Al’s Pub

Dive Alert!
As I walked in on a Sunday with the husband and a friend, we were greeted by the bartender, «Look at that! Real, live customers!» and we could already tell he was friendly with a good sense of humor. Even though we weren’t locals, the bartender was welcoming and struck up conversation with us. He also told us the beer special right away, which I really appreciate. $ 3 for a 24 oz Coors light can was the special of the day.
We enjoyed talking to the friendly bartender and playing the juke box, and had a really good time meeting a regular who told these amazing tales of experiencing run-​ins with aliens and the devil himself. It was fascinating and I couldn’t help but ask questions to keep the stories going. I even kept a straight face. After hearing the devil story (it was at the end of this guy’s bed!) we decided it was time for shots.
We didn’t stay much longer, but were happy we stopped in. Quality neighborhood dive.

A hole in the wall but your guaranteed a good experience. Whether it be the drinks or food they are both very very decent! I learned about a different variety of drinks here! Not the biggest bar but is definitely comfortable and placed in a safe area. Nothing to worry about i like it!

In two words: neighborhood bar. I was meeting coworkers here after work, and I would have never walked in on my own. I’m not going to say I wasn’t intimidated when I pulled up to this place; it is a total dive. From what our local hosts say, the same bartender is always there and she will remember your name. After getting over the initial shkeeve-​factor, I totally can see why my coworkers have made this their spot. Jackie (bartender) is a sweetheart and she takes care of everyone who comes in. I just recommend some hand sanitizer and a adventurous attitude.
They do not prepare or serve food, but there is a handful of menus behind the bar you can browse through for delivery. Jackie brought us the ketchup, forks, salt, and napkins our order was missing. As far as drinks, I can’t ignore the rock bottom prices. Total deal.
Again, once you get over the feeling that you’re a total outsider, this place will quickly grow on you.

I’m only giving this place one star because there is no lower option. However, I must say that it is not this place that is so bad, it was mostly the service/​the bartender who happened to be there and tainted my memory of that night. Oh and some of the ‘usuals’ were quite odd.
I got there to celebrate a birthday party around 10:30pm. It was pretty quiet surprisingly for a Saturday night. I ordered my typical vodka club and paid for it. About 15 minutes later, I noticed there was nothing in front of me. I am pretty patient and wasn’t too worried about it. I just laughed it off. She came up to me and had a bit of an attitude when asking «Can I help you with something?» I told her yes, my drink. She asked «What did you order?» (There were only 8 – 11 people there at this point).
The night goes on and I took 1 shot with a friend. We tried to order food and she took our order but a half hour goes by and nothing. She gives us an attitude and tells us that «You’re going to have to wait.» She said this at least 3 times and then decided to tell us that she was the only one there and that she «would get to it when she gets to it». REALLY?! I would not have had a problem had she just said, «I’m sorry, grill is closed, I can’t leave the bar».
I tried choosing a song for karaōke but the bartender had chosen that song. I was in a good mood and decided to joke with the bartender and be friendly so I asked her to come sing. Again, very rude, «You’re going to have to wait». WHAT?! I didn’t need anything I was just being friendly. At this point it is busier and we choose another song to sing. Some girl who had just finished singing made it a point to scream «I F*CKING LOVE THIS SONG» over and over and kept yelling at me to «SING FASTER, SING SLOWER». Oh and then she continued to shout «OMG SOMEONE GIVE ME A MIC! GIVE ME A MIC RIGHT NOW». She had just finished singing 2 songs and it was just so rude.
I went up to the bar and waited for about 25 minutes with money in my hand staring at her. She would look at me and continue to serve other people. Finally, I had enough. I sat up on the bar and figured maybe I would catch her attention that way. (Ok, maybe wrong of me to do but nothing else was working, even when I tried to call her over). She came up to me and with her nasty attitude told me to get off her bar. I told her I was waiting for a drink. She proceeded to mock me and say «Why because you’re drunk?» (Mind you, I had 1 vodka club and a shot because that was the only thing she was capable of serving that night) I then told her «no, it is because you’re being a bitch». I got off the bar and asked her for my drink. She said no. So i stood there hoping we would both cool off and everything would be fine and I would get my drink since I had been there all night. Nothing. I asked the DJ who I was talking to all night to help me get my drink and she looked at me, looked at him and said «no, she cursed me out (WHAT!?) that means she has had too much to drink. Sorry baby, I can’t lose my job over her» and kept batting her eyes at the DJ and flirting with him. It was gross.
Anyways, as I was walking out (because I could not stand to be in there any longer) I heard a crowd of 4 or 5 people complaining about the bartender. I stopped to talk to them and they were basically saying the same thing. Slow, sucky service. I was outside for about 20 minutes and a bunch of people came out yelling and cursing. All complaining about the SAME THING. Then, she started kicking people out BUT charged my friend TWICE. Closed out his bar tab TWICE. I’m not sure how you do that but she did it.
Needless to say, it was a mess. The place is a shitty dive bar but I don’t mind that. It was the bartender. I will NEVER step one foot in that place ever again. I’d think about it if that bartender is long gone.

It’s definitely a dive bar. Drinks are very affordable. The crowd can be urban-​ish. If you want to have a chill time with cheap drinks, this is the place

I’m a bit biased when it comes to Al’s, because I basically live here, but I really do think it’s one of the most fun divey type bars in the Bayway area.
The bartenders are very personable and friendly. Lots of regular customers to listen to and observe. Service is usually pretty fast, even on those weekend nights where it gets a little hectic.
The bar itself is a lil’ hole in the wall. Good amounts of seats, nice mood lighting and a pool table for the sharks to practice on. It’s nothing fancy, but you didn’t come here for fancy! You came to drink!
Beer selection is basic, and prices are quite affordable. Mixed drinks start around 7 bucks for a giant pint, but there’s also specials from time to time depending on the day. I rarely have to spend more than twenty bucks here to have a good time.
Food is served here, but it’s not a vast menu, just some bar snacks and appetizers to munch on while you sip.
Karaōke is twice a week here, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and is always a blast! Most of the time people end up dancing more than singing, but that’s cool too.
Simply stated, Al’s is a great place to BS with a friend and relax.