The Marquee

–CLOSED–
I loved coming here for a crafty cocktail. Small, intimate, cozy, & friendly all describe the Marquee well. The mixologists made up great concoctions to sip while people watching. I will miss this spot. Hoping the next place lives up to the high expectations set.

After a great dinner at Opal, the gfs and I stumbled upon this place during our gno weekend and decided to stop by since they were touted as a wine bar.
I have to say this is kind of a lie. They serve wine, I guess if that makes them a wine bar … great? But they are actually more into their cocktails and drinks. This place is next door to a theater so you will find a theme of theaters and plays in their drink names and descriptions.
The bartenders are fun, but catch them early since they get a little messy as the night wears on. We were wrongly charged, quite a few times, and despite sitting at the bar it was hard to get service or our orders. They’re fun people to hang out with though … I suppose?
The wines here are ok, so don’t come here if you want wine, but it’s a great place for a cozy date on State St.

Another fun evening of good jazz with a group called «Coda». Visiting SBA on our annual summer trip, always look forward to seeing our now old friend Scott, the bartender and conversationalist extraordinaire. One more week this summer before we return to the desert, but we will be here next year for 9 weeks. Can’t wait.

Nice place to bring a date and the décor is wonderful. The prices are a bit high and I don’t understand the chili powder added to cocktails. Avoid any cocktail on the menu with chili in it! Disgusting!

Love the place and the ambiance. Bartenders often look a bit tired or moody though. Which maybe fits with the ambiance. Reminds me of an European hidden bar or bistro. My favorite kind of scene.

I’ve been here a few times for open mike. Great fun, nice atmosphere. Chairs seem to slant downwards, so don’t drink too much, you’ll end up in the floor. ;)
One time I went the didn’t have food and we hadn’t eaten so was disappointed. Otherwise a four star place.

Jenn and I went in to scope it out and use the restroom. Looked pretty nice. She returned later with her friends and she said that they all had a swell time. I“m not entirely sure, but it’s possible this place was added about the time the granada was redone a few years back. Shout out to the folks who rebuilt the theater, it shines.
They had so much fun they didn’t make it down to the Arlington to gawk at Dicaprio and Scorcese, who were there for a sbiff tribute event

Very strong drinks! You get your money’s worth here. The bartenders are also very nice. It is a cool vibe but not too crowded where you can’t enjoy yourself.

A neighborhood favorite, dimly lit within walking distance of numerous restaurants. Wine & cocktails, the perfect start or finish to am evening

This rating only because they serve one of our favorite champagne’sfrom France: Ruinart. This beats the trendy. Fluffy poor quality champagne’s such as Veuve Cliquo (spelling?) etc. This place went out on a limb and tried different champagne’s and thus know what they are doing
The bartender’s on both occasion’s were awesome.
Great atmosphere and the patron’ seem nice. Did not try anything else but I would be happy to try. For now, it IS our champagne bar!

My new favorite cocktail scene in Santa Barbara! After having great visits to SB in the last few months, I’m only disappointed that I didn’t duck into this chic little bar sooner. This is the perfect spot for drinks/​apps with good friends or a date night. If you have a flare for mixology or are open to trying fun new cocktails, don’t hesitate to engage the bartenders for a recommendation. The staff will not only find something fabulous to please your palate, but will hands-​down make your night with their outgoing personalities and enthusiastic service.
This place also has a perfect dimly lit environment, and clearly a strong local following. Can’t wait to go back! Loved the lychee martini especially!

This is a great place, particularly before a show at the Granada Theater
Now, one has to understand what the Marquee is and is not. Given that it plugs itself as a sophisticated, civilized cocktail bar with good martinis, one might expect jazz, Sinatra, Fitzgerald etc… The music is fine but after 8 PM on a Friday and Saturday night it turns into a place with people who do not strike one as regular imbibers of martinis
After the State Street Ballet/​SB Symphony on Saturday night, I went to have a drink and it was wall-​to-​wall women in what I refer to as «sausage» dresses: cheap slightly slutty dresses worn by women who would do better in conservative Ann Taylor slacks and a plunging silk blouse and nice heels under 4 inches. There is no shortage of lecherous eager male of course, presumably the target audience of the bad dresses worn poorly.
A dear friend calls this the NFS syndrome, aka the «no f****** mirror» syndrome. I will never understand why women of a certain age think they will be more sexually appealing by donning garb they have no business wearing even young.
It is an entirely different crowd on weeknights than weekends and Saturday night only a very hungry girl with car at valet parking for Granada should venture in there. I happened to meet a professor of engineering by who trains Navy test pilots by day and plays the trumpet by night. Fascinating history both educationally and geographically and very nice. He was standing at the end of the bar sipping wine.
This man came to see the Firebird Suite as well and he’s from Australia. I enjoyed discussing Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Jewish population there as I’ve been (in LA) bumping into people with roots there. You NEVER run into a professor, much less a professor and artist, around SB. It’s a maddening thing to live in a town with a fine research university and never cross paths with these interesting conversationalists! Of course this person was in town just for the show and in SB which is so NOT cosmopolitan, it’s rare to meet a foreigner like this. I don’t know what it is about non-​Americans with PhDs but they are just different from Americans.
Before the Granada, I ran into a lovely couple headed to Downey’s, the first Zagat-​rated restaurant in SB, pricey but lovely with original oil paintings on the wall by the chef/owner’s wife. I’ve never ordered an entrée but twice been there for a glass of wine and two appetizers in the mid-​teens.
BUT the Marquee has the BEST bargain secret sandwich in town, called the «veggie panini.» It is a thinnish panini with brie, basil and pear and I adored it: just 8 dollars!
The Headliner is my favorite specialty cocktail: Belvedere vodka, fresh grapefruit juice and St. Germaine Elderberry liqueur. This is not a wimpy cocktail like most speciality cocktails high ingredients and imagination but low on booze. I loved both will return after Valentine’s Day dinner with boyfriend (our third) for a chocolate peppermint martini which will function as my dessert.
The cheese plate is good but I’ve not tried other bar menu items.

So I’ve apparently learned that SB does not have much of a cocktail scene at all, and therefore, we were very limited when searching for «cocktail bar.» We ended up at the Marquee per recommendations from our server at the restaurant we had lunch at.
A nice little bar, very mellow and chill atmosphere. Unfortunately, that’s the only positive thing I can say about this place. We ordered a Gone with the Wind and a 42^nd St. Their version of an Old Fashioned tasted like a slap in the face to the iconic drink, and the 42^nd St tasted like nothing more than vermouth. No even close to being $ 12 drinks.
In addition to the sad «cocktails,» our server (I believe her name was Amy) had ZERO people skills. No greeting, no eye contact, no nothing. I would like to assume that she was having a bad day, but after watching her being super chummy with the party that arrived and sat next to us, I guess not.
I’d recommend to drop in for wine or water if you really need to. Otherwise, set up a «cocktail night» at home.

Really cool, trendy bar. Loved the atmosphere, very cozy, good service, the bartender was great. So cute with his fidroa hat. Tried a new Coppola wine, added to the favorites list… Pinot Noir Votre Sante. Located on State Street. Very clean bar, restrooms were spotless. We will definitely visit this place again.

I love the Marquee! Great atmosphere and good crowd. The owners are wonderful and service is consistently good.
One of the things that I enjoy most about the Marquee are the fantastic martinis! My favorite is called «The Understudy» which is a play on a lychee martini.
They also serve great tapas such as bacon wrapped figs and panini. I would highly recommend both.
Weds nights are open mic nights and I’ve seen some amazing talent perform there… and some not so amazing but they’re enjoying themselves so you have to appreciate the effort (as long as they keep it to one song ;) But seriously, the majority of the talent is awesome and there is one girl who I would purchase an album from immediately if she had them there to sell. Her voice is reminiscent of Regina Spector with hints of Adele, incredible!
The Marquee is definitely worth the visit if you’re looking for a slightly more mature crowd than the early 20 somethings that you’ll find packing the bars on lower State St in an elegant yet relaxed setting.
Go check it out and enjoy!
Cheers!

Stopped in for a glass of wine before the SB Christmas parade. There were a nice selection of wines and great service, despite being quite busy.
The atmosphere is quite inviting and cozy. We were able to enjoy a very nice glass of wine, and recuperate before the parade. I was ready to forget about the parade!
I will return here.

As nice as a NYC style bar in good old SB.
The drinks are great, I dig the signature cocktail «The Marquee», its a bit of spice, some sweet and its strong as hell. Me likey.
I’ve had 2 parties here and the staff was great and personable each time. There’s new parties being had here I believe every first friday Champagne evenings or something of the sort. Mega fun!

The atmosphere isn’t totally my style, but props for having some nice cocktails within the city. The stemware is lovely, with sensual curves.
I’ve had a few drinks here, and a signature cocktail I rather liked was called the Intermission. Gin, malibu rum, aloe vera juice and a basil leaf. Smells floral, like St. Germain. Elegant, not girlie. It was on the happy hour menu the times I’ve been, although I’ve heard since that it is off the menu.
My preferred classic cocktail is the Manhattan, stirred, with a twist. They are one of the few places that use real marasca cherries. They’ve even taken the Luxardo cherries, remove some of the syrup, and replace it with brandy. My first Manhattan there, I sipped the cocktail, and when I bit into the cherry, I got the taste of brandy within. It was like finding an easter egg.
The appetizer options are very limited, but consider it a portion controller for consuming alcohol. And take your time with them, these cocktails are too nice to race towards the finish line of getting boozied up.
ps. jelly beans.
pps. I hear the Sunday happy hours are done with. Business must be good.

fantastic! GREAT happy hour til 7pm! No «college» kids, great music, mellow lighting with candles on the bar, cool vibe, yummy drinks, the bartender gave us little tasters as she made them… all of them wonderful and unique. We sat at the bar, but the tables looked like a great spots to sit if you have more then 2 in your group. everyone around us was all smiles and having a wonderful time.
Grab a happy hour drink pre dinner (Olio e Limon just around the corner, great dinner spot)…Oh and the Figs wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with blue cheese… served hot… WOW!

With an extended Happy Hour, elegant décor, good wine selection and beautiful people, The Marquee at The Granada is a must for a pre or post dinner drink.
The Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday, 4 – 7 and all day Sundays with:
$ 7 martinis
$ 6 well
$ 6 glass of house wine
Various food specials, cheese plates, munchies
We’ve been in twice. The first was after dinner for a night cap and the joint was jam packed with Thirty-​somethings. Standing room only actually but the service was prompt. The second visit was to prefunk before dinner with friends. 6:30 and the lights were on but none home. No one other than a table of 6 and a pair at the bar. Not a bad thing as it gave a chance to absorb. The music was Jazzy, the Santa Barbara Pinot Noir and a Prosecco filled our glasses. 4 drinks for 24 bucks? Not bad.