Validation Ale

Open

Closed

$

$$

Santa Barbara

casual-dining

4.7
Craft brewery with rotating hazy beers, unique beer-voting concept, flavorful food, live music, and a relaxed, dog-friendly vibe in Santa Barbara.

$

$$

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

casual-dining

ReservationsVisit
Now
Closed

📍

Validation Ale

Santa Barbara

$

Rotating hazy ales, tasty food, live bands, and a dog-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy the unique beer voting experience in Santa Barbara.

ReservationsVisit
Menu
Visit

🎉 Santa Barbara Recs You Won’t Find on TikTok

Get a guide to the best events, hidden gems, and exclusive perks, every week by . Thousands already subscribed. You in?

Join for Free

About
4.7
(
157
)

Validation Ale offers craft beer lovers a fresh experience with rotating hazy ales and a clever beer-voting system. The lively venue combines excellent brews, tasty casual eats like smash burgers and sandwiches, and regular live music for a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

The space features indoor and outdoor seating with games like cornhole, a dog-friendly policy, and attentive staff known for engaging service. Open mostly afternoons and evenings, this spot is distinct for its community vibe and creative drink options.

What's Included:

    🍺 Rotating selection of craft beers and hazy ales
    🍔 Casual fare including smash burgers, sandwiches, and snacks
    🎶 Frequent live music performances
    🐾 Dog-friendly seating areas

Important Information:

    Closed Thursdays
    Brunch served Sat–Sun mornings
    No delivery service
    Credit, debit, and NFC mobile payments accepted

Haley's Pick 🍽️

You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.

Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.

The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.

Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.

It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.

– Haley @milehighandhungry
🔊
🔊
🔊

📍 Local Insights

🍺 Beer Voting: The beer-voting menu system lets patrons influence what stays on tap—try the popular hazy ales.

🎶 Live Music Vibes: Live bands often play on weekends, adding to the energetic yet relaxed setting.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Perks: Bring your dog along; staff and patrons welcome well-behaved pups warmly.

🍽️ Brunch Timing: Enjoy brunch with beer on Sat–Sun mornings until 1:30 PM; great for daytime gatherings.

⏰ Hours

Monday: 11:30 AM–8:30 PM

Tuesday: 11:30 AM–8:30 PM

Wednesday: 11:30 AM–8:30 PM

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 11:30 AM–10:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM–8:30 PM

👉 Best For

Casual drinks, live music, dog owners, groups

Validation Ale

102 E Yanonali St
,
Santa Barbara
,
CA
93101

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Validation Ale is highly praised for its excellent craft beer, especially hazy selections, vibrant atmosphere, and friendly, attentive staff. The food, including smash burgers and sandwiches, receives strong acclaim. The inviting dog-friendly policy and live music enhance the experience. Some mention pricing concerns and an occasional odd service experience, but overwhelmingly the vibe and quality keep guests coming back.

Last updated on

January 9th, 2026

From The preserve

Standout Dishes

Go For

The Selection

Accommodations

Course Stats

Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Rotating Hazy Beers; Beer Flights; Craft Beer; Casual Eats; Live Music; Outdoor Seating; Dog Friendly; Games (Cornhole); Bar Onsite; Gender-Neutral Restroom; Credit Cards Accepted; Debit Cards Accepted; NFC Mobile Payments

📆 Best Times to Visit

Visit weekdays mid-afternoon for quieter vibes; Fridays and Saturdays get busiest around 5–8 PM with live music; brunch on weekends till 1:30 PM is popular.
Santa Barbara Recs. No Noise.
Get a guide to the best events and pop-ups each week. Curated by locals, for locals. Trusted by thousands.

Join for Free

Similar

IV Pizza Pub

$

Goleta

$$

🍕 Pizza

Heading

4.7

Palapa Restaurant

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🌮 Mexican

Heading

4.3

Unbearable Skee Lodge

$

Santa Barbara

$$

Heading

3.6

Shoreline Cafe

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🌮 Mexican

Heading

4.4

Jamie Slone Wines

$

Santa Barbara

$$

Heading

4.7

Drift Santa Barbara

$

Santa Barbara

$$

Heading

4.3

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

$

Santa Barbara

$

Heading

4.7

The Nugget of Goleta

$

Goleta

$$

🍔 American

Heading

4.4

Rincon Brewery

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🍻 Brewpub

Heading

4.5

Paradise Springs Winery

$

Santa Barbara

$$

Heading

4.3

Seven Bar

$

Santa Barbara

$$

Heading

4.4

Whiskey Richards

$

Santa Barbara

$

Heading

4.5

$

Heading

VisitReservations

Menu

Visit