Wildcat Lounge

Getting sh*tty @ the kitty!

Might have to be already well into your drinking binge before coming here, seeing as it's all one hot, sweaty mess inside. However, everyone loves a fun-loving crowd, so I can't totally hate on this place.

At about 12:30pm, we walked down the street from Tonic and saw a line at the Wildcat! A little talking to the bouncer got all 9 girls to the front of the line! They let our bachelorette in for free and everyone else paid the $5 cover. Drinks are cheap, the music's bumpin', and there's go-go dancers on platforms lining the dance floor. It gets VERY crowded and you'll probably have drinks spilled on you, your feet stepped on, and people trying to maneuver their way through, but come with a carefree party attitude and you'll be fine! The crowd is friendly and everyone is out to have a good time!

There's also a small patio in the back if you get claustrophobic.

Shoulder-to-shoulder sweaty 20-somethings, constant deafening ADD-snippets of dance music, a poo-smelling hallway that houses the bathrooms and also serves as the only access to the smokey and congested back patio. If this is your idea of a good time, enjoy. If not, it's a place you want to avoid if at all possible.

One of my closest friends is gay and comes here often on weekends because it's one of the better gay scenes in Santa Barbara. I totally agree with that judging from the enthusiasm for the entertaining weekend drag queen shows and the many happy same-sex couples getting down on the dance floor. But gay I am not, nor am I a fan of screaming for hours to be heard or shouldering my way up to the bar for an overpriced cocktail. There is very little here to interest me, but again, my review is coming from the perspective of someone who does not enjoy any of this. If this is your scene, you'll be in heaven.

Went on a Sunday gay night.

Reminded me of the queer bars in Berlin: super cute, unpretentious, non-judgmental and friendly. Also, some fancy 80s/90s pop music that is a nice break from the usual house/techno clubs. I also appreciated the spectrum of folk, ranging from older to younger, hyper-hip to wonderfully-simple - and everyone seemed quite nice.

I wish there was a place like this in LA.