looked like sourdough, and the tri-tip was smothered with a blue cheese horseradish sauce. Just typing up this description is making me salivate. The written description isn't the same as seeing a photo, and I've uploaded photos of all, if you don't mind doing some extra clicky-clicky. I would have loved to try every dish on their happy hour menu, there are about nine items available, but there were only three of us to share the food. Must. Go. Back.
(4)Bryant S.
While I don't go there often, every single time I have had a good time hanging out and drinking when there is live music. It is a great place to go people watching.
(4)Sally Spork S.
My review for Reds Bar and Tapas Atmosphere: Located in the funk zone, large barn like structure with an ample outdoor patio. We arrived on Saturday around 7 and there was a jazz trio playing: lively and pleasant, not too loud so we can talk. Later around 9 the trio was replaced by a very loud, band with full drum set and a woman screaming at the top of her lungs was squeezed indooors. Way too loud to hear anything, we left shortly after. As we were sitting outside, wafts of smoke (of both varieties) drifted in the patio. Service: My friend went in to order drinks, while I saved the last table outside. It took her FOREVER to get the drinks. We ordered tapas which didn't arrive too terribly late. There is no one to check in on you however, you have to order at the bar which was packed. Food: We ordered two drinks: one virgin/one leaded. Both excellent and flavorful. We also ordered a bruscetta tapa (goat cheese and crustini: nothing to rave about.) And tri tip sliders which where excellent: meat flavorful, bread crusty and sauce tasty. Summary: The drinks and tapas while tasty, can't make up for the atmosphere which is too groungy for my tastes and ordering/delivery of food/drinks which is almost self-service. I'd like to go for coffee and the needed internet cafe as it does get rave reviews. But as for now, my karma at Reds is complete.
(3)Alex T.
I loved this place. Wine, tapas, and live music. :) there was a small selection but everything was awesome and I loved the atmosphere.
(5)Russell S.
Went to Red's last night. The band and atmosphere rocked. Even the photography hanging. But not so much the bartenders:( They took there sweet time. One charged me $12 for two cocktails (I tipped $2.) Then on the same next round the other tall bartender charged me $15 And the drink was WAY weaker. Of course no tip for you! It was maybe a shot of vodka. T.I.P.S = To insure proper service
(3)Tyler H.
I used to go to 7 bar and kitchen a few times a week for dinner and drinks and always wondered what this place was. My girlfriend and I decided to go since we were in the mood for tapas. It was on a Tuesday night during happy hour. I got a glass of cab for 5 dollars which was well worth the price. She got one of the specialty cocktails which she really enjoyed but I can't remember what it was. The place only had a few people in it, with a hip interior design. It seems happy hour would be a great time to come with a group of friends to get drinks and tapas, I believe it's a lot more packed and loud at later hours. The bartender was very nice and acted as a bartender/server for us. If they were more packed, I could see some people having trouble with service if they weren't just looking for drinks at the bar. The owner was also there and she introduced herself and was very nice. Overall it was a perfect place to get a good dinner with drinks for only around 40 dollars. We order the buffalo wings, Mac n cheese, and the crab cakes. We thought they were all delicious. The prices on the menus are different than what they charge you which was a little frustrating since that's such an easy thing to change. I will definitely be coming here in the future when I'm looking to get food and drinks at a cool place for a reasonable price.
(5)Mahogany C.
Came here yesterday for a group birthday party, we had a blast! The music was awesome. The customer service and drinks were were right on. I met the chef/owner he was so nice and welcoming. I will definitely be returning with another bus load of ppl!
(5)Erik S.
What an incredible find!! I came across Red's looking for a place to kill a little time while waiting for traffic to die down on the 101. It was a Sunday night so I had the place mostly to myself aside for a few people. The atmosphere in the the bar is great. Not too big and not too small. Impressive selection on the wine list for a smaller establishment at reasonable prices. The wine tender was very welcoming and friendly. I didn't get a chance to try any of the food yet but the menu looks delicious and I'm looking forward to trying some selections during my next visit to Santa Barbara.
(4)Lisa Z.
Cool, eclectic bar in the Urban Wine Trail area, near the train station (a few blocks from where State meets the beach). Beer on tap, but the wines by the glass were far more interesting. Live music on the weekend. Interesting loungey vibe, casual and mellow, but yet fun. I liked everything, even the creepy paintings on the walls.
(4)Elise N.
Good for Breakfast/Lunch = NOT TURE. They don't open till 3 so its not like they have bad options, they just have NONE - literally - because they're closed. We stopped by here for a drink right after they opened, at THREE, and were excited to try their food too. Well, they're kitchen was "closed because we were closed yesterday and she has to go buy the food to make it". Annoying bc they WERE closed yesterday and maybe the owner should have used that time, or the time before THREE to buy the food. We were really hungry too and sat outside the place for 10 mins waiting for them to open bc they got such good reviews. Whatever, their business, their money. The drinks were good. The decor is cool and funky. We totally dug the place and I'm sure its better at night when its poppin'. Just sucks bc the only thing that was poppin' at THREE when then open was the champagne in my empty belly. We got the ginger lemon cocktail and the partida margarita. Both excellent!
(3)Jonny T.
Only popped in here quickly after a stroll along the beach. Choice of beer is average but..... ...they have Caipirinha - made with real cachaça. We were there early so no live music but the tunes they were playing were great. Nice vibe place.
(4)Tina E.
Don't be fooled....this is not just a coffee and winehouse. This is an awesome location half block from Amtak! Come people...come. These are the establisments that need to stay in the economy! In glad I did not depend on yelp and noticed the low tech option...a local chalkboard ;) BTW...it's a local deal. Worth the experience.
(5)Paul W.
I love this place. Woohoo... as good as it gets! Friendly staff, great drinks, and good ambiance. Had my birthday party there 2 years ago and have not been disappointed sine then. I highly recommend the Partida Margarita. Dana makes a killer one. Cheers
(5)Heather H.
A friend recommended this little hidden treasure and we loved it! Dana was awesome and really made the experience all that much better! From the tasty martinis to the watermelon blasters....the drinks were fab. From your friends in San Diego - Jim n Heather
(5)Chris T.
Great bar, run by great people, and one of the best live music venues in town. Live music as it's meant to be seen: in a raucous little joint with people who like to drink.
(5)James H.
Excellent tri-tip and great service. Recommend!
(5)Meemee B.
I love this place!! More people need to come! Great venue, great staff, amazing drinks and yummy bites...
(5)Jeromy M.
Very friendly and helpful staff recommended a great wine, which we enjoyed with the hummus and cheese plates. Fun and hip atmosphere with lots of locals made hanging out highly enjoyable. Definitely would go back! Check it out.
(5)Jessica I.
Loved it, loved it, loved it!! I sort of just meandered into this place, but I am so glad I did. I was trekking the Urban Wine Trail after being heartbroken that the winery on the Wharf had closed down the day before. I stopped at Kunin/Westerly winery and picked up the UWT brochure and my "spirits" were instantly lifted! I COULD taste my fill of wine after all! A quick stop at SB Winery for 6 wines and a souvenir glass at only $5 and that put my total at ten different vintages. I was done in and I needed food. Badly. And more wine. I, quite literally (most likely), stumbled into Reds after finding that Oreana was closed for the evening. I thought Reds was Kalyra at first, but it was the "TAPAS" sign out front that really drew me in. Dana set me up with six different wines throughout the evening, although I can't remember any after the first one. And she made an amazing Cheese Plate (Basque Shepherd cheese, a little fruit) and Greek Plate (3 different kinds of hummus, warm flatbread, more cheese, and olives). I spent my hour talking to Dana and her mom - two of THE coolest women in SB, seriously. Absolutely LOVED it. The wine tasting here was only $5 too - I think I spent a total of $20 or something for the wine and food...not too shabby! Great place! Oh - you won't find them on the UWT map because they serve other things than just wine. But Reds is smack in the middle of the trail. Just head slightly west from Oreana - you can't miss it!
(4)Harlo C.
I've been going here since it was a coffee shop. About two years ago the owner changed the concept to a wine & tapas bar. Although I miss the coffee, the addition of wine has created a fun, cool spot. I read some of the negative reviews here and, well, the points they make are generally true! But that's what gives the place a fun vibe. This is the last little part of SB that is still urban and not whitewashed over with GAP and J.CREW stores.
(4)Christina K.
i like this place it has a chic modern feel. Off of State st. away from the college kid scene yet still hip. Small menu but always delicious. Art on the walls, live music , bbq during the day, patio. i will be back.
(5)Jim P.
I can only review the atmosphere as I only had an espresso... That said, the place is really nice! The decor is terrific, and they still have free wireless. When I'm up for a wine-tasting and/or tapas, I'll definitely come here.
(4)Toby K.
I had been to Reds a couple times back when it was a coffee shop, but only recently found out it is now a bar & tapas joint. Spent an awesome summer Saturday hanging out there with George the bartender, and I have to say this is my new favorite bar in SB. The vibe is laid back, the bartenders are awesome, and the music is good but quiet enough that you can still talk normally with your friends... there's free wifi, outdoor seating, and often live music. Heard a great jazz ensemble there the other day. Highly recommended!
(5)Michael B.
Now with a full bar and karaoke! Sweet! Everyone there seems to like singing--bartenders, staff, even the owner! Fun & friendly!
(5)RafaelJeannie S.
Stopped into Red's in the midst of a mid-day Wednesday urban wine wander. After two stops and 9 tastings,we realized we all needed some food. Our party of 4 instantly, doubled the crowd in he bar and Warren immediately made us feel welcome. Being of sound mind, Jeannie went for a water spacer while the rest of us went for a beer spacer. Warren offered up a taste of Firestone's 805. Great stuff! Brother and I jumped at that. My uncle went for the Hinano. Jeannie chatted Warren up and he ended up hooking us up with with a banana German chocolate cake shot. Jeannie loves the cake vodka, so naturally she loved the shot and have to say I liked it too( I usually stay away from the sweet shots, but it was no where near the sickly sweet I was expecting). Since we did stop in for food, we figured we should put some emphasis into ordering. Ordered three helpings of tri-tip sliders and Jeannie picked out an asparagus tapa. Know everyone in SB does some kind of play on tri-tip, but you have to try the sliders here! Jeannie devoured the spears (she did let me try a couple of bites) and wished she would have ordered more. Kevin came out to see how we liked everything and we told him how much we enjoyed all of it. Both he and Warren made this a great stop in. We had two more stops after our layover in Red's, but we vowed to return around 7 for the live music and to rendezvous with my cousin and his family. Glad we did, because the music was great and it was a perfect place for our growing group of about a dozen( that included 5 teenagers who came and went like a money seeking tide!) Make sure you find this place just tucked back off of State St!
(5)mark r.
I love Reds. it really is everything a coffee shop should be, great coffee, good food, diverse clientele, local art on the walls, relaxed atmosphere, cool community events such as art shows, concerts and holiday parties. my one gripe is that they are closed sunday, which really is sorta silly. so nice to have this little caffeinated oasis in a sea of star*ucks.
(5)Jamie B.
I had stumbled upon Reds while wine tasting one weekend. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this place. My girlfriend and I immediately fell in love with the place. Its a wonderful change of pace from the scream your order college kid bars on state. George the bartender was great and plays pretty good music. Their Greyhound made with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice has made me fall back in love the cocktail. They have live music pretty frequently and I have danced outside to a particularly good Funk band there. Their patio is a great place to spend a warm afternoon and even during this less than stellar summer Reds has been in sunshine when the pier is all fogged in. The decor is cool and they do a great job of using the space. I haven't tried the food yet but everything that I've seen looks great and I'll be trying it soon. Its my new favorite place!
(5)