Even through the darkest days of tikidom, The Alibi remained popular and busy�probably due to the frequent karaoke nights. The Alibi is full of beautiful lamps and decor from Oceanic Arts

classic

Oceanic Arts

Whittier, CA

Store

9.7

, and has been cared for very well. The drinks for many years were on the weak and sweet side; that changed when new management took over in 2017, and the menu is now solidly-constructed classic tiki drinks and originals.

The Alibi has a long history that predates tiki. It began in the late 1800s as the Chat-n-Nibble, a horse & buggy stop along a dirt road. In later days it became a tavern called Max Alibi. The third owner, Roy Ell, took over the tavern in 1947 and renamed it The Alibi. Ell had travelled to Hawaii, and is responsible for changing the decor to reflect his own Polynesian tastes. The tavern was expanded to include the restaurant in the 1950s. The Witco-inspired rails and 3D hula-girl mural were 1970s additions. In the 1980s, Ell leased The Alibi with the agreement that the decor must stay as is. From 1992 to 2017 The Alibi was run by the White family. In 2017, well-regarded local historic bar managers Marcus Archambeault and Warren Boothby took over with a light restoration and a re-focused bar and food menu, including a flaming pu-pu platter.

Just across the street is The Palms

classic

The Palms Motor Hotel

Portland, OR

Hotel/Motel

motor hotel. While not strictly tiki, it does have a fantastic neon sign, and is within stumbling distance.

Comments

Oidarnam

Oidarnam has visited The Alibi.

May 22, 2018, 3:24 PM

Fantastic decor! The drinks were alright and the food was mediocre. With all that classic decor, it's a shame the music and karaoke ruins the experience, but if karaoke keeps this place alive as a neighborhood bar, it's worth the price to preserve such a treasure.

NathanAdams

NathanAdams has visited The Alibi.

February 19, 2018, 8:55 PM

The place has a classic Tiki look and drinks but that was it. They were playing Jimi Hendricks in the restaurant area and Peal Jam in the kitchen. The zombie was excellent and the French fries were very good but the Kalua pork was so salty it was inedible and the MAC was tasteless. The service was great and the bartender was attentive. After the experience in other places that Portland has to offer I found the Alibi lacking.

Jasper Meer

Jasper Meer has visited The Alibi.

November 15, 2017, 3:56 PM

Man, does this place sling awful drinks and play music that's way off-theme. BUT... ignore these two complaints and go to The Alibi all the same. Seven decades of accumulated Tiki kitsch makes this joint a veritable Tiki museum. Buy their mug and the swill swirling around in it, then say you payed the price of admission. Be sure to get a selfie with the amazing neon sign on top the building. And... see if The Alibi is on some historic register so it's protected in perpetuity.

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