I really, really, really love the drink menu of the Alibi. Like, a lot. Their visual chart is a godsend for cocktail explorers, and all of the drinks came out delicious and exactly as described. It's so creative, and the drinks are really the stellar stand out here. However, the atmosphere of those drinks is what gives me pause when thinking about coming back. The limited table situation, tiny cramped space, and loud music means that it doesn't feel particularly relaxing. People are constantly brushing up against you (even at 5PM), and holding a conversation at a normal distance is nearly impossible. NOTE: This place is covered in dust. No shade to the ownership as it doesn't appear to be anywhere near food prep areas (it's on the decor, on/around shelving, all over the faux plants, etc.), but if you're someone who's sensitive to dust, this is probably not a good fit. PROS: -I loooooooove how they've done their drink menu. As someone who is still exploring the potential of cocktails, their nerdy "chart" that places all of their drinks on a sweet/bitter and alcohol-forward/approachable visual chart is SUCH a help. As such, everything I ordered was absolutely amazing for me. I knew exactly what to expect from a drink because of its position on the chart, and it delivered. -Their drinks are really unique. Aqua faba? Fat washed alcohols? Lollipops or toasted marshmallows as garnishes? Super cool. Don't let some of the weirder descriptions creep you out of trying them. -All of their drinks were delicious. Everything I ordered was exactly as described. I often go places where the taste is barely related to its namesake, but they were entirely on-point here. CONS: -I'm not sure if someone called off that night as other reviewers are in love with the service, but our service was really really slow. No real rapport with the staff; just stating the name of a drink as they rushed past and then they were off to try to clean a table or take someone else's order. The drinks they made were great, but this isn't somewhere we'd go if we were in a hurry. -The pictures do not accurately convey how small this place is. Like, it's small. I'd guess less than 1000 square feet. My apartment is bigger by a lot. This isn't necessarily an issue, but it means people pile up quickly as they wait for seating (there's like 4/5 tables and then bar seating). The human walkways are small enough that the bartenders and other guests will brush against you a lot - even while seated. -I get the vibe they were going for here, but with the smaller space, I think a lot of the potential decor options had to "go" in order to fit more humans. It's giving me hardcore The Hearth Room (in Cincinnati) vibes, and I think it could honestly pull it off if it simply had more space. The "relaxed, sophisticated bourbon bar" doesn't quite come through as well when things are so focused on simply fitting in more bodies. -It's loud AF. Like, really, really loud. Between all the people and the blasting pop music, it required leaning into someone's ear in order to speak at normal volumes. We'd regularly have to pause the conversation if something in the music was building to a drop. This is not a place I'd take someone I wasn't very very comfortable with because it really requires being in someone's space to talk. -There's a single all-gender toilet here for everyone in the establishment. It's basically a revolving door of people in and out of it. The door auto-closes, however, so it's really difficult to figure out if it's open or not. There was usually a queue of people waiting in front of the door. read more

I never leave Alibi disappointed. They always have such a creative menu with something for everyone. It always amazes me how quickly they crank out such creative drinks. I'm sure some of them are batched, but they don't taste like they are. Service was excellent, as always. Endlessly knowledgeable. Small place, but never feels crowded even when full. read more

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So glad I stopped in and found they had a happy hour, even on Sunday! Such a great deal. Their menu makes it easy to find a cocktail you'd like with a chart of characteristics. I loved the Barbenheimer and wished I could have tried more! The bartender was also very nice and the vibe was chill. On my list to come back to! read more

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Service is outstanding! Drinks are delicious! Hayden was absolutely amazing! Well worth stopping in. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Manhattan & Wright Bros. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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If you enjoy bourbon or fresh made cocktails by bartenders whom take their trade seriously, this is a must stop! Smaller place with different seating options that promote a relaxed vibe. Bartenders are friendly and care about your experience. Enjoyed an excellent pour of top shelf bourbon while my wife enjoyed her featured cocktail. The chatter and vibe make for an excellent experience beyond the cocktails. Great selection of bourbon. read more

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Stopped in during happy hour and was pleasantly surprised. We all ordered different drinks, they were all beautifully crafted. I really enjoyed the descriptive menu and creative cocktails! HH prices were amazing, nice service & intimate setting. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Number 8 / firefly lane - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Stumbled in here last weekend after a visit to the Christmas bar. Was looking for somewhere to sit and enjoy a conversation and a nightcap. I have nothing but positive things to say about the drinks and drink options- as well as the space. However. I found that the service was a little off-putting, and I'll explain why. Within the first 5 minutes of us being seated, the server approached us immediately as we were getting our coats off, and then 2 times after. We were pressured to order immediately and given no recommendations or time to view the menu. We were a party of 5 and two of us ordered immediately but some of us were wanting a moment to sit first before ordering. The server approached us after just a couple of minutes and told us "if we don't order something, you have to give up your seat because we are losing business at the door" we explained that two of us were DDs. After we got an annoyed look, we asked if we could order mocktails, which we did. I understand losing business at the door on a busy night is frustrating bc every seat in your venue is full. But if you've got a full venue, and a majority of the party is ordering drinks, it's a bit rude to pressure your guests in this way. We might have stayed longer and ordered more drinks if we hadn't felt this pressure to order immediately. Overall- if you're looking to drink bourbon or a craft cocktail and have a conversation in an upscale venue, this is it. But if you're not sure about cocktails, or it's your first time, I wouldn't venture in bc it's a bit of a high-pressure environment. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Barbenheimer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Rude service staff. Unfortunate, as the drinks were reasonable. Probably won't return.

Fun cocktail lounge with a large selection of bourbon and other spirits. The menu helps guide your choices as far as choosing something more alcohol forward or something sweet / tart. The bartender was great at explaining different ingredients and made sure we liked our drinks. They do have a happy hour as well! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

A very cozy and fancy spot for a cocktail date in the Short North! Their menu is super helpful in dividing their drinks into categories (tart & spirit forward, tart & approachable, sweet & spirt forward, and sweet & approachable). I think it's helpful for people when narrowing done what craft cocktail they'd like to pick. The Nitro 'Spro was really good. Would highly recommend this spot over the other crazy big bars in the Short North. read more

Loved this hipster-packed craft cocktail place on high street. A nice, quiet respite from the drunken hoarded on game day. Cocktails were really well crafted, thoughtful variations on old classics. Service was very friendly and knowledgeable - will be back! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - a glass of wine with a lemon garnish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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So cute and cozy, loved the ambiance! Stopped in on a Saturday evening before heading to dinner and the staff was so nice, it was fun to try a few cocktails, they are all made with several ingredients to give your taste buds a great experience! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Great atmosphere. Small bar feel with high end cocktails. We didn't try the food, not sure if they had any. Service was fast a friendly. Drinks fantastic! read more

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Really nice and chill inside. The guy working was very attentive. I had the wright bros and it was delicious! My partner also loved her barbenheimer. They have happy hour Sunday - Friday, which was a nice surprise when we stopped in. Wish we could've stayed longer! Will definitely come back next time we're in Columbus read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Wright bros - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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If you like bourbon or cocktails, this is your place Service is great Ambiance is cool They are helpful if you are unsure read more

Wife and I spent the weekend I. Columbus. We found this very quiet and cozy bar. We absolutely fell in Love with the atmosphere and drinks

Okay friends. If you love a small, cozy, chill grown-folks bar with craft cocktails? This is the spot for you! I took my mom and husband there this past Sunday and we had a great time. From the Bob Ross and Anime on the TVs to the jazz playing through the speakers, this place is classy! And the drinks??? Stellar. Finally another bartender that can make a sazerac!!! And speaking of bartender, we had amazing service. The bartender was attentive without being overbearing and he really knew how to mix some drinks! read more

Great little spot for a bourbon and cocktail bar! It is a smaller place, but their menu and service is great. I'm not much of a drinker, and I appreciated that they had cocktails for everyone's taste with mine being sweet and approachable :). read more

My friends and I loved this place! The inside is like an intimate library lounge with couches, conversation spaces and high tops. It's a small place but the bartender was so friendly and accommodating for our girl group of 8. We went before our dinner reservations for cocktails and were not disappointed. The bartender/server asked what each of our preferences were and tried to customize the experience for each person. The cocktail menu changes seasonally but all the offerings were innovative and balanced, covering a variety of tastes and spirits. We all had two drinks each and lived every single one. The single bartender customized and served them all himself in an efficient, artisan manner. We could tell he was creative and loved making cocktails which gave us exactly the experience we were hoping for. The happy hour is a great way to try everything and pick your favorites. There's a cute self-serve water cart and fresh popcorn cart for those with a salty hankering, but no food served. Highly recommend a visit for a delicious craft experience. Can't wait to take more friends! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Fresh, handmade seasonal cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I was excited to visit Alibi after I saw, online, their extensive list of whiskeys, bourbons, ryes, and scotches. Yet when my party was seated, I don't believe we ever looked at the list again. We were just so interested in the cocktails (and satisfied with them), that it sort of got pushed off the cocktail table. Until it closed its doors permanently in the spring of 2022, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Manhattan had been Pouring Ribbons in Alphabet City. One of the reasons I enjoyed drinks there was the navigational grid/map they provided for you. It had a variety of taste preferences you could cross-reference, and once you found a spot on the grid that pleased your palate, there would be points on it for cocktails you might enjoy I'm sure there are more places like that, but Alibi has been the first one I've found since Pouring Ribbons. I selected a drink that matched my preferences for taste and alcohol, and - pun intended - it was a bull's-eye. If I had been able to stay longer (time constraints), I would have been satisfied to consume nothing but that one drink all evening. Decor is eclectic, and seating is comfortable though limited. There are some seats at the bar if none of the chairs or sofas are available. Drinks come out fairly quickly, and the atmosphere is very social. It does not surprise me that this is one of the most popular cocktail bars in Columbus. read more

So glad to have finally gotten the opportunity to stop by this cocktail bar. So many good things to say, where to begin ... The ambiance is so comfortable and cool. Darker light, some high tops and soft seating. The mural on wall is absolutely beautiful. Please be warned the space is SMALL. If memory serves me, there were 4 high tops (2-3 people) 4 bar seats, and two soft seating circles that could accommodate parties of 4. We arrived at 4:01PM (they open at 4) .. two tables were already taken. By 4:30PM they were turning people away. The collection of liquor and bitters and garnishes etc is ASTOUNDING. It looks more crowded on the shelves because of the small space but you can tell its a substantial selection. My husband and I each tried one of their specialty cocktails, and one of their classic cocktails. All four were delicious. I'm personally excited to find a bar in Columbus that knows how to make a proper New York Sour. The menu is cool because they separate it out into flavor profiles so it's easy to find something you'll like. I'd definitely like to return, i just hope i can find a table when we go back, ha! read more

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I've wanted to check out the Alibi for awhile now, since they opened. During Gallery Hop on Saturday, we stopped in for a cocktail and it is super cute inside. It's small, but there are different seatings, including some sofas. Our server was great. There is self-serve water with little glasses that don't hold a lot. You can just chug and refill. Lots of great cocktail options, as well as wine, beer, and spirits. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Tennessee Sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Michael, the guy I spoke with here, certainly seems to know and love his craft. Opened last fall, I believe he mentioned it was November. First time in and can't believe I haven't heard of it sooner. The menu is interesting as it isn't simply a list of items by type, but rather groups things by taste and bouquet. Since this was my first time in, Michael took the time to explain to me how the menu worked to select an item that would be interesting and pleasing to my palate. From the vantage point of my table Inwas able to observe passers by on the street and I was intrigued by the numbers of people who stopped to look inside and when they saw what it looked like, immediately wanted to come in to try it out! Alibi is a smaller, cozy space, with intimate areas for good conversation in small groups. Lots of natural wood panels on the wall. It feels to me a little bit like the back room of Harold's Cabin (a restaurant operated by film legend Bill Murray - which is a fantastic little place we discovered near The Citadel in Charleston SC just prior to the pandemic. More on that cozy romantic gem in a different review). I was particularly intrigued by the process of smoking glasses for one of the cocktails and asked Michael to show me how he did it - and have posted a couple photos here. This place is worth a visit and I tremendously enjoyed the experience of watching and listening to purveyors who had a real passion & enjoyment for what they were doing for patrons. read more

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After a long work day on Sunday, we popped into Alibi at about 10:20pm. There were two people ahead of us waiting for a table. The place is run by a one man show. He greeted all of us, sat the other table, and let us know it would be a few minutes and suggested we check out the menu. A table left and I was ready to take the table but my party decided to try another spot because Alibi was small and loud. We ended up coming back within minutes and luckily, another table had just left. The bartender came to clear the glasses and greeted us. He went to make some drinks and came right back to take our order and offer suggestions to my friends. One person wanted some kind of bourbon and another wanted a non-alcoholic mocktail. Three of us went with the Larceny Paper Plane and one had a non-alcoholic Mojito. Next, I had Elijah Craig on the rocks and followed by an Old Fashion. Everyone enjoyed their cocktails. I liked the vibe and how the place was decorated. It is definitely loud and quaint, with a few chairs and sofas, high top tables, and bar seats. If the music volume were turned down a bit, people wouldn't have to shout so loudly to hear each other and the place would be a bit calmer and loungier. Some sound absorption treatments might help too. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Larceny Paper Plane - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Great cocktail bar! No food just cocktails. Very small space but works fine. Lots of cocktail options, all $13. Menu has a scatter plot that displays the flavor profiles of the drinks. Staff is great! Would reccomend and would go back! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Love this spot. Small, dark and quaint. Great for a date night. Drinks where robust and spirited!

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge may very well be the perfect place to stop in for a drink. Maybe a pregame drink before dinner, or before meeting up with a big group, heck before a game or concert. It is intimate, friendly, unpretentious, and completely approachable. It is hip in not the wanna be hipster way. I have fallen in love with Alibi. Their menu alone is completely helpful. Why hasn't every bar with an extensive drink menu done what Alibi has done. They made a map of their drink menu. Say you know you lean towards a spirit forward drink that is sweet, just pick one of the menu numbers that falls on the spectrum near there on their menu. I personally am an approachable and slightly tart drinker. I literally picked my drink by picking the number on the menu map. #14 it was. Which is called Hooked on a Feeling. And it was exactly what I wanted. The menu map was spot on for me. They had Bob Ross on one of the TV's. I mean who is more approachable than Bob Ross?!? The service was friendly and accommodating. I can not rave about Alibi enough! If you are looking for the perfect pregame drink before any event, or a night cap at the end of the evening, search no further than The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge. You will thank me. Cheers. read more

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Visited Saturday night. 20 or so customers at the establishment. Extensive cocktail menu and selection of alcohol. The real down side of the night was that the bartender was cocky, arrogant, and cold. He rubbed everyone in our group the wrong way. Also the service was very slow. The drink was good once it got to me much later after I ordered it. This is the hospitality industry. With $13 + cocktails you are selling an experience as well as a drink. Alibi fell short based on lack of hospitality from their weak link. I'd recommend Mouton. Much better experience there. I would give one star, but I feel Alibi has the potential to be better than what we found on Saturday night. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - How it left me feeling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Excellent cocktails, outstanding whiskey list and even better service from Hayden. My wife and I were visiting from out of town and found this place on Yelp. The positive reviews are all correct. We had a couple of cocktails and then tried 1/2 ounce samples of several top shelf bourbons and rye (each 1/3 of the regular 1.5 oz pour price). Our bar tender, Hayden, was knowledgeable and provided great, attentive service. Highly recommended. read more

Wow we have never been treated with so much disrespect in a bar or restaurant. Foul language because we came in after waiting outside in the rain for 20 minutes? Not worth anyone's time for sure . Server in a ball cap wouldn't give his name. read more

AMAZING BUSINESS!! I have nothing but great things to say about this bar. The menu is so cool and you pick your themed drink based on where it lays on the board. The menu is board that informs you how sweet or strong a drink is. It's super cool and unique. The bar has the best vibes, tables, couches, and best of all Bob Ross is always playing. The bartenders are always super cool and nice and very informative. The No More Mr. Nice Chai is my personal favorite drink they have and it comes in the cutest tea cup. This bar is also super clean and has the cutest bathroom which is also a great plus. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I came here to check out their V-day special drink menu, and there were a couple of them already ran out. But I still got to try two different drinks from the special menu. The regular menu was well-designed and easy to help customers navigate the type of the drinks they prefer. I really liked the store vibes. There was a great collection of bourbon and whiskey on the shelf. The staff were friendly and chatting with the customers from time to time. A great spot to hang out with friends and I will definitely come back to check out more drinks! read more

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Cuffing season Squirrel Dale Cooper Chasing leches First two drinks were easily some tastiest cocktails I've ever had. Squirrel was definitely my favorite. The second two were decent. The is a cool little bar. Bartenders know what they're doing and very nice and helpful. The menu itself is so cool just how it's laid out. I've never had so many cocktail choices either. Will definitely be back soon. For some reason Yelp won't let me upload a picture of the first two. These are the second batch of drinks. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Such a cool spot. We biked here on a Monday after seeing many bars/cocktail places were closed. Was such a great experience. It's an awesome space and the cocktails are GOOD. I had the best mezcal cocktail to date in Columbus called the Legally Questionable. We talked extensively with Kyle our bartender about how they're all either too sweet or some variation on a margarita. This one was perfectly spirit forward and not sweet with mezcal, fernet branca, carpano antica vermouth, and dry curaçao. My husband got the smoking gun and said it was the best bourbon cocktail he's tried. Could spend hours here! So many cool drinks on the menu to fit every flavor profile (sweet, bitter, spirit forward, etc) and their new menu format guides you to your perfect drink. read more

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Came here for happy hour tonight and the drinks were so unique and great quality! My guest really liked their bourbon selection. I got the peaches and cream for $5 and it was so yummy! read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Peaches & cream - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Solid old fashioned. Good environment for a couple of casual cocktails with friends. I would go back.

Very very cool spot. It wasn't super packed when my friends and I got there on a Wednesday evening. It's a fairly small space so I can't imagine there being more than 30 or so people in the space. They have an EXTENSIVE cocktail list. More than any I've definitely seen in the city. It was hard to choose because so many sound interesting. They have a chart on the menu that aids you in deciding based on flavor/strength of liquor. I decided on the Snozzberries first, it was good and interesting with the Aquafaba. Next I went with the roses are red which was light but yummy. Overall I'd probably wouldn't come here on a true night out but it's nice for weekday drinks. Also loved the nods to Shameless, huge fan of the show. read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Snozzberries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Simply put, the best bar in Columbus. I've visited Alibi often and am always met with an incredible night. The service is only eclipsed by the beautiful drinks that they serve. The menu changes frequently which keeps me coming back. The drinks would stack up with any in New York or LA. Paired with a vibe and ambiance that allows you to focus on your friends rather than other distractions - this spot is immaculate. Any city in the country would be lucky to have this place. read more

Great cocktails. They have a cool menu that shows the flavor profiles of the drinks to help you choose. We ordered the illuminaughty or nice, which is a clarified milk punch. So so good, easy to drink, refreshing. And the wolf of high street, this one was definitely more alcohol forward, but still tasty. It's pretty small inside, but wasn't overly crowded, the bartender was quick to serve us once we sat down. read more

Have to write a 2nd 5 star review. This drink was amazing! (Good Smorening) Well balanced despite being on the sweet side. You can really taste the goat cheese. The smell of the freshly roasted marshmallow brought the whole thing together. Can't wait to try more on the new menu. What an unexpected flavor combo that is so delicious together read more

The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge - Good smorening - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio