This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustment to the discount rate used to measure fair value for lack of ability to convert business interests into cash quickly.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueInputsDiscountForLackOfMarketability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueInputsQuantitativeInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Market valuation of entity divided by revenue, used as an input to measure fair value.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueInputsRevenueMultiple
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=ablp_PrivateEquityTechnologyMediaAndTelecommunicationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Fair Value Fair Value (Private Equity Level 3 Fair Value Measurements) (Details) - Private Equity Technology Media and Telecommunications - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Fair value		$ 9,527
Marketability discount		30.00%
Minimum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple		2.5
Maximum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple		4.8
Consolidated VIEs
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Fair value	$ 10,316
Marketability discount	30.00%
Consolidated VIEs \| Minimum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple	2.7
Consolidated VIEs \| Maximum
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements [Abstract]
Revenue multiple	4.4