Dive bars in every state worth a visit
Traveling across America these days can sometimes feel like a cultural blur. There’s the same fast-food and chain restaurants almost everywhere, and the same is true for big box retailers, banks, pharmacies and virtually every other business you can think of.
The one reliable exception to this erasure of local culture is the dive bar. Nearly every city has that one place where locals gather for a good chin wag or just to unwind, and they almost always reflect the true, unvarnished spirit of the community in which they’re located.
But what is it that makes a bar a dive and not just a pub or local watering hole? While there’s no specific checklist to go by, there are typically at least a few things that set dive bars apart:
- Relaxed setting if not downright dumpy
- Neon beer signs
- A jukebox or space for live bands
- Beer in bottles, but preferably cans
- A spate of regulars, many of whom are old-timers and know each other well
- Maybe some food, but vegetarians and vegans may not have many options
- A pool table or other game options
- A fine layer of dust, especially on the light fixtures (and those neon signs)
- No dress code
- A lingering smell of stale beer
- Friendly bartenders
- No hipsters and no tourists (except you, of course)
With that in mind, we put together this list of some of our very favorite dive bars across the country. Check them out if you ever get the chance.
Alabama
Hayley’s, Mobile
Next time you’re in Mobile, drop by Hayley’s for a cold beer, a diverse group of locals, a game of pool and a jukebox that gets rave reviews. Smokers will be especially happy at Hayley’s. It’s a private club (you’ll have to pay a nominal fee to join) which means you can smoke inside.
Alaska
Polar Bar, Anchorage
Locals, locals, locals is what you’ll get at Polar Bar in Anchorage. Besides the solid jukebox, good drinks and chill atmosphere, you may also get a bit of rowdy action. Some Yelp reviews suggest it can be a bit rough, including one that said, “the woman bartender got punched in the face, a man was thrown out for trying to sell his Doritos, and there was a fight on the curb in front.”
Arizona
Tallyho Cocktail Lounge, Scottsdale
Next time you’re in Scottsdale and in need of a stiff drink or an amazing bloody Mary, stop by the Tallyho and set a spell. The jukebox is on point, there are lots of local regulars and you can even shoot a little pool if you’re so inclined. Or you can just hang in one of the cozy booths and wile away the hours.
Arkansas
Midtown Billiards, Little Rock
Wanna do a little day drinking in Arkansas? The Rockin’ Pig offers solid mixed drinks and a great selection of beers. Operating on a private club license, it is traditionally where people go after everywhere else closes. A classic, smoky, retro dive bar vibe featuring pool tables, cold beer, occasional live music, and has some of the best late-night cheeseburgers in town.
California
Cozy Inn, Culver City
If you like tiny little holes in the wall where the locals are like family, the Cozy Inn may be the spot to head the next time you’re in the greater Los Angeles area. Pool tables, shuffleboard and strong drinks await.
Colorado
Herb’s Hideout, Denver
Some places just defy explanation, and it’s exactly that defiance that makes them so wonderfully lovable. Owned by a local jazz musician and gets packed with people looking to dance. Live music plays nightly, but Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to jazz aficionados. Tuesdays feature their famous B3 Jazz Jam where local musicians jump in.
Connecticut
The Groggy Frogg, Southington
Great burgers, famous wings, an excellent beer selection and loads of happy regulars are just a quick jaunt up from New Haven if you’re traveling between New York and Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Boston or Nantucket. They’re open 365 days a year, including “natural disasters, riots and holidays” according to their website.
Delaware
Nomad Bar, Wilmington
This venerable live music joint has a very laid back vibe and an eclectic mix of regulars. There’s no food, but there’s a great selection of beers and nearby restaurants deliver.
Florida
Flora-Bama Lounge, Perdido Key, Florida (and Orange Beach, Alabama)
This is the one exception to our rule that good dive bars don’t have a lot of tourists. You’ll find them here, but that doesn’t detract from everything the Flora-Bama has to offer. Voted the best beach bar in America, the Flora-Bama has a marina, multiple beach-side bars, a liquor store, an oyster bar, five stages and a shuttle to pick you up and take you home so you and your friends don’t end up drinking and driving.
Georgia
The Northside Tavern, Atlanta
If you’re serious about the blues and a stiff drink, you’re going to want to head to Northside the next time you’re in Atlanta. Open since 1972, Northside has won a whole slew of reader’s choice awards, and rightly so. There’s live music every night, so there’s really no bad day to check it out.
Hawaii
Koa Oasis Booze Shack, Honolulu
If you’re in Hawaii you certainly don’t want to be sitting in a dark, dingy dive bar. You want to be enjoying that sand and surf, right? That’s what makes Koa Oasis so perfect. Right on the beach, they serve a variety of tropical cocktails, beer and booze. It’s a great spot to grab a drink from the walk-up bar and hang out and watch the sunset.
Idaho
O’Michael’s Sporting Club Pub & Grill, Boise
Cold beer? Check. Great food? Check. A host of friendly locals and talented live bands? Check and check. And if you’re a fan of taxidermy, well, there’s some of that, too.
Illinois
Steve’s Old Time Tap, Rock Island
An authentic, unpretentious community hub with great food and incredibly low prices. And if you’re there, try Steve’s famous handmade, highly recommended grilled or butterfly pork tenderloin sandwiches.
They also keep the old-school tradition alive with complimentary peanuts in the shell and fresh popcorn while you watch the game.
Indiana
One More Lounge, Indianapolis
If you’re looking for a friendly vibe, cheap drinks, good food and live bands, this long-standing local hangout is a great choice, especially if you want to get away from more touristy areas.
Iowa
Flat Tire Lounge, Madrid
The Flat Tire is a mainstay for cyclists riding the High Trestle Trail, but you don’t have to ride or even own a bike to enjoy this bar’s tasty beverages (which include a menu dedicated solely to a variety of Moscow Mules).
Located right on the trail in an old Quonset hut, the Flat Tire isn’t your average looking dive bar. There’s food available from an outdoor food truck.
Kansas
Kickstart Saloon, Topeka
This biker-themed bar is home to the world’s oldest motorcycle (of course it’s a kitschy joke – what else would you expect at a dive bar?), an awesome pool table and daily specials that will keep you coming back for more.
Kentucky
The Pearl of Germantown, Louisville
Local residents love this unpretentious watering hole, and for good reason. There’s a great jukebox, friendly folks and … hold on to your hat … a drink wheel. Can’t decide what you want? Want to try something new? Spin the drink wheel and leave the decision to chance.
As one Yelp reviewer wrote, “If you ever fantasized about going to a bar that could become the kind of place where ‘everybody knows your name’, this is it. It’s familiar, comfortable, and yet simultaneously exciting.”
Louisiana
Liuzza’s by the Track, New Orleans
Come for the expertly-made bloody Mary’s and friendly service, but stay for the Cajun and Creole food that will make you want to buy a little house around the corner so this can be your local hangout.
Yes, it’s that good.
As the sign says, “come in and taste what it means to miss New Orleans.”
Maine
Cottage Street Pub, Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is about as touristy as any town can get, so it’s hard to find a spot that isn’t overrun with out-of-towners, especially during high season. You’ll find a good number of locals at Cottage Street Pub, though, especially during the day, chatting with each other and the friendly bartenders. Bonus: You’ll find some really great cocktails here.
Maryland
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, Rockville
Yes, we’re putting a non-existent (at this moment) bar on our list. Hank Dietle’s, the oldest bar in Rockville, burned down in February, but is being lovingly restored due in part to fundraising efforts by the bar’s longtime fans. You can keep track of the rebuild on the tavern’s Facebook page. We figure the grand opening party will be one for the record books!
Massachusetts
Biddy Early’s, Boston
Boston has a lot of neighborhood bars, and many of them fall solidly into the dive category, but Biddy Early’s is among the best.
It features old-school Boston tavern energy, cheap pints, a lively local crowd, and a wonderfully dim, unpretentious atmosphere
Michigan
Rubble’s Bar, Mt. Pleasant
Live music, karaoke and good drink specials keep this watering hole near Central Michigan University lively on almost any night of the week.
Minnesota
Grumpy’s Bar NE, Minneapolis
Unpretentious and eclectic, Palmer’s has live music, friendly service, cold beer and a back porch if you need a little fresh air. What more do you need?
Mississippi
The Project Lounge, Biloxi
Great food, strong drinks, lunchtime specials and, count ’em, TWO happy hours, combined with super-friendly service makes The Project Lounge a favorite stop for Biloxi residents and visitors alike.
Missouri
Zoo Bar, Kansas City
This no frills, cash-only local favorite is all the bar you need next time you’re in Kansas City. Live bands, graffiti everywhere and bloody Mary’s that could serve as lunch or a hearty snack. There’s plenty to love about Zoo Bar.
Montana
The Rhinoceros, Missoula
We’re going to keep this simple: 50 beers on tap. What? Not enough? OK, how about a massive selection of single-malt Scotches? No? Fine. They also have excellent daily drink specials, free pool and shuffleboard on Sundays and some serious craft cocktails.
Nebraska
Poop Deck Bar, Omaha
Let’s be honest with each other here: You know you want to invite your friends to join you at this Omaha dive bar. I mean seriously, you get to say poop, you get to see your friends and you get to drink cheap adult beverages served by really friendly folks.
Nevada
Double Down Saloon, Las Vegas
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so you might as well drink the house special when you’re at the Double Down. What’s that special called, you ask? Why it’s called Ass Juice, my friend, Ass Juice. Be prepared for this level of class across the board when you enter the Double Down’s dark and stinky interior.
New Hampshire
McGarvey’s, Manchester
If you’re a fan of karaoke, you’ll love it at McGarvey’s, where there’s singing every night of the week except Mondays. If you don’t like karaoke, you’ll love Monday nights at McGarvey’s. That’s when all drinks are half off. Grab a pint or two and shoot a little pool or just the breeze with other happy patrons.
New Jersey
Riverside Inn Bar, Cranford
A dive bar with really outstanding food isn’t very common, but that’s what you’ll find at Riverside. Cheap drinks, friendly service and some great daily specials are what keep this place packed most nights.
New Mexico
Silva’s Saloon, Bernalillo
It’s on Route 66. It’s been around since 1933. Inexpensive drinks and really decent food make it a must-stop for those in the know. And now that includes you.
New York
Cubbyhole, West Village, Manhattan
This tiny neighborhood bar draws a diverse and cheerful crowd and is almost always packed to the point of inducing claustrophobia, even in people who like crowds. The bartenders aren’t particularly friendly and the drinks aren’t particularly cheap, but there’s just something about this place that makes it magical. You’ll find a great selection of tunes on the jukebox, but you can’t always hear the music over the crowd. Come early if you want a seat.
North Carolina
The Thirsty Beaver, Charlotte
A big residential building project has cropped up on all sides of this little hole in the wall, but that doesn’t stop fans of the Thirsty Beaver from coming in for the cheap drinks and live music.
North Dakota
Empire Tavern, Fargo
This is one of the first bars to open in Fargo after prohibition ended in 1936. If you’re into day drinking, you’re in luck! The Empire opens at 8 a.m. except on Sundays. And if you need one for the road when you’re finished, there’s a liquor store right next door.
Ohio
Dive Bar, Cincinnati
There had to be one, right? A dive bar literally named Dive Bar, that is. You’ll find lot of local beers, craft cocktails and good food in this friendly bar with a neighborhood pub vibe.
Oklahoma
Edna’s, Oklahoma City
Home of the famous Lunchbox cocktail (an unlikely mixture of Coors Light, amaretto and orange juice served in a frosted mug that was written about in The New York Times), Edna’s is a mainstay for many local drinkers and tourists alike. There’s a good selection of pub grub, a jukebox, and legend has it (and video proves it) that if you play a certain song on that jukebox the owner, Edna herself, will dance on the bar.
Oregon
Joe’s Cellar, Portland
Portland has more than its fair share of dive bars, and that makes it really tough to choose just one for this list. But when it comes down to it, Joe’s eked out our top spot for one very simple reason: they are open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in genuinely divey digs. Be sure to try the biscuits and gravy.
Pennsylvania
Riverside West Pub, Marysville
A casual, smoker-friendly local dive bar. Famous for ultra-crispy chicken wings (especially butter garlic parmesan and hot garlic flavors), steak tips, beer fries, and rotating weekly specials.
Rhode Island
Danny’s, Westerly
Danny’s is an old-fashioned place serving inexpensive drinks to local regulars who are as friendly and fun as the bartenders. It’s one of those places that can turn a bad day good. Don’t expect to sit alone and stare at your phone while you sip your beverage of choice. You’re going to be talked to, and chances are, the conversation is going to be great.
South Carolina
The Griffon, Charleston
If you need to get away from all the tourists on East Bay Street, duck into this quaint establishment and find yourself as one with the local regulars. There’s plenty of pub grub if you want to grab a bite to eat, and a variety of craft beers to wash it all down with. Be sure to bring a dollar bill to staple to the wall along with the thousands of others.
South Dakota
The Ice House, Yankton
This spot was named one of the 33 best dive bars in America by Thrillist and, well, we aren’t going to argue with them. How many other bars let you walk outside and smash your beer bottle under the old loading dock? So next time you’re in South Dakota and need a cold beer and maybe take out a little pent-up aggression, The Ice House is waiting for you.
Tennessee
The Lamplighter Lounge, Memphis
As one Yelp reviewer put it, “Anyone who loves dive bars will understand that walking into Lamplighter is like walking into heaven.”
There’s no liquor here, but if you want cold beer and a good, greasy cheeseburger, a rockin’ jukebox and live music, this is the spot to be in Memphis. There’s no early-bird option here, though. The Lamplighter doesn’t open until 7 p.m.
Texas
The Hole in the Wall, Austin
Operating since 1974 right by the UT campus, this legendary dive and live music venue is a rite of passage for local musicians. It is completely unpretentious, dim, and historically loaded.
Utah
Bunny’s Club, Coalville
If you find yourself in Coalville on a Tuesday sometime soon, head on over to Bunny’s where all food items are just $2. That’s one of the best bargains we’ve seen anywhere. Pair it with the regular drink specials, friendly and fast service and you can see why the locals love this place.
Vermont
Olde Northender Pub, Burlington
Here’s another one of those bars that seems to be in a former house. In this case, it makes it feel even cooler and cozier. Tap beer for $1.75 also adds to the cool factor. Throw in the patio, the funky mix of regulars and some good tunes on the jukebox and it’s practically heaven.
Virginia
The Lynnhaven Pub, Virginia Beach
It’s a crusty old classic dive bar that most tourists wouldn’t even see driving by, so you’ll find virtually nothing but locals here. Happy, happy locals. They come for the wide selection of beer, the cozy vibe and also the food. This place makes its own bread, that’s how dedicated the Lynnhaven is to serving up some good grub.
Washington
King’s Hardware, Ballard
As long as you’re good with taxidermy, chances are you’ll love this bar. With a fantastic selection of beer, craft cocktails and a stick-to-your ribs menu, it’s a great place to while away a foggy, rainy Pacific Northwest day.
West Virginia
Mario’s Fishbowl, Morgantown
Operating since 1949 near West Virginia University, this is one of West Virginia’s most famous spots. The walls and ceilings are completely papered with decades of handwritten notes.
Famous for its ice-cold beer served in massive, heavy “fishbowl” goblets with some of the best chicken wings in Morgantown.
Wisconsin
Moccasin Bar, Hayward
Creative and taxidermy aren’t words you usually want to hear together. Add them to dive bar, though, and the combination gets intriguing. If you don’t mind drinking cheap drinks with cheerful people while being surrounded by things like, oh, y’know, a squirrel sharing a beer with a chipmunk, the Moccasin Bar makes for a memorable night out.
Wyoming
The Buckhorn Bar & Parlor, Laramie
More taxidermy heading at you here! This bar has been around for more than 100 years and has a storied history. There’s a full bar, wide selection of beers and if you order an appetizer your next drink is half off.
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