The Alibi is fine--I averaged the horrible times I've had here with the fantastic times I've had here and I settled at "fine." Alibi is horrible when they try to cram a live band in the back corner. This place just isn't big enough to have live music. It gets hot, ear-damaging loud and just annoying altogether. Alibi is great on a slower Thursday or Sunday night. Grab a bloody beer, head to the back patio and enjoy. read more

Alibi - Just fine. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Yep tried to give this guys another chance and come back but they clearly are racist. Wouldn't even serve me on another day because the men are rude and clear what they are, maybe if they actually ask me where I was coming from they would know and see it from my point of view but clearly no one taught you how to be bartenders and serve the costumer. Maybe I would've taken the post down. recommend anyone not go there. They saying they saw my yelp review and no one will serve me now. One bartender, one bar back and the doorman. but the female bartender is cool people and respects all people that come in the door.it's like three white guys to tell a black person what he felt and been through wasn't accurate, or simply enough! read more

So the girlfriend's sister & her husband would soon be moving away from their much beloved neighborhood & would no longer be able to frequent their favorite watering holes. To commemorate this solemn occasion, a soon-to-be old neighborhood dive bar farewell tour pub crawl was devised. On our last night in town over Memorial Day weekend, the girlfriend & I joined in on this procession. The third stop for our caravan of inebriated pilgrims was Alibi. Now this was a dive bar. It was really dark inside & any random surface - floor, seats, tabletops - might possibly be sticky to touch. With our group situated in & around the corner across from the men's room, it was time for more drinks. I went over to the bar & ordered a Jack & Coke for the girlfriend & a Long Island for myself. The bartender poured our drinks with a very heavy hand. My Long Island was definitely a Strong Island. For anybody already sporting a decent buzz, a drink or 2 at Alibi can be the coup de grace. From seemingly out of nowhere came the repeated shouts of last call. Our drinking enterprise for this night was concluded. Alibi just may have been the ideal dive bar to close out the night. Strong drinks & a no-nonsense atmosphere kept the spirits flowing & the good times rolling. If you're on a mission to reach that promised land of liquored up stupor, a few drinks at Alibi are just the ticket. Our mission had been successfully completed & Alibi helped us get there. read more

My first total dive bar. I got to sit at a table next to a homeless man who decided to introduce himself like a million times. It was pretty funny. I don't recommend coming here when you're totally sober or else you'll hate it. I also suggest you only get bottle of beer since I've heard people get sick from drinking out of glass due to poor cleanliness. read more

This is the best bar in San Diego! It's everything you want in a bar. Dark no matter what time of day. Great conversation with a diverse group of patrons. Great music on the jukebox. The staff is amazing. The drinks are cheap and delicious. They have food on Mondays. If you come to the bar alone or with a friend your gonna leave with a few more friends. It's hard to describe the unity, loyalty and the friendliness that the patrons and staff of The Alibi. You just have to go and see for yourself. Oh and if you go based on this review and you see me there... You owe me a beer. read more

Chill spot to have a few. Late night out walking and found it. Pretty cheap prices too.

I've never felt discriminated as a sober person out with my drinking friends till last night. Rudest bartender ever. And I consider myself a pretty surly bartender but she was beyond surly she was just plain rude. She could have made plenty of money off my friends who were drinking but instead decided to be nasty because I was the only one not drinking.FYI i tip for soda too. I use to love this place but no more. read more

Built to Spill and Three Mile Pilot in the same jukebox? Holy music nerd, I think I kinda like this place. A 24-oz. draft of Bud Light and a top-shelf vodka drink for $8? In Hillcrest? Now I know I kinda like this place. Add a cool back patio (wish it were larger) a pool table, and some video games, and now I can introduce this place to my friends and they'll think I know a thing or two about bars. I'll be back. read more

OK, so sue me - it's not a review, it's a request. After you drink 3 or 4 or 8 big dippers and are stumbling up the street trying to find your car and finish your conversation, PLEASE remember that you're stumbling through a residential neighborhood. With old houses. And windows that don't hermetically seal out noise. So we can hear you laughing uproariously at 2 AM as if you were there in the bed with us. And I don't mean that in a good way, either. So please - stumble quietly. The neighbors will appreciate you. read more

They have Jamessons and Guinness on tap. Thats all that matters to me. From my apartment it would take me 5 minutes to walk here. read more

5 Bucks for a Fat Tire in a dive bar. Really? I like my stinky, dim hole-in-the-walls to be priced accordingly. read more

Ahh this lovely hole in the wall! I remember there used to be 3 dollar happy hour big dippers which were 22oz of Budweiser with clamato juice and Tabasco. A rockabilly hang out then, a rockers hang out, than the strange creepy regulars. Oh man the Alibi has changed so so much. They used to have bands every once and a while. Now, its still a dive bar and one of san diego's best. It gets so packed balls to the walls. Still worth it to go during the days. just sit by the window and see the people who pass by. People watching is amazing during the day. I still go once and a while... when the days and nights are right. read more

Definitely my go-to bar in Hillcrest since I'm not a fan of the sort of environments at most of the other drinking joints in the area. It's a dive bar and I love it. I've been going to the place fairly regularly for a year and I haven't had a bad experience yet...well except when the jukebox is filled to the brim with crappy pop, techno or hip hop crap and it takes forever to hear the tunes you want to hear. The jukebox issue is the only reason why I didn't give the place 5 stars because instead of playing music on a first come first served basis, it basically jumps all over the place. And if there's a song you REALLY want to hear, sometimes you have to use up more credits in order to hear it, otherwise there's a good chance you may not hear your picks if the box is stacked. Other than that the bar is a pretty chill and laid back spot and the bartenders and the security dude I have had dealings with since I started going there have been nothing but cool. As soon as this coronavirus thing has calmed down and the bar reopens me and my girlfriend will definitely be there throwing back some cold ones. read more

Yes, I know this place is a dive bar, but it was also where I met my husband. And although I hadn't been in here for awhile, I still felt that I should put in my two cents since my anniversary is next month and I'm feeling all nostalgic. To start, I'm not one of those "ladies of the night" and I wasn't the "looking for love in all the wrong places" type either. When I met my husband here, I was only here to help a friend celebrate his birthday. Who knew I would meet Mr. Right at a dive bar and fall in love and stuff? Anyway, I've had some good times at the Alibi: downing tequila shots on my birthday, drinking a beer after work with a friend, getting wasted and heading over to the McDonald's across the street and complaining to them that they ran out of honey packets to go with my chicken nuggets. Overall, it's a great place to unwind and people watch. read more

I went here tonight for the first time. Parking was a hassle but that's to be expected. My friend and I arrived while the night was still young, so the bartender just asked us, "Are you girls over 21?" He was friendly and jovial. I was disappointed to see the sign that read "CASH ONLY." Boo to that. Thankfully, my friend agreed to spot me. We each just got a beer, it came to six bucks for both of us. Reasonable. Overall, it was pretty fun. Pretty busy, too. Whoever was feeding the quarters into the jukebox had pretty good taste, at least in my opinion. Heard a lot of Bowie. The bathroom is super tiny, but thankfully not scary gross. The sink cabinet was falling apart, but the toilet seat was new, which I appreciate. And the writing on the wall was a good read. It wasn't hateful like you often see. One girl praised, "Marc is a tiger in bed," and there were hearts and initials everywhere. On the door frame someone wrote, "I love you all." I like that. I bet if I lived in the neighborhood, I'd go here a lot. read more

It's your average dive: decent prices, decent size, very little lighting, pool tables, a patio... yup, my fav type of place :) The bartender was particularly cool with me, even though I ordered a water, and continued to refill it, until he made me a drink that was quite possibly the most non-alcoholic tasting alcoholic drink I have ever had in my life, haha (that's a compliment, PS). The crowd here is a bit funny, but that's what you would expect right? We were sitting next to some guy yelling about Chelsea King (really????????????????????) and a bunch of other unique patrons, so it was fun to people watch. I think if you come here with the right people, you will be just fine sitting at the bar :) Best thing: this bar has a really big, really clean women's bathroom. Woohoo, good job Alibi! And like everyone knows, the parking sucks balls in Hillcrest. I probably wouldn't come to Hillcrest just to go to Alibi, but it's a nice place to end your night away from the hustle and bustle of Hillcrest :) read more

Yes, this is a dive bar: It's dark, a little dirty, filled with lunatics, and the bartenders can be prickly. If you don't like dive bars, don't come here. And for god's sake, don't ask the bartender to see a menu, or order some ridiculous cocktail you saw on the travel channel and just HAVE to try. This place is great for cheap, stiff drinks, and finding a little solace from the otherwise hyper-active chaos of the rest of Hillcrest. The back patio is a great place to sit and chat with friends, and perhaps enjoy a cigarette. Booths and tables are available inside, usually limited bar seating, and pool tables. Cash only. read more

Alibi gets five stars on principle because the drinks -- HOT DAMN -- are dirt cheap. I'm used to getting two drinks for $20-some odd bucks in LA but my jaw dropped when two drinks here were just 10 smackaroos. If I were a bigger lush I would've gotten on my knees and sang Hallelujah. Pretty cool venue, too, since you can catch local bands. I also appreciated the absence of meatheads which are apparently a fast-breeding species in San Diego. read more

Violating health guidelines by sitting people inside while San Diego is purple tier, with over 1000 new cases today. Bunch of people sitting at the bar with no spacing between any of them. I guess they figure profit is more important than the health of their fellow San Diegans. read more

Fernand Petiot invented the drink in the 1920s in Paris and the Alibi's got it down to a tee!! Here you will find the best Bloody Marys in town... - - - - Pickled green beans included - - - - read more

My first experience at alibi was one of these scenarios: Choose correctly! A. Cheap drinks with friends. Good times B. Brutal knuckle dragging fist fight where I put 4 guys and a ninja in the hospital . C. Me and a friend got hustled in a game of pool by an interracial lesbian couple. D.lost cab fare to lesbian duo and had to walk home. E. D and C If you chose 'E' you are correct !! read more

Love this place actually! Cheap & strong drinks mostly! But, some bartenders are rude, disrespectful, & pour different levels of drinks!

Freddie at the Alibi is my favorite bartender in San Diego, and Alibi is one of my favorite places to be on a Saturday night. Or a Monday night, if necessary. Unlike some other reviewers, I like Alibi best when there's a band playing on that tiny stage. Loud, close, sweaty rock & roll is my joy and my passion. I love it when it's loud enough to bum people out. You're not going to catch Bloc Party here, but cities need venues for bands who haven't established a huge following yet--the built-in crowd at Alibi works nicely in that capacity. I personally recommend that you check out the show on January 20, 2007. I hear the place used to be the diveyest dive in town, and that they've done some remodeling/redecorating. It's still pretty divey, but to be honest, I'm not all that sure what the walls have on them, as I go there to drink and rock and it's pretty dark in there by the time I arrive. There's a nice dirtbag presence, which dives should have, so the makeup job and the hipsters haven't entirely dominated the Alibi yet. The Alibi has all kinds of beers and booze for your imbibing pleasure. Freddie's even made me a hot toddy on a couple occasions. There's a back patio area, which is basically a concrete slab with a few tables and tall chairs. I wouldn't recommend even peeking out there on a Saturday night if you can't stand smoke, but it's pretty lively and social out there if you can take it. Edited on 1/25/07 to add a star: I was just in the Alibi recently, and hot damn, if I don't love that place. Never a disappointment. Ever. read more

Oh my God. Dive bar is RIGHT! Thank goodness they keep the lights low. I've been here a hundred times, so my standards have either recently improved or it has gotten worse. The ladies room was absolutely coated in vomit. And not just fresh vomit (although that, too)... several layers of vomit that looked like they'd been applied over a period of many months, if not years, and never, ever cleaned. It would be the PERFECT place to go if you'd been feeling really nauseous for a long time and hadn't managed to throw up. You wouldn't need more than 30 seconds in there. In fact, I felt fine when I went in and was a little queasy when I came out. Also upon the wall were years worth of writing ranging from profane to profound. "It'll all be okay in the end. So if it's not okay, it's not the end." While I was waiting in line during one of my two bathroom uses, another girl looked at me and said "I seem to have forgotten my Sharpie" and we both giggled. Why do people write on bathroom walls? The Alibi is a sure thing for a late night drink and chilling with friends. I'll go there many more times, I'm sure. I just won't use the bathroom. Ick. read more

I am a dive bar connoisseur and this is my favorite spot in San Diego. My love of Alibi consists of the following: 1) Brian Bunn is the best bartender! He's personable and funny. 2) They have awesome low red lighting, which sets a uniquely fun mood. 3) The bar offers my favorite megatouch game along with pool/foosball for my friends. 4) Great patio! 5) It's in walking distance and the local crowd is great! 6) Prices are dive bar cheap! This is one of the oldest bars in San Diego and it will continue to be my favorite! Don't ever change Alibi! read more

A lovely gem in Hillcrest. Buck Hunter, Pool, Cheap Drinks, Excellent Service and the most awesome door guy ever. I can often be found drinking in the phone booth or chain smoking on the patio. The old guy regulars are interesting to watch. The drinks are damn cheap and the people are friendly. There is never a dull moment when at the Alibi. read more

Be sure to always come here with friends because frankly, people who talk to themselves are deemed awkward. I love the Alibi for the cheap drinks and the excellent Jukebox, nothing better than firing up a manic song list and forcing 40 drunks to listen to it. Always be sure to include Patsy Cline's, "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray", what perfect imagery eh? Another favorite activity the Alibi offers is absolute, front seat, people watching, pull up a barstool to one of the windows, stir/sip your drink and watch the sillies stroll past on University Ave. read more

I like the Alibi because everyone knows where it is. I like it because if I'm writing a paper until 11pm (like I was last night. A funny diddy on procrastination) and a friend texts you to meet them immediately for a drink I can take that offer and say "Let's meet at Alibi" The drinks here are cheap and strong I know form past experiences. I was in a beer frame of mind last night and a Newcastle and Hefeweizen ran us $8.50. I like the ambiance because it's relaxed and has a fantastic jukebox. I was feeding that thing like a 300lb fat woman. There's a stage next to the pool table, I've seen live music here and the sound isn't great but it works. The outside smoking area is fun to meet new people, but stay away from really drunk guys named Ray. They tend to say random and inappropriate things... read more

Quickly becoming my favorite spot. I try to step in here at least once a week. I'll go anywhere that pours Sailor Jerry. It's dimly lit and plays Slayer and Henry Rollins on the juke box. That being said, you know there won't be any snobbery. A good amount of tables in the bar, but a great smoking patio out back for some fresh air. It almost feels like you are still inside, which is great. Too many patios make it feel isolated back there. Tip well and you will get your money's worth. read more

U! - G! - L! - Y! You ain't got no ALIBI! Yea, yea, you ugly! Am I the only one that remembers this song from camp? Is it weird that every time I go into this dark dive bar I'm immediately reminded of mosquito bites and popsicle stick crafts? Despite bringing back memories of taunting Sabrina, Alibi is nothing like camp. Well, at least not any I attended. Sure there are games like Buck Hunter and pool, and there's probably somebody near by with a sleeping bag and rash... Okay, well, so maybe it is a little like camp. But most importantly, Alibi is a cool dive. The bartenders are super. Brian is always helpful when the pool table jams or when your glass is empty. Emily pours 'em stiff. And if that's not enough, there are some windows with prime time people watching that would beat the socks off of any summer camp play. And sure, just like camp, not everyone in the crowd will be your best friend and you'll want to wear shoes in the bathroom, but it's what you make of it. I happen to love dark dirty bars with cheap beers, stiff drinks and crazies to talk to. If that's not your thing you should probably ask your mom to send you to science camp instead because you're clearly not cool enough to hang with us. (I am SO sorry by the way, Sabrina. I was just trying to be cool. I know better now.) read more

Check your attitude at the door. It's not welcome here. Came here with a group of ladies for a birthday pub crawl adventure. The bartenders poured a mean drink for little coin. Cash only, so come prepared boy scouts. You can hit up the in house ATM for some insane fee if you didn't plan ahead, or need some cash for the cab you'll be hailing right outside. read more

average. I can see how you could love it if you had many friends who hung out here, but other than that, average. pool tables, stage (not great sound or bands usually), decent outdoor area, pretty fabulous juke box, seedy dudes AND chicks for that matter, surprisingly a great kitchen though and super cheap drinks. we always came here in the summer after wasting the day at the beach for a "big dipper" which is a giant glass (like 2 beers I think) of bud light for $2.50. you really can't beat that I guess. and if you're looking for somewhere to go at 6am, this is the place. read more

The Alibi is great for the drunk on a budget. Drinks are stiff and cheap. Despite what some other reviews have said, I have always found the ladies room to be surprisingly clean. Plus, I love all the tagging all over the bathroom walls, it's good drunken reading material. The crowd is a mix of old regulars and trendy hipsters. This bar is dark which is also a plus for all you uglies out there. Overall, it's a damn good bar. read more

Consider bars for a minute. What are they and who goes there? I had my first drink when I was 14 when my older sister smuggled me into a cheesy "Carlos and Charley" type place in Mexico. First drink that ever went to my head? A pina colada. True story. Ever since then, like with all my other tastes and tendencies, I've been refining my affinity for drinking as well as what, where and when I do it. I don't like clubs though I'm dragged to one about once a year, usually in Vegas with friends and I reconfirm that I am a lot like George Thoroughood in that "when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself". The Alibi is a place where I like to drink. Not necessarily alone mind you but I've had some good times here and there at this smelly, funky and bar that is completely lacking in self awareness. The patrons are even funkier than the crowd you'll see at other similar "Ken club" type watering holes in San Diego by the fact that it is located in the epicenter of all things odd and unconventional in SD-Hillcrest. It doesn't bother me a lick being very much a straight guy although like someone recently told me, getting hit on by a gay guy every now and again is a good barometer. It's like a canary in a cole mine. The live music there is at best, feh. I don't really mind it though. It's the kind of place where you can go, relax and look at your reflection on the backwall mirror and forget about work, on a Friday night. I don't drink Pina Coladas anymore but I am grateful for them. The Alibi is the perfect name for this stanky bar. It's a story as much as it is a place. Being in there always reminds me of Mickey Rourke in the movie Barfly where he masterfully plays Charles Bukowski. In the beginning of the movie he is sitting inside this awful bar and says "I'm unemployed, broke and drunk again.......ah, back to normal"...there's more than a few characters in there that would fit that description. read more

Divey as dive can be. Straightest bar in the gayborhood. Cash only. C H E A P drinks. Big ol' smoking patio out back. Apparently people play pool here. I prefer to sit on my ample a$$ when I drink. The early crowd is the career drinker crowd. read more

Ah, the Alibi. One of my very favorite haunts around San Diego. And probably the only "anything goes" bar in Hillcrest. No particular scene here at the Alibi. Anyone and everyone can hang at the Alibi and feel right at home. Good cheap drinks. Couple o' pool tables. A smoking porch outback that smells horrible. *Fantastic juke box*! A video game console that plays all of your favorites from growing up (Pac Man, Donkey Kong, QBert, etc) And an always colorful clientèle. As far as divey dives go in San Diego, the Alibi is an institution and a great one at that. read more

I think the first time I walked into this place was when I was 21.... I wont tell how long its been but its definitlly changed over the years. It is your typical neighborhood dive bar: dark, pool tables juke box and t.v.'s. Bartendars are cool, they know how to make a stiff drink and the variety of people that walk into this bar is all over the map. I always have a good time when I have come here and I am sure I will stumble here at some point in the near future. :) read more

Alibi - He is real! The Hillcrest Gnome. - Dive Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Everything a dive bar should be. Cheap drinks. Dimly lit lighting. Pool tables. And CASH only. read more

The spot wasn't bad for the first 3 seconds till the bartender decided to card my brother twice... then said it wasn't him. In between the time of the first check and second check my brother let his hair down. This was so stupid we were celebrating our other brothers birthday and she ruined our fun with her stupidity. Bartender: older white lady working the 3pm shift on Saturday 08/12/17... thanks for nothing and adding some negative vibes to our awesome day. You're not security and you suck at identifying people not realizing you could have made some tips. read more

What can you say about the neighborhood bar that happens to be in the finest neighborhood in America's finest city? Sure it's in the "gay" neighborhood... who cares? Yeah, it's cash only... do you want to pay a third party that you've never seen 5% per transaction? Sorry if they can't make you a Moscow mule, go cry about it on your blog. Almost all of the bartenders are smoking hot, and even the ugly one used to be a rock star so be nice to him too (otherwise he might cry in your beer). While you're here, please respect the fact that this is an establishment, it's not just a fad. This place was here way before you were and it will last long after you're gone. read more