I'll start by saying that I am British (Welsh). I had a great year living in San Diego back in 1993. I Managed a small and pretty useless used CD and record store on 5th Ave in Hillcrest called Split Disc. Being straight and working in Hillcrest was pretty amusing, particularly having a 'cute British accent' and being in my early twenties I attracted many a middle aged gent. I resisted. Annnnnnnnnyway... I discovered The Alibi. This place is the closest the USA has to an 80s British pub. I loved it there. I once played pool there on a 'winner stays on basis' from 2pm until close to 1am. I gave up when I could no longer stand up. During that night I met a beautiful lady by the name of Lisa Gonzales.... I liked her... a lot!!! I returned to SD in 1998 and returned to the Alibi with my girlfriend... it seemed to have changed a bit, or had I? I returned again in 2004 when I traveled to USA to get married in Vegas. Strangely I found the Alibi had returned back to normal. I visited again in April 2008 with my wife and found the place to be great. The only problem was that I went there on my last night in SD and had to fly home the following morning so I didn't have the chance to get sloshed there. On my way back I stopped by where Split Disc once stood. It was a small building attached to The Guild theatre. The pace had changed a lot and was about to open as a pizza place. I have great memories of San Diego and vow to return there in the next couple of years. Stay classy San Diego. read more

Ok, I'm one of the weekend daytime old farts you see in there sipping a Big Dipper and shooting the shit with everybody around me. I started going in there the day I first play golf at Cottonwood with it's (Alibi) previous owner (Jerry Patrone, God rest his soul-he recently passed away) almost 20 yrs. ago. This is my Cheers. Any given weekend day (or weekday-if off of work), I can walk in there and name off almost everyone sitting all the way down the bar. I live in the Bonita area and will ask my wife to drive me all the way to Gaycrest just so I can visit with some old friends at the Alibi. The bartenders are the best. The smoking area rocks. The jukebox is very ecclectic. Drinks are cheap. Once in a while, someone will bring a crockpot of chili for the Charger/Padre game. The people that now own it, Joey and Stacy Patrone (Jerry's son) are some of the nicest and most generous people that you would ever want to meet. BTW, the smell everyone complains about is 50 yrs. worth of spilled drinks that have saturated the foundation of the place. Old style phone booth by the entrance, very cool. They used to have a small kitchen there, but Joey ripped it out and put in the booth when they put the lipstick on the pig. I definately recommend this dive to everyone. Very diverse with a locals bar feel. Check it out. read more

I've. Been going to this. Bar for years. Probably spent over $75,000 there. None of the bartenders give 2 shits about u. I was hospitalized with a .52 bac in 2013 and needed up getting sepsis poisoning in the hospital. 46 days. Do u think anyone in that bar called or or came to see me. Hell no. I should had took my atty advice and sued but I respected the owner to much to do that. Now they have this tranny looking even more than Michele Obama working mornings and she wonders why no one comes in on her shift. She's a bitch she poops shit drinks and she's hella drama. Let me introduce u to christi. I hope the owner Joe Patrone sees this and ride himself of this shit read more

Love Alibi. It's right around the corner from my house and it's a great place to end the night. It's cash only so make sure you have some or use their atm ($1.50 fee I think.) Additionally they have photo hunt on their gaming machine so that's always fun with a group. AND they just added a beer pong arcade game where you are given a bunch of pingpong balls and you have to land as many as you can before time runs out. It's fun! And yes, maybe the place is a little weird, but I like weird. And you can tell it's a random place from the outside so nobody should be surprised to see it's a random crowd once you're inside. read more

The perfect no-frills dive bar with tons of character! The vibe is laid-back and unpretentious, making it a great spot to relax with friends or meet new people. The pool tables are a major highlight--well-maintained and always a fun time. Heads up, it's cash only, but that just adds to the old-school charm, and the drinks are super affordable. If you're into good conversation, a casual atmosphere, and a place that feels like home, this is your spot. Definitely a hidden gem! read more

The neighborhood blight. Alcoholics welcome here! I've never seen so many old drunks in one place before (and that's before lunch). Throw in a handful of biker bums and you get the picture. They do have loyal (too frequent) customers with the cheap drinks, but we're not sure why they come to Hillcrest to drink. There are slob bars everywhere & girlie bars elsewhere for supposedly straight guys, so no idea what the attraction is for them to make the drive here. read more

Someone who cut me off even route to the bathroom cut me off , looked at me in the face & slammed the door in my face. Caught the bartender taking shots with guests...... Not only that , when i actually used the bathroom it has no toilet paper and the drunk ass employee went to the men's urinal to pee and there was no toilet. And she yelled at me saying "it doesn't matter" Trashy dive bar. Seriously ? read more

This place is a nice escape from the rough days at work. This place draws in a interesting crowd I have to say I like it. You can come alone and by the end of the night you have about 10 new friends. Except for the bartender Billy the Staff is very friendly I would recommend highly except for when you see the motorcycles in front. The crowd changes and well time to head to Gossip Grill. read more

Went there on Friday night with some friends. Where did they find the jerk arrogant bartender from, True North? The guy was rude and spent time talking to his friends rather then wait on customers. You're the worst, please quit. We ended up bailing and spending our cash somewhere else. Avoid this place if the Jock-o bartender is working read more

Can't say much for the bar but can say an unfortunate great deal about their management. Joe, one of the owners aggressively and openly harassed a threatened a female patron. Sorry, but that kind of behavior is enough for me not to support anything associated with this location. Legal action under advisement and pending. read more

The atmosphere is fine and I believe in their great wine causing I come here and this is not the first time here. The location is easy and decoraion is awesome going with their service so. Just dance and enjoy the dancing of some perfect person. Music is always great at this locaion. I will be back here. read more

love the alibi, the door man Dave is badass, the bartenders are awesome, the drinks stiff and cheap, they have big buck hunter and a smoking patio, what more could you want!? The day crowd is more for old timers but once it gets dark, strange amazing drunk things tend to happen! read more

Love dives, please be my guest! This place is the archetypal dive, and it lives and breeds from 10 am in the morning til the wee hours in the same state of oozy drunkenness. You're better off passing on that hole and strut happily up the street for some Thai food at Amarin. read more

thank god, finally a bar that reminds me of Philly/NYC. no frills dive, cash only, great jukebox, not pretentious, but also not necessarily welcoming to the douche bro type. probably the closest you'll get to an all walks of life type bar in Hillcrest. read more

I spent some of my greatest years in San Diego at this place, Great people & bartenders,, The owner is the Man,, Thanks for the Times & Respect,, I Miss you guys,, Shot of Hornitos & a Dipper in my Honor ,, Always With Respect,, your only PACO read more

More dirty than dive-y. If you go after 11 you'll likely be bothered by some drunk idiot, we had two when we went. One picking fights and another stumbling into everyone as he drunkenly walked out. Irresponsible bartending. Sad place. read more

This is the most diviest bar in Hillcrest! The crowd consist overweight sad people (ha)! It's really small so it feels like you're in a closet. The bar tenders rude as hell and are trash! Skip this hell hole and go somewhere else! read more

$3 dollar Bud Light, Jukebox & Pool tables makes this place the perfect dive bar to get sloppy. This place is always full of interesting people to make for a memorable experience every time. read more

My favorite place to stop and grab a few drinks. Always filled with great music, pool players, and fun crowds! Great place to start and end the night! read more