Alibi Room

"If you’re looking to get drinks at a Harlem bar with shirtless bartenders, drag performances, and Happy Hour specials, head to Alibi Lounge, one of New York City’s last remaining Black-owned gay bars. This upbeat spot sits proudly on a busy neighborhood corner with pride flags, velvet ropes, and a long red carpet where you should choreograph a grand entrance. They host regular parties, so we’d recommend coming here when you’re in the mood to get a little sloppy on a weeknight." - rob anderson, matt clifton, nikko duren, neha talreja, bryan kim

"Reasonably priced drinks? Easy to get into? Kogi tacos on-premise? Alibi Room has been a Culver City standby for years, but as a foolproof meet-up bar it remains as cool as ever, particularly if you want to show your date you're not the type to chase trends. It’s dimly lit, but not nightclub dark, with hidden tables in the corners where you can chat over a draft beer or mezcal mule that eventually leads to a sweet chili chicken quesadilla." - nikko duren, sylvio martins

"30+ rotating beer stock? Easy to get into? Kogi BBQ tacos on the premises? The Culver City standby has been around for years now, but remains that cool, dependable spot you always know will deliver. It’s also dimly lit, with hidden tables in the corners for you and your friends to take over. Since 2020, they've also expanded a large outdoor patio with picnic tables and string lights. Whether you use this place for a casual dinner or drinks that inevitably end with a sweet chili chicken quesadilla, Alibi is always foolproof." - Brant Cox

"If you're looking for a Happy Hour hang with your closest coworkers, go to Alibi Room. This low-key cocktail bar is over on the west end of Washington Blvd, serving two dozen beers on tap and galbi tacos from the Kogi truck onsite. Although Alibi has been a neighborhood staple for over a decade, you can almost always walk in and get a table. Find one in a corner, order lots of beer and tacos, and start venting about how weirdly protective your boss is about the office Nespresso machine." - nikko duren

"Ssshhh, don't tell anyone, but Alibi Room is one of our favorite happy hour spots (and place to disappear for a night). The setup is pretty simple, it's the California modern version of a dark, shady bar. What you see is what you get. The best part of this place is surprisingly not the epic craft beer selection or inventive cocktail list, but the full Chego and Kogi food truck menu being served out of their kitchen." - Italic Studio