Went to The Alley to see the Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks tribute band as a 50th birthday present.We had two waitress, Terri and Samantha, who served all our drinks and food very promptly.Jammed to our favorite songs in a cozy atmosphere with tons of great energy!!!!The Alley is a must for good music, good times, and good service.
11/18/2023Nice birthday celebration with live music and beverages. This was not a youthful crowd so I fit in pretty well from an age perspective. Im pretty sure Im glad no one knew my political/religious views, but Im just guessing. The wait staff was really nice and kept up with the large crowd. My main negative is the bathroom situation, its pretty tough, one urinal for many drinking men, maybe not the ideal ratio. And still, had a fun time, Ill go back if the opportunity presents itself.
Cool hidden bar atmosphere and the live music was awesome. It was a Classic Rock band called Three Forks River. They really topped off the night. Joe the bartender was also wonderful! Tip him well when you visit!
Ally is great but fuel BBQ attached to the venue is the best part of it all. The burnt ends, mac & cheese and hands down the BEST collard greens and corn bread..
Kobalt 27 was live at the Alley. Out with my church friends and know the band as well. Great time.
Excellent time. Beers and food were good and prices right. Really enjoy the Sunday tribute bands that have played there lately.
Wednesday Open Mic Jam Night - great sound , variety of styles of music , rock and blues , great food real bbq and drinks . Friendly staff . I always have a great time .
Watch your tab here. The bartender will steal from you. She will add a gratuity to your bill that she thinks she deserves then give you a copy of your tab that is not itemized so you have no idea of what youre being charged for and then hoping youll tip her a second time on the inflated bill. Thief!
Saw Barfly there Saturday Night and enjoyed some burnt ends from Fuel BBQ. One our favorite places to see local bands.
We have visited here a couple of times and enjoy it every time!! A wonderful live Blues music venue which showcases amazing artists! Their food is good nabd the staff is helpful and very friendly!! You will always have a great time when you visit!!!
Neet music venue, but dont expect good service or vibes from the bartenders here. I visited this past Saturday evening during porchfest and came in to have a drink with my parents and witnessed some of the rudest customer service from the two female bartenders in duty that Ive ever seen in my life. It was around 6pm and it wasnt that busy inside. Some of the staff were setting up for music. I ordered one bud light draft, one hazy ipa draft and one seltzer (somehow that all came out to $22 at the end of this story). One of the female bartenders took my order, walked away, and clearly forgot about me for a few minutes because she was just standing around chatting. Thats fine. When I politely waved her down, she made eye contact with me, realizing her oops. Then, she said loudly and aggressively for the whole bar to hear, UMMM YOU walked away. I made your drinks but I poured them out because YOU left. Mind you... I never even took my arm off the bar. I was there the whole time waiting patiently with my older parents. Other patrons were listening to this ongoing interaction and looking at me out of pity because they all know she was just trying to save some face, going on the defense because she doesnt know how to take accountability for forgetting the drinks. At the same time, some other guy lit a cigarette and the other female bartender started yelling at him and kicked him out. Damn... mistakes happen, its how you handle them that matters. I literally will never step in this establishment again and I will not recommend it to others because the bartenders think gaslighting customers is an appropriate way to handle business. I wrote check the cameras on the receipt and left $2 because Im not a monster. Although she probably didnt think twice about it, the way she treated me definitely ruined MY evening.
A friend and I went to the Alley to hear and dance to My Generation. We got reservations for two, there was no option to select seating, we were placed at the bar. We were told repeatedly those seats are your for the night... each saved space had a plastic sign or paper that said reserved. There was food and drinks with napkins on top.. to show we would be back and the reserved paper was set in front of our plates. When we got back from the Dance floor a young gal was sitting in my seat. I told her that was my seat. She looked at me , said oh I was just keeping it warm for you! Very belligerent too. Even my friend realize the girl was trying to start a fight with me. When we came back off the dance floor the second time the same lady was sitting in my seat again... spouted off the same thing... I was keeping your seat warm !!The piece of paper that said my seat was reserved,...was gone... likely who removed it. After she left I let the bartender know what was going on. Told her my concern of the gal wanting to start a fight with me. We asked for another reserved piece of paper.. the short rather petite bartender, with short black hair gave us attitude, but did finally give us another reserved paper.Realize.. I have to diffuse the situation. So I told to the lady who kept taking my seat...when on the dancing floor I dont care if you take my seat... Of course I was uncomfortable about that.... had food and drinks there, I didnt want someone to have easy access to my drink and food... was fearful she could easily put something in my food or drink.. After I said that, she never came to take my seat again. When we came back from the Dance floor the fourth time all the reserved signswhere gone.. we questioned the bartender.. were already having problems keeping our seat with a reserved sign. We went on the Dance floor for the last time, when we got back the bartenders had removed our drinks and a bag I had left underneath the bar. Im guessing the young girl was a regular. So if you think all thats not a problem.. give this some thought. Of course we werent getting drunk, but people around us were. Imagine having to say..thats my seat to the wrong person... Then get sucker punched in the face... It can happen when dealing with intoxicated people. There wasnt a single seat in the whole restaurant that wasnt reserved. That was my first visity to the Allley. without a sign anyone is going to take a free seat... wait... normal people wont sit in a seat where theres food and drinks on the table with napkins on top .One more thing I want to draw to your attention. too, if your planning on dancing, thats not a good idea... unless you want to stand in one spot waddle like a penguin from side to side. Customers are standing on the Dance floor watching the band.. maybe people without a seat. I realize every bar has a regulars.... I bought one glass of wine for $7 and had a order of fried okra... I dont eat past five normally. I tip my bartender $7... Usually that buys some respect.... Guess I needed to tip all four or five of the bartenders... Just because they were there!My word of advice to you, enter at your own risk!!Or dont go when it a popular band.As for me... Im a sound quality connoisseur. .. will never set foot in the establishment again.
I’ve been coming to The Alley for years. The place is awesome. The staff are excellent and friendly and the atmosphere is fun. They have really talented bands playing here. This is a place where you will be treated well and it’s safe for the girl’s night out. The food next door at Fuel is really good too. Check em out.
Smoke free! Spacious seating for watching the band. Great pricing on liquor. Beers cost a bit more than expected. As a solo lady, I felt safe inside and walking to my parked car.
Friendly service and good live music. You wont be disappointed!
One of my favorite venues ! Friendly staff and outstanding owners !
We enjoyed the music at Alley on Saturday from 2 to 5. We met so many talented musicians from Deland, Daytona Bch, Winter Springs...etc. if you live in the Sanford area and would like to perform, or just listen and dance like we did, please come join us next Saturday. Their bbq was so tender and tasty too!
Not a good time and the drinks are so expensive. $7 for a canned drink! Dont rip your customers off! Id rather hang next door at the spot.
2.25 for ice in a Jameson. No mention of the ridiculous charge at a bar that has zero redeeming qualities. Been to 41 countries and drank in more proper bars than these losers can even fathom. Don’t go, garbage. Oh and 8.95 for that Jameson to go with the 2.25. Dumpster fire….🔥
If you like live music, you can not beat the alley. Update: The music is great, but be warned, they almost doubled their drink prices!!!! A miller lite is now $6.50 and my buddy paid $8.50 for a draft IPA! Not worth it at those prices
Great venue for a live band! Smaller venue, more of a shotgun type of venue split into two sides opened up in the middle. Its nice. One side has the main bar with a pool table at the back. The other has tables, a stage at one end, and access to Fuel, a bbq joint you can skip because I dont recommend it at all. In the middle of these two sections is a long table with about 15-20 bar stools designed for people to sit at and watch the performance on stage. The restrooms could use some improvements - only one urinal for men on the bar side as the toilet wasnt working. I think there might have been restrooms behind, or to the side of, the stage, but I was redirected because of the band(s) setting up. The bartenders and wait staff were excellent and busy taking everyones orders. Things seemed to run very smoothly. I will definitely be going back!
Great Live Music! Check out their site for the monthly calendar. Food from the restaurant connected Fuel is top notch BBQ and all the southern fixins!
Bartender gave poor service to my friend who sat at an empty bar for 15 mins before being acknowledged
Great if you love loud music! I dont recommend bringing children.
Such a great live music venue with friendly staff. Its awesome that you can order food from the Fuel barbecue restaurant next door.
Wow what fun with a live engaging band and good drinks
First time going there.They had live music and from what I could see they often bring live bands. The drinks are fairly priced. Its like one big pub divided in 3. Theres the Alley; Fuse and a BBQ place..so it doesnt matter which door you go through you can get to either one. We ordered BBQ ribs full rack for $21.99 and I wish I took a picture..This was huge, really tender and juicy and nobody around could beat that price. I promise you that. They have pull pork, steak brisket, and everything look delicious. Pay them a visit.You will have a great time.
Food from the fuel was great, music was wonderful my only problem if I had to pick one would be the bartender I got who when I asked for my drink (B52) she gave me a nasty look and said with sort of an attitude whats that? We have been going to the Alley for many years and this is the 1st time someone didnt know what I was asking for. To tell you the truth its not so much that she didnt know but the way she came across to me with her answer.
Great venue! Superb band tonight. 80s music and some 90s. Drinks are inexpensive and theres enough staff to cover all patrons. Bartenders are very friendly and professional.Very laid back patrons. Awesome place!The lady that sells jewelry outside is nice and cordial. Will be back!
Great Blues joint with live music. Missed kitchen time for food: no loss, will be there earlier tonight. Friendly locals and bar staff. Cool reserve parking for pretty bikes in front! Bravo!
Great food, great service, and live music. What more could you ask for. Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind are awesome and I cant wait to see them again.
My favorite live music venue. Fabulous bartenders and the best BBQ in Florida! Its a great spot to rock out with some amazing local talent!
My favorite hangout since they opened in the early 90s. Best live Rock n Roll bands and great dance floor. Awesome BBQ too!Cool bike 🏍 club.
Great space with decent servers and good pubgrub food. We ordered brisket and pulled chicken sandwiches and sides.Live bands onstage, good seating, although a bit crowded but we could see the performance and sound system was solid
Cool little hideaway below Fuel BBQ...live music!
We came here a couple of Saturdays ago and really enjoyed ourselves. The live music was great, mostly rock themed. The have quite a few taps, they even seem to keep Octoberfest in stock there, which is rare. The food next door was great, I like how you can just walk between the two. Would definitely recommend going. You may need reservations on the weekend, or youll be limited to standing, so may want to call ahead and see.
Great place for live music, reasonable drink prices, lots of imports were also available, also great BBQ next door
Our bartender was Awesome! However the redhead so called manager was not so nice. She could have handled the situation better. Was our fault for the situation but they way she handled the situation was not professional at all. She should not be in a management. Will still visit the Alley!
Skin deep was playing and theyre amazing so it was a perfect night. The fans by the bar keep the air flowing nice and it comfortable but the tables by the door dont have good air flow and its stuffy over there. Bartenders pay attention to everybody. 1 pool table and 2 bathrooms but the line moved quickly. Best dive bar Ive ever been to!
Great bands drinks a bit pricey but overall good.But didnt like the food at the fuel restaurant outside both me my friend got sick within 25 minutes of eating there.
This spot always seems to attract the best Blues Bands. Drink and beer prices are reasonable and the food from the BBQ attached is phenominal
Great service & there was a great band - Rockit Fly! Lots of dancing!
Went to see a family member rock out on stage. Venue is nice, cheap drinks, easy to see the stage from anywhere in the bar. Killer bbq next door. Overall quality run bar.
Great music with an awesome sound system. We went to listen to Shaun Rounds play blues and were not disappointed! The bar food is well-priced and the brownie I had was outstanding!
Awesome bar in Sanford Florida. Live bands Thursday through Saturday and sometimes on Sunday.Right next to the bar is a barbecue place that you can have dinner. Fuel Barbecue.Free parking in local lots.
My friends and I visited here on Friday night. The band was AMAZING, but the service left a lot to be desired. It was very difficult to get anyones attention. I didnt even realize that one of the bartenders was actually employed until I saw her behind the bar - most of the time she was out front smoking. Another one didnt even know if there were hooks under the bar for purses, etc.!! I Although we were not regulars, but deserved the same service, if not better. Definitely will not be returning any time soon.
Great place for live music in an intimate setting. Wonderful staff and management!! And while youre there, be sure to get some of the areas best Bbq from Fuel right next door ... no need to leave, theyll bring it right to your table.
Great live music venue!Go there and have fun.
RocknRoll baby,great place to hang out in Downtown Sanford. Also this place is attached to a bbq spot and better get there early for a great seat to see the bands. Also thanks to Caitlynee for the best time and to the red headed girl I love you.
We went for like the billionth time to The Alley last night, this time to see Rocket Fly, an outstanding cover band! We love The Alley for a whole bunch of reasons, but last night it was especially for the servers who were working their behinds off, with a smile, trying to take care of us raging demanding thirsty rock fans! We seriously salute you servers - you are the ultimate beverage rock stars! 💫🍻💫
Best bartender in town! Ask for a scooby snack or a little lime f*cker, I promise you wont be disappointed. Whenever I visit my father we come here on Thursday nights for bike night. They have live music thats always great, too.
First time here. Band sounded awesome. Cool that you can order BBQ and eat while listening to music. Waitresses and bartenders were great too!
Cant believe as much as I visit Sanford for other events, this is my first time here to see music....Awesome little venue...Ill be backBeen back a few times, awesome staff that takes good care of making sure you are hydrated
Im a local and have been going to this place since it opened in 2005. Some of the best under the radar blues bands in Florida play here. The cover is cheap, if there is one at all, and the beer is affordable. They are a full liquor bar. A very friendly staff and it is a place where people of all ages can relax and enjoy some great music. This is not a 20s something hangout like many of the other places in Sanford have turned into.
Great venue for top blues acts! I got to see Albert Castiglia solo and The Blood Brothers in less than a month! Amazing
Food was good. Could make the atmosphere a little cozier. Too much like a break room or cafeteria.
Cool live music. I love the environment there. You can write your name on the wall. Nice people and a good time with some loud music!
One of the best kept secrets in Sanford! Dont forget to try Fuel BBQ to get the night started right. Check the entertainment schedule and enjoy!!
Great spot to have a drink hear live music every night. Connected to Fuel next door where you can get some amazing Barbecue. I go almost every Tuesday to jam with the Jazz trio.
Horrible customer service, an abusive employee Katie who claims to be in charge with no supervisor and says customers asking questions about the events is annoying... AVOID!
The badest place for great time with loud music and lots of dancing. Drink/beer prices very reasonable and service is good. If youre hungry theres barbecue next door very awesome.
Nice place to hang out. The environment is great and the prices are good. They have pretty cool bands playing
Great stage for bands and great drinks. Service is top-notch. The BBQ restaurant, Fuel is connected and is one of the best around.
Nice venue. I had a great time seeing Lucky Peterson perform. I wish the 2nd set was longer. The sweet potato fries were good. If you pay at the door, make sure you bring cash. Luckily, there is an Atm across the street.
Great bar for the best band ever, BIG LOVE!!
Fun place. Lots of character and great music !!!
Atmosphere was the typical local bar: dark, extremely loud music over-powering the ability of the sound system. Didnt get asked once by anyone if we wanted anything so the service was exactly non-existent.
I love this place. Ive only been a few times, but the bands have been good and the crowd is fun to hang with. My kind of night spot.
We went here for my sisters birthday to see the Ordinary Boys... What a great show.
Great place to enjoy live music. The food is not so good. I usually eat somewhere else before going to The Alley.
Nice food. Great place to see a live band
Best blues musicians in the southeast come through this local music lovers paradise that now has a no smoking policy (yay!). Friendly bar keeps, and the pythons all feel like family even for a first timer. Go check it out.
Great ambiance. Staff is great.
Crowded. Good band
Jam session Wed and Sunday!!! Come out to jam and support local jammers in one of Sanfords greatest establishments. The Alley is legit history. Great staff..super friendly.
Best combination of live music, ribs, mac n cheese, and drinks in downtown Sanford! Getcha some!
As we first stepped foot in downtown Sanford, the bartender for Alley greeted us, and asked our opinion on chalk sign art, Buzz Lightyear, Tarzan, or Pinocchio. We agreed that Catch a buzz with buzz was the tag line to go with. Little did we know, that everyone we crossed paths with here in Sanford, would be as nice and friendly as that first interaction. We stopped back by after breakfast, and were shocked by how large this venue is, as one would not assume so from the outside. Great beer selection, dive bar feel inside, but staff excels.
We had a birthday party for my husband here. It was a great place, fantastic BBQ and with Brad Sayre live. We had a wonderful evening!
Good sound, good food, good service. Alive in Stone and New Divide a tribute to Linkin Park rocked the place!
Good food , Great entertainment with great sound system for live bands
So much fun- went to see the band My Generation and they were great! Excellent service and very good Bbq food with nice portions.
Been coming here for two years now, absolutely love it! Great blues music, great drinks (good pricing on Buffalo Trace), and now great barbecue!!
Local downtown Sanford music hall, with good entertainment and great service
Great crowd on the night I went. So chill. Owners came up to us, showed us their website and listing of future live performances. Great spot
Great place to see live music! Great Service and friendly people. This Venue has some awesome talent live!
This place was great. We came for my 3 year olds birthday. The food was good, there is pool, games, and of course bowling. Prices werent bad. Staff was polite.
Great place to have somes drinks and catch a band. And theres yummy bbq right next door.
A Sanford Icon. Great venue to see a show. Drinks are reasonably priced. And Fuel barbecue is awesome.
Cant believe how much this place has grown in the last few years. Still rocks!!! My favorite place in downtown Sanford! Sharon the bartender makes the world brighter.
They threw a gentleman & his service dog out tonight because the dog barked. Will never return to this establishment again. The dog barked at his masters command for my wife.The bartender that disrespected him & his dog was not even there when the dog barked???? Totally appalled at this.
The Alley is a #1 spot to hear quality Blues Music. No smoking allowed aloud in this place but you can party all night long. Selwyn Birchwood plays here often. The Alley also has a jamm night where different musicians can come in and jam as long as they want.
The best live rock & roll bar in Central Florida with awesome BBQ .
Recommend you give it a try. Had fun at open mic Sunday. Lots of talent that day.
Service was extremely slow. Atmosphere was good music was great 👍
Great little bar. The band was fantastic. Fair prices for beer and drinks.
Fantastic!!! If you havent been here your missing out!! Great music, Fuel bbq is the absolute best!!!
The Best Dam Blues. Great musicians, great friends, great owners, great bike parking! Oh and did I say dancing...The Dancing Queen says dance like no one is watching!
Place rocks bartenders r super friendly down to earth... the blues 💙 😍 are there on Sundays
Excellent service, great music, full bar, dance floor. A good time.
A great place for live blues and always a good time. The Jam nights (Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday ) are the best. Enjoy real live music!
Great music, classic rock house feel, biker bar meets rock and roll venue
Nice local bar with a small town feel. Great live music acts.Pretty weak drinks.
GREAT EMPLOYEES FOOD, AND BANDS.
Came over and had a blast. To top it off at the end the night we strolled next door for some succulent BBQ at Fuel!
Went to see The Hayfire Band there. They were very good and the venue was a great viewing experience to see a band.
Live music and good drinks
Ive been patronizing the alley for years and it is even gotten better with the recent expansion! Its one of Sanfords best live venues!
The live bands they get here are great! Always a good time here.
Great music venue with excellent service and the foods good as well.
Fun place for a show.Server was lacking, and we went to the bar for a majority of our drinks.
Doc Henderson was the rudest bad mannered host for Sunday Jams that I have ever met. The local musicians are preparing a petition to have him removed from the local Blues scene.
This place is fun. The band was excellent. Would go back!
Good service, busy, went to see KISS tribute band. They rocked and the sound was fantastic!
Great friendly place to hear some good blues.
Love this place , havent been in awhile but im on it in the very near future and hope nick will be there , my dancing partner... how low can you go!
Great jam on Wednesday night great place to come and enjoy music only thing were missing is you
We went for a live Blues concert. My husband loves Blues. He loved the place.
Best place around for live blues and great barbecue. I have been coming here for years and it feels like home.
One of Sanfords best bars.... excellent staff...great food and drinks....best in LIVE music !!!
Great music place
Great time here. Diesel Band was excellent, food was on-point. Will be back.
Cool place to see local music and the BBQ place next door is incredible!
Nice venue for great band . The Smoking Jackets.
Kind of Divey in a good way 😊. Excellent musicians, friendly bar service.
Great little place to come and have a few beers... Bike Nights on Thursday... This place is awesome...
Katie great bartender, got there as they were almost closing, Calvin super chill, Jamie cool dude.
Fun place. Great music. Drinks are not cheep but good selection
Friendly fun venue with reasonable drink prices.
Great band, people were really enjoying themselves
Great music and drinks.Bartender was great.
The band Switch back to the 80s was phenomenal! I think we have found a new hangout spot
Good sight lines for bands. BBQ next door. Friendly staff.
Went for a fund raiser . Service was good.music was good.plenty of seating.Had a really good time.
50$ worth of food very small portions and the chicken was dry sides were servings that you would serve a child very very unsatisfactory I would never ever go to this place again waitress was very blunt and unprofessional I am one unhappy camper
The Alley is awesome. A great venue entertaining a very diverse patrons. Great atmosphere. Check it out
Wednesday Open Mic is the best!!
Open mike was great today! Thanks Patti 😊
Best place for live entertainment and Sunday jams with Jim Mahoney
Great outling. Great live band. Bathrooms - not so good.
Great place to go for live music and drinks!
Great venue and friendly staff
Great Atmosphere.
Very friendly and good service , nice place to dance , had a great time , 😉
Good time, friendly
Great music inexpensive cocktails laid back vibe. Love this place
Great atmospheric great band bartenders on point but wait staff
Skin Deep was awesome. Service is great...kudos to bar staff when packed😁👍
The Alley was great, good looking girls great bands. Mostly Rock and Roll
Great atmosphere and live music. Will definitely be back!
The bands are great. Drinks so so
Great music great staff atmosphere was very laid back ! Love it ☆☆☆☆
Cool place, chill atmosphere, stiff drinks and super friendly owners!
Live Music great atmosphere,Bar manager is a Sweetheart.
The music was great! The band was called My Generation and played 70s Rock.
Music, dance party, go get crazy and make new friends
Great music, food & service!
Great live music joint. Attentive bartenders!
Excellent staff....great food & music..$. Highly recommended