Since 1979, Chase Bar and Grill has been a fixture in Santa Barbara, offering a mix of Italian cuisine and American favorites that keeps people coming back. The place has a solid reputation for what locals genuinely consider the best happy hour in town, which means reasonable prices on drinks and appetizers during those hours. The menu is broad enough that you’ll find something whether you’re in the mood for pasta, a burger, or something in between.

The outdoor seating area is where dogs are welcome, which makes it a real option if you want to grab a meal without leaving your dog at home. You can actually sit outside with your dog and order from the full menu—not relegated to some tiny corner or limited to bar snacks. The atmosphere is casual enough that having a dog at the next table feels natural rather than like you’re making a special request.

Santa Barbara’s downtown location means you’re near State Street if you want to do some browsing before or after eating, and the surrounding area has decent street parking though it can get tight during peak times. The indoor dining room is fine if the weather turns, but the outdoor section is really the draw for dog owners.

It’s the kind of place where you get a sense that management understands people want to include their dogs in normal activities rather than always having to make separate arrangements. They’ve maintained that welcoming approach for decades, which says something about how seriously they take it. If happy hour timing works for you, that’s when you’ll see the place most lively.