"If
anyone asks, we were in The Alibi"
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Being
located on the main road from the universities to the city
centre, The Alibi's drinks prices appeal just as much to a
student audience as they do the business folk and sports fans
that also frequent here. During our visit, there were 4 cask
ales to choose from including Wells Bombardier. We couldn't
help but notice that bottles of Verve Cliquot Yellow Label
Champagne were only £37.50, the cheapest we've seen
in town, and the cocktail list is also priced attractively,
with drinks starting at just £3.99. Many are also available
in mini 25ml measures for just £2 a shot. A great idea. |
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Service
was slack when we visited, at 5pm on a Thursday evening. The
queue at the very long bar was 2 deep and the barstaff operated
that annoying policy of serving whoever was stood in front
of them, regardless of how long they'd been waiting in comparison
to others at the bar. As a result, we had to wait over 10
minutes to get their attention - and even then it was from
a rather friendly chap who was just starting his shift with
the annoying "who's next?" question, which, as any
good barman will tell you, should be directed at his fellow
workers rather than the who-can-shout-loudest customers. |
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During
our visit, Liverpool were getting beat in the UEFA Cup on
the big screens, much to the enjoyment of the Mancunian crowd
and the good mix of clientele makes The Alibi a friendly place
to catch up with friends over wine, enjoy after work cocktails
with your work colleagues or watch the match over a beer or
two. It perfectly combines being a relaxed sports bar cum
late night party venue, which appeals to everybody whether
you're watching the big screens or not. |
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The
decor is interesting. Large and modern enough to be the corporate
beast it obviously is (owned by the Barracuda group) but with
furniture as old and deliberately worn looking as you'd find
in the Northern Quarter's independents. There's a few different
spaces to hang out, each offering various looks. We sat in
the comfy bucket seats in the area known interestingly as
"The Antelope's Garden", watching the bustling sights
of Oxford Road outside the window, whilst surrounded by stunning
female students enjoying themselves with a cocktail pitcher,
and few groups of businessmen, sipping bottled beer and taking
in the game. |
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The
toilets are upstairs, which means a nice walk over the balcony
which offers a great few of the bustling bar below. They seemed
to be clean and attended, although it would be interesting
to revisit on a busy weekend as The Alibi is a huge bar and
the fantastic drinks prices obviously encourage a party atmosphere. |
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"If
anybody asks, we're likely to be in The Alibi" was our
moto after enjoying the atmosphere and fantastic drinks prices.
Why would you choose to drink elsewhere along this strip when
you buy such an array of drinks at incredibly low prices?
We'll certainly return again and again to catch the game,
have a boogie or meet up with mates before going to The Palace
Theatre or Bridgewater Hall. |
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~
Manchester Bars (11 Apr 2011) |
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