Santa Barbara Courthouse Distillery & Events
All-inclusive venue
The venue takes care of it all - food and beverage, rentals, the works!
Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing
Starting at $3,000 for off-peak dates, and $6,000 for peak dates
Packages
Prices start at $7,500
Guest capacity
Up to 350 seated guests
About this venue
Welcome to Santa Barbara Courthouse Distillery, a forthcoming premier private event venue nestled in the heart of La Arcada Plaza, steps away from the iconic Santa Barbara Courthouse. We have positioned ourselves to locals and visitors alike who are seeking an exclusive setting for weddings at unbeatable prices. Our journey begins with a deep appreciation for Santa Barbara's rich wedding tradition, highlighted by over 1500 annual ceremonies at the Courthouse. Beyond weddings, we embrace the diversity of events, offering a versatile space capable of accommodating up to 350 guests. Our flexibility, onsite ownership and central location make us an ideal venue to host your event. With a spacious layout, aesthetic charm, and convenient access to public parking, SBCD promises unparalleled versatility and convenience for event hosts and attendees. Our commitment to culinary excellence is reflected in our diverse menu options, crafted to delight a broad spectrum of tastes and preferences.
Our event spaces
Arcada Ballroom
Modern Elegance Meets Warm, Romantic Charm
Step into a light-filled, elegant space designed for extraordinary moments. With soaring ceilings, cascading natural light, and a sophisticated yet versatile design, this venue transforms effortlessly to match your vision.
Guest capacity
30-100 Seated
30-130 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Chandeliers with dimmers for light customization -60" Round tables -Cushioned chairs -Restrooms -Central heat & AC
Fig Patio
Tranquil Waters & Flickering Flames
An enchanting retreat where firelight dances and turtles glide. Gather around wood firepit tables, sharing warmth and conversation, while the peaceful pond adds a touch of natural serenity. Whether you're sipping under the stars or basking in the soft glow of dusk, this outdoor haven invites you to slow down, connect, and let the elements work their magic.
Guest capacity
20-100 Seated
20-120 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Wood firepit tables -Choice of metal or cushioned chairs -Live turtle pond -Heaters -String lights -Umbrellas
Distillers Lounge
Raise a glass to timeless style
A refined retreat where sophistication meets warmth. The smooth elegance of marble floors pairs effortlessly with rich wood accents, creating a space that feels both timeless and inviting. A fully stocked bar stands ready for crafted cocktails and lingering conversations, making this the perfect setting to sip, celebrate, and savor every moment.
Guest capacity
20-60 Seated
20-80 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Dimmers for total light customization -4 TV screens -Restrooms -Full bar -Option of rectangular wood, round tables, or cocktail tables -Cushioned chairs
Arcada Ballroom
Modern Elegance Meets Warm, Romantic Charm
Step into a light-filled, elegant space designed for extraordinary moments. With soaring ceilings, cascading natural light, and a sophisticated yet versatile design, this venue transforms effortlessly to match your vision.
Guest capacity
30-100 Seated
30-130 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Chandeliers with dimmers for light customization -60" Round tables -Cushioned chairs -Restrooms -Central heat & AC
Fig Patio
Tranquil Waters & Flickering Flames
An enchanting retreat where firelight dances and turtles glide. Gather around wood firepit tables, sharing warmth and conversation, while the peaceful pond adds a touch of natural serenity. Whether you're sipping under the stars or basking in the soft glow of dusk, this outdoor haven invites you to slow down, connect, and let the elements work their magic.
Guest capacity
20-100 Seated
20-120 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Wood firepit tables -Choice of metal or cushioned chairs -Live turtle pond -Heaters -String lights -Umbrellas
Distillers Lounge
Raise a glass to timeless style
A refined retreat where sophistication meets warmth. The smooth elegance of marble floors pairs effortlessly with rich wood accents, creating a space that feels both timeless and inviting. A fully stocked bar stands ready for crafted cocktails and lingering conversations, making this the perfect setting to sip, celebrate, and savor every moment.
Guest capacity
20-60 Seated
20-80 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement
Included in this room:
-Dimmers for total light customization -4 TV screens -Restrooms -Full bar -Option of rectangular wood, round tables, or cocktail tables -Cushioned chairs
Santa Barbara Courthouse Distillery & Events packages
The Essentials
50 guests
Peak pricing $7,500
Reception venue for up to 50 guests Taco Bar or Santa Maria Style BBQ Buffet Dinner Unlimited beer & wine for 3 hours
The Deluxe
50 guests
Peak pricing $10,000
Reception venue for up to 50 guests 3 course plated dinner Champagne toast Unlimited beer, wine, and call drinks for up to 3 hours
The Classic
100 guests
Peak pricing $15,000
Reception venue for up to 100 guests Taco Bar or Santa Maria Style BBQ Buffet Dinner Unlimited beer & wine for 3 hours 16x16 wood dance floor
The Grand
Peak pricing $20,000
Reception venue for up to 100 guests Passed champagne upon entry Signature Courthouse Buffet Grazing table with artisan cheese, charcuterie, fruit, and vegetable crudite Unlimited beer, wine, and well drinks for 3 hours DJ 16x16 wood dance floor
Available services that can be provided by Santa Barbara Courthouse Distillery & Events
Services & amenities
- Bar services
- Catering services
- Clean up
- Event coordinator
- Event rentals
- Event staff
- Liability insurance
- Pet friendly
- Service staff
- Set up
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wifi
Reviews
Write a review5.0 out of 5
14 reviews
- DS
Dominic S.
Amazing staff, creating amazing memories.
We recently had our wedding at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Distillery, with Mizza handling the food, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. Our wedding was everything we hoped it would be, and a huge part of that was the incredible team behind the scenes. We’re genuinely grateful to everyone who helped make our day so special. A special thank you to Andrew, the manager at Mizza, who coordinated our venue setup and helped ensure everything ran smoothly. He was fantastic to work with from start to finish, and the level of care and attention he put into making sure everything came together exceeded our expectations. Melody was equally wonderful. She helped us navigate the packages, pricing, and food selections over email and was always helpful, responsive, and accommodating. On the day of our wedding, she was there making sure everything was taken care of. Having people like Andrew and Melody in your corner when planning a wedding makes all the difference, and we can’t thank them enough. The waitstaff and bartenders were also excellent. Everyone was friendly, professional, and attentive, and the bartenders were serving up some great drinks throughout the event. The food was very good, and the pricing was extremely competitive for what we received. We also added a late-night pizza snack from Mizza, which was a huge hit. The pizzas were delicious, especially the sausage and onion pizza! The Courthouse Distillery itself is a fantastic venue. The historic building has so much character, and its unique atmosphere, beautiful Santa Barbara setting, and great location make it a memorable place to host an event. The pricing is very reasonable, and while they offer preset packages, they’re willing to work with you to tailor the experience to your needs and help make your event exactly what you envision. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Our wedding turned out perfectly, and we’re incredibly thankful to Andrew, Melody, and the entire team at Mizza and the Courthouse Distillery for all their hard work in making it happen. We would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a venue and catering team for their wedding or special event. You can feel confident that you’ll be in good hands!
- EJ
Emma & J.
Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Drinks
We found the Courthouse Distillery by complete coincidence…and it ended up being the best choice we made!! We were visiting Santa Barbara months before our wedding and happened to walk through the arcade and noticed the venue. We inquired online and were pleasantly surprised to find out that the venue was available for our requested date and within our budget. Melody was quick to respond with important info and details. We were very impressed with everything the venue had to offer, including a terrific menu from their nearby Italian restaurant. We made a deposit online and then visited the location again a month later to meet Andrew who gave us a proper tour. He also offered to coordinate welcome drinks after the dinner for the rest of our guests who were coming to town, which was a life saver! We had been trying to coordinate a welcome event for our out of town guests for months and were having the hardest time finding an affordable and convenient venue. Andrew and Melody added welcome drinks to our reservation for no extra cost !!! (obviously we paid for the extra couple hours of bar service but that was still way under estimates I had gotten from other locations) and we could stay at the same venue as our rehearsal dinner. It was so unbelievably convenient. They really saved the day for us and made the planning process so much easier! As for planning the event, we did next to nothing. They handled EVERYTHING for us, which, while planning a wedding at the same time, took so much off of our plate. We basically just got to show up! The event itself was perfect. Everything ran smoothly, the food and drinks were beyond great, and the entire staff was helpful and communicative. We cannot recommend this venue enough (we loved our wedding venue but if we had heard of this place first, we would’ve probably had our wedding reception here — it was that amazing!!) Melody and Andrew really helped make our weekend unforgettable.
- VS
Victoria S.
Beautiful Wedding Venue
This venue was beautiful, the website made it so easy to book. I booked the venue prior to seeing it because I as comfortable with everything I read online. When I did see it in person it was so great, they made the tour so welcoming and the staff was amazing. Melody really does a beautiful job at making your wedding day so great. I would have not changed anything about it. Everyone at my wedding was OBSESSED with the delicious food.
- C
Cheryl
Santa Barbara Magic at Courthouse Distillery
We reached out to many venues for our wedding welcome party for 150 guests, and most never even replied to our calls or messages. Then we messaged Courthouse Distillery, and Melody responded immediately — asking what we needed, then forwarding a menu, a layout of the event space, and our options. We handled everything over the phone and email within an hour, all from New York for a California wedding. The event was months later, and Melody kept in touch the whole time, all by email. We delivered our guest gift bags the night before, which was a huge relief and one less thing to worry about before the wedding. When we arrived to drop them off, we met Andrew — a wonderful gentleman who introduced himself and handled most of the aspects of the party that night. He was there from beginning to end, until we said goodnight and thank you. The event space included the outside patio area with fire pit tables and true Santa Barbara personality. When we arrived for the party, everything was beautifully decorated and our gift bags were already displayed. The bartenders were amazing — nobody waited in line for a drink. The food was spectacular, and there was plenty of space for our mariachi band. They accommodated us in every way possible. Our guests loved it — they all said it was one of the best parties they’d ever been to, and the space itself was a huge part of that. The staff made the whole evening feel effortless. I highly recommend Courthouse Distillery and hope to have them host another party for us. Ten stars!
- VS
Virginia S.
Best Day of our Lives!!
Our wedding reception was absolutely everything we dreamed of and more. From the moment we arrived, the entire staff went above and beyond to make us, our families, and our guests feel so welcomed and taken care of. Every detail was executed flawlessly, and the venue was the perfect backdrop for such a special celebration. A huge thank you to our coordinator, Mel, who truly made the day stress-free and unforgettable. She was incredibly organized, attentive, and always one step ahead, making sure everything ran seamlessly from start to finish. Knowing she had everything under control allowed us to be fully present and enjoy every moment of our wedding day. We received so many compliments from our guests about the beautiful venue, the outstanding service, and how smoothly the entire evening flowed. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to celebrate with. Thank you for helping create memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. We highly recommend this venue to any couple looking for an exceptional wedding experience! - The Gravetts
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