91 Kingsland High Street,
Dalston,
London,
E8 2PB
(020) 7249 2733
The ViewLondon Review
As Dalston continues to outshine Shoreditch in the quest for cool and creative twentysomethings move further east in search of edgier surroundings, new bars are popping up in E8 by the day. The Alibi is one of the latest additions to the ever-growing East London scene and, if you’re in search of nocturnal thrills and spills, then you’re in the right place.
The Venue
The basement bar has become a defining characteristic for Dalston and The Albi is no exception. It's sat on the main road but you could miss it if you are strolling too quickly. With only a small sign outside, which is hidden by the array of to let boards in the above properties, it leaves you intrigued about what goes on inside. This is an area where it's a good thing to be a little secretive, after all.
Head down the steep stairs, which are lit by disco lights, and you'll immediately be surprised by how large the venue is. It has a really raw feel to it (it’s very much a work in progress) and the un-glossed nature of the wooden booths goes perfectly with the concrete floor and exposed brickwork on the walls. The neon sign above the bar (a remnant of its previous existence as a dance hall) adds to the retro feel as well. There's a dance area enclosed by large, red curtains and the toilets have the feeling of a temporary warehouse rave set-up but with the cleanliness of a permanent venue. The bar is a good size and is accessible from both sides, too, which helps on busier nights. The drinks are also nicely displayed, so you don't have to ask the staff what they've got on offer when you get there.
The Atmosphere
While this venue is undoubtedly home to skinny jean-wearing hipsters searching for the hottest new action in this part of town, The Alibi is refreshingly lacking in pretentiousness, unlike some of its neighbours. Even the door staff at The Alibi are friendly and the bar staff are actively involved in running the operation, so they seem to care about your experience rather than greeting customers with sullen stares. The ambiance varies depending on the type of night that's being hosted but, generally, there's a very relaxed feel to the place and you're unlikely to care what anyone is thinking about your moves on the dance floor.
The Music
Although the venue hosts a lot of different club nights (both through outside promoters and in-house), the music has been astutely programmed to appeal to savvy locals. You might hear anything from Italo, rockabilly, indie, electro and forward-thinking electronic music, depending on the night of the week you attend. And, this is a venue that’s not averse to a random booking: the sight of the return of UK garage duo Oxide and Neutrino is a curveball if ever there was one.
The Drink
While other basement bars in the area are now acting like warehouse raves and only serving a limited selection of cans, The Alibi has a reasonable drinks menu. There's Guinness, Staropramen, Gaymers cider and Becks on tap, plus a selection of bottled beers, including Leffe and Hoegaarden. All of these cost around £3.50, which is pretty average for the area. Soft drinks are around a wallet-friendly £1.50 and the wine selection is limited but you're unlikely to care in a venue like this.
The Last Word
Edgy, raw and musically on point, this new bar epitomises all the things that make Dalston such an attractive proposition for those of a creative persuasion.
The Alibi has been reviewed by 2 users