RIP Alibi...rebranded as The Malt House. Some well placed refurbishments, additional bar tables, barstools, and moved the jukebox to make room for a new shuffleboard table. ++ Kudos for the remodeled bathrooms...so fresh and so clean clean. Was cash-only before, and now The Malt House accepts card payments. No kitchen or food trucks when we visited = byo*snacks Tried an East County Cooler specialty cocktail. It was light and refreshing. Reminded me of a boozy Squirt without the soda carbonation bubbles. We'll be back again once we figure out Cassie's work schedule ;) read more

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Love the Alibi. I'm part of the weekday morning crowd, and I usually head straight over after dropping the kids off at school and before heading into the office. Makes my day a little easier. My girl GC aka Cassie is always hooking it up with extra strong drinks, and if I had a hectic morning and didn't have time to eat, sometimes a bag of Doritos for breakfast. Thank you baby Jesus for looking down upon Santee and blessing our city with this beautiful establishment. Alibi 4 Life read more

Been here a few times and usually to watch the early NFL games. They don't have a package but it's never been a problem for me. Staff is always great but the clients I can't say the same for. Today I wanted to watch the start of the F1 race and the bartender Sara happily put it on for me. Soon after the comments started coming. "This ain't Nascar" "why are we watching this "jap" car bullshit? "Why do we want to watch European n words". I left a full drink and 100 percent tip. Don't t want to be part of red neck racist culture. I'm from West Virginia and I can watch an F1 race there but not here. Otherwise nice dive bar. read more

I love a good dive bar as much as the next guy but this one must be owned by a rich person who doesn't want new business. If you're not a regular plan to wait 10min for a beer even when there's 3 people at the bar. Bummer read more

Pros: Seemed like a clean place from outside. Cons: Everything else. Surprisingly rude people work there. Attitude right after we stepped through the door. I don't know if it is because I have long hair or what but instead of participating in their bs we left without ordering a drink. We will never return and enthusiastically recommend that all of our friends avoid this waste of a bar. read more

People who work there are sneaking. Get you to pay for music but not let your music play only theirs. 0/10 NOT worth it Very rude staff ONLY good reason is the bartender other than that no point at all. read more

Cassie is hands down the best bartender ever!!! She's so funny and on top of it!!! Tammy is also an awesome person behind the bar and makes the BEST shots!!! The ambiance of this place is a cool mellow dive bar sorta atmosphere. read more

Strong cheap drinks. Very dark. Cash only but those always see to be the best dive bar. Bartenders are always super nice and pour strong.

I've been here twice first time was amazing amy did am amazing job as a bartender...the 2nd time.. lmao this dumb woman with a dream catcher tattoo on her left shoulder thought she owned the place.. once I asked her name she thought she was hot shit n didn't have to say her name. Guess what.. You're part of a negative review.. I get it this is the only bar out in Santee.. long story short she cut me off because I didn't have cash n asked other bar goers to pay for me and I cashapped/venmoed them.. this dumb woman wouldnt sell me a beer because I didn't have cash.. I showed her my 6 figure bank account and she told me to leave lol... whoever the owner is...when. you read this fire her for giving away free drinks... taking money under the table.. yea its all on camera .. whoever the owner is ... from. 1 business owner to the other..keep your pawns in place read more

Laura and Cassie are great bartenders... friendly, professional, and they make patrons feel at home. Love the great Halloween decor and the free pool table... great place to come and unwind. Plus there's a poster of David Beckham inside the door of the ladies' room. :-) read more

A good atmosphere other than this was the second time we've been there and the bartender Sarah has been completely hammered both times... can't imagine how or why management allows that, they have to be losing money read more

Weird vibes. Beer was warm and dirty and it's cash only which seems as shady. Will not return.

Nice and friendly hole in the wall for locals. Just heads up. Definitely 90/10 pour. Listen ladies ie, bartenders. Not all of us are alcoholics. Make the drinks 40/60. Otherwise very friendly. read more

Weird vibes here , Just a basic hole in the wall bar , Nothing special about this place, Not alot of selection of beer, Staff is ok, but generally hasty and seem to be in a rush the past 3 times i have visited I wouldn't come back here again. But if your into this sort of thing.. go for it. read more

This place took over another bar and the improvements are crazy. This place is completely different, except for the size of the bar. This place is owned by the same owner of the Alibi in Hillcrest on University, Joe. I think it's bigger than the one there and feels kinda similar with the red lighting at the bar and the colors overall. Staff is friendly and the place is clean. They've got some cool feat; hall barrel low tables around the pool table. a wall of barrels in the lounge area and a popcorn machine... For when you need to soak up some of your well deserved libations. Speaking of libations, they have some specialty drinks on the side of the bar. Kind of their own spin on classics. The prices aren't bad. They have 4 buck wells like the Alibi in Hillcrest and a decent happy hour. They've got a jukebox that actually has good music. BOOM. read more

The Alibi Lounge - Large 'Cheers' like bar, great chill out lighting. - Lounges Near Me - Santee, California

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Good evening I'm just letting you know that I've come to your establishment a couple times and you have a bartender by the name of Cassie I will not be coming to this establishment ever again this person has an attitude does not listen to her patrons and to me she acts like she's a control freak and takes her time on serving you and always frowns and unhappy look and I would just rather not come to an establishment that employs a person like this just bringing it to your attention hope you do something about it read more

It is a dive bar.. but a very nice one! It just opened in 2015 so it is pretty new and clean. If you are looking for a bar in Santee, most have shut down and this one opened up. The bartenders are nice and friendly. The drinks are affordable They have FREE popcorn they have lots of local craft beer on tap for a good price. There are two booths there for some privacy if you want that There is 1 pool table and a good juke box read more

Went in looking for a cool neighborhood bar nearby. It was an ok vibe , but for some reason the bartender took a disliking to me and cut us off after 3 drinks (2 of them shared). Maybe because we weren't regulars ( but could have been) I told her we only live a block away and not to worry about it. But she just walked away. Guess that will not be our regular bar. My daughter said everytime I spoke the bartender rolled her eyes like it was a pain to even deal with us. No Thanks to Samatha. We were just trying to find a friendly neighborhood bar to hang This isnt it read more

I went here last week after a OT day of work. The place is not to big but it has plenty of seating and one pool table. Tv is every where, a few are projected on to the walls (mabie a movie night?). Looks like there is 10 or so beers on tap. I got the large glass i think a 22oz it was 9 bucks. Anyways if your in Santee looking for a layed back spot to have few you wont go wrong comming here. If your in Santee, and its after 10pm, you better come here because the rest of this city seems to close by then! CHEERS read more

The Alibi Lounge - Sober yes. 4 drinks in, no. - Lounges Near Me - Santee, California

Fabulous friendly service from Cindy! No bud draft but ice cold bud bottles and Heineken 00 which is hard to find in bars! Great wifi! Tvs and good ambiance! read more

Really love this bar nice place to kick it after work if you're hungry the girls provide lunch just tip people go there pretty cool to read more

The Alibi Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Santee, California

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Classy Cassie really hooks it up. She knows all of her customers regular orders and makes strangers feel like family. I would frequent this joint any time! read more

Took my squeeze to this place in Santee on a Friday evening, had heard about it from some friends that the former place had been gutted and re-spun into a new local joint so I thought it worth a shot. Plenty of lot parking available. Good tap beer selection and bottled too, prices very reasonable for sure. I think I saw a popcorn machine there, and you can bring in food from the Mexican joint across the parking lot. Great service from the bartenders, very hands-on customer service from what I guess was a manager (?) and I felt very welcome, especially as a newbie to the house. The lighting inside is good, nice job on the remodel and the bathrooms were pretty nice for a neighborhood joint, I heard that there was a poster of a young Tom Selleck in one of the ladies' stalls LOL There's a jukebox and pool available for entertainment, but a dude with a guitar was in there singing and doing a really good job, tipped him well. Robust crowd after a while but no problems finding seating, pretty diverse for Santee, and well-behaved. I noticed several pix on the wall that advertised their drink specials, will try next time (there will be a next time :-D). The wine selection could use a little punching up, but the place is still finding it's audience - do Santee-ians drink wine?!? Give this place a try! read more

Santee has needed a cool bar for ages! Hoping like its big sister bar in Hillcrest this Alibi will be the one. The interior is cool & it looks like they are still adding things. Decent beer selection with a few local beers. Bartender was helpful & on it. The crowd is much older - not sure if they are reg of the pervious bar. One pool table, plenty of seating & TVs. Only complaint music was blasting & could barely talk to each other so we bounced. If it weren't for that we would have stayed a few more. read more

The Alibi Lounge - Illusions - Lounges Near Me - Santee, California

Don't let the exterior fool you! This is a craft beer friendly bar with plenty of regular beer classics. The atmosphere and clientele span from North Park hipsters, bikers, dive barflys, and to even young professionals who are usually seen in downtown or Little Italy. The atmosphere is very inviting and no matter what your vibe or scene is you'll fit right in. Craft beer selection is excellent. Pizza port, Ballist Point, Alpine, you'll find popular and in the know selections. Free popcorn! During happy hour you'll find free subs ocassionaly. Well drinks are HUGE strong and cheap during hh. There a few flatsceeens stationed around with the latest sports games on. Great place that's nearby if you're in the Santee LA Mesa ish area. No need to drive all the way to North Park! Less douchy attitude here too than some other craft beer places. read more

My first time to this bar and I must say I had a great time. The young ladies tending the bar were AWESOME ! Met some cool fellows at bar, talked motorcycles and made a couple of trips outside to look at each others bikes. I will Be back, this place has all I need- CHEERS read more

Came to Alibil tonight. Sarah is the best and most personable bartender ever. Super chill and fun environment. Drink prices are reasonable and yummy. They have a jukebox and a pool table which I love! I will definitely be coming back again. read more

Love this bar. Small and great company and great prices. Cassie is the best! And I think my new favorite is the tequila drink!

So, shout out to the bartender working 8/21. I had a shitty night and I was an emotional wreck, boyfriend took me to get a couple of drinks to calm me down. I don't think I even greeted the bartender before I said give me the strongest vodka tonic you can. She did not disappoint. I apologize that I was such a crying emotional wreck that night but thank you for being nice and understanding. read more

Good fast service and cheap drinks. Pool Tables, Music. Everything you'd expect a dive bar to be.

Great place Nice people Great music I've been there many Sunday mornings for their bloody Mary's! read more

This is a great bar. Bartender's are awesome. Great prices lots of laughs. Always a good time!

This is one of the funnest bars to come to when Sarah is working! I love Carlina and Laura too! All super awesome and fun!! This is a regular hang out for me and my hubby! The day crowd is fun!! read more

Awesome dive Bar, it may say Lounge on the sign but it's a dive bar, great prices, clean, and the daytime Bartenders are great.

Went here to have a few drinks being a new resident of Santee with my husband with some out of town guests. The bartender was so rude to us cause we asked a question. Cash only in 2019 is ridiculous and inconvenient. Won't be back. read more

I've been coming here (Santee) for a long time! Especially on Tuesdays and Wednesday's because the best and Hottest bartender,(Laura W) works and she freaking Rocks!!! Hands down the best bartender on the planet! She always takes time to stop by and talk and laugh and get to know her customers!! The world needs more Laura's!!! I read the reviews by Mike N! What a demented flake! He definitely has some sort of chemical imbalance!! Perhaps he got butt hurt on one of his visits and started to really miss his mommy! Well I'm sure I speak for all patrons who have been fortunate to spend an evening with Lovely Laura- the Mesmerizing Mixologist, when I say squirt a tear! Loser! Kick rocks! You worthless waste of precious plasma! What ever put you Connie's in a wad, get over it! You little bitch! Laura and the Santee Alibi Rock! Especially the nights she works! See for yourselves read more

Love this bar! It's a nice local bar close to home with a good atmosphere. There's a pool table as well. Cassie is awesome! So pretty, sweet, attentive, and always throws out options. I've had nothing but good experiences here and always meet cool people. I'm happy, weird, and crazy when I'm drunk and Cassie and Lauren always deal with it and make sure i'm not driving home. Definitely recommend this place to locals and anyone looking for a chill spot. read more

This has to be hands-down the worst establishment I've ever been to in my life. Decided to go to this place because it's around the corner from my new house. Upon arrival everything seemed fine so my girlfriend and I sat down to order a drink. When the female bartender Cassie approached us to see what we wanted it was clear that she was drunk. In addition to that in the 20 to 30 minutes that we were here she had taken two or three shots of whiskey with patrons which in my opinion is highly unprofessional but what can you really expect from a bar in East County? As my girlfriend and I were enjoying our drinks one of the patrons picked a fight with the female bartender. Usually when something like this happens the employees of the bar step up to remove the altercation from the establishment. The male bartender just sat back and watched this transpire and seemed as though he didn't care. It was obvious that it was continuing to escalate and knowing that the female bartender was drunk in the patron was clearly drunk it was likely that it may escalate to the point of getting physical.When I asked him if he was going to do anything about it he told me that the female bar tender had it handled. Addition to that he started to make some inappropriate comments to me which included something along the lines of putting his hands over my mouth. Absolutely disgusting! At this point I am incredibly offended and pissed off. My girlfriend and I removed her self immediately and I will never be back. Do not waste your time or money going to this classless Bar! read more

Cassie C. is an amazing, sociable, down to earth bartender. We have made this our local hangout! Such a friendly environment.

I have notified visa of you tying to charge a minimum payment of 40 dollars to credit and debit cards and you will be hearing from them. And incase you were ignorant a minimum visa credit charge is 10 dollars and you can't have a minimum debit charge. And your bartenders are extremely rude and should learn visas credit and debit rules before trying to enforce imaginary one's. read more