Courtesy Spyglass Bistro & Bar.
A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg
It’s always fun to find great cocktail spots in unexpected places and Spyglass Bistro & Bar definitely fits the bill. This modern rooftop bistro bar offers lunch, craft cocktails and small bites, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Goleta, Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Surprisingly, this unexpectedly hip gem sits atop the new Hilton Garden Inn, right in the heart of Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc.
The Spyglass Martini at Spyglass Bistro & Bar. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Featuring creative shared plates from Executive Chef Michael Blackwell (formerly of the Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch and Montecito Country Club) to be enjoyed in cozy fireplace groupings under the stars, this is a lovely spot to enjoy right now and even lovelier once it gets a little warmer.
The cocktail menu includes the Spyglass Martini, made with absolut elyx—a premium, copper crafted vodka—and goat cheese stuffed castelvetrano olives (yum!), and it comes it a very cool copper martini glass, something I’ve never seen before. Like a Moscow Mule, the cool cup is part of the fun of this drink, and it doesn’t disappoint!
Pinas Y Pinas cocktail at Spyglass Bistro & Bar. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Local favorite Cutler’s Vodka is featured on the cocktail menu and in the High Solstice, made with Cutler’s Vodka and pedro ximenez sherry, briottet peche de vigne, lemon and angostura bitters. I also liked the Jalisco Sunshine, made with olmeca altos tequila plata, grapefruit, line, agave and cilantro; the Whiskey Blues, made with Redemption rye, lemon, blueberry, honey and laphroaig spritz; and something called the Passion Flower, with cyrano armagnac, st. germain, lime, passionfruit, agave and pico sea salt.
Spyglass has a daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. which includes $2 off specialty cocktails and beers, as well as discount “samplers” which are $15 and include wine or a cocktail and your choice of sliders, fish tacos or pork wing confit (which is delicious).
The view from Spyglass Bar & Bistro, photo by Dan Levin.
The restaurant is located at 6878 Hollister Ave., on the rooftop of the Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta. Live music is often scheduled on weekends. Check their Facebook Page for updates. For example, coming up soon they have a fun St. Patrick’s Day party scheduled from 2-10 p.m. on March 17.
Spyglass Bistro & Bar Jaliscso Sunshine cocktail. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
We’ll be back soon, and hope to see you there. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.
When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”
Courtesy Spyglass Bistro & Bar.
Spyglass Bistro & Bar. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Spyglass Bistro & Bar Whiskey Blues cocktail. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Spyglass Bistro & Bar. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.
Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on March 9, 2018.