SoCal dads turn to braids and beer for solidarity and support

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GOLETA — For a few minutes, the atmosphere inside Captain Fatty’s Brewery in Santa Barbara County was quiet, different from the usual Friday night clamor.On this late May evening, the 15 men gathered there were contemplating tackling something few had previously had the courage or skill to take on.Austin Nieves, a recent transplant to the area and the man who had brought this brave group together, broke the strained silence by handing out beers.Within minutes, the men, who ranged in age from 30 to 60, began chatting among themselves.

Then they started braiding hair.The May 22 event — Goleta’s version of the viral U.K.-inspired “Pints and Ponytails” night — was sold out.The idea is to have expert hairstylists train uninitiated or intimidated fathers on how to comb and braid their kids’ hair, using salon-type head mannequins but in a setting for bros.“When the first guys got there, they were stiff,” said Nieves, a Pasadena native who moved to Santa Barbara in April 2025.

“Then after that first beer, they went from sitting around the edge of the bar to jumping right into learning and giving it a shot.”The gathering was one of several father functions by the Santa Barbara Dads group, which Nieves founded last spring.May’s papa party offered, along with the suds, a learning experience and camaraderie among fathers, which Nieves believes is much needed.“When my wife had our son, she immediately became part of at least five mom groups and classes that offered her help, advice, friendship and training,” Nieves said.“As a first-time father, I really only had my brothers, who had children themselves, to turn to.”Scientific studies have shown that as fathers have taken a more active role in child rearing, they’ve faced loneliness, doubt and confusion.Researchers Chris Knoester and David J.

Eggebeen wrote in 2006 in the “Journal of Family Issues” th...