The business is owned by Veronique Lafont, a queer Black woman.

[1][2][3] Eater Portland's Brooke Jackson-Glidden said the bar is "known for its highballs and pretty cocktails served in coupes, ideal for a sunny day".

[7] In his 2019 overview of the city's "best in LGBTQ+ nightlife, bars, parties, comedy, and more", the Portland Mercury's Andrew Jankowski described Santé as a piano bar "serving cocktails, live jazz, TV musical viewing parties, and open mics with everything from storytelling and poetry to live, music".

[9] In 2021, Santé Bar hosted a beer garden during My People's Market.

[4] In 2019, Willamette Week said, "This swanky cocktail bar might not look like much from the outside, but its vintage vibe, romantic lighting and fancy drinks are a welcome shift from the standard westside LGBTQ bar experience.