BEST RESTAURANT FOR PRIVATE EVENTS IN SANTA BARBARA

From full-service, off-site catering to unforgettable private events at our Uptown or Funk Zone locations, Brass Bear brings elevated food, craft beverages, and small town, Santa Barbara hospitality to every occasion.

Inquire below, or schedule a call with Emily, our events manager!

OFF-SITE CATERING

Brass Bear is taking our signature service (and skewers) on the road to the Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Santa Ynez area. Whether you're planning a company retreat, wedding, private dinner, or team celebration, our new off-site catering program features live-fire cooking and bar services—creating an unforgettable experience wherever you gather.

Live-Fire Catering

• Santa Maria-style grilling with full meal service

• Signature Brass Bear skewered meats + veggies

• Crowd-pleasing passed appetizers

Off-Site Bar Service

• Signature craft cocktails

• Brass Bear beer + local wines

• Non-alcoholic drinks and “mocktails”

PRIVATE EVENTS

TWO UNIQUE LOCATIONS IN SANTA BARBARA

FUNK ZONE

Brass Bear Funk Zone was our first location, which we opened 10 years ago in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara with only three employees and seating for 30 guests. We’ve since expanded, and our beer garden can now accommodate up to 200 guests for private buyouts.

Brass Bear Funk Zone is very popular for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, laid back wedding receptions, corporate events, social mixers, birthdays, and more! Partial buyouts are also available for guest counts of 75 or less.

Wedding Welcome Party at Brass Bear Funk Zone. Photo Credit: Wedding Nature Photography

WedPhoto Credit: Catherine Leanne Photography

UPTOWN

3 years ago, we opened the doors to our second location on Upper State St. Our newest location boasts magical mountain views, enjoyed from our sprawling terrace. Nothing beats a glass of wine while watching the sun set over the Santa Ynez foothills!

With 2 private dining rooms, a spacious terrace, and cozy taproom, our mix of indoor and outdoor space is perfect for any occasion. Our Uptown location is more elevated, and the preferred option for wedding ceremonies and receptions, corporate dinners, holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and all kinds of special occasions.

Private buyouts are also available for guest counts up to 500.

Santa Barbara Wedding Reception. Photo Credit: Trevor Morrison Photography

Santa Barbara Courthouse Reception Dinner. Photo Credit: Madeline Rose Photo

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WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SAYING

We hosted both our rehearsal dinner and welcome party at Brass Bear Uptown, and it was the perfect choice. Having both events in one location kept the evening relaxed and fun - we didn’t have to coordinate moving between venues, which made planning so much easier. The private dining room was exactly what we wanted. It had plenty of space for our buffet dinner, and all of the tables and chairs were included, which simplified rentals and cost. The private bar in the room was such a great feature, giving the whole evening an exclusive feel without needing to rent out the entire restaurant. We also had signature cocktails and even a signature mocktail, which our guests love - it felt personal and elevated the experience... Drinks were a huge hit, and we received so many compliments about the overall vibe of the night. On top of the beautiful setting, the staff at Brass Bear were wonderful - professional, attentive, and incredibly friendly before, during, and after the event. Emily made the whole process so easy, and Kenzie on-site was amazing the night of. Everything ran smoothly, and we felt completely taken care of... Brass Bear exceeded our expectations, and we would highly recommend it to any couples looking for a welcoming, flexible, and memorable space to host pre-wedding celebrations.

Abigail S., The Knot

We have now had the pleasure of hosting three events with Brass Bear, both at their Uptown and Downtown locations, and every experience has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we started planning to the end of each event, their team has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

The venues themselves are fantastic. Both Uptown and Downtown locations offer a great atmosphere that works perfectly for any type of gathering. Whether you’re planning a team-building event, a holiday party, or just a special occasion, Brass Bear creates an environment that feels welcoming and polished

In all honesty, I can’t recommend Brass Bear highly enough. Their commitment to excellence, the quality of their food, the attentiveness of their staff, and their ability to deliver a stress-free and enjoyable event make them stand out above the rest. If you’re looking for a venue that will take care of every detail and treat your event with the care it deserves, Brass Bear is the place to go. We’re already looking forward to hosting more events with them in the future!

Jacob S., Google

We knew we were in good hands the moment we met Emily and the Brass Bear team! Guys, when we say this group is amazing, we really mean it. They worked with us, helped us create a beautiful wedding reception, and made the process seem so easy. Everyone is so easy to talk to, responsive, respectful and so sweet. They have such a beautiful and workable space to help bring our vision to life. Our fav part - the food and drinks. WOW, their catering is out of this world. They even let us alter the catering menu to get French fries as our appetizers! We are so lucky to have had the chance to work with them. Shoutout to Emily for being the best event coordinator ever! We couldn’t have imagined our wedding reception any other way. You need your wedding reception here!

Stephanie Y., Google