There’s something comforting about a simple, unpretentious watering hole. You know the type; the ones that have been around since before our grandparents time, where working people went to unwind after a hard day on the job. What we now consider to be a dive began life as the neighborhood tavern, a place to socialize, relax and enjoy a cold one. Bars like this know their identity, and because of that they hold a special place in our hearts—and in our history. No matter where you are in the world, the dive bar always seems familiar. Whether it’s an authentic, bullet-riddled speakeasy in Chicago, a Barbary Coast blue collar tavern in San Francisco, a 500 year old highwayman’s inn in England, or Pancho Villa’s favorite tequila bar in Mexico City, they all share some things in common.
Everybody Knows Your Name
The hallmark of any great dive bar is its eclectic collection of regulars—and this often includes the staff. In some older joints, you’ll find bartenders who have been there for a decade or more. These warriors are masters at weaving colorful tales from the past, and provide a connection to the history that has played a role in making the bar what it is today. They know all the regulars by name, when they come in, what they tend to order, and sometimes even where they sit. There is one local tavern I frequent where the south end of the bar is actually reserved for regulars. If you try and sit there, the bartender will kindly relocate you while you endure a chorus of good natured heckles. Everyone has good intentions, but they have earned that position at the bar by years of dedicated patronage, and by god they will make sure everyone knows!
"Layers of tchotchkes unfold a vibrant tale of the bar’s history and help to form it’s soul"
The Decor Tells a Story
A good dive exudes identity and wears its heart on its sleeve. Distinctive décor, limited only by the imaginations of the patrons and the owners, can layer the walls like a college kiosk; left over holiday decorations from years past; old tin advertisements for beer you rarely see anymore like Shlitz and Old Milwaukee; personal treasures brought in by a long departed but not forgotten coworker; dartboards gracing the walls and an old coin operated pool table in the back. Layers of tchotchkes unfold a vibrant tale of the bar’s history and help to form it’s soul. Each piece of whimsical decor from decades long forgotten comes together to paint a picture of it’s past, and help you understand where it is now. This is a place where you can feel at home, and the warm smiles and generous pours make you never want to leave.
If You're Lucky, Pub Grub
When you get peckish a good dive always has a bowl of nuts or a bag of chips around. But I’m sure if you ask the bartender, they will be happy to recommend the best takeout within walking distance. They’ll know what’s open and they might even tell you their favorite thing to order. Usually a good dive that doesn’t serve food is happy to let you bring in your own. Those that do offer noshes are usually the greatest hits of fast casual—fries, burgers, pizza, tacos, dumplings, chicken strips—but sometimes you get lucky. If you see a kitchen, ask the bartender for a menu, and don’t forget to ask if there are any specials. Tonight might be the night they are serving their famous prime rib. One of my favorite spots, Butch McGuire’s in Chicago, has fantastic food. I used to go there just for lunch, sober.
Have a Round or Three
A good dive is a place to unwind, where it can be dark and personal, but everyone is welcome. Just don’t be a jerk. There is a good chance the bartender will be involved in a conversation with a regular when you walk in; let ’em finish. Soak it in, get to know the regulars. Or, if you’re just passing through, enjoy this glimpse into the world of those sitting at the south end of the bar and if you’re feeling friendly, buy em a round.
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Hey, great story! You can’t go wrong with a dive bar. Mine was Smitty’s in Sausalito way back when.
Thanks! I hope some people will tell their stories. It’s important to have a bar where you feel at home.
My “dive bar” growing up in Gallatin Gateway Montana was the Old Faithful Bar. I grew up with the owner’s kids and knew the family as you would expect for a small rural town. The Old Faithful Bar had a rich cowboy history. My best story is going into the bar in a Sunday afternoon with a friend with only a dollar to our name. We were able to buy two beers at 35 cents each. After saying hello to everybody we knew we ultimately left late in the evening having drank all afternoon and evening………still with the dollar we started with. Now that is a friendly dive bar.