Alibi

Dropped in here one night while bar crawling around Hillcrest.
Walked in the door and noticed in the entire place there is maybe 30 seats. The large majority of the floor space is taken up by damn pool tables! We could not find one place to sit down. So we walked in the door… and walked right back out. I can’t speak to the quality or price of the drinks as I did not get a chance to order one.
ProTip:
Dear Bar Owners — If you have very limited seating… don’t add a pool table! They take up far to much space and are inconvenient to anyone around them. If you remove ONE table and replace it with two or three NORMAL tables, those will generate more revenue then 20 pool tables!
I won’t be back. I’m saying Ali-​BYE to this place

Straight up dive bar. Drinks are cheap as dirt and strong as hell! What more can you ask for in a dive bar? I really like this bar because people from all walks of life frequent this place — the weird, the cool, the odd, etc. I will admit, the bathroom is not the cleanest, but that is to be expected at a dive bar. To sum this place up:
Cash only
Juke box
Pool tables
Cheapest drinks in the neighborhood
Outside smoking area

Dive bar with a smoking patio in the back that you can drink on but it closes early. They have pool tables and accept cash only. There are some crazies that come in and out of here but it’s a dive bar, what do you expect? I have an affinity for this place just for the back patio. The jukebox takes pictures too, pretty cool.

I thought the prices would be cheap, but they weren’t as cheap. Still a good deal, but not as cheap as expected. Then again, prices from all businesses are going up at the same rate, so that might just be my own perception.
At this point in my life, I honestly don’t mind a place like this. Here’s the proof:
After my friends and I left Alibi for the night, we headed to Bluefoot in North Park. When we got there, we already thought we should have stayed at Alibi only after a few minutes of being inside Bluefoot.
However, while we were still at Alibi, it was a very fun time. Sure, I gave this place 3 stars, but there’s no take-​away from how good this place is or can be. It’s somewhat small space where people can hang out, have a seat, enjoy each others’ company, people-​watch, listen to some music from the jukebox, and just relax and unwind after a long day/​week.
We even met the gnome. Nice guy. He’s the one in the pictures wiping the outdoor chalkboard down each day from the night before.
The owner was there too. She’s spunky, and I like that.
I also like that they have a jukebox in which you never know what you’ll hear next. It can go from a rap song followed immediately by Bananarama. (I honestly don’t know if they have Bananarama in the selection, but you get the point. Just so many different kinds of songs in that thing!)
Since this place is been here for a long time, it hasn’t exactly assimilated to the area, and that’s fine. It’s been around a long time for a reason. And I hope it stays here forever.
Whatever you do, don’t reach into the jar of free condoms. The thing is, there aren’t any in there. Instead, there’s a nice surprise.

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!

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.

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?

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.

Busboy was taking our drinks away prior to is finishing it. And then he acted like he did not know what was happening. I know drinks are cheap but com’on!

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.

Nice relaxed dive bar. Strong drinks and touchtunes jukebox. Never too crowded so the line for a drink is 5 – 10 minuets at the very most and there is always seating. Super cool bartenders. Only thing of note is this place is cash only so have some on hand before you show up.

I am happy to announce that the new Alibi location in Santee will be hosting this year’s Enikers Sneakers Benefit for breast cancer. I could not be more pleased and want to thank Joe and Melissa for sharing in my same philanthropic views. September 17, 2015 is the date so stay tuned! The best is yet to come.

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.

Best place to end my night. All the bartenders are awesome and friendly. I always come after work around 12:30−1am after my shift to play some pool and Foosball and they never disappoint. Rachele and Bryan are the best, get to know them and you’re experience will be x10000 times better!

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!

Dive. Dive. Dive. That is exactly what this place is. A dive bar with a lil touch of class. Bartenders with iron hands when they pour drinks. The music is just the way I like it as well DIRTY GRIMY & NASTY. Just as it should be in a dive bar. the only thing missing out of this place is a mosh pit. Get rid of those pool table!!!

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.

Solid bar. Great bartenders. Nice and dark. Borderline dive bar. Need a better beer selection. Cool back smoking patio, but I like hanging out here than inside. Horrible jukebox. Get a few whack jobs in here, but nothing too bad.

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.

Been coming here for years and it hasn’t changed that much since the first time I came here either. A no fuss kind of bar with some pool tables, an outside smoking area, dark lights — great place to catch up with friends and have a drink or 2 or 3. ..

If you don’t know about this place then you need to know about this place… 2 pool tables, Stiff cocktails and a really hot bar tender on Sunday and Monday evenings.

Bring your cash and prepare to drink and have a great time!
If you come across a chalkboard outside of University Ave, you are at the right place. The bar is located right in the corner. Don’t hesitate to write on the board!
Interior: There’s a few seats at the bar, a bit hipster, dark and red light all around. There’s also seats away from the bar and by the windows. If you like to play pool, there’s two pool tables $ 1 each game, a hunting video game and a beer pong arcade game, which includes real ping pong balls. (quite fun)
Few locals and friendly people. Definitely recommend this place if you are trying to save some bucks. Well worth pour and $!

An Alibi haiku:
Cheap drinks, cash only.
Straight dive in the gayborhood.
Motley regulars.

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. :)

Need a good ol’ fashioned dive in the heart of Hillcrest? Look no further…
I’ve been coming to the Alibi for years and to this day I still see the same faces behind the bar pouring the drinks. Do they remember me? No. Well, sometimes but not often. I like it that way — it gives me the freedom to act like a drunken sailor and it’s almost as if I wave the MIB memory stick in their faces before I leave. All is forgotten.
Be sure to bring cash but don’t worry, it goes a looooong way here. The drinks are cheap and stiff to boot. If you think you’re a shark, think again as the cross eyed regular is sure to serve you up a whippin’ on the pool table. That’s just the way it goes…
At one point in time they had the best jukebox in town but have recently replaced it with one of those slick new versions. Doesn’t really fit the vibe but it plays music I suppose.
The Alibi, a bare-​bones watering hole that is hard to find these days. Is what it is.

My friends said this bar is the only «straight» bar in the heart of hillcrest… I think that’s an «alibi» hence the name! lol
I think someone got stab here a couple years ago… yup, that’s a straight bar alright, stabbings.
Anyway, the place was dark, had a weird smell, and there were outdoor seating that was all in like red light, lots of smokers. The drinks are strong as hell and freaking cheap! A beer, vodka cran & whiskey & coke all comes down to about $ 13! What a deal! Bartenders are cool and friendly.