Alibis is the downtown happy-hour haunt for locals, and has been the site of some of the best conversation I’ve had leaning against a bar in this city. I love the bartenders and I love the patrons (an interesting mix of doctors, lawyers, hospitality folks, A/V geeks, chefs, and just about anybody else you can imagine).
This bar is little, maybe 1,200 square feet, the furnishings are beat up, the restrooms are funky in indescribable ways, and 50 percent of the bar space is taken up by those stupid video games. Despite all that, I have come to love this joint.
Every one of the bartenders is an expert at making conversation and eager to try out a new shot on you. They range from the typical male mixologist to the now ubiquitous scantily clad hot chicks. I think I have only made it through happy hour a couple of times, but the times I do remember there was live music, though it’s a miracle they’re able to cram a band in there. Otherwise the TouchTunes jukebox provides music as eclectic as the clientele.
The beer selection is somewhat limited, with your standard domestics and a handful of imports, but the drinks ... OMG the drinks ... I’m pretty sure Alibis gets kickbacks from every cab company in this city. Between the bartenders and the clientele it’s impossible to get outta this little joint without having a few very, very strong shots. I wish my tab there were free every time I had to find a way to get home from Alibis. I remember one evening in particular I was sitting on the edge of the driver’s seat, head on my armrest, hoping my ride would hurry up or death would take me somewhere less ... spinny, when I am astounded to hear, “Hey, mister ... sir?... would you like to buy some candy?” I looked up to see three teenage girls peddling their “we gotta sell this crap to go to band camp” wares. All I could think to say was, “Jeeze, girl! Can’t you see the bartender has all my money?!” But I digress ... Thank you Alibis for many memorable evenings and some equally memory-free ones.
