10/14/09

Excellent Food

by NormalGuy

I love this place! Great beers and great food. Outdoor patio rules too.

• Pros: awesome atmosphere
• Cons: popular

07/13/09

my fav

by robs2323

I love this place, it's my favorite place to eat in Santa Monica, the salmon I love this place, it's my favorite place to eat in Santa Monica, the salmon enchiladas are amazing. The manger is so nice.

• Pros: beer, good people, and great food
• Cons: none

05/26/09

Rude Manager

by bodhikai

I stop in there often for lunch on weekends. A few weeks ago I went on a Friday afternoon. When I arrived, I was told I could not have a table because I was alone. I requested that the host ask the manager if it would be okay for me to sit at an empty 2-top. The manager said no.

They sat me at the tiny counter in the front window. It's about 8 inches deep! I sat there quite a while with my menu. The manager came over and asked what I was doing there - as if I'd just walked in and parked myself there! (I don't look like a homeless person, by the way).

So I didn't exactly feel welcome there. Eventually they gave me some chips and salsa, which I had to spread out along the entire counter along with my food and drink, since the counter was so shallow.

The waitress was phenomenal. She apologized, made sure I got my food, and even took some money off the bill.

The manager, however, was totally rude. Really, is it worth alienating a regular customer for the extra $20 they'd make with 2 people instead of one? Several tables came open while I was eating, trying not to be conspicuous while facing the street. So no one would have been turned away because I took a table.

Won't be going back there.

• Pros: Decent food
• Cons: Poor treatment

03/31/09

Holy shizz this is the best place I've ever been

by Shlockiltree

Need I say more? This place will kick you right in the junk and leave you begging for more. Also, it is not a library. They got mad when I tried to check out an menu.

• Pros: Burgers, cleavage, general awesomeness
• Cons: Lack of go-go dancers

11/20/08

Great Patio on the Backside

by plays2win

Kind of packed inside but usually can find a great seat on the backside patio. Great selection of brews. Super spot on Main St when you dont have a reservation elsewhere. Food is above average and definitely not over priced.

• Pros: Beers, Patio, Service

07/03/08

Great beer, friendly staff, awesome food

by alaskaerin

I go to the Alehouse all the time, and I have been for years. The food is yummy and fresh (farmers market veggies) and everyone that work there is super friendly. The wait is generally pretty long, but I try some beers (huge selection) and it goes by quickly. Nights when they show a Laker game can be way too crowded but overall my experiences have been fun, and my meals delicious. I suggest getting there early and putting your name on the list as they don't take reservations. Fun times, good beer.

• Pros: great beer, good food, friendly staff
• Cons: sometimes loud, long wait

06/24/08

Loved the food, but not the lack of patio lighting

by jenheidir

I really enjoy the crispy coconut shrimp with pineapple salsa I ordered, and my friend?s burger was delicious as well. Service was quick and attentive. The downside though is that ?cause the front inside dining area as well as the patio outback are both rather tiny, waits for a table can get long. Also fyi, the restaurant only serves wine and beer (though their selections in those categories are substantial enough). Also be aware that while the outdoor patio is VERY romantic with all the candlelight, my friend and I found it very hard to hard to read the menu once night fell. We had to hold our tiny table candle over the menu to be able to read anything at all.

• Pros: food, wine, beer, service
• Cons: small venue

03/09/08

Has Library Alehouse jumped the shark? New manager is a meanie.

by JoGirl310

I used to love this place and had been a loyal customer since the 90's. Unfortunately, this afternoon I made the mistake of dropping in for a quick refresher during my afternoon skate. The atmosphere seemed casual and friendly. The hostess let me in without hesitation, and the bartender seemed happy to sell me a beer... but just as I was about to take my first sip, the "manager" approached and announced loudly, in front of everyone at the bar, that I would have to leave. He told the bartender to refund me my $6.00 and unceremoniously showed me the door. Apparently, there is a policy in place that prohibits skates, and as I didn't have spare shoes my sock feet were prohibited as well. I have no problem with that policy, but it seemed unnecessary for the manager to humiliate me after his staff had already violated the policy. It's a shame that such a formerly cozy establishment has become so unfriendly to locals.

• Pros: Beer selection, quality of appetizers and entrees, attractive decor
• Cons: Uneven service, often over-crowded, mean new manager

02/25/08

High quality bar/ restaurant/ date spot

by limpboxy

I love this place! Everything I've tried on the menu has been great. There's something for everyone on the menu, including vegetarian options. Everyone is very friendly and the service is prompt. Make reservations because it fills up fast. There's usually a wait, even at off times.

• Pros: food, beer selection, atmosphere
• Cons: street parking can be a pain

11/29/07

Upscale watering hole for relaxation-seeking Westsiders and other international beer connoisseurs.

by Contributor

The Scene
A candlelit bar, high tables and sleek bar stools create a relaxing interior inside this warm, Craftsman hideaway, while blond-wood walls, glass windows and high ceilings provide an airy and open feel. Bottles of imported beer line the shelves, while televisions silently flash sports scores. An after-work spot for young professionals and an unintimidating bar scene, this is a refreshing alternative to the pickup palace of Circle Bar across the street. The canopied back garden patio is heated and sheltered by garden walls.

The Draw
Boasting the best beer selection on the Westside, featuring 29 microbrews and imports on tap, this may be the only place you can get an actual pitcher of rare brew. Servers are knowledgeable and affable, but indecisive drinkers usually opt for one of three beer-tasting flights, designed for beginners, intermediates and adventurous drinkers.