What Alibi Room Is
Alibi Room opened in 2006 at 157 Alexander Street, in a 1907 heritage building on Gastown's eastern edge. Founder Nigel Springthorpe built its reputation on one device: 50 taps that never stop rotating.
CBC News called it Vancouver's scene setting craft beer bar when Springthorpe sold to Victoria's Four Top group in December 2022. Craft Beer and Brewing credits the room with shaping the city's entire craft movement; Springthorpe went on to co found Brassneck Brewery.
The Fresh Sheet still changes constantly. That is the entire pitch.
Reading the Room
Long communal tables, exposed brick, a 1907 shell that once housed the Taxi Club.
Seating is shoulder to shoulder by design. Solo drinkers end up in conversations.
The Menu, Edited
Some Google and Yelp reviewers say the kitchen slipped after the 2022 sale. The taps did not. Order accordingly.
Who Shows Up, and When
Beer travelers treat it as a pilgrimage stop; locals keep the long tables full Friday and Saturday.
Hours run short by bar standards: 4pm to 10pm Sunday through Thursday, midnight on weekends.
OpenTable takes reservations, and weekend tables go early.
What Regulars Say
- Yelp's 585 reviews keep returning to one line: the best tap list in the city.
- Craft Beer and Brewing called it the influential beer mecca that shaped Vancouver's craft scene.
- Post sale grumbling about the food shows up in Google reviews; the beer program draws no such complaints.
- Strange Fellows and Driftwood pours recur on the published Fresh Sheet at alibi.ca.
Who It Is For
- Beer nerds doing the Vancouver circuit.
- Groups happy to share a communal table.
- Avoid if you want late hours; last call comes early most nights.
Before You Go
Reserve through OpenTable for Friday and Saturday; weeknights seat walk ins at the communal tables. Last call lands at 10pm most nights.
Waterfront station is a ten minute walk along Alexander Street. The Fresh Sheet posts to alibi.ca, so check before crossing town for a specific pour.
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