M Special Brewing Company - Downtown

Open

Closed

$

$$

Santa Barbara

casual-dining

4.4
Brewery with a diverse tap list and Mexican street food taqueria, featuring friendly staff and a relaxed, gaming-friendly vibe.

$

$$

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casual-dining

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📍

M Special Brewing Company - Downtown

Santa Barbara

$

Enjoy quality ales, friendly staff, and tasty Mexican tacos in a relaxed Santa Barbara brewery with live music and games.

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About
4.4
(
113
)

M Special Brewing Company offers a laid-back atmosphere with a well-curated selection of ales and lagers on tap. Guests can enjoy Mexican street food from an on-location taqueria, plenty of big-screen TVs, and board games for a fun local experience.

The venue is pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and welcomes groups for events or casual meet-ups. Food trucks or Woodstock pizza provide additional late afternoon dining options, while trivia nights and live music add to the entertainment.

What's Included:

    🍺 Extensive craft beer taps featuring ales and lagers
    🌮 On-site Mexican taqueria with tacos, burritos, and vegetarian options
    🎮 Board games and big-screen TVs for games and sports
    🎶 Live music and trivia nights periodically

Important Information:

    Pet Friendly: Yes, friendly pets welcome
    Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms
    Payment: Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted
    Food Options: Street tacos and pizza available; no direct gluten free pizza on site

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

🍺 Happy Hour Deals: Craft pints often go for $5 during happy hour, making midweek and early evenings ideal for visits.

🌮 Taqueria Favorites: Mushroom tacos and burritos are crowd-pleasers; vegan and gluten-free options are available via the taqueria.

🎶 Event Nights: Trivia nights are typically held on Mondays; live bands add a vibrant atmosphere periodically.

🎮 Gaming & Viewing: Big screen TVs and board games create a chill vibe for sports fans and casual hangouts.

⏰ Hours

Monday: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM

Tuesday: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM

Wednesday: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM

Thursday: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM

Friday: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM

Saturday: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

👉 Best For

Casual hangouts, craft beer lovers, live music fans, groups

M Special Brewing Company - Downtown

634 State St
,
Santa Barbara
,
CA
93101

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
M Special Brewing Company is highly praised for its diverse and quality beer selection, friendly and attentive staff, and strong local vibes. The taqueria's Mexican food, especially tacos, receives high marks, though a few patrons found food service slow or the quality variable. The atmosphere is relaxed with entertainment options like trivia and live music. Some isolated negative incidents and entry restrictions appear but are not widespread.

Last updated on

January 9th, 2026

From The preserve

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Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Craft Beer; Local Beers; Beer Garden; Bar Onsite; Big Screen TVs; Board Games; Live Music; Trivia Night; Pet Friendly; Wheelchair Accessible; Mexican Food; Happy Hour

📆 Best Times to Visit

Visit during happy hour for $5 pints; evenings from Thursday to Saturday are busiest; enjoy live music and trivia on scheduled nights.
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