Client: The Good Lion, Santa Barbara, CA
Project: Craft Cocktail Bar
Well-known LA mixologist Brandon Ristaino (Thirsty Crow, Bigfoot West) branched out and launched his very own cocktail establishment in Santa Barbara CA. Basing the bar’s name on a short story by Ernest Hemingway, The Good Lion had a few look and feel requirements; that of reflecting some odes to Hemingway himself, having a little European wine bar appeal, along with a dose of respect for Old Santa Barbara and the historical Granada Theatre with which it shares its walls. Dark blue walls were a fresh start for the once strangely butterscotch colored venue. Slick tiles on the bar front, a bold, deep-red gloss brick wall, some made to order 1930’s European café style tables, English bentwood chairs, and custom tufted upholstered leather bench seating complete the collage. Etagère shelves display antique books and vinyl 78’s (which do get turns at the old Victrola!) in their original dusty covers, as well as a carefully curated selection of travel treasures. Vintage travel cases were transformed into ottomans for sitting at the counter. So far it is getting 5 Star Yelp reviews!
