The Press Room

Cocktail pub with not so good cocktails

Just briefly, I was here with some friends in mid-​1999 and the place was awesome. Best jukebox ever. Glad to see it’s still going and doesn’t seem to have changed much. :)

This review is definitely driven by the fact that I came here for a friend’s birthday party at a time when it was packed to the brim with people (it’s a fairly tiny place) and the air conditioner was possibly not working, making it was way too hot. Based on that, I wouldn’t say that I would want to go back. I’m convinced, however, that if I came at another time, it would be a more enjoyable experience. Drinks were very decently priced and the décor was cool! It’s slightly darker, and there are interesting posters and pictures everywhere. It definitely intrigued me but I was too busy trying to stay cool to really pay attention. I’ll definitely try to go again so that I can write an updated, more accurate review!

Wow, why is it that Unilocal keeps telling me to rate local bars? Hmmm
Stop the Presses!!! The Press Room has just gotten a new review!!! Big Font, front page. Do you rember the news reels of the stack of Newspapers being thrown to the sidewalk from the truck. It was the fastest and first glimpse people would get of the news back in the day. Then Radio threatened the news paper, then TV and now the biggest threat, the internet.
When the Press Room opened it was named as such because it was close to the SB News Press. Back then the News Press was a formidable paper. This bar was a watering hole for the writers and the staff who worked long and late hours meeting late deadlines and labouring to get the paper out in time. I wonder if the two or three remaining reporters of our paper-​thin pathetic paper still go there? Hmmm. If they were to name the bar today, what would it be called? Hmmm.
It is an honest bar! Good drinks and they only play sports that seriously injure people! They seem to prefer sports where the athletes don’t wear any protective gear and men are men! If your team has the word «United» in the name all the better. If the Super Bowl was to be broadcast at the same time as a club level soccer game in the Ukraine my guess is that the soccer game would be on the TV.
Drinks are good and the bartender is cool. Oh and please, no Chatty Kathy’s at the bar when the game is on.

Came on the 4^th of July holiday. A sports-​themed bar with a relaxed atmosphere, reasonably priced drinks, and nice and attentive bartenders.

This place has the best juke box and the waitress has an authentic British accent. The perfect dive pub.

Fine «dive» type bar. Would be a decent place to watch a game or chill with friends. Kind of grimy, but fine for a casual hang out.

The bar does NOT look or feel clean. We even found a syringe on the floor. We tried to get the bartender s attention but he did not hear us. Not my favorite place to hang out.

I can’t believe I have lived in SB for five years and I have just started coming to this great little joint. This is a great bar with a lot of character and super friendly staff. With my father being from England and having lived and worked in a pub in London myself, this place def takes me back and always makes me feel comfortable when I stop by for a drink. As a plus, always great music on the Juke box, sported on the tv and London Pride on draft; something I gave never seen in the states. Will be back and back often!

Small cozy spot decent local beer lineup and close to other bars makes it a good pit stop. Punk type vibe, def appreciate the street art on canvas: «life is beautiful».

The Press Room is a fabulous little pub in Santa Barbara. It is truly a locals pub so expect that locals and regulars will be given priority, at the door and at the bar. Santa Barbara has strict capacity regulations, so don’t think you’re going to sweet talk security into letting you in if it’s at capacity.
They have a great selection of beer on tap, plenty of liquor to get you going and a jukebox, yes, YOU get to choose the music.
The owners are big football (the soccer kind) fans, so this is a good place for you if you are too. You will find this pub to be at capacity early when the World Cup is on.
Hungry? You can order food from Dargan’s (an Irish Pub across the street) and it will be delivered to you as you sit on our bar stool enjoying your drink of choice.
Oh, don’t forget to check out the shag chair in the women’s bathroom. Cheers!

This is my favorite place to hang out in Santa Barbara! I feel at home every time I step through the door. Raff is a top lad and all the staff are amazing!!! Ps… It’s the best place to get shagged! :)

Super rude bartender! My boyfriend and I went not that long ago and we ordered bloody marys and the bartender said they didnt serve bloody marys after 3pm! We had been there before and they sure served us bloody marys after 3! We will definately not be going back ever again.

I think the reviews for this place are a little hyped but everyone has their taste. The Press Room is cute — it’s got this union jack thing going on… I like it. Small bar, but a good one. I don’t think it’s feasible for most nights as it fills up even on a Tuesday night.
The bartender was nice and they have Fig Mountain on tap so why not?
Bathroom signs are amusing.

On July 3^rd, 2014, (12ish), my friends and I were treated so «badly» by the security guard (Dillon) at the door if that is his real name? I don’t know? But l do know that he was being an a**hole, RUDE, OBNOXIOUS and had a beard of a fat sheep. I cannot believe the owner of this place would hire this pig to represent there bar. I have visited this bar many times and always have had a great time drinking the beer, an playing the juke box, with friends. He would not let us in because he said the bar had reached there limit. (LIAR).The Pub was barely full and he was letting others in and out continuously. He was being racist and did not like the fact that we were dressed up in costumes for «bike moves» in Santa Barbara, that happens every first Thursday of the month. I am very disappointed that this happened and will no longer tell others about this bar. This place sucks!

Hands down, theee best bar in Santa Barbara. Great music. Great people. Great beer… especially the Einstok Icelandic White Ale! I will come here every single time I’m in town and bring friends! Say hi to Jack!

Simple pub with a legit controlled, jukebox and assorted sports on a global level. It’s exactly what it should be.

As far as local bars go — this one can’t be beat.
Friendly staff, nice folks on the bar stools beside ya.
A few nice ciders to choose from.
Great cocktails.

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!

Best Jukebox
Best Bartenders with accents
Best World Cup Coverage in town
No frills no judgement
Its a place where if you drink here frequently enough or embarrass yourself enough everyone will learn your name. Its definitely a locals hangout, almost a dive but not quite.