Blues Jean Bar Coming to State Street

The Blues Jean Bar will open its first Santa Barbara store on Monday, April 16. The high-end boutique will take over the downtown space previously occupied by Blue Bee at 923 State Street.

This will be one bar where customers are free to indulge as much as they want — that is, if their pockets are deep enough. The store’s interior imitates a classic saloon, featuring stools, a 24-foot wooden bar, and a wide selection of the finest “denim on tap.”

Heather McArdle, the franchise’s regional manager for Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, believes The Blues Jean Bar will thrive in its S.B. location, which will be its 16th location, including its Web and mobile store. “State Street is an iconic shopping mecca,” McArdle said.

McArdle is also aware that the store has big shoes — or dare I say, jeans — to fill. “Blue Bee was a staple for premium denim for men and women with so many brands under one roof.”

But The Blues Jean Bar, McArdle explained, delivers a heavy dose of denim itself. The boutique carries up to 40 different brands at a time including well-known designer lines like Joe’s Jeans, Paige, and Made in Heaven Jeans. McArdle said that the store also carries less familiar and up-and-coming brands.

“You’ll probably find the newest, most current, and most unknown under our roof,” she said.

Shoppers can expect personal help with jean fitting at The Blues Jean Bar, said McArdle. After “ordering” from a menu that offers various brand, style, color, wash, and size options, customers are attended to by employee “jeantenders.”

“The people behind the bar know what they’re doing,” McArdle said. “Going from what your requirements are, we’ll go for your style and body type, give you a selection, and also recommend something you’ve never heard of.”

That personalized experience is central to The Blues Jean Bar’s mission, McArdle said. The intimate atmosphere and individual attention allow customers to feel comfortable to indulge. “But instead of alcohol behind the bar,” she explained, “it’s rows and rows of denim.”