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Old Town Tavern
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu 9 am - 12 am
Wed, Fri-Sat 9 am - 2 am
Sun 9 am - 10 pm
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Old Town Tavern
Review Highlights
25 reviews in English
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Review from Frank E.
Santa Barbara, CA
1/6/2012
Gary has the best show anywhere proving once again that "Old Guys Rule!" so does their music since there is no music today worth singing! This place is the best until all the brat students invade by 10 so get there early to enjoy our music!
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Review from Antony A.
Santa Barbara, CA
12/18/2011
I was here about 12 years ago. I was working for an agency that sent strippers out to various gigs, both men and women. I had booked our male stripper for the birthday party of a middle-aged waitress at O.T.T., but I forgot to confirm, so I had to go in his place. He was tall, tan, shredded, handsome, great dancer. I was short, average, really pasty-white and a good dancer. Average-looking, like I am now.
I get there and the waitress is shitfaced, sitting on a stool in the middle of the dance floor, smoking a cigarette. I did my thing, danced around her, stripped, she seemed ok with it, but the other women in the crowded bar yelled shit at me that wasn't complimentary. When I got back to the office there had been something like 25 complaints that they sent this pasty, skinny funny-looking motherfucker to strip for the waitress, and they wanted their money back.
That was my first and last gig as a stripper, and my first and last time at O.T.T. -
Review from Conrad G.
9/7/2011
What night did we come out?
Thursday
How was the line?
No line
What did we have?
2 32oz. Drafts
How was the crowd?
Average Looking
How was the scene?
Very Social
What's the demographic?
Equal numbers of men and women
What's the ambience?
College Folks
What kind of music was playing at Old Town Tavern?
Rock and Soft Rock
What's the noise level?
Very Loud
Will we hang out at Old Town Tavern?
Yes -
Review from Whitney H.
Los Angeles, CA
2/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Late afternoon, this place rocks. Great bartenders, trivia/poker playing machine thing, chill. I like.
At night, there's the karaoke scene. I personally wasn't into it. The scene was very local and not especially friendly, in my opinion (obviously).
At one point, it seemed like one girl was singing and her 20 friends were dancing along with her on the dance floor. Like bar aerobics or something. Weird?
So, for afternoon drinking, all good. Then go to Pepe's across the street, have dinner, go home! No night scene here for me! -
Review from Margaret M.
Carson, CA
4/21/2011
Patience. Patience in waiting to look through those thick ass karoake books to find the ULTIMATE song. Patience to grab the mini pencil and struggle to clearly (with all your leftover soberly might) to jot down that song title and number . Patience to not break the seal before you get on the stage.
And then boom, you hit the crowd with a Spice Girls number, and you're flying high. -
Review from Pinky R.
Goleta, CA
2/23/2011
The bar tenders aren't friendly and this guy who was just cleaning the bar refused to help me by adding a little juice to my drink which adds me to my next point which is a pro I guess but the drinks are about 90 percent alcohol 10 percent juice. Made it worth the price but was difficult to get down. The place itself is kind of just a rundown little hole in the wall but I must admit I liked it. Karaoke night so close to home is a good thing to have. And the seedy feel to it is kind of welcoming and seems to say.. "come in. get wasted."
haha I'll go back soon, hopefully with the guts to get on stage next time! -
Review from Michael L.
San Mateo, CA
8/1/2011
oh god... GOD BLESS AMERICA for this bar. POUR SOME GOD DAMN ICE COLD PBR DOWN MY THROAT. It's funny how when I look back at my time at UCSB some of the best memories that I remember are the nights that I don't remember at OTT.
Listed in: OLE! OLE! OLE! OLE! GAUCHOS!…
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Review from nick g.
3/18/2009
G-man is da bomb. Not sure if he still does it, but I used to frequent this place on Weds for Karaoke.
From what I understand, the college kids have taken over the OTT )-:
Boo your stupid rendition of Britney Spears.
22oz beers rock, good to get you f'ed up with only 2-3. -
Review from Kay N.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2007
Dive bar + Booze + Karaoke! = Good times.
There is usually a pool table free, and I don't remember it costing any money to play.
OTT is located pretty close to the hipper lounge, the Merc (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Merc only has beer and wine, so stay at the OTT if you're an alchy/lush. -
Review from Alexandra L.
Goleta, CA
6/3/2011
OTT is basically the only place to go out in the SB area that has any character or draws any characters. It's always fun and interesting. The bartenders are efficient and they have any drink you want.
Best of all is GMan's karaoke. I've loved karaoke for years and have tried it in ten cities in the country. I feel pretty qualified to say that GMan is the best KJ ever. There are tons of songs (more than in the books!) and you always get a chance to sing. Since it's on a computer, you don't have to wait around in silence for the next song to begin. GMan is polite and fair to everyone and makes sure that everyone sings in the order in which they put in their songs no matter how many regulars or flirty girls try to get him to change the order.
I love this place and it is the only thing that keeps me sane in this otherwise boring town. -
Review from Katelyn J.
Greenwood Village, CO
4/28/2010
OTT is pretty great on karaoke nights. The regulars are really fun, and who doesn't love super drunk people trying to sing 500 Miles.
I think you have to go with good expectations - it's not the place for your Prada-wearing, Newport-Beach-living high school friends that are up to visit you. It's shady AND apparently they're too poor to buy locks for the bathroom stalls. Go expecting to be at a karaoke dive bar and you'll be happy. -
Review from Kenneth T.
Los Angeles, CA
10/5/2008
I used to go here on weeknights when UCSB sponsered a bus service to Goleta and Downtown SB. During those nights, the bar is filled with 21 year-olds. It is a good place to meet up with old friends and meet some new college buddies. It is pretty crowded in here during those nights, though.
Getting a drink will take a little patience. The restrooms are really small too. Also the outdoor area is not too big, good for several smokers. I enjoy the karaoke. Nothing like rocking to some Journey or some Michael Jackson. Be warned, don't access the jukebox when it is karaoke night, or you might get thrown out. -
Review from Javier M.
Santa Barbara, CA
12/1/2008
I think I saw this place through it's transformation- and those who introduced me to it can speak to times before I attended but frankly it went from SUPER Freakin COOL to a good time. This is only due to the fact that it became infiltrated with the DTSB Thursday night crowds...
Not sure what its looking like now but either way, if you like a dive bar, with friendly staff (unless they are super busy then they just need to serve your drink and have you get outta the way), and karaoke with plastic instruments as props... GO HERE. -
Review from Mark F.
2/13/2010 4 Check-ins Here
NTN/Buzztime trivia is the draw for me since Old Town is the only bar in the area with it. They have a a huge vodka selection, digital jukebox to keep the party alive but a below average choice of draft beer. This is a bar for cocktails and a locals hangout with nice front deck overlooking a light industrial area street.
No points for looks but not a bad place to spend an afternoon with friends. Matt the bartender will take good care of you. -
Review from Jasmine B.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2009
I come here, usually during the day to have a drink (or three) during lunch before heading back to the hell that is my job. The bartenders here are always nice, and I dig the older middle of the day crowd. Exactly what a small town bar should be. -
Good outdoor patio that's fenced in (meaning your co-workers can't see you drinking as they walk down the street during lunch hour. -
Review from Katy P.
Washington, DC
4/14/2008
OTT: how can I explain it?
Dive bar, yes. Good karaoke, not really.
The karaoke DJ, as many karaoke DJs are, likes to remind you of how important he is.
But, it is easy, safe, and cheap. -
Review from Katie D.
Goleta, CA
11/26/2008
Just the best lil' home town bar you will find around here...Santa Barbara and Goleta included.
Cheap drinks, nice deck to chill on, pool table, and FUN karaoke.
Does get crowded by 11 so come early.
Good job OTT!! -
Review from Michelle O.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2009
I love this place! Hole in the wall, dive bar with karaoke!
Wednesdays nights it is college night! So be forewarned it gets very crowded here when 11 rolls around! Get here early if you want to karaoke because the list to get on is VERY long! They have a few books here and you fill out the paper and give it to the dj guy. There are always the favorites such as anything by journey, rock songs are very popular! Everyone likes to sing along. They have several tvs so you can see the words, they have a stage for people to stand on when singing.
They have pool tables but you can't use them when 9 rolls around on this night. They have one big bar on the right and then the left they started having a small window where people who have cash go. I would suggest bringing cash b/c if you don't then you have to spend a minimum on your credit card. The drinks are STRONG and cheap, so whatever you get do not worry, you're in good hands. The beers are cheap and MASSIVE! The bar gets super busy so if you're not there by at least 10 then not only you'll be waiting in line outside but in the bar as well. They try to go one by one and are very good about going in order of who came first. Theres a red head, she's kinda mean, so be nice and don't bug her! LOL They get sooooo busy that night that they are very stressed out. :D
Bouncers are kewl if you are. They kicked out a friend of mine for being too drunk! She broke a window! hahahaha.
They will not take passports or anything like downtown SB does, so bring your actual license!
They have two outside areas. They are both very small. The first is in the front where mostly ppl smoke, and to get fresh air b/c this place is SMALL and those who are short can't breath down below! hahaha like me! The second is in the back thats about 5x5 haha.
Bathrooms: only two stalls, and super small! the doors don't lock, just swing open.
So come and enjoy a great night with your college buddies and you're bound to meet some new ones as well.
O be careful there are some regulars, OLD guys that come here, creepers! No JOKE! -
Review from Tim R.
San Diego, CA
7/12/2010
Stopped here last Friday to finish out a night of bar hopping with my cousin. (I'm from San Diego). Karaoke was in full effect with GMan at the controls. Friendly crowd in the place. Bartender was a lot of fun and the singers were killing it. Good times had by all until last call. Looking for a laid back, fun night away from the crowds? This is the place.
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Review from Janine E.
Seattle, WA
3/13/2007
OTT is a great neighborhood dive bar with STRONG drinks and a great front deck to chill on. Start the night off with huge Mexican dinner at Pepe's across the street, then head over to OTT for not to be missed karaoke.
Listed in: Local Libations
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Review from Mark D.
Washington, DC
12/28/2006
Hole-in-the-wall dive bar that has a fantastic karaoke night following!
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Review from Joan S.
6/19/2007
How I miss OTT. I will be back though. Ever since I turned 21, we have been riding our bikes there almost every Wednesday night without fail. Cheap drinks, drunk people and karaoke. And now a free Bill's bus to get there. Does it get any better?
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Review from Jimmy C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2009 2 photos
A group of 14 of us went to Old Town Tavern on Saturday to celebrate my brother-in-laws birthday with some good beer and karaoke. it was awesome! they had some beers that i didn't think they still made and the karaoke choices were daunting. food would have been nice, but the lottery machine made up for that! this is a locals favorite and you'll the same faces go up and belt one out. fun times that i can only remember through pictures!
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Review from Mike S.
Syracuse, NY
3/26/2009
Good dive bar with cheezy karaoke. Definitely a local scene.
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Review from ya b.
Goleta, CA
10/10/2009
favorite sb-area bar. nicest most competent bartender and g-man karaoke must be seen to be believed. excellent mix of regulars and rogue college/grad students (outside of college night wednesdays). out of towners have pointed out what a honky-tonk lookalike this bar is... i just call it perfection
