FOOD & DRINK
The newly opened Alibi Speakeasy in downtown San Angelo rivals some I have been to in other major cities were I’ve lived, like San Diego, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Seattle.
My two visits to Alibi were truly an experience I intend to replicate time and time again with anyone willing to tag along.
I want to share the inside scoop of how this vision became a reality with the CEO and primary owner herself, Natalie Nicole Huey.
JH: When did you first plan to build/create Alibi? What was the inspiration to open a place like this here in San Angelo since your out of Lubbock?
NNH: The idea for Alibi began forming about three years ago. I was spending time in downtown San Angelo and was struck by how much character and potential the area holds—I’ve always loved San Angelo, its history, and its sense of community. At the time, my original plan was simply to open a men’s clothing store.
The Alibi concept came later, during a trip to Chicago Market. One evening, I visited a speakeasy and it completely shifted my perspective. The experience—the hidden entrance, the storytelling, the pin-up girl aesthetic—felt immersive and intentional. It wasn’t just a bar; it was a moment. That visit sparked the idea of creating something more than retail—something experiential.
What truly brought it all together was realizing how naturally this concept aligned with San Angelo itself. The city has a rich, layered history that includes brothels, speakeasies, and prohibition-era culture. Alibi felt like a way to honor that heritage while reimagining it through a modern, creative lens. It became a place where history, design, and storytelling intersect—rooted in San Angelo’s past but built for today.
JH: What is your role in the Alibi operation? Do you share ownership and management with anyone else and what is their role?
NNH: I oversee the vision, brand, and overall direction of the concept—from creative design and guest experience to how the story of Alibi is told. I am also the sole owner of Signature Stag, which allowed me to thoughtfully integrate Alibi into the space in a way that feels seamless and intentional.
My husband, BJ, is a co-owner of Alibi. His role is rooted more in support than management—he has been incredibly encouraging of my ambitions and creative instincts from the very beginning. BJ is also from San Angelo, which adds a meaningful layer to the project. His connection to the city helped reaffirm my belief that this concept belonged here and that Alibi should feel deeply tied to the community it serves.
JH: How many staff members run the show at Alibi? From management to bar staff, how many people keep things humming?
NNH: Alibi operates with a collaborative team that blends both front-of-house hospitality and the retail experience that makes the concept so unique. While the store is open, the Signature Stag staff plays an important role in guiding and encouraging guests to discover the hidden speakeasy entrance within the space, helping set the tone for the experience before guests ever step inside Alibi.
Within Alibi itself, the core team includes a bar manager and an assistant bar manager who also serves as the lead bartender, along with a lead server and a dedicated wine specialist. Altogether, it takes a team of roughly 15 to 20 people—working across both retail and hospitality—to bring Alibi to life and ensure the experience feels seamless, intentional, and elevated for every guest.
JH: Other than being a speakeasy, the first of its kind in San Angelo, what else makes this spot different? What is it offering that cannot be found anyplace else in the Concho Valley?
NNH: Alibi is designed to be far more than a speakeasy—it’s a fully immersive experience. From the moment you step inside, it feels as though you’ve entered a 1920s Ritz-Carlton. The atmosphere is intentionally encompassing, with a hand-built greenery ceiling, a custom designer wall, and multiple curated photo moments that invite guests to slow down, look around, and truly take it all in.
Our cocktail program is another defining element. Each [of the 10] craft cocktails is an original creation, designed exclusively for Alibi and not found anywhere else in the Concho Valley.
From the glassware to the presentation, every detail is thoughtfully considered—beauty, balance, and experience matter just as much as taste.
And unlike many high-energy nightlife spaces, Alibi was built so guests can actually hear one another. Conversation, connection, and social interaction are central to the experience.
Music also plays a key role in shaping the ambiance. Guests enjoy thoughtfully curated themed music nightly, with live music on Thursdays that elevates the atmosphere without overpowering it.
The overall vibe is upscale, elegant, and social — experiential without being overwhelming; refined without feeling exclusive.
What truly makes Alibi one-of-a-kind, however, is how it exists as part of a larger, thoughtfully connected concept. Alibi is hidden within Signature Stag, a unique men’s clothing store. Beyond that, the experience extends into Signature Events, a rentable event space designed for social gatherings, business meetings, and celebrations.
These five elements create something entirely new for San Angelo: a cohesive lifestyle destination where retail, hospitality, events, and creative expression intersect. Each component fills a genuine need in the community, and no one else in the Concho Valley is offering anything like
JH: What upcoming plans do you have for Alibi? Any big events people should know about or be on the look out for this spring?
NNH: This spring, we’ll also be opening Stag Social, an upscale patio bar, along with Signature Studio—a fully customizable photo studio featuring movable walls, furniture, and interchangeable scenes.
