The Alibi - A Portland Mini Vacation
I’m not old enough to remember the Tiki craze that swept the US in the 1930’s, but that doesn’t matter if you’re in Portland because there’s The Alibi. Trader Vic’s has come and gone (twice) but The Alibi remains a tried and true tiki experience, largely unchanged since its creation in 1947. Legend has it that in every sale contract, the new owners have to agree not to change anything. I’ve been coming here since 1996 and it’s safe to say, very little has changed since then and that’s awesome. We owe it all to this man, Roy Ell, seen here playing for the University of Oregon in 1940:
Roy Ell bought “Max Alibi’s” in 1947 and quickly began filling it with Polynesian décor he brought back from trips to Hawaii. He dropped the “Max” and sometime after that, christened the bar with the beautiful sign that still graces N. Interstate Avenue.
Tiki bars of this age are rare, and this is arguably the second oldest in the US. Yes, there’s debate. But don’t worry about it. This tiki bar has survived the decades, even the 70’s, and emerged as a beloved local landmark. Its success is due to the fact that it’s always been welcoming to anyone. Families and drag queens can be found dining in neighboring booths beneath the black-light 3D hula girls carved on the wall.
The Alibi invites you to get lost. The darkness takes you as you enter through the giant coconut, or was it a pineapple? I already don’t remember because, well…The Alibi. The darkness is your Wardrobe portal into another world. You have to wait a full two minutes before you can truly appreciate your surroundings. The atmosphere is less Trader Vic’s and more Disneyland Tiki Room. Nothing here appears to be an accident. Every piece is carefully positioned to give an air of nonchalance. Though maybe this is the rum talking.
They don’t pour an original Trader Vic’s Mai Tai by default as some would have you to believe. They’re using the streamlined version that contains Trader Vic’s Mai Tai mix and less of the complex boozy flavors of the original.
There’s a good breakdown of the Vic’s Mai Tai has evolved over the years here: https://makedrinks.org/cocktail-recipes/trader-vics-mai-tai/
This one is a little too much heartburn for my taste but it’ll get you tipsy in a hurry. They’ll make you the original if you ask, but it’ll cost you more than a few doubloons. Definitely get their signature drink, The Komonawannaleiya. Or order a punch bowl that serves 4!
The happy hour menu can’t be beat. $1 off wells, $2 PBR, and $5 appetizers. The burger for $4.95 is generous, delicious, and the waffle fries are hot, crisp, and nicely seasoned. Can we have more waffle fries in the world? I rarely eat fries that accompany my meal but fries both waffle and curly are my weakness.
For my money, the Luau Pork Sandwich is the must-have here (not pictured, I had too many Komonawannaleiya's). It’s savory and slightly sweet cooked to perfection. They’ve pared down their menu in recent years but really upped the quality. No longer is it greasy diner food of yore but rather quality food prepared with intention and skill.
I didn’t stick around for karaoke (dammit covid!) but it is consistently rated among the best in Portland. The last time I went was probably around 2012 and it was really a fantastic time. There is ample seating, a solid selection of songs, and a KJ that doesn’t play favorites. I can’t wait until it feels safe to go back again.
All in all, The Alibi has been a staple of the Portland bar and karaoke scene for decades and if you’re visiting, it’s worth a trip. It’s not far from the center of town, it’s a quick and easy drive, Lyft ride, or just take Max, the city’s awesome light rail service. Be aware that the Alibi closes at 2:30am but Max stops running sometime after midnight, so plan accordingly. Whenever you go, you’ll be glad you did, it’s like a mini-vacation in the middle of your day.
