The Gulch’s nightlife scene is getting a new reason to linger past golden hour. Love’s Alibi, the latest concept from the award-winning LeBlanc + Smith team, officially opens Jan. 14, adding a cocktail-forward neighborhood bar to one of Nashville’s busiest districts.
From the group behind beloved spots like Barrel Proof, Love’s Alibi is helmed locally by partner Jason Sorbet alongside Robert LeBlanc and Liam Deegan. The result is a bar that feels polished but playful. It’s the kind of place where a casual after-work drink can effortlessly turn into a late-night hang.
Open seven days a week from 3 PM to 1 AM, Love’s Alibi is designed to be approachable and lively, with a daily happy hour running from 3 PM to 5 PM for those looking to make it their new go-to.
A Cocktail Program That Balances Elevated and Easygoing
At its core, Love’s Alibi is serious about drinks, without feeling pretentious. The beverage menu features a thoughtful mix of rare spirits, intentional cocktails, and accessible options for locals who want a beer and a shot.
Cocktails riff on familiar classics in creative ways, such as a savory Martini made with gin, tomato, rosemary vermouth, and confit oil; a tropical-leaning Milk Punch featuring vanilla, passionfruit, coconut milk, lemon, and sparkling rosé; and a modern Cobbler that combines whiskey, blackberry, twisted tea, and lemon. Select days will also feature $8 daily cocktail specials.
Beyond cocktails, guests can expect a curated selection of locally focused beers, along with domestic and imported options, wine, and a well-rounded shot list.
Elevated Tavern Fare Made for Sharing
The food menu leans into elevated tavern-style favorites with a Southern edge. Crafted by LeBlanc + Smith Culinary Director Chef Todd Pulsinelli alongside Love’s Alibi Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Burkett, the menu is designed for sharing and divided into Snacks, Smalls, Mains, and Sweets.
Snacks include approachable starters like a House Pimento Cheese & Pickle Plate and Shrimp Toast Sticks served with sambal vinegar. The Smalls section offers more playful bites, including a Blackened Mushroom Hand Pie with Tabasco mash ranch, Honey Achiote Glazed Chicken Wings finished with pickled tomatillo and cilantro, and a Charred Broccoli & Cauliflower Caesar with white anchovy and roasted garlic.
For heartier fare, Mains range from a 6-ounce House Cheeseburger layered with caramelized onion bourbon mustard, crispy shallots, dill pickle, provolone, and American cheese, to Sweet Potato Gnocchi tossed in brown butter with satsuma and pecan pesto. There’s also a nod to New Orleans roots with Crispy NOLA Hot Chicken served over popcorn grits and pickled trinity.
Dessert options keep things classic and indulgent, including Chocolate Pecan Crème Brûlée with praline crisp and a Blueberry Upside Down Cake topped with lemon whipped cream.
A Design That Feels Lived-In and Lively
Designed in partnership with Nashville-based Frank Atelier, Love’s Alibi’s interior draws inspiration from empowered women of the rock ’n’ roll era. Soft neon pastels, backlit glass blocks, polished wood finishes, and abundant greenery create a space that feels stylish without being precious.
The overall vibe lands somewhere between a local watering hole and a design-forward cocktail bar — welcoming, warm, and meant to be enjoyed over long conversations and unplanned late nights.
