On a chilly November evening in Greater Manchester, the glow of neon lights from Alibi—a cocktail and karaoke bar nestled on Shaw’s Road near Altrincham Market—casts a familiar hue over the street. But for those hoping to duck in alone for a late-night drink, a bold sign at the door delivers an unmissable message: "No single entry. After 9pm, Alibi does not permit single entry." The policy, in place since the bar’s opening in 2022, has recently ignited a heated debate about nightlife safety, discrimination, and the experience of single patrons.
The controversy began to simmer after Carl Peters, Alibi’s owner, posted a video on the bar’s Instagram page earlier this month. In the video, captioned "Door policy drama," Peters explained the rationale behind the no-single-entry-after-9pm rule. According to the BBC, Peters stated, "If something happens to that person in a late night, busy bar environment where people are drinking, it’s an absolute nightmare for us to deal with." He went on to say, "It also happens to be the case that sometimes if you let people in on their own, there’s a reason why they’re on their own—that they’ve got no one to talk to so they start mithering other groups, because they’re not just going to sit there in a bar in silence."
The policy, Peters insists, is not born out of malice or exclusion, but out of a desire to "mitigate risk" and "protect his customers." The sign on the door also sets out a strict dress code, banning sportswear, tracksuits, Stone Island branded clothing, ripped or frayed jeans, or anything with "roadman vibes." For Peters, these rules are about creating an environment where everyone can feel safe and relaxed. "I take pride that my customers feel safe in my venue," he told BBC Manchester. "I was astounded it was now being criticised on social media."
But not everyone sees it that way. The policy has drawn sharp criticism from solo patrons and advocates for singles’ rights, who argue that such measures only serve to deepen the stigma attached to doing things alone. Nicola Slawson, author of Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms, told Metro, "I’m really shocked, it feels like another way to penalise single people and make them out to be something weird or freaky." Slawson, who often heads to the pub by herself while her baby’s father—her platonic co-parent—puts their child to bed, believes the policy is "really hurtful to a lot of single people." She pointed to the social isolation epidemic, noting that for some elderly people, going to the pub alone is their only chance for human connection. "I do understand they’re trying to protect people, but you’re just throwing all single people under the bus because there are a few letchy people. It penalises the good single men and women—I hope this doesn’t catch on."
Travel blogger Sara Scott, who regularly chronicles her solo adventures, echoed these concerns. Speaking to Metro, she said, "He’s making a huge assumption about why single people take themselves out for a drink, blaming an entire group of people for the actions of a few. My guess is that he’s dealt with a lot more problem customers who entered his bar in groups than he has with single customers. Doesn’t matter now, because he wouldn’t get my money even if I was headed out with friends for an evening."
On social media, reactions have been mixed. According to the BBC, one Instagram user commented, "I always feel safe in Alibi," while another described the policy as "narrow minded," adding, "I have never once mithered anyone and am happy in my own company." The furore has led to accusations of discrimination, with some questioning whether the policy unfairly targets individuals who simply prefer their own company or work unsociable hours.
Peters, for his part, remains unapologetic. In a follow-up Instagram reel, he addressed the criticism head-on: "Well it’s certainly been an interesting couple of days with this whole furore about our door policy. To be honest with you, I just want to draw a line under it. I won’t apologise for prioritising people’s welfare, safety. When they come to Alibi that is the number one priority for us, followed by making sure you’re all having an amazing time and Britney Spears is being played." He stressed that solo customers are welcome before 9pm, and that the restriction typically comes into play only "once or twice a month on the door and it’s usually someone drunk at midnight wandering around trying to find somewhere to go and we say ‘sorry we don’t let people in on their own’."
He also pointed out that the policy is not as draconian as it might seem. "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." For Peters, the measure is simply "standard procedure in nightlife."
Still, for many, the debate goes beyond Alibi’s door. It touches on broader questions about how society views single people, especially those who choose—or are forced—to socialise alone. Life and business coach Nadia O’Boyle, speaking to Metro, offered advice for those nervous about venturing out solo. "First of all, ask yourself—what is the fear? Why are you actually scared of doing things alone? Identify these fears so you can start to address them. Society tells you that maybe it is weird to eat alone, but aside from that, is there any legitimate fear? Once you have all those fears out there, start to go through them and look for evidence as to why these are untrue or not realistic." She encourages solo patrons to bring a book, treat themselves to something special, and "own it"—even if that means faking confidence until it becomes real.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the issue has struck a nerve, not just in Altrincham but across the UK. For some, Alibi’s policy is a reasonable response to the practical realities of running a late-night venue. For others, it’s a symbol of a society that still struggles to accept—and celebrate—those who choose to go it alone. Whether the policy will catch on elsewhere remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation has put a spotlight on the challenges and joys of single life in the modern age, and the spaces—bars included—that shape our social experience.
As the night wears on and Alibi’s doors swing open for groups of friends, the question lingers: in the quest for safety, are we leaving some people out in the cold?
