Funk Zone seeing benefits from outdoor seating

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Two of Santa Barbara's popular hangout destinations, State Street and the Funk Zone, have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council voted to close part of State Street to vehicles. Council members also allowed areas of the Funk Zone to do the same. The goal is to allow more outdoor dining.

In the Funk Zone, Brass Bear, DV8 Cellars and Kunin Wines all share the same building. Next to the building, the alley connecting a back parking lot is now closed off. Tables, tents, lights and physically distant seating have filled the alley.

Brass Bear's extra space is the biggest. The business moved outside and completely renovated the back parking area to create a beer garden. The extra space has allowed for more tables and chairs, which has brought in more customers.

Seth Anderson is one of the co-owners of Brass Bear. He said before the pandemic, they had six employees. When they opened for takeout only, they had just three. Now with the extra space, they're up to nine. He hopes that even after the pandemic the extra space is allowed to stay.