Photo Credit: Justin Kase Conder
Your recipe for a perfect night out in the Santa Barbara ARTS (which stands for Art, Restaurants, Theater & Shopping) District: pair performing arts with culinary masterpieces, museums or shopping sprees.
Anchored by three premier performing arts venues — Granada Theatre, Lobero Theatre and Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic — the ARTS District is packed with many of Santa Barbara’s top dining destinations and cocktail bars as well as shops, galleries and museums.
There’s pretty much always something on the calendar here, from touring theatrical productions, insightful lectures and gigs by legendary and up-and-coming musical talents to performances by the city’s very own symphony orchestra, theatre, opera and ballet companies. Whether you’re a planner looking to catch one of your favorite bands in an intimate venue or you’re more likely to act on a whim and hit the box office for last minute tickets day-of, cultural and culinary adventures abound in the ARTS District.
Lobero Theatre
California’s oldest, continuously operating theatre founded in 1873 and rebuilt in 1924, Lobero Theatre is a historic architectural landmark. DownBeat Magazine has called the Lobero “a gem of a jazz room,” recognizing it as one of the world’s best venues for jazz. In addition to the Jazz at the Lobero series, the annual Lobero LIVE series presents blues and folk music, plus comedy, magic and ballet. Incredible singer-songwriters and major acts like Tracy Chapman, Igor Stravinsky and Kathy Bates have performed here, too.
Restaurants near Lobero Theatre are plentiful. Before the show, wander through El Paseo (across the street) and stop in for a tasting at one of the many wine tasting rooms within the area, like Frequency Wine and Au Bon Climat. Settle in for dinner at the casual Intermezzo by Wine Cask. If you’re craving something spicier, hit Mexican charmer La Playa Azul Café or Middle Eastern Zaytoon, both located a block away on Santa Barbara Street across from the photogenic El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Paloma and Gala are other tasty options and are both an easy walk from the Lobero.
Looking for things to do near Lobero Theatre? Try indulging in a pre-show massage at Float Luxury Spa, pay a visit to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum or go shopping at La Arcada
Granada Theatre
Granada Theatre has been an integral part of Santa Barbara’s arts and entertainment landscape for nearly 90 years. The city’s oldest former movie palace towers above State Street and, at eight-stories high, is the tallest building in Santa Barbara. Re-opened in 2008 as the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, today Granada Theatre is home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, State Street Ballet, Opera Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Choral Society and Community Arts Music Association (CAMA). It’s also the stage for notable touring acts presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, a Broadway Series and a variety of one-night-only performances.
Choices are plentiful when it comes to your pre-show feast within a one-block radius of the theater. Restaurants near the Granada Theatre like Sama Sama Kitchen offer a contemporary Californian twist on Indonesian fare and Arigato boasts sublime sushi. After your show, be sure to pop into the speakeasy-style The Good Lion right next door for a proper nightcap.
Other things to do near Granada Theatre before your show: Browse galleries like the Santa Barbara Museum of Art or Tamsen Gallery, grab a coffee at Caje Coffee Roasters or shop at locally owned shops like Domecil and Natasha
Ensemble Theatre Company
Santa Barbara’s award-winning professional theatre company, Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), performs at its state-of-the-art home base, The New Vic on Victoria Street. The contemporary, 300-seat theater also serves other area performing arts groups between ETC’s five annual productions, which often include American and West Coast premieres and range in genres from comedy and classics to drama and romance. Famous faces like Jane Lynch, Sharon Lawrence and Joshua Melina have frequented the stage.
Restaurants near Ensemble Theatre Company include the dreamy Bouchon, serving wine country cuisine, and Olio e Limone Ristorante, offering classic Italian. Around the corner on State Street heading towards the Arlington Theatre, you’ve got Jane, Opal Restaurant and Bar and Carlitos Café & Cantina presenting even more inviting and eclectic options. And if you only have time for a quick bite, the buzzing Santa Barbara Public Market directly across from The New Vic is filled with vendors dishing out tacos, noodles, seafood and pub grub.
Check out things to do near Ensemble Theatre Company before the show like visiting the shops inside Victoria Court, meeting adoptable kitties at Cat Therapy or sipping on happy hour drinks at Milk & Honey.
