Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

As far as I’m concerned, there’s almost nothing better than the buzzy fun of enjoying summertime cocktails with friends—but one thing that does beat that is getting a great DEAL on summertime cocktails with friends.

There’s a new player in town—The Santa Barbara Passport—that offers great deals on drinks this summer at 28 establishments for just 20 bucks. This cleverly illustrated, pocket-sized booklet offers loads of drink deals—you receive a stamp in your booklet upon redemption—and the specials will run all summer through Labor Day (September 7), providing ample time to collect stamps and explore.

It even includes a section on Beer 101 and Wine Labels for Dummies, as well as cocktail fundamentals for making—and ordering—classic libations like Negronis, Manhattans and Old Fashioneds.

Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

“The Passport is the friend that helps you decide where to go for happy hour, on a date or a Sunday afternoon,” says Casey Berry, co-founder of the Passport Program, who describes it as “a curated guide to the beverage culture of Santa Barbara.”

Indeed, participating venues include some of my favorites:

Corks n’ Crowns: Gold or craft brew flight for 50% off

Cottonwood Canyon Winery: Wine tasting 50% off

Elsie’s: Firestone PVO, stone IPA, or hefeweizen for 50% off

Figueroa Mountain Brewery: A pint for $3

Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

Fox Wine Co.: Second wine tasting for 50% off

Giessinger Winery: Signature wines tasting for 10% off

Killer B’s BBQ and Bar: (Temporarily Closed for Renovations)Jalapeno and citrus martini for 50% off

The Neighborhood: Pineapple mai tai 50% off

Old Town Tavern: Pint of 805 for 50% off

Patxi’s Pizza: Second pint for 50% off

Pure Order Brewing Company: Pint for 50% off

Sama Sama Kitchen: Sama Sama for 40% off

Santa Barbara Wine Collective: Second wine tasting flight for 50% off

Seven Bar & Kitchen: American mule for $7

Soho: Lemon and Lavender infused Moscow mule for 50% off

Telegraph Brewing Company: 21 oz. mug for pint price

Uptown: Any beer on tap for 50% off

The Valley Project: $5  glasses of wine on tap

Whiskey Richards: Santa barbara old fashioned for 50% off

Courtesy Santa Barbara Passport

“Santa Barbara offers not just a great nightlife, but the drinks culture is so diverse that you won’t be disappointed when sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Funk Zone or a cold White Rascal beer at American Ale,” says Jane Pimcomrie, city manager for the Santa Barbara branch of the Passport Program. “The Santa Barbara Passport features enough wineries for wine-lovers, breweries for after work socializing, and unique bars for cocktail and spirits junkies. Plus it will make the heat of summer that much more enjoyable.”

Can’t argue with that logic. For more information or to purchase a passport, go here.

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.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine on June 5, 2015.