A fully built-out restaurant space in downtown Santa Barbara, which has served as a gathering spot for decades, is now available for lease.
Located at 20 W Figueroa Street, the property is being marketed as a turn-key restaurant space, according to its listing by real estate and investment management firm Colliers.
The restaurant spans 2,000 sq. ft. and is located within the iconic 1931 Edwards & Plunkett-designed building, giving the property a distinct historic character.
The listing did not include details of the lease rate and liquor license.
View this post on Instagram
With a historic architectural appeal, which is being marketed as an asset for prospective brands, the property features a fully built-out commercial kitchen. The site also includes a walk-in refrigeration and a dedicated storage space.
The space also has two ADA-compliant unisex restrooms, aligning with accessibility standards.
Positioned in downtown Santa Barbara, the property sits close to parking spaces and is located adjacent to city lot No. 3 and 4.
Over the decades, the space has operated as a bar and restaurant, building a legacy that stretches to over 80 years.
Most recently, the space was home to the well-known Riviera Bar, which closed its doors on Valentine’s Day this year, leaving the property fully ready for a new restaurant operator.
Riviera Bar opened at the site in summer 2021 and built a name for itself, becoming a staple for classic cocktails and elevated tavern fare.
Prior to the Riviera Bar, the space housed The Sportsman, which later relocated to State Street.
Broader Wave of Closures in Santa Barbara
The closure of Riviera Bar reflects a change in Santa Barbara’s changing dining landscape, with several dining destinations closing doors over recent months.
Earlier this year, a prime harbor-side restaurant space became available after the closure of Anchor Rose. The location has housed restaurants for over 30 years, with officials of the City of Santa Barbara describing it as a long-term focal point of the harbor.
In March 2026, the city’s Harbor Commission recommended lease negotiations for a new tavern-style restaurant at the former Anchor Rose space, as well as recommending lease negotiations for a small office for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum on the ground floor.
In January 2026, J. Wilkes Wines closed its tasting room in the Funk Zone. The tasting room served as the brand’s public-facing location.
The 1,000 sq. ft. fully equipped and turnkey space is located within Hotel Californian and was listed for lease at $10,000 per month by Colliers.
Also Read
- How one Cal State Campus is Trying to Break out of a Doom Loop of Declining Enrollment
- Montecito Estate Once Owned By Architect A. Eugene Kohn Lists for Nearly Four Times Its Last Sale Price
- Plenty On Bell Enters New Chapter as Rowles Family Takes Over Ownership After Legal Dispute
- Large Apartment Community With 340 Units Opens for Leasing in Santa Maria
- CHP Investigates Fatal Solo Crash on Figueroa Mountain Road
What is historic about it? I work almost next to it. The only thing “historic” about the site is the Sportsman was there for a long time….thats about it. Having “historic designed architecture” doesn’t make it actually “historic”. Any restaraunt that opens there will have tough competition. There are 3 established places surrounding it. It would be good as a bar, but they can’t up and quit after a few bad months. The struggle downtown is real, and we aren’t into places that can’t tough it out. The Riv was only open a short time
I agree. The “history” ended when the Sportsman closed. That was a cool bar with great free jazz and a generous wotr. I had to check the address to even figure out where the Riviera was.
One by one….
? one by one what? business open and close all the time down here, its been the way since the late 90s
KN – I believe you answered your question. Happy Easter to all.
business open and close all of the time here, and in other cities, it’s normal and common so i don’t get his comment.