Cocktail bar bans solo drinkers for surprising 'safety' reason
A British cocktail and karaoke bar has gone viral this week after its owner revealed their controversial ban on anyone drinking alone.
Carl Peters opened Alibi in the market town of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in 2022, describing the venue, which boasts two private hire karaoke rooms and hosts a weekly pub quiz, as a 'home from home, always offering a warm welcome and a cold drink' on his website.
Apparently, however, this offer is far from unconditional. According to reports, Peters recently took to social media to reveal that one variety of customer would no longer be welcome at his popular establishment 'for the safety of all guests'.
In a video that has since gone viral, the bar boss emphasised a policy - which he says has been in place since Alibi opened - that no solo drinks will be permitted entry in the evening hours.
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The clip - captioned 'Door policy drama' - heard Peters tell his followers: "Here's the latest instalment of stupid things that happen at Alibi that people do that you love to hear about on social media.
"1.30am, I am literally getting ready to go and a guy comes up to the door, pointing at the sign that we have outside the front door, which says we don't let single entry people in. A.K.A, if you're on your own, we don't let people in."
The viral video also included an image of the bar's entrance policy sign, which reads, 'No single entry. After 9pm, Alibi does not permit single entry. If you are with guests already inside the venue, please contact them in advance of entry. This is for the safety of all guests.'
The sign also includes a dress code, encouraging customers to avoid sporting attire and tracksuits, Stone Island-branded clothing, ripped or frayed jeans, and 'roadman vibes'.
Explaining the reasoning behind the rule, the owner said: "Firstly, if someone is on their own, it means that they're not with someone else. So if something happens to them in a late-night, busy bar environment, where people are drinking, it's an absolute nightmare for us to deal with.
"It also happens to be the case that sometimes if you let people in on their own, the reason why they're on their own is that they've got no one to talk to, so they start mithering other groups."
He continued: "Because they're not just gonna sit there in a bar having a drink on their own in silence. That's when things start to happen, and people are like, 'Who's this person on their own, annoying us?'.
"So, what we do as a venue, is we just eliminate that. Unless you're with a group and we know who you're with, then you're not coming in."
In an interview with the BBC, Peters said it was to 'mitigate risk' and 'protect his customers' from being 'mithered' by solo drinkers.
In the comments on Peters' Instagram post, onlookers seemed pleased with the policy, praising the bar boss for putting safety first.
One person said: "All made sense to me. Looking forward to another night out in there soon."
Another gushed: "I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news story. It’s your venue; you make the decisions and if people don’t like it then tough. Onwards!"
"Well said," a third continued. "Safety first."
Topics: Alcohol, Food and Drink, UK News
Rhianna Benson