Living in Santa Clarita means having a lot of friends who ‘just happen to be passing through.’ They’re here for a weekend getaway, a work trip to Magic Mountain, or maybe they just got lost on the 5. And when your cousin’s college roommate texts that he’s in town and wants to grab a beer, you’re not going to ignore it. After all, he’s practically family (or so he claims), so you have to meet him for a burger and a brew before politely excusing yourself. It’s the neighborly thing to do.
These are the 11 best spots for exactly that kind of encounter.
La Cocina Bar & Grill
$ | (661) 297-4546 | WEBSITE
Your buddy is in Santa Clarita for a car show (you’re not sure why, you thought he was an accountant), and he wants Mexican food. Take him to La Cocina, a cozy local spot serving satisfying takes on classic Mexican. To start, get some chips and salsa – they come with a bold, worth-more-than-gold flavor – then bond over the fajitas, which are basically a sizzling build-your-own plate, and also fantastic.
Schoonerville
$ | (661) 388-4191 | WEBSITE
Schoonerville is another excellent place for a last-minute night out with some friends who only have a few hours but want something fun. There are always spots available at the bar or pool tables day-of, and the friendly atmosphere is as good as you’ll find in Santa Clarita. They’ve got great, social options like the pool tables and dart boards, and less-social options like grabbing a drink at the bar if the idea of mingling freaks out your random acquaintance.
But no matter what you do here, you’ll feel like you made the right choice.
Bergie’s bar and grill
$$ | (661) 360-3160 | WEBSITE
Bergie’s bar and grill is a Santa Clarita bar and grill that pulls off the trick of being lively but not overwhelming for those just looking for a solid meal. They serve great versions of classics like the corndog and strong mixed drinks, alongside a wide beer selection. The next time you have a friend who feels uncomfortable straying far from chain sports bars, expand their horizons by taking them here on a Tuesday evening for the live music and fantastic vibe.
Main Kitchen Cafe
$ | (747) 307-5332 | WEBSITE
For whatever reason, your aunt is dragging you out for an early breakfast before her morning meetings in Santa Clarita. So head to Main Kitchen Cafe, the cozy spot with that family-run feel. You two can chat in the restaurant while she complains about her commute, and while some dishes could use a tweak, you can’t go wrong with either the steak and eggs or the Eggs Benedict. But the real reason you’re there is the excellent (and very fair) coffee.
It’ll get you through a meal with even your most talkative of relatives.
The Backyard Grub n’ Brews
$$ | (661) 286-1165 | WEBSITE
You discovered last Christmas that your cousin drives through Santa Clarita twice a month for his construction business – but never bothered to give you a call. He swore the next trip will include you, but only if you can find a spot near his job site off the 14. So you’re heading to The Backyard Grub n’ Brews, the cozy restaurant tucked away in a local plaza.
The food isn’t fancy, but you’ll both find something satisfying, including a massive burger piled high with fresh toppings, and sliders that are soft, tender, and delicious. It also feels like a relaxed backyard inside, so even though Mike doesn’t have time to go home and grill, there’s still plenty for him to enjoy.
Marci’s Sports Bar & Grill
$$ | (661) 296-8000 | WEBSITE
Marci’s is a casual, affordable-looking sports bar in Santa Clarita that any local sports fan will love. But that doesn’t mean you won’t like it, too. Because even though the laid-back atmosphere and numerous TV screens might remind you of a neighborhood pub, this spot has way better food and beer than anything you’d find at a chain sports bar. The wings, chicken club, and Swiss Mushroom burger are all worth your time – just leave room for some fried cheese curds, too.
Schooners Patio Grille II
$$ | (661) 388-4765 | WEBSITE
A friend is visiting family in Santa Clarita, and he needs to escape for a bite. Use this as an excuse to go check out Schooners Patio Grille II, one of the best bar and grill spots in the area. It might not have the history of some other Valley joints, but that doesn’t matter – this is as satisfying of a casual meal as you will find around.
You’ll enjoy Cuban fries loaded with flavor, traditional hot wings that are generously sized, and steak or pizza among the offerings all over the course of a visit, along with some much less-common treats, like their notable enchiladas and Bloody Marys.
The Shot Exchange
$ | (661) 367-6285 | WEBSITE
Just because your boss gave you that impossible deadline doesn’t mean you’re getting out of that Friday night with your friends. And The Shot Exchange in Santa Clarita is an ideal place to go to forget about work, because of two things: The excellent, affordable drinks, and the best dive bar atmosphere in town. Order some cold beers, a shot of whiskey, and just enjoy the conversation – real people with no pretense around you.
They also have great music most nights, so if you’re not in the mood to talk, you can just listen to the tunes together in comfortable silence.
19th Hole
$$ | (818) 367-2140 | WEBSITE
You don’t know your cousin that well. It’s not because of any dramatic family happenings, she just moved to the other side of town your whole life. But now that you both live in Santa Clarita, she wants to take you “somewhere fun” to catch up. 19th Hole is that somewhere fun. It’s a neighborhood bar and grill with a retro vibe that serves much better food than most neighborhood spots – like the popular Tuna melt sandwich and the lemon pepper wings.
Don’t be afraid to get heavily involved with their outdoor deck, either – especially with the spacious seating and plenty of free parking.
Shooters Bar & Billiards / Mechanical Bull.
$$ | (661) 287-5888 | WEBSITE
Your cousin thinks Santa Clarita is just suburbs and strip malls – and you were too busy to explain how we actually have spots worth driving to. There is good news, though: You have a reason to head to Shooters, and enjoy solid bar food like juicy cheeseburgers, crispy fries, loaded nachos, and hot pizza. Not only is the food satisfying, and totally worth the trip across town, but it will also shut down your cousin’s wild idea that chain sports bars are the only fun places around.
There’s a well-stocked bar, too, and don’t even think about passing up a ride on the mechanical bull.
El patrón mexican bar &grill
$ | (661) 383-9249 | WEBSITE
When you get a last-minute call from your cousin asking if you’re free for lunch, El Patrón is the place to go. It’s always lively, so you won’t have to worry about anyone being able to hear the family updates he’s filling you in on, but it’s also not so busy that you’ll be waiting forever to get a table (and we all know how he feels about waiting). Get the carne asada or the chile relleno, and do not, under any circumstances, skip the pina colada.