Test Pilot in Santa Barbara, CA

Test Pilot is a "tiki-inspired" craft cocktail bar in Santa Barbara. It opened in September 2016. The decor is tiki-lite, with just a few tiki masks on one wall. The walls are painted turquoise, and there is a light beachy feel to the space. The drinks, some served in tiki mugs, are modified versions of tiki cocktails, and some originals.

Comments

timtiki

timtiki has visited Test Pilot.

September 10, 2018, 8:06 PM

Really like this place. Great Mai-Tai - the true test of a tiki bar. Bartenders have a great knowledge of rum. Decor and vibe is great. This place deserves a visit if you�re in the area.

tikiglees

tikiglees has visited Test Pilot.

June 25, 2017, 2:42 PM

Found ourselves in Santa Barbara late on Saturday night and worked our way over to Test Pilot. Certainly is the hip place to be for the young and single set and were playing the club beats to match, but this trendy hot spot was a fun place and everyone was having a great time. Definitely agree on the nautical theme, and they could improve on the tikis that they do have... that being said, the drinks were solid - I had a Test Pilot and Hotel Nacional Especial and my wife went off menu with a Royal Hawaiian and all were done well. Our waitress was super nice and accommodating... I would definitely return but hope they pilot this in a stronger tiki direction.

Tiki Grabowski

Tiki Grabowski has visited Test Pilot.

June 1, 2017, 8:34 PM

Checked out Test Pilot today. I went a little after 4:30pm to take a look and grab a quick drink before heading home. Bartender Nick was very friendly and informative about their drinks. I had the Test Pilot Mai Tai which was pretty good. You can always judge a place by the quality of its Mai Tai. The decor has more of a nautical hipster theme than tiki. Need to go back and try the other drinks on the menu.