“I’ve really appreciated all the keyboard warriors in their basements, tapping away in their curry stained vests, having an opinion”
An Instagram video titled ‘Door policy drama’ has divided opinion online(Image: alibialtrincham/Instagram)
The owner of a bar which faced online backlash after banning solo drinkers has defended his decision and again reinforcing that the policy ‘protects customers’ and slammed ‘keyboard warriors’.
The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this week how the Alibi cocktail and karaoke bar in Altrincham had banned customers from entering the venue after 9pm, with a social media video from owner Carl Peters explaining the reason why.
In an Instagram post titled: “Door policy drama”, the founder and owner said visitors would be denied entry at the door unless part of a group explaining the move was in place for ‘the safety of all guests’.
He went on to explain that the policy is in place to prevent groups being ‘mithered’ by solo drinkers and to protect them from a ‘nightmare’ should ‘something happen to them’, such as ‘banging their head’ or ‘having a seizure’.
But the post quickly divided opinion online. After being shared by the Manchester Evening News, the story attracted more than 350 comments with multiple shares.
One person, who described the policy as ‘narrow minded’ said: “I work all over the country, a lot for bars, pubs and restaurants. I usually finish late and then might go for a pint or 2 by myself. Never once have I “mithered” anyone and I’m actually quite happy with my own company.”
Alibi bar in Altrincham(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Echoing this sentiment, another said: “I quite like going to a bar on my tod. I have plenty of friends, and very well behaved.”
A third added: “I think it’s great people go out and drink on their own. At least they’re not stuck at home missing out because they have nobody to go with…OR they choose to go out on their own. It shows they’re comfortable and happy in their own company.”
Carl has since stood by the policy, which has been in place since the bar opened in 2022. He said he refuses to apologise following the online ‘furore’ surrounding the door rules, which ‘prioritise people’s welfare’ and said the policy mainly applies late at night when the venue is ‘packed’.
In the new Instagram clip, titled ‘As you were folks, safety first’, he added that he was ‘astounded’ by the criticism and that it would also be in place protect solo drinkers who may have a medical episode and were on their own.
He described those hitting back on social media as ‘keyboard warriors in their basements having an opinion’ who were ‘highly offended’ by the decision.
“I won’t apologise for prioritising people’s welfare, safety when they come to Alibi. That is literally the number one priority for us,” Carl said. “Followed by making sure that you’re having an amazing time and that Britney Spears has been played.
“I understand that some people don’t agree with the policy, but in a way I sort of don’t care because this literally comes up maybe once or twice a month on the door, and it’s usually someone drunk at midnight wandering around trying to find somewhere to go.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t let people in on their own. Obviously we do. Just when the bar’s absolutely packed and it’s like a nightclub in there we don’t because it’s not safe. It’s our job to maintain the licence, make sure everyone is safe, mitigate risk wherever we can, and it’s pretty straightforward.
“To me, this is a standard procedure in nightlife. We’re not reinventing the wheel. It’s, to me, non-controversial.”
He went on: “This applies to the late late night when the bar is packed and it’s a party atmosphere. That’s it. What if you bang your head? What if you have a seizure? What if you drink too much? We always want to make sure people have other people with them.
“I want to draw a line under this because it’s a zero-story to me. I’m astounded and kind of interested by the public interest in it. And I’ve really appreciated all the keyboard warriors in their basements, tapping away in their curry stained vests, having an opinion.
“And now people are both experts and highly offended at the matter. See you at the weekend.”
The clip previously posted on the bar’s Instagram page also showed its 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.”
It also states a dress code, informing customers not to wear sportswear or tracksuits, Stone Island branded clothing, ripped or frayed jeans or have ‘roadman vibes’.