Test Pilot
211 Helena Ave, 93101-2319 - Santa Barbara
Recommended by Sluurpy:
2025
2024
2021
#189 of 459 restaurants in Santa Barbara
Updated on
Contemporary
Hawaiian
Sluurpy Quality Index
PROPRIETARY
Popularity
100/100
Quality
63/100
Data Completeness
67/100
Verified Dish
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Contact Information
📞
Phone:
+1 805-845-2518
🌐 Website:
http://www.testpilotcocktails.com/
📍
Address:
211 Helena Ave, Santa Barbara
📷 Photos (11+)
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Google Reviews
401
Google reviews
This is a really fun place! Cool vibes, very tasty drinks, but they are filled to the brim with ice. I watched each drink be literally filled to the top of the cup with ice and then some liquor…the more ice. In my book, that doesn’t deserve more than 3 stars. Especially since island drinks are not served like that. If you are okay with $13 a drink and more ice than drink then you should totally check this place out. I’ll probably go again….but not my first choice. The bartender was extremely friendly and a great time! Shout out to Manny!
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Bartender in a "Tiki bar" should know how to make a basic Mai Tai. Mine was more like a daquiri. No dark rum. No fruit juice. Not a Mai Tai. No tropical atmosphere in the outdoor seating, just plain unadorned parking lot. No plants. No food. Only one happy hour drink deal- daquiris. Too bad. I was so looking forward to a Santa Barbara tiki bar.
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Google
These cocktails are absolutely stunning and fabulous. I love the ambience and their Thai iced teas were stellar. Good place for groups.
Google
The Test Pilot is an amazing little place with great atmosphere and amazingly prepared, specially crafted drinks. I met friends there on a Friday night and although it seemed busy, the bar tenders were deftly preparing multiple drinks to keep everyone satisfied. I had the Lion's Tail which was amazingly refreshing with rum, bourbon and pineapple!
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I really appreciate a bar that can craft something delicious with or without alcohol. The non-alcoholic Buccaneer was fantastic with lots of interesting flavors. Definitely a place I would recommend to others.
Google
Had some great service here. The cocktails are crafted with care and are quite good. Outdoor seating is nice. I particularly enjoyed the Potentially Spicy Margarita. Would recommend this place if you are passing by and fancy a drink.
Google
Test Pilot is a fabulous cocktail bar. It definitely stands alone in the funk zone, and always is a good time. The drinks are strong, so be wary that they go down easy and will knock you on your feet if you're not careful. The staff has always been friendly and accomodating to small group. If you friends visiting and want to show them what a good tiki bar can be, this is the place.
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Excellent cocktail bar frequented by a young crowd. Every drink I have tried has been suprub but in particular I highly recommend the Bananacapa.
The place gets VERY, VERY, busy on Friday and Saturday nights so if you fancy a quiet drink go earlier in the week.
Note: they is NO food here; not even bar snacks. However, there is a taco truck in the parking lot that serves acceptable, if pricy, Mexican food that you can eat at the Test Pilot’s tables.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this place five-stars is the fact that they are very understaffed. Even when the place is heaving they only have two bartenders and you can wait a long time for a drink, or to settle a tab.
Don’t let that discourage you. The drinks, the vibe and the people are all terrific and it is well worth a visit, or two, or three.
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