This place is pretty small, but the bartenders are friendly and it makes for hanging out with small groups nice. I usually alternate between this place and Dargan's across the street. It's a nice little dive bar. I nice place to watch part of the game on tv and head on to what awaits your night in downtown Santa Barbara.
Review Source:This bar is mostly a tiny hallway. I mean that in a good way, like you're crammed into a party with a bunch of cool people and you HAVE to talk to them because they're right in your face. Drinks are strong and reasonably priced (I think? I'm not sure, I think my friend might have closed my tab for me because i was outside talking to a GENTLEMAN).
Speaking of that, there were some nice-looking gentlemen there if you are a lady who feels like getting a good flirt in. I recommend the tried-and-true tactic of turning around and saying "hi, I'm ____!" For some reason that works? I don't know. How does one do lady things?
Anyway. The bar. We sat and drank for like 3 solid hours, having lovely conversations with various strangers about various things. It was a delightful evening that maaaaaybe ended with all of us running into the ocean in our underwear. This is a good place. Go here. Maybe remember it.
We love The Press Room, great beers, good crowd, good bartenders, best jukebox in SB, good place to get away from the college people. But, my wife and I walked in for a beer on Saturday night and the smell of urine was so overpowering we had to leave. Evidently others thought the same thing because it was not as crowded as usual on a Saturday night.
Hope they attend to this. Will check back this week to see if they have.
The Press Room isn't a bar--it's a religion.
No dancing area, no nasty appetizers, no barrages of sorority girls falling all over themselves...it's truly the polar opposite of the sb bar scene. The beers on tap are amazing, the bartenders are seasoned pros, and the other patrons are actually interesting to talk to. Â
Press also has personality, something most other sb bars are sorely lacking. They feature amazing artists, will open up as early as 4 or 5 am for EPL games, and will even order you food from Dargans across the street and let you eat it in there. It's the kind of place where you can get kicked out for being a drunk idiot, but they won't make you feel bad about it the next time you come in. Â Best bar in sb easily.
It's not every day that one can find a bar that's both "cool" and a good place to watch the game, but as it turns out, the Press Room is a notable member of this magical bar species.
A clean-ish pub that can't properly be called a hole-in-the-wall, the Press Room is a cool, dark, Irish-inflected burrow that seems out of place in sunny Santa Barbara - and that's part of its appeal. Here, guys who might spend their days skateboarding or hanging out in the breezy coffeeshops that line State Street can sneak away to indulge in less hipstery past-times - like talking smack with old-timers about the mystery wrapped in bacon that is LeBron James.
I'm not sure if it was coincidence or not that the fans inside this Irish pub were all rooting for the Boston Celtics, but we felt very much at home, craning our necks at the bar to see the action on two screens. The bartenders were all pleasant and made sure to keep our beer glasses topped off, especially when the action went south. I'm grateful to our fellow bar patrons for passing along their condolences when we lost, which I think helped soothe the sting for my boyfriend, a lifelong Celtics fan.
As for me -- well, being able to find a cool bar off the beaten path in Santa Barbara to kill a few hours and watch the game was enough of a win for me.
Hands down favorite place to go in SB that's not a club. The staff is always respectful (as long as you respect them!) The atmosphere is great and they love supporting local organizations, artists, and sports teams! I can always bring in my dinner, or order it from Dargan's across the street and sometimes they'll deliver it to you!
Review Source:One of the VERY few places (if any) in Santa Barbara:
+where you can get a Coopers Pale Ale.
+that opens at the crack of dawn so you can catch your footie game.
+where there isn't a ridiculous line for the ladies' restroom.
+that isn't crowded with college kids.
Well done, Press Room.
Birthday shot on the house?! Thanks bartender lady!
The Press Room is a small, little bar near State St. and they showcase a lot of sports games. They've got a full bar with reasonable prices. I was really intrigued by the number of British men who hung out there and I couldn't help but eavesdrop as I listened to their accents. Men with British accents? HOT... when I looked over and saw 50+ year old men, NOT. Nonetheless, a very cool place to drink!
I'm reposting this old review due to having 2 different YELP accounts and can't get the old one to sync with my facebook account. Modifying it a bit as well to add all current Bartenders.
The current bartenders Raff (owner), Cynthia, Carmen, Billy and Chris are all AWESOME! I've been coming to this killer little pub for over a year now.
Here are just 5 of the reasons this little English Pub is so great! There are many additional reasons then this, but you'll get the general idea with these.
1) See above bartenders (if there is one I left out... I just haven't met them yet)
2)They've got the best selection on a jukebox in town! Newer alternative, older new-wave and British classic rock.
3) Always have Footy on!
4) They're very dog friendly. My new pup Rover absolutely is very welcomed and loved by all patrons and the staff here. Dog cut-off time is 6pm.
5) The people that all go here are very cool and interesting.
This place is mainly locals which is great! I'm in my late 30's and feel neither too old or too young. If you haven't been here yet... give this place a try. If you have been... I'm sure I'll see you back here.
Cheers!
This place reminds me of the movie "Trainspotting." It has that grunge, cool vibe with accents flying everywhere. Â The drinks are a great price. Â Always a soccer game on when I've gone. Â
Definitely make a trip to the bathroom. Â The posters in front of the doors will definitely lead you to the right room to relieve yourself. Â Believe me, even if you're drink beyond yourself, you will know where to go.
This review is for afternoon / early evening hours, that's when I do most of my guzzling here. This is a no frills British style pub / neighborhood bar. It's just steps away from State Steet but it's not 'touristy' at all. Friendly regulars, fun conversations and a lotta laughing make this place a must.
There's a good selection of British beers on draught and plenty of bottled stuff if you want domestic. If you're ever disappointed by tenders that don't know how to pour a Guinness or a Boddingtons it won't happen here. They take their time and pour 'em just right. The owner tends bar weekdays. He is a nice guy with a twisted sense of humor. Â I like it.
They have the rugby channel if you're a rugger and you can usually find someone to scream at the wide screens with you. Big soccer events can get pretty crazy. Â A lot of ex-pats from Europe and the UK come in for those.
They don't serve food but there's no problem bringing it in. Good beer, good prices, good jukebox, good people.
Feels like a dive bar, looks like a dive bar but this little English pub is more than just your average dive bar.
First of all- with places like this, often times you feel like an outsider as everyone seems to know everyone else in this place. Â But that won't last long as the "regulars' invite you to sit a while and offer up suggestions of what to do while you are in their fair city.
if you are a soccer (football) fan- then this is you place as they play all the games no matter what time they come on. Â And the jukebox? Â Clearly a winner with the range of music (oldies, British classic rock, alternative) that was spewing forth on the sunny after noon that I sat and drank a pint or two with my new friends.
Make no mistake. Â This is not a tourist type bar like many that like State Street. Â It's full of locals. Â But if you are in the mood to have a reasonably priced beer, and to learn about life in Santa Barbara- the Press Room is the place to be!
I just came in for the love of assoc football - not like I even support Manyu or the Arse - but on the first day of my vacation, I wanted to see what is usually a good game and this place was recommended. Â
1) Â Billy is awesome;
2) Jukebox is awesome;
3) Bar is simply great.
What more can be said?
(The game the next day, the day after I came in to scout out the bar, was so-so.)
Small, no frills bar with decent staff and great prices!
The Press Room is a great place to go if you're on a budget and seeking anonymity. In my experience, it's not the type of atmosphere where you're going to meet new people and make friends, as there is definitely a culture to the joint that breathes hipster "insiders' club." Newbies stick out like a sore thumb.
Kudos to the female bartender who was super attentive and friendly. Thanks to her I didn't have to wait too long while the other bartender chatted with his buddies.
I also enjoyed the diverse variety of music playing and the NBA games on the flat screens.
I'll definitely come back and see if the social scene is a little different on another night, while enjoying delicious drinks at low prices. =)
Oh Santa Barbara, amidst the colorful nightlife--restaurants, bars, and clubs--one little bar stood within the shadows of taxi vans, exuberant college giggles, and the ghastly silence of a town filled with joy-- The Press Room.
I truly enjoy a good dive especially when it caters to the so-called alternative lifestyle. Â Beer + Stoli Cran = $11.50. Â Not bad for a pint of Stella and a good cocktail. Â
The music was pretty good too. Â Once in awhile you get Oasis in the mix of new wave/punk and of course I got little nauseated. Â I felt very comfortable inside though; the bartenders were awesome and nice, and the ambiance was pretty chill. Â
Unfortunately, this is a place I would grow insanely attached to if I were to live in this town. Â Well, maybe it's a good thing.
See you soon Press Room.
Fun, small pub right off of State street and across from Dargans. Â Pretty good atmosphere with some good beer choices and priced better than any other bar in the area. Â If you want something unique, try the Bombardier in its specialty glass. Â
A good place to grab a pint on a weekend night (or any other for that matter).
Great find!
The Press Room is a small pub just a block off of State Street. They've got a nice selection of brews and some good Wiskey's. After paying Downtown LA prices for so long, my $6 Makers Sour was a steal - and a great drink at that.
Loud trendy places bug me, so I hopped on yelp to get the inside scoop on an off-the-strip watering hole. Glad I did. The place was pretty busy, but it felt comfortable. Great local vibe and no 'state-street-tramps.'
Best jukebox in Santa Barbara but the feel is Members Only. Great selection of Britt beers on draw and football playing all hours but I've never felt comfortable in The Press Room. On busy nights the bouncer is selective. This is not LA it's a small local bar and you can't play favorites. The Room is small and can get very busy. I know its popular but for me, The Press Room it not home.
Walk around the corner to Old Lings Road. Same pond, but very different pub.
Life's too short for a mediocre bar.
Thank goodness for the Press Room. Â As a recent Chicago transplant, I've had a tough time finding my groove.
This place makes me feel right at home. Â I love football joints. Â I can go with buddies or by myself and know I won't get harassed by annoying bros. Â I was a bit surprised that a High Life was $4...but again, maybe I'm used to Midwest prices.
I like it more and more as time goes on.
The words "local" and "hangout" jive well here. Helps, too, that the times I've been have been with friends I greatly respect and adore.
I dare say as well, it's a good first date place. Bring your date here after the first date to wrap up the evening. Dinner and a movie is easy to get through, but if your date can't take a kick back moment chatting at the bar over a beer, well, end of story.
Wait, did I say it has a good local vibe? Yeah. SB visitors, don't read this.
PS. last night they offered chili and balloons for inauguration night. Smelled great and hey, Obama balloons!
Not only would I do this place in the butt, I have. I usually get the bay breezes but they def. turned on me one night and kicked me in the face with a hangover the next morning so I must find another drink. But whatever I get, it'll get me pretty dang belige @ the press room or rather, cheaper and faster @ the press vs. other bars in sb... Just the way I like it. TEEHEE!
Did I mention that there's a shag chair in the women's bathroom?
Oh and the people who work there are flippin' amazing notgonnalie. One of them offered me the Press Room parking spot so I could leave my car there overnight. Although, I obviously could not drive my car to said spot... Nice offer though
p.s. The place is small and gets pretty crowded/hot so leave the sweater @ home on weekend nights fosho. Also, on weekend nights, you may have to wait in line, but it's so worth it.
p.p.s. you can bring food in here! but be prepared to endure my jealous glares while you eat...
This was my favorite bar in SB. Hands down. Small, small, little English Pub, but the bartenders were always nice, Charles the doorman was always fun to talk politics with, and it was on my street. Can't go wrong with that!
Bonus points for not being like most of the other bars in SB, filled with drunken college kids. Only Drunken locals here! :)
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