The James Joyce

The James Joyce has been Santa Barbara's original Irish pub since 1996, a State Street institution known for peanut shells on the floor, strong pours, pool, darts, and a sidewalk patio. Live music runs six nights a week. Saturdays belong to a Dixieland and New Orleans jazz band that has held the slot for decades and draws swing dancers of every age. Other nights bring blues, jazz, rock, and karaoke. The room is loud, friendly, and unpretentious, and dancing breaks out wherever there is floor space. It suits bands who can play long sets to a mixed walk-in crowd and keep people moving.