Great Places for Cocktails in Sonoma County

Whether the décor is vintage or sleek, the lighting bright or delightfully dim, and the clientele international, local, or both, there’s nothing quite like kicking back at a bar and enjoying the smooth sophistication of a cocktail.

We’ve stirred up a top-shelf selection of Sonoma County bars, where the barkeeps mix cutting-edge drinks and cocktails but also know the value of a beloved Negroni and Martini. Cheers!

Perch and Plow, Santa Rosa

The views headline this creative cocktail bar and restaurant overlooking Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square. Snag a seat by the window, looking at the Empire Building clock tower, and enjoy innovative cocktails paired with small bites at Perch + Plow. 

Sip and savor innovative cocktails like the Smoking Gun, smoked with applewood, or sample seasonal libations like the Seasonal Mule. Or, grab a table in the dining room with friends, and when you can’t decide on a drink, simply go with the Cocktail Flight to share among your party.

Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, Healdsburg

The upscale, Prohibition-inspired lounge on Healdsburg’s plaza specializes in a seasonally rotating menu of cocktails made with local spirits and locally grown herbs, flowers, and fruits. You can request anything alcoholic here — including local wine and beer — or choose from ready-made still cocktails, carbonated quaffs, and booze-free beauties. 

Set in a 1933 building, the stylish yet comfortable vibe includes chalkboard menus, bronze industrial lighting, a long bar, raw-wood-and-metal communal tables, and a party atmosphere that goes well into the night.

Underwood Bar & Bistro, Graton

From its roots as an apple cannery, the picturesque burg of Graton bloomed into the heartbeat of western Sonoma County. The sexy, speakeasy-style Underwood Bar & Bistro helped lead this tiny town into what Wine Spectator described as: “New York’s East Village meets Wine Country in this hip gathering spot for local elite winemakers and wine travelers alike.”

Sip classics and delights like an Old Havana Sidecar or tributes such as the Lulu — a long pour of Junipero gin with lime and tonic. The tasty Willow Wood Market Café is onsite.

Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa

From the dark, clubby lounge rooms to the vintage neon sign shining from the rooftop like a beacon in the night, classic steakhouse fare mixes with a modern culinary approach at Stark’s in downtown Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square.

Young and old gather for the vintage-chic mood and some of the best cocktails in Sonoma County. Belly up to barrel-aged cocktails like the Benendictine-kissed Vieux Carre, or delight in a playful Rose’s Apothecary — a citrus-floral blend of Beefeater Gin, Lillet Rose, lemongrass simple syrup, grapefruit, and egg-white.

Geyserville Gun Club Bar & Lounge, Geyserville

The rustic Geyserville bar and lounge is advertised as a “working man’s bar,” but since this is Sonoma Wine Country, the cocktails are crafted with artisanal, local ingredients, and the stylish setting features hardwood floors, aged brick walls, and fresh flowers. Nice “work,” if you can get it!

Cocktails are the specialty, like the sexy-strong She-Devil, made with El Silencio Mezcal, Strega, cherry liqueur, and a light dusting of ghost pepper. The inventive bar menu also offers Latin and Asian street food and a long list of beer and wine.

Monti’s, Santa Rosa

The location is urban-central, in the bustling Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The setting exudes a modern, cosmopolitan ambiance with lots of activity at the inviting bar, pouring 40 wines by the glass and displaying a fresh oyster and shellfish station. Sample the specialty drinks — these bartenders are happy to make them stiff. Especially delicious is the Twist of Fate, which adds a dash of Roederer Estate brut to elderflower liqueur, Gordon’s Gin, and fresh lemon. The menu features rustic Mediterranean cuisine showcasing nightly specials from the wood-fired rotisserie.

The Saloon at The Jack London Lodge, Glen Ellen

This saloon, tucked into The Jack London Lodge in Glen Ellen at the gateway to Jack London Historic State Park, is a turn-of-the-century historic treasure set with vintage memorabilia and sofas around an antique polished oak bar. The bartender has a skilled, generous hand with classic cocktails and pours until at least midnight (busier times find the doors open until 2 a.m.). If you don’t have a favorite drink, they’ll gladly recommend a few favorites. The clientele is mostly locals and pleased travelers who delight in discovering one of the best cocktail bars in Sonoma County.

For more ideas, check our listings of Sonoma County Nightlife.