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The Alley
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for The Alley
26 reviews in English
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Review from William G.
Oceanside, CA
4/13/2012
Great place to go on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday if you enjoy karaoke (singing or watching). The bartenders know what they are doing and if they like you and you aint a dick, then they pour with a heavy hand. Karaoke nights seen to attract the the laid back, sociable people. Though the smell is something left to be desired, after a few shots of liquid courage or a stand outside you will forget about a smell that soon disipates and you are having fun with new friends. Lets not forget about our hostes' with the mostests Dani Cali At TheAlley and Jessica AtThe Alley (both can be found on facebook). The best part about karaoke night, NO COVER! That's right people, you don't have to pay a dime to get in and have fun singing songs like a pro (or a dying cat). Karaoke nights, you can't go wrong.
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Review from Lindsey P.
San Diego, CA
1/19/2012
RAWRRRR! The call of the Carlsbad Cougar echos around what is referred to by locals as "The Wrinkle Room".
Cougars prowl these grounds nightly, looking for young, hard-bodied marines to prey upon, but you can also find a younger crowd enjoying cheap drinks/food here during Monday night football. I am not one of those people.
The hot pink neon around the windows makes this place look like a strip club from outside, and inside it smells like one!
So what would it take to get me to spend an evening at The Alley?
-A lobotomy.
-A kidnapping.
-A Yelp Elite Event...oooh - Cougar-themed Yelp Elite Event Danny? Consider this an RSVP!
:)Listed in: Not so much....[yuck]
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Review from Erik S.
Carlsbad, CA
12/6/2011
Only $5 gets you entry to a hole that reeks of years-old puke. Lucky you!
I can relate to Chalfonte's comments on the "security" there, and I too at one point was a fairly regular customer who will never return to the place.
Did I mention the smell, too? -
Review from Mark D.
San Diego, CA
5/17/2012
This place is awesome! Great band and good drinks :)
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Review from Walter M.
1/22/2012
Boot and Rally is what i call it. Younties, young aunties for all your 30-40 somethings with a Filipino fetish are a plenty. Full bar, no real dancing and a variety of cougars if that's what your into. They have some life music, forgettable bathrooms, dark and dingy with to me watered down drinks. You'll often see some really really young kids drinking here for their cheap drinks and food. The bartenders are cool and have saved me a time or two after closing while hiding from hunters and when all other bathrooms are closed.
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Review from Joe J.
Murrieta, CA
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Live band Saturday... Playing everything from hip hop to early 90s awesomness.
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Review from Mike R.
Vista, CA
10/5/2010
An actual hole in the wall. Great place to get action from a cougar who is old by cougar standards, if that's your thing.
Also, a cover? Really? I'll go over to Boar's Crossing for my cheap drinks, thanks. -
Review from A Z.
Long Beach, CA
I kept hearing bad things about this place, e.g., lame, too rowdy, for the older crowds...
I ended up liking it a lot because most of the people that go don't care what others think. I've been there during the week and on weekends and I always had a great time. It had a mixed crowd and I love that. There were older and younger women and men there and it didn't seem to bother anyone.
I like my music like I like my women, bipolar. So I felt right at home here where the music goes from 50cent one min to Journey the next.
The drinks were stiff as hell and not pricey at all. You don't have to be a local to have fun and meet people. -
Review from Christi P.
Carlsbad, CA
Updated - 5/2/2010
I used to love the Alley...but it has a new owner now.
The weekend morning "regulars" are all gone. They no longer have Lotto Hot Spot which is why the Mr loved to go there he could play his HOT SPOT and I could have a $2.50 Bloody Mary or two :-) and it was fun to talk to everyone and hear their stories. We went yesterday and saw what it was and went across the street to Boars. Where we had Bloody Marys, Mr got his HOT SPOT on, saw some of the people that used to go to the Alley and played pool. Boars is cleaner, bigger and funner!
Yes I said "FUNNER"!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/23/2010
I KNOW people who have been here will be all "How the He!! did she think the Alley is worthy of 5… Read more »
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Review from Deanna C.
San Marcos, CA
4/12/2009
If my friends and I are in the mood to dance we seem to end up at the Alley! San Diego is too far away.... but, Carlsbad is a cab drive away! (REMEMBER don't drink and drive! A DUI isn't worth it)
I used to swear they always had the heat on but, the last couple of times I've been there it's been a lot cooler which is gonna make people dance longer and drink more! I really enjoy the band and Thank goodness they have a lil rail infront of them because I swear I broke my hip (OK so i'm old) but, I held onto that and danced the rest of the night! LOL
Don't order water from the bartender.... she will give you a tiny glass and not tell you that YOU can buy bottled water! The cocktail server is usually very friendly and will keep the drinks flowing! -
Review from Ry N.
Carbondale, IL
10/10/2007
I agree with the previous review. Some friends and I went on Labor Day, and we were drenched in sweat because of how humid it was inside.
The security staff is pretty questionable, but I've never had a personal encounter with them.
The drinks were sufficient, and the karaoke night was fun. The mixture of older and younger visitors makes for an interesting atmosphere, especially around closing time when most are staggering out the door.
This isn't an ideal place to go if you want to be "at the place to be." But it's an acceptable place to go on a week night with some friends. -
Review from Gabby G.
San Marcos, CA
8/20/2011
It's always hot in here. Weird, oldish crowd, but the dancing can be fun!
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Review from Tom k.
San Diego, CA
9/6/2009
So drive 30 minutes each way to try something different from the Saturday night gaslamp and PB scene...add $5 cover to get into a dive bar with a small and way too crowded dance floor...lacking in available seating near the dance floor (with several empty tables in the back)...one person restroom (long lines to relieve yourself)...weak or watered down but normal priced drinks...did i say sausagefest? oh yes...
cover band was so-so but had a new singer who seemed to be trying to hard....good variety of material...dj music between sets was better...
my party time and funds are too valuable too have been wasted at a place like this...
Carlsbad? Is this the best you can do?
Went here one other time on a Wednesday and couldn't get in because they were at capacity...that's why I thought this place had something to offer.... -
Review from Vamshi J.
Beaverton, OR
6/3/2008
I read the reviews and gave it a chance, also I live in the area.
I am not sure how to categorize it, in the sense if its a bar or a club, anyway since it is mentioned as a club, lets stick with that. It is easy to find as it is right next to the coaster station and one can't miss the neon lights. The place is kinda small, with a smoking patio at the rear end of the club. I went there on a Saturday and for 5 bucks I am in. There was a band playing that day, music was good, it was more like a cover band, songs by G'n'R, Def Leppard and even Shaggy. Crowd is kinda mix, but more of the oldies than the goldies. I probably wont go back, but you might like it. -
Review from Chalfonte Q.
Escondido, CA
9/5/2011
Well I am done with The Alley for good. Sad too cause I felt it was a great place for a little fun on the dance floor and cheap drinks. REALLY gonna miss the band. :( On Friday night I was there with my boyfriend and this guy (Chandler Bing lookalike circa '95) was by my table acting odd, taking things in and out of his clothes including a pair of flip flops (which I guess is what made me really wonder.), and all of a sudden he snaked my purse out from under my sweater on the table and headed for the door, about 5 steps away. Fortunately I saw him, beat him to the door (yelling many expletives mind you),grabbed his shirt and snatched my purse back and held him by which time my boyfriend grabbed him too and we are calling security for help. Security came, made us let him go, put us out on the street, wouldn't call police, I called police, security let him go. They said "It is not their policy to get involved". Literally word for word. My boyfriend chased him and lost him but then I picked up the chase after spotting him on Grand trying to blend, but unfortunately my 5 in heels preventing me from catching him. Lucky him. This guy had stuff from various people, on his person, caught red handed with a purse saying it's his "friend's purse" and security let them go because it was mine and THEIR PATRONS belongings and not their own. Shame on you, "The Alley" if you even read these and all else be forewarned and aware of your surroundings. This establishment is not concerned for your safety. I hurt myself in the scuffle and have been shaken up ever since. There are other choices for entertainment with a more reputable business.
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Review from Jessica C.
Carlsbad, CA
10/25/2009
This place was aptly nicknamed The Wrinkle Room - but the music from the DJ, KJ, and live bands is amazing.
I always enjoyed my nights here... being hit on by the old men was managable, but the music made this place rock. -
Review from Stephanie P.
Washington, DC
12/25/2009
On Wednesday they play hip hop songs. The DJ only played 30 sec of each song, very frustrating when I actually liked the song. Also, very few people danced.
On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a live band there which play classic rock songs. This draws in the much older crowd, which dance! -
Review from Mario S.
Carlsbad, CA
12/11/2007
If you want to dance make the drive to a actual club. Not a small bar trying to be a club. If your trying to hit on some one who is much older than you, then by all means hit up the Wrinkle Room.
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Review from Kristina V.
Carlsbad, CA
10/26/2011
NIKA - the Sunday bartend has started a Sunday Live music series .. Tons of fun- live music and cold beer at the end of a weekend 3-6ish. No cover- just walk in- enjoy the music and hang back! Im liking it! (-:
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Review from Shasta R.
Escondido, CA
12/20/2010
I love me some Alley!!! This is a great bar if you're looking for a fun, decently priced place to hang out. The bartenders are awesome...especially Dylan, Alisha and Leeroy! An awesome lady named Jessica does karaoke on Mondays and I think Amber does it on Tuesdays, a DJ on Wednesdays and the Alleys House Band (the Love Rangers) are normally there Friday and Saturday and they are amazing! They play music from way back when to now...think Hendrix to the Dirty Heads! They have the BEST security guys there too who ALWAYS take care of you and will get a guy away from you quick like if you aren't feeling him!!! I love you Shaun, Mike and Willdon! Long story short, this place is great and I always have a fun time!
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Review from Chris A.
Portland, OR
Updated - 1/10/2011
I'm an idiot to give this place two stars I was wrong. The Alley is the most entertaining bar in the Village. Drinks are stiff, The patrons and staff are great, and the best bar to people watch. Nothing like watching the cougars try to claw into a few young marines. Cover most nights which sucks but the usual house band is pretty damn good.
Listed in: Best Carlsbad Village Bars
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2010
Funny thing is I like this bar when no one is there. Stiff drinks, cool Bartenders and good jukebox… Read more »
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Review from Monika F.
Carlsbad, CA
1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sunday Afternoons are Great! No cover, live Music ,and $3.00 BBQ ! Every Sunday from 3 to 6pm
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Review from Christie R.
San Diego, CA
3/30/2009
Cougars are on the prowl.
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Review from Trevor K.
Denver, CO
4/21/2010
The "Wrinkle Room" aka The Alley is an ok spot for some dancing and drunken debauchery. The drinks are semi cheap and plentiful but it gets so crowded sometimes you can hardly walk around. The bartenders are also nice people unless you piss them off. Sometimes it can be a bear to get a quick drink because there is only 1 or 2 of them. The patio is cool but again very crowded. The crowd can be a bit older at times thus the Wrinkle Room nickname but overall its a fun bar to pass through on your weekly Fri/Sat Pub Crawl
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Review from Duke S.
Beverly Hills, CA
8/29/2009
This is a great spot for a date, late night drinking and entertainment. Mostly frequented by friendly locals, has a nice full bar, friendly security and staff, clean, good live entertainment and hot karaoke DJ chicks. The one thing this place is lacking though is an abundance of single chicks; so, BYOB: "bring your own boobs." I've seen way, way to many guys walk away single and frustrated from this place. I honestly don't know what gives. Maybe all the cute nice girls are still at home with curlers in their hair or out getting plastered with some dirt bag at a club with a laser light show. Who knows?
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Review from ian b.
Northridge, CA
2/28/2008
i concur with Eric s. i would like to add though that the crowd there can be very entertaining and care free, karaoke on Sunday night is a hoot. but that beer selection is sub par.
