Suitcase: In the Zone
With the art scene booming, it made sense for the region’s wine and produce to find its groove here, too. Sherry Villanueva is behind the Funk Zone’s most coveted food and drink offerings, including The Lark restaurant, Pearl Social cocktail bar and artisanal Helena Avenue Bakery.
AFAR: What’s New in Santa Barbara
The same group that owns the neighboring Lucky Penny, Lark, and Helena Avenue Bakery (all delicious), Pearl Social has a swanky interior and a small patio—and cocktails so good we returned the next night. I especially loved the Martin & Gina, a concoction made with gin and amaro.
Santa Barbara Independent: Jewel of a Cocktail Lounge
Occupying the former Les Marchands space, Pearl Social transforms the room into something somehow both larger, with most of the wine bottles and the central wall of windows removed, and more intimate, with its deep-blue-painted walls. There will be music at least five nights a week, sometimes vinyl (if you bring in five playable LPs, you can trade them for a cocktail), often combos, and a ticketed event once a month (opening night featured musicians who regularly play with Jackson Browne and David Crosby).
2018 Best Wine Shop – SB Independent
2014 “Wine Bar of the Year” – The Imbibe 75
2014 America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants – Wine Enthusiast
10 Hottest Restaurants in Santa Barbara – Zagat
2015 Top 10 Wine Lists in Santa Barbara Area – Gayot’s
Top 10 Restaurants with the Best Food in the Santa Barbara Area – Gayot’s
The Best Santa Barbara Valentines Restaurants – Gayot’s
“The 21 Best Wine Bars in the Country” – Thrillist.com
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