Lompoc’s Pour Decisions blends a leisurely atmosphere with zesty margaritas

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It’s happy hour in Lompoc. You’re thirsty for a drink—and maybe some socialization. You want to listen to classic hits that aren’t too loud and hang out at a bar that isn’t so fast-paced you’ll be overwhelmed. 

Try Pour Decisions.

Located at 724 E. Ocean Ave., the former home of DJ’s Saloon, Pour Decisions is not your average loud and crowded cocktail bar.

After purchasing the title last July, Magana Ventures owner Antonio Magana spent six months renovating the space before he reopened it as Pour Decisions at the start of this year.

Magana said Pour Decisions’ current No. 1 seller is the espresso martini. But customers also like a beverage his business partner and wife, Veronica, came up with called the Boss Lady, an old fashioned with agave.

Specializing in citrus, Pour Decisions is famous for its margaritas, which include freshly squeezed lime juice, Magana said. He said customers also love the bar’s lemon drops.

On special occasions, Pour Decisions will also have food for hungry customers. Magana said it served tacos for Cinco de Mayo and will serve hamburgers and hot dogs for July 4.

Magana, who also owns Lompoc’s Old Town Kitchen & Bar, said he worked hard to create an atmosphere where people can be free to unwind while still feeling safe and comfortable. 

“Pour Decisions has a friendly and uplifting atmosphere,” manager Vanessa Martin said. “When you walk through the door, you’re always greeted with a smile.”

As someone who returned to the Central Coast during the pandemic, Martin said being so welcomed back into the community she was born in makes her feel at home. She said she appreciates how customers’ reciprocate Pour Decisions’ welcoming approach when talking to staff.

Pour Decisions is a bar where people can hear each other talking without having to scream over live music, Magana said.

“We kind of did a hybrid between a lounge and an upscale bar,” he said. “People can let loose and have a good time, and it’s not too overwhelming or fast-paced.”

The only caveat, Magana said, is Fridays and Saturdays when Pour Decisions hosts DJs.

“We usually try to play a little bit more of the old-school,” he said. “We do ’80s night, but we also do country, Latin, and other nights. We don’t necessarily want to just focus on one theme. We’re always trying to keep things fresh.”

Along with a billiards league hosted on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, Pour Decisions also has a TouchTunes jukebox machine that allows customers to queue up songs through an app on their phones, Magana said.

Magana said the deck renovations have been an especially huge hit. At night, the deck provides the perfect spot for a second to step away and refresh with some outside air. During the day, the horizon provides a view of the mountains and countryside. 

The deck has plenty of clean seating and shady hideouts for those looking for relief from the summer sun. People love it so much that Magana said he even rents it out for events like birthdays and graduations.

In the future, Magana said, Pour Decisions will host karaoke every other Wednesday night. He said he hopes to also host lotería, or Mexican bingo, nights.

“We are not trying to reach one particular group,” Magana said. “We welcome everybody. Everyone is welcome to come try us out and make some poor decisions.”

Tell Staff Writer Reece Coren about your poor decisions at rcoren@santamariasun.com.

This article appears in May 29 – Jun 8, 2025.