The evening began innocuously: we met up just after sundown and wandered into The Coffee Syndicate, the café on the front of the building. No neon sign pointing to the fun, nothing but the aroma of espresso and dessert. Then, a barista quietly directed us toward a deceptively ordinary door – what might have looked like a walk-in cooler – but beyond it lay a very different world.
We stepped through and were transported to a refined 1920s-era cocktail lounge: rich dark wood paneling, plush leather chairs, art-deco light fixtures casting warm glows, and the hum of jazz quietly setting the mood. The décor is more than feel-good – it is impressive. Reviews say the décor “brought me straight into a 20’s flapper/gangster mob movie!” and we couldn’t agree more.
The bar felt like a stage, and the performance was about to begin.
The Cocktails
We sampled two of their signature creations:
DILLINGER – Described as “Gatlinburg’s most famous cocktail got a new venue and a more gangster name”. The version we ordered: Heaven’s Door Revival Tennessee Straight Bourbon, Madagascar vanilla bean simple syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters, and black-cherry ice spheres. Then the theatre: pecans ignited on a bourbon-barrel stave right at our table, with smoke swirling around the glass. The flavor? Sweet vanilla, black cherry, and a lingering toasted pecan-smoke finish.
MADAME ST. CLAIR – A show-stopper: Sazerac Rye, tropical fruit simple syrup, El Guapo Polynesian Kiss Bitters; served in a glass bottle injected with coconut vapor and edible gold shimmer, garnished with dehydrated red dragon fruit and a large whiskey cube. Fruity, peppery, a little tropical, but still bold.
Both drinks felt like events in their own right – crafted with finesse, presented with flair, and clearly rooted in Alibi’s mission of taking cocktails seriously, without losing the fun. Their menu reflects that broad ambition: extensive bourbon/rye/whiskey selections, absinthe rituals, wines, impeccable glassware.
The Experience
From the secret-door thrill to the vintage atmosphere to the bartenders treating you like you belong in the speakeasy – even if you just wandered in – Alibi delivers. We found ourselves relaxing into the ambiance: leather-bound menus, low lighting, the hum of conversation. The crowd was a mix of locals and visitors alike, some dressed up, some casual, but the setting elevated the evening.
One tip: Because of the hidden entrance and the speakeasy vibe, it helps to know how to get in (via Coffee Syndicate and the cooler-door style entry). It adds a sense of discovery. Until this place finds overwhelming popularity, you’ll feel like you’ve found the city’s best kept secret.
Why It Works For Edgewater Hotel Guests
After a scenic day by the river, a comfortable meal at the hotel, or a nature-filled afternoon, Alibi offers something just a little different – refined, intimate, elevated. It’s not your typical downtown bar. It’s perfect for a night out where you want ambiance, craft cocktails, and a story to go along with it. If a couple staying at Edgewater wants to cap their evening with something stylish and memorable in Gatlinburg, this is absolutely it.
If you’re looking for a “hidden gem” in Gatlinburg’s nightlife, where craft and costume, décor and drink presentation all combine, Alibi checks all the boxes. The entrance sets the tone, the décor immerses you, the cocktails impress, and it leaves you with a memory rather than just another drink. We walked out of there feeling like we had been somewhere, not just visited somewhere. A definite yes recommendation.
Practical note: Open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 4pm. Confirm current hours before you go.
