Santa Barbara, a coastal city in California, is an all-around fascinating place. It's called the "American Riviera," thanks to its gorgeous beaches, lovely weather, and Spanish Colonial architecture. The scenic sights are among the reasons Santa Barbara was an early film production hub, releasing myriad silent movies in the 1910s.
Also, a wine production hub, you can sample the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by visiting the downtown Santa Barbara tasting rooms. While in the area, you'll find trendy shopping and dining spots lining State Street, where you can enjoy mouthwatering food paired with handcrafted cocktails. The Santa Barbara Symphony and other local artists regularly bring live music lovers together to enjoy their favorite tunes.
Santa Barbara is the backdrop for endless social gatherings, major film festival events, rock concerts, and pop shows. If you are organizing a performance or recording a music video, explore our 0 listings and rent the perfect venue.
Jack Johnson, a University of California, Santa Barbara alumnus, started his illustrious musical career in town. If you're hoping to showcase your talent in the city, entertainment spots around town can host your upcoming events, including shows of all music genres. Book a live performance space with a standout red piano or a historic landmark with an inviting atmosphere, easily done on the Giggster app.
A theater is the ultimate performance stage, but in Santa Barbara, you can transform just about any space into a personalized live music setting. A commissary kitchen is such a space, particularly one that has an event area.
Are you inviting visitors to listen to your new song or album? Host the occasion at a creative photo and video studio. Search for a location with an outdoor space designed to support content creation, a screening, a listening party, and celebrating.
Are you planning an exclusive gathering that includes performances? Book a taproom with indoor and outdoor areas available as a buyout. Host a comedy night or live music show in an establishment with an impressive selection of draft beer and wine.
Rent a beachfront house for your music video shoot. A sprawling estate with an overgrown garden, balcony, and beach access offering breathtaking ocean views is ideal.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Are you inspired by live music spaces such as the Granada Theatre, the Funk Zone, the Arlington Theatre, or the Santa Barbara Bowl? Book something with a wow factor from Giggster for as low as $30/hour.
Hassle-Free Booking: Contact the listing manager for more information and request a custom quote. Once you green-light a performance venue, book it with a few clicks.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you've selected a fantastic concert venue and need to update or cancel the space, we make it simple to do so. As long as you book at least 48 hours beforehand, you can cancel within 24 hours of receiving your booking confirmation.
Platform Protections: To plan your concert worry-free, you can purchase cancellation coverage or event liability insurance with our add-on protection packages.
Giggster can help you rent a performance space like , so you can emulate the ambiance of the Lobero Theatre, the Santa Barbara Bowl, or the Soho Restaurant and Music Club. Gain success, like the Santa Barbara Jazz Collective or the reggae hip-hop band, the Olés—fame is within reach in the right venue! Do you need inspiration to choose the ultimate event entertainment setting? Our recommendations below can help:
Photo and Video Studios – Release Parties. Do you have a new song for your guests to listen to, or are you debuting a music video? In either case, a video or photo studio is the ideal setting. Host the occasion in a versatile location with an outdoor space, audiovisual equipment, and a stage.
Commissary Kitchens – Receptions. Celebrating a special event with a reception? Organize the occasion in a commissary kitchen that doubles as an event space. Reserve a spacious location with an outdoor patio or other party area where your guests can dine and enjoy a musical showcase.
Beachfront Homes – Music Video Shoots. The perfect music video shoot backdrop is a private home offering beach access. Search for an estate with a beautiful garden, large grounds, and eye-catching features that can enhance your production.
Taprooms – Live Performances. Gather musicians and music lovers in a taproom for a night spent enjoying great tunes and specialty cocktails. Reserve an establishment with an extensive wine list and a selection of draft beers on tap.
Clubs – Live Music Shows. Emerging bands perform in bars and clubs while searching for their big break. DJs host industry events, and big names also play club shows to reconnect with their fans. You can reserve a VIP guest area for a listening or album release party.
Once you pull off a successful gathering in town, Santa Barbara will be the backdrop for all your upcoming events. However, your task at the moment is to organize an outstanding live performance. Our tips for music location must-haves should help you book the best space.
Does the space have sound acoustics? Sound is integral to the concertgoing experience; ensure the performance setting has excellent acoustics.
What features support your event? Look for special features and top-notch amenities. You'll need audiovisual equipment for an exciting album release party. Rent a location with natural light and lighting gear if producing a standout video.
Can you sell tickets on-site? Are you planning a ticketed event? Message the listing manager and inquire about the possibility of selling tickets on the spot.
Santa Barbara's history explains why it's the setting for major film festival events. The "American Riviera" is equally a wonderful place to stage a live performance, record a song, or plan a recital. However, before you dive into everything, learn more about the pros and cons of organizing a music event in town.
Advantages
The stretches of beach and sweeping mountains make Santa Barbara a picture-perfect destination. Giggster can connect you with a music space overlooking vineyards, the Pacific Ocean, or rolling hills.
Santa Barbara has delightful central coast weather, especially in summer, which peaks in July and August. Those are the best months to plan an outdoor event. You can book a scenic performance site anywhere in town through our easy-to-navigate app and website.
Like other neighboring Californian gems, Santa Barbara has a fantastic food scene. Restaurants serve the tastiest seafood dishes and provide event catering services. You may even want a few food trucks outside your venue to help draw a crowd.
Disadvantages
You'll have to be aware of noise ordinances in Santa Barbara. Amplified music and decibel limits, for example, have to be taken into account.
Traffic congestion worsens during the peak tourist season. Consider this when scheduling your show, and use our location filter to explore venues out of the high-traffic areas.
Most neighborhoods have parking challenges. You can resolve the issue by renting a performance site with ample on-site parking that matches your anticipated crowd size.
Giggster is your connection to impressive concert venues, so browse our extensive listings and reserve an excellent performance space. With that handled, plan an unforgettable evening with live performances and other fun activities using these tips:
Get Permits On Time – Larger events and playing music at certain levels require permits. We recommend using the chat feature to message the property owner for detailed information about such requirements.
Market Your Event – A ticketed event requires proper marketing, including creating trendy social media ad campaigns and eye-catching fliers. It's helpful to book an event setting with an in-house team that can assist with the finer details, or hire a marketing person with the know-how to get the word out.
Partner with Local Vendors – Most Santa Barbara event settings, especially outdoor locations, can accommodate vendor booths. The property manager may be able to assist, connecting you with vendors and other professionals. In many cases, event spaces handle setup and catering in-house, depending on the venue type you ultimately choose.
Create the Ultimate Concert Experience – Have a list of comfort must-haves, including accessibility, adequate restroom facilities, warm-up space for performers, security and medical personnel, and suitable seating for attendees. The bigger a hit this concert is, the more you'll have success with the next one.
A high price tag accompanies the "America's Riviera" air of prestige. You can shave your budget by booking a pocket-friendly event space on the app or website. Do you need tips to save even more money? These suggestions can help:
Book the venue during the week.
If you are flexible with dates, schedule your musical event on a weekday. Most of the performance spaces on the Giggster app have peak and off-peak rental rates. The amount you pay ultimately depends on the number of expected visitors or guests, the season, and the total hours you need the space.
Sell tickets and merchandise.
Ticket and popular merchandise sales (such as t-shirts and water bottles) can help offset several planning costs, especially the rental fee. Establishments with food and drink minimums can offset the rental price if you meet the required amount.
Can you use free promotional opportunities?
Utilize social media to the fullest extent to promote your event. Look for sites online that offer event listings at no charge and post your event there. Posters are often a tried-and-true way to put your concert in the public's view.
If you have gotten to this point, you are now ready to book a fabulous space for your rock show, band night, or recital. Use our intuitive app's handy filters to find the perfect music venue with a few clicks.
