It was pretty gross in here. It smells. I didn't like the crowd and I was a bit confused because a lot of people talk about how rad it is??? mmkay no thank you. read more

holy smokes the alibi. you better have a rock-solid alibi for why you were here if anyone asks. this place defines 'dive' in a whole new way. voted bar most likely to turn you on to a new meth-dealer and get you so drunk you forget his phone number. i haven't been subject to more drunken, unfocused stink-eye since the last time i woke up in Tijuana. like a three-ring circus held in a pool of puke, the alibi will always provide some solid entertainment. if you or a friend is in a wheelchair or is morbidly obese go somewhere else because the hallway to the men's bathroom is so narrow that someone has to back out if two people try to go through it at the same time. you have to go through sideways for crap sakes. you may not know how to explain it, but you will never have a bad time. - edit 18 jan 2006 below - whatintheshit happened to the alibi?? i think they might be trying to go upscale? that's like if the girl you knew in high school that made out with 2 guys at the same party then went and threw up in the bushes, passed out upstairs and then the guy who got held back a year that nobody really likes but they keep inviting him around 'cause he has a good fake ID sneaks into the room and makes out with her and then they end up dating for two years but she ends up getting pregnant by some other guy and she drops out of high school and, you assume, goes off to live in a trailer behind the mini-mart where you stole your first pack of gum - yeah, that girl - ends up being your marriage counselor. exactly, i ain't buying it with someone else's money. they've "fixed" the bathroom situation, but your friend in the wheelchair is still SOL* because the entrance to the men's is elevated 4" in what i can only assume is a drunk detector because the bartender can see if you miss the step completely and fall on your face. plus, they repainted and put some weird patterned metal on the walls that looks like they got it from surplus when the local 24-hour fitness was built. then they went and really screwed the pooch by un-blacking all the windows in front. now all the career tipplers are scared off by the light and seeing actual moving people on the street outside so where are the drunks going to curl up and hide with some well gin now?? HUH??!? thanks alot alibi. *they actually have a sneaky bathroom with a level floor that you can use but you have to go through the refrigerated cooler behind the stage. watch out for whirling metalheads! read more

I like dive bars. They are the types of bars I like the most. Somehow, however, this bar is way too much of a dive for me...but like a moth to a flame, I somehow am enticed by this bar. I don't know what it is...it is a dark, stinky, filthy, weird-bathroom-having bar filled with drunks, sleezeballs, washed up skanky women, and a jukebox that seems to be turned up just a bit too loud for what it is. Yet, I like it in some strange way...its one part bar, one part adventure. Like a trip to Tijuana, you know that something bad is likely to happen here and you know that you will come back feeling somehow dirtier than when you left, but you have a great time in the process. 3 stars and a luke-warm recommendation so long as you realize what you are getting yourself into when you enter the doors of the Alibi. read more

Bummed that we ordered two tall draft domestic beers and two shots of run-of-the-mill bourbon and the total bill was $26 bucks! :( That was almost as much as our total bill for three heavy appetizers and four drinks at Baja Bettie's earlier in the evening on their happy hour menu. Sadly, we probably won't be going back here any time soon given the high price we experienced. read more

A great dive bar for getting together with your friends, that has several open bay windows facing University. If you sit by them, be prepared to be occasionally solicited by people looking for your spare change. Definitely a first stop off if you're bar hopping. read more

one year, the hair salon i worked at participated in the aids walk. the walk went from balboa park, up 6th ave, through university, and back down to balboa park. we started the walk around 7:30 or 8am. of course most of us were hung over since the aids walk was on a sunday morning. walking on university, we decided to stop at the alibi to have a drink. this was my first experience at the alibi. the alibi opens early in the morning incase you need your drink to start the day. the drinks are cheap and stiff. there are a few pools tables and a good juke box for your entertainment. it's never overly crowded. it's a great dive. read more

This is where you should go for cheap, strong drinks (cash only!). Is it a straight bar or gay bar? Who cares! As my friend said, "it's Switzerland." I think this place is underrated. It's never packed when I go, but I like it better that way. I really enjoyed the music on the jukebox tonight: Elton John and old country songs. There are also 2 pool tables and several arcade games inside. read more

Stiff drinks, normal bar prices, good jukebox don't need anything else.... except more pool tables but thats not really there fault

This is one of my favorite danks. It's dark and usually crowded but you always see the most eclectic mix of people at this place-minus annoying pb-aholics. There's always a frenzy for seating but the patio provides a lot of space for big groups. The drinks are cheap but good, +, the atmosphere is cool, ++, there are precarious foundation problems causing drunkards to fall and trip, +++. (unless you're that drunkard) read more

I've been here on three separate occasions and had three different bartenders each time.....I've never met a more rude staff at a bar. I think I gave it a fair shot. Won't be getting my business anymore, and I've heard the same thing around town. Good luck! read more

I can think of worse days ......and ways ....to spend a sunny Tuesday afternoon. Great jukebox! The quintessential neighbourhood (yes it has a 'u' ) Dive Bar with characters. A San Diego Classic! We were so touched today..... old Gill (who can't talk so well due to cancer) quietly sitting in the corner played us a beautiful tribute love song. Priceless. read more

A group of us were meeting for brunch at Baja Betty at 10 am. We were early so we ran into this gem! If you are looking for a dive bar with great service, good drinks & a pool table, come in this joint! And they have a jukebox to play some of your favorite songs! read more

This is a great small intimate bar which has a little bit of everything. The private outdoor patio has lots of seating for anyone in your large groups, even those that smoke as well as tons of indoor seating and even a small stage area around the pool tables. The bar has a great selection and a very local vibe. And for being in Hillcrest you definitely get that diverse feeling of everyone who hangs out which is nice. read more

I love the Alibi like no other. Great atmosphere, good drinks, good staff. This is what a neighborhood dive bar should be. The model.

Cash only. No Cover. Small little bar on the corner, good size back room that fits 2 pool tables. Didn't have trouble finding a place to sit on a Saturday night, so that's good. It's really quaint, and perfect for someone looking to get a drink or two with a friend. Wouldn't be good for big groups, unless you got there first and pretty much claim the bar as yours that night. Good beer on tap : Fat Tire, Boddingtons... read more

God bless the Alibi. My oasis in an area that's become really annoying lately. People here are real, chill, friendly, relaxed, and themselves. Drinks are cheap and strong (cash only, btw). And their jukebox is the best deal in town (6 songs for $1) as is their pool table (.50 cents a game). Great patio out back if you feel the need for a smoke or fresh air. And you're bound to run into some kind of odd character each and every time. I'm so glad this place hasn't lost its identity. Other than the addition of a few windows over by the pool tables, and bands that play on some weekends, not much has changed in the almost 50 years this place has been around. read more

I dig this place. I'm a dive bar kinda of guy and this is a great dive bar. Its a dive bar that embraces its diveness. I don't like it when dive bars act like they are something else as you ask them why there are 3 nine balls on the pool table that is being balanced by a stack of old Miller Lite coasters. The drinks are cheap and strong, they actually have decent pool tables and they have a great juke box selection. The bartenders are pretty cool and there are always interesting bar flies to have stimulating, deep conversations with. Oh and did I mention the place reeks of vomit? 3 stars because of the puke smell, if not for the odor, I would go as high as 4 stars. Truly dive bar heaven. read more

CLH3 Larrikin Friendly. A decent On-In. It is a neighbor bar the will put up with us. What more can you say? The one-man bartending is faster than places that have 3 times the help. read more

Cash only dive bar. Stiff drinks, fast service, pool table, music and seating by the window to people watch. Good option when you just wanna cheap drink and no issues. read more

Besides Lancers, my favorite bar. Weekdays at 3pm, was older peeps (retired age) listening to old Stevie Wonder. A few hours later at night, mixed crowd with old school punk blasting on juke. It's near Hillcrest but is the only bar where Ive seen gay and straight and everything in between hang out and no one feels out of place. The bartenders are all cool (and my fave is a Dallas Cowboys fan!!!) and the security, Big Dave is cool as hell!!! You will never have a bad time here! Go! read more

I wouldn't brag about this place for daytime drinking... DAYTIME: Drinking out of Filthy glasses, and being served by some cheap-ass Ratchet HOOKER doesn't appeal to me. Also, there are way too many Creepy, homeless people that hang out. They try to have conversations with invisible friends. The bartenders accept this and it only hurts business from the people who actually want to spend some money there. Regular customers aren't the only ones that like to drink. Pay attention and stay off of your damn cell phone! The Night-time crowd seems to be a bit more subtle, the bartenders are much better to get drinks from. I think this place has a better vibe at night time. XoXo ~ read more

Greatest dive bar EVER. Bartenders Ron and Brian are my favorites, they got the whole bar to sing Happy Birthday for my friend's b-day this past Friday night. Totally made her bday special, THANK YOU for making her night epic, and for never failing to make us laugh and feel amazingly welcome. YOU RULE. read more

I used to LOVE this bar. it was awesome dive bar - cheap and strong drinks. chill staff. awesomely eccentric crowd. pool tables. fun arcade games. and a killer juke box. but recently the bar has gone through some changes. for the better if you're just walking in off the street. but not so much fun for the come-back crowd. that killer juke box (if you read a lot of these reviews, you'll see a lot about it) is gone and there's a new digital box now. the 90's are over. i don't want to hear the music anymore. the eccentric crowd - though lower in numbers - seems to have increased in the crazy (and smelly) department. the arcade games are still there, but only work some of the time these days. and it's nearly impossible to get in a game on the pool tables if the regulars are there. don't get me wrong, i'll still go back, but not as often as i used to. maybe its time to broaden my horizons. read more

We love the Alibi- as a straight couple living in the gayborhood, it is nice to have a place to walk to where we can get cheap drinks and enjoy some quality people watching, There is always a funky smell when we go in there- but I think it only adds to the charm! read more

Great, if not infamous dive bar....When you first enter, you think, this is a good place to get roughed up...later you feel like, yes, this is definitely a good place to get roughed up. I met a girlfriend in here one night and there were two people sitting at the end of the bar, a man and a woman. I was getting flirtatious with my date and the lady (?) at the end of the bar says to my date, "he's horny", my dates says, "what do you mean?" and the guy at the end of the bar says, "he wants to fuck you." Which was true. I noticed the guy at the end of the bar had three tear drops tattooed on his face...we left immediately. If this were a "regular" establishment, it would get 1 star...for a dive bar, it get's five stars. read more

This place rocks! Great bartenders, the place has a few pool tables that are in great shape. They recently remodeled so it looks amazing. The bathrooms are always clean, and the back patio is perfect for smokers. Oh and $4 Jameson shots??? Uh yeah! Awesome!! read more

divey dive alibi served me up 2 cold ones and i was out. i can't say i have too much opinion on the place besides the mens room that was only 2 urinals -don't see that too often. maybe i'll come back when i have a beard that's 3 years old read more

2 whiskey sours, 2 shots = $18. Two lesbians in a gay establishment... still treated very well! Make sure to tip your bartenders they work hard for their money. read more

The crowd is interesting. The drinks are (often) stiff. The bartender is funny. Go here. Drink alcohol. Obey.

My Favorite Bar n San Diego. All employees treat you Great. Miss Rochelle is the greatest!!, With balls to throw out the rift-raft!!!

Drinks are stiff. Bartenders are nice. Smoking patio out back. Great local hole. Jukebox, pool tables and fooseball. Crowd is chill. Totally casual! read more

Best "Hey Lets try there" ever! When Monday boredom sets in and you just need a great place to grab drinks with friends, this is the place. I, myself, had a PBR Tall boy, (I keep it classy) and my friend a Black and Tan. The bartender was nice and funny. Pool tables are on .50 to play, amazing! The music was great- they played Wilco and had a great jukebox. Best moment of the night was when the pizza delivery guy walked and and the whole bar got free pizza. Can't wait to go back. read more

Cheap drinks, the noise level was a little loud but it is a nice place to hang out with groups. There is a smoking section outside.

DUUUUDE, I so was scared of the Alibi for the longest time, I mean its darker than a Republicans soul up in there. I found out that that was just the charm of what it is all about. My only issue = bathroom meant for two - yeah right, I'll soo wait - urinals should not be that close. The atmosphere was intense, I chilled in the back patio, and ran into a lovely cougar (rrrraaaaarrrrr, no - I really didn't ask about her sexual preferences, but hey she insisted on telling me - from across the patio, off the top of her lungs). I dug the pool tables and getting a game in didn't seem like it would be a challenge. Recommendation: Don't expect much. by the way - watch your step. read more

update 3/20/08 - They no longer are allowed to have live bands play here, there is no longer any free live entertainment :( -------------------------------------- I found out about this place when my tattooist recommend going here to see one of the other tattooist he works with band The Creepy Creeps play here. I found this place to be surprisingly fun and laid back everyone was really nice and the drinks were super cheap this is a great little dive bar to hit up when you down in the area. They always have a lot of bands playing for free at the place so its a great deal getting cheap drinks and free entertainment along with a nice friendly crowd. read more

You may fall in love with The Alibi when you first start going there or you may despise it. Your feelings about it will say a lot about you as a person. A pure drinkers bar, no bullshit read more

NO BULL HERE. I love coming in late. Dave the awesome door guy deserves a raise!

This bar literally houses all walks of life! The bartender Ron was cracking jokes with customers all night. The dude is hysterical, a one man show and a GREAT bartender! Pool tables in the back, the crack up people and inexpensive but good drinks definitely make this a good bar to visit on occasion. read more

Cray cray dive bar $hit going down here. Love the chalkboards outside where you can tell the world what you want to do before you die. I had fun adding "In my Bum" [wasn't the first bar I visited that night] on most responses. They have a video game where they show you two pictures and you touch where it is different. I took pictures of a couple playing but they were X rated. Cash Only so plan accordingly. read more

$2 dollar schooners. need I say more. that's a cheap night out. Good juke, nice dark dingy dive. plenty of hangovers have been had at the hands of the fine gentlemen slinging the juice here. The live set-up could use some real equipment, but other than that, A+. read more