The Best Dive Bar in Every State

These days, much of America looks the same from sea to shining sea. Breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts, lunch at Panera Bread, dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, and home to bathe in the glow of the flat screen we picked up at Best Buy. There are precious few things that change as you move from city to city, suburb to suburb, or across the country. One of the few remaining places you can go, whether you’re in a tiny town or a megalopolis, that will give you a sense of local character, is a dive bar.

Though your local sports bar may have been replaced by the ever-creeping, sauce-fingered reach of Buffalo Wild Wings, and your favorite high-end cocktail place may actually be a chain, a good dive bar provides an authentic, if a little dingy, experience. From the jukebox that features songs only the staff likes, to the pool table worn ratty with overuse, to bathrooms that have seen more action than Wilt Chamberlain, a good dive bar doesn’t just serve cheap drinks—it serves a dose of reality in a world that feels increasingly like it was created by a marketing firm. So in honor of National Rum Day, let’s drink to the dive bar, one of the last remaining real American institutions. Join us on a tour of The Best Dive Bar in Every State.

Address: 2514 10th Ave S., Birmingham

People have taken to calling The Nick the “CBGB of the South.” The biggest difference between this venerable Southern rock venue and the legendary New York club, of course, is that The Nick is still open. Though the club is housed in a cramped former convenience store that has a maximum capacity of 250 people, a host of rock and roll greats have graced the stage. The Black Crowes and Jane’s Addiction are just two rock legends who have played the venue.

If you’re just looking for a neighborhood bar where regulars pass their time, The Nick opens to a tamer crowd 3 p.m. daily until the night’s music begins. Co-owner Pam Stalling spoke to the loyalty folks have to The Nick in an interview with AL.com. She said, “A lot of the happy-hour people are former night-time customers that are older with families and responsibilities that they didn't have in their younger Nick days. A lot of the others have been customers longer than The Nick has been there.”

Address: 426 G St., Anchorage

This place is more than just an amazing name; Darwin’s offers at atmosphere worthy of its title. A solid roster of Alaskan beers and red hots (cinnamon schnapps and Tabasco) anchor the drink selection at this quirky downtown Anchorage bar. If you couldn’t tell from the name, the owner has a sense of humor. There is a “heavy-petting zoo” in the back where tourists are encouraged to interact with the locals, and Darwin’s sends out a newsletter by snail mail at regular intervals. Like the bar itself, customers report that the clientele is also a little weird, a little off. If that’s a selling point for you, then you may just want to make the pilgrimage to the Great White North.

Address: 1015 W Broadway Rd., Tempe

Locals affectionately refer to the Palo Verde Longue as the “Dirty Verde,” and by all accounts the place has earned its name. The music matches the décor, as punk and noise bands have called the Palo Verde home for some time. The Palo Verde and their customers take pride in being a bona fide dive in a city better known for suburban sprawl. Even their bar food offerings, which include ramen and Slim Jims, are carefully curated to fit the bar’s we-don’t-give-a aesthetic. Be warned, this isn’t your gentrified hipster-filled slumming-it dive bar; this is the kind of place where you pay almost nothing for a drink, but the toilets are surrounded by graffiti and the handle is rigged up with jump rope.

Address: 1316 Main St., Little Rock

When you’re trying to find out about the best dive in Little Rock, two contenders pop up over and over again: White Water Tavern and Midtown Billiards. They both serve legendary bar food. They’re both beloved by the locals. They both feature top-notch jukeboxes. When we heard that Midtown Billiards features a PBR chandelier, the tie was instantly broken.

Though Midtown Billiards has the long hours, well-worn pool tables, and dollar drinks specials of a dive bar, they also take their food seriously. The bar’s burger has been featured on Serious Eats, and is well worth the price of admission. According to Serious Eater Kat Robinson, if you’re trying to get your heart to kill you before your liver, you can order a burger with four patties and a Spam sandwich in the middle. If you find yourself laid up with a bad case of the itis afterwards, don’t worry you’ve got until 5 a.m. to figure it out.

Address: 11155 Washington Pl, Culver City

Choosing the best dive bar in California is a difficult proposition. San Francisco’s Mission alone is home to dozens of great spots and you won’t find many lists of dive bars in Los Angeles that share more than three entries. Though the endless lights of L.A. house many amazing dives from the nautical themed H.M.S. Bounty to the best-named burlesque joint in the country, Jumbo’s Clown Room, we’re partial to the Cozy Inn. LA Weekly calls their pours “almost obscene,” and after a couple drinks at the Cozy Inn, you’ll feel like that’s an understatement. The bartenders back up their generosity with a great attitude: many Yelp reviewers know their favorite bartenders by name. For those who love diversions with their drinking, the Cozy Inn offers darts, pool, and a shuffleboard setup that is beloved citywide. As there’s not much in the way of food on the premises, hungry patrons report having no problem bringing in food from nearby restaurants. Other customers have brought their dogs and been welcomed with open … paws. No word on if you decide to eat your dog, but it seems like pretty much anything else is good to go.

Address: 2376 15th St., Denver

Admittedly, My Brother’s Bar is on the classier end of the dive spectrum: they don’t serve dive bar standbys like Budweiser and though the décor is worn, it isn’t known for collecting grime. But their lack of signage, a website, and the fact that they’ve existed since 1873 put them firmly in the dive camp. My Brother’s Bar is known for its great atmosphere, phenomenal food, and interesting history. The bar is built on ground where Colorado coal miners once cooled their heels, and between then and now, Jack Kerouac counted My Brother’s Bar among his favorite haunts. Once you find the sign-less storefront, you’ll find a spirits selection that is top notch even by Colorado’s exacting standards. Pair with one of the best burgers in Denver or Girl Scout Cookies, depending on how you’re feeling.

Address: 468 Prospect Ave., Hartford

It’s so easy to get caught up in the ridiculous attractions that bars offer to lure in customers. Mechanical bulls? Topless karaoke? Swimming pools filled with Jell-O? If you can think of it, some bar somewhere offers it. The Spigot is refreshing because they make a point of offering no frills. Hartford.com put it almost poetically, “It is just a bar. Pure and simple. Nothing fancy or gimmicky. Just a solid bar with the best beer specials in town.” It bears mentioning that this is “just a bar” with 18 different beers on tap and over 100 whiskeys, ryes, and bourbons. Okay, actually that kind of makes it more than just a bar, and that’s just fine with us. Oh, and a tip from the locals: get there early if you want to use the dart board and make sure you bring cash. No frills also means no credit cards.

Address: 905 N Orange St., Wilmington

When searching for dive bars in Delaware, one is reminded of the scene in Wayne’s World where Wayne and Garth are searching for a Delaware stereotype and all they can come up with is “Hi, I’m in Delaware.” Though the pickings are slim in Delaware, there are diamonds in the rough. Locals are crazy about Nomad Bar, a small out-of-the-way jazz spot in Wilmington. Half of the Yelp reviews are five stars, and each of them sing the praises of the Nomad’s combination of great music, phenomenal selection, and friendly bartenders. If you ever find yourself in Delaware for some reason (hey, it could happen), be sure to swing by Nomad. Really, what else do you have to do?

Address: 626 S Miami Ave., Miami

In a town better known for pulsing club music and bronze beauties than holes in the wall, Tobacco Road, Miami’s oldest bar, offers a divey break from the neon lights and fast cars. Tobacco Road has been known for jazz and blues since before your father was born, and they continue that tradition today, as they remain a must-stop spot for true professional musicians passing through Florida. A menu that includes burgers, wings, and baby back ribs makes your mouth water just reading the text. The Death Burger topped with grilled onions, jalapenos, and jack cheese is a Miami legend just on its own. And of course, they have the kind of drink specials you expect from a venerable dive. If all of that isn’t enough to convince you to stop in, you should know that Al Capone used to drink here. If it was good enough for him, it should be good enough for you and your boys.

Address: 1058 Howell Mill Rd, NW Atlanta

While the Clermont Lounge is perhaps the best-known strip club dive bar this side of Portland, and Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium has its charms, we have to go with Northside Tavern as the best dive bar in the ATL. The nightly blues acts provide the perfect soundtrack to this venerable and beloved dive. Drinks here are served in plastic cups. The dancing is known to get as dirty as the bathroom. The two pool tables are always crowded. Northside is the dive bar you imagine in your mind—like the dive bars that get their picture under “dive bar” in the dictionary—and the good people of Atlanta get to experience it with musical accompaniment every night of the week.

Address: 339 Saratoga Rd., Honolulu

Honolulu Magazine has described Arnold’s as representative of “the dive end of the neo-tiki-bar continuum.” We don’t know what that means, but it sure sounds good. We do know that this means the opportunity to take your picture next to a statue of a topless hula girl. Touristy areas are so often filled with wall-to-wall Bubba Gump Peace Frogs bull. If you go to Arnold’s you’ll get the real deal, and we’re told that you’ll get it with a smile.

Address: 202 S Capitol Blvd., Boise

If you had to guess where you might find a top notch Basque bar and restaurant, you probably wouldn’t guess Boise, Idaho. But sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Bar Gernika may be a dive in terms of its size (small) and its décor (spartan), but this cozy spot attracts customers for miles (Bar Gernika has over a hundred more Yelp reviews than the next Boise bar labeled “dive”). The food at Bar Gernika is legendary, and if online reviewers are to be believed, you won’t go wrong as long as you order some kind of lamb dish. The beers are also on the high-end of divey fare, offering a variety that would please even the snobbiest of beer lovers. Odds are you don’t have much familiarity with Basque cuisine, but once you’ve been to Bar Gernika, it will likely become one of your favorites.

Address: 5210 N Clark St., Chicago

Everyone who comes back from visiting Chicago sings the same refrain: ‘Man, I would totally move to Chicago if it wasn’t so damn cold.’ The immense appeal of the Windy City is at least partially due to its amazing array of bars. Though there are arguments to be made for Carol’s Pub, perhaps the U.S.’s coldest weather honky-tonk, beer garden ping-pong at the Happy Village, and the dirty paintings at The Old Town Ale House, we’ll take Simon’s Tavern in this alcoholic Sophie’s Choice.

Simon’s is packed with Viking décor as a way of paying its respects to the Nordic traditions of the bar’s Andersonville neighborhood. This doesn’t just mean that Viking horns and pelts accentuate the décor (though they do); glögg is also on the menu. If glögg is a bit too hearty for your non-Viking blood, you can settle for a $3 Schlitz. No matter what you drink, the indie-skewing jukebox, friendly staff, and one-of-kind décor will keep you coming back every time you pass through Chicago.

Address: 6267 Carrollton Ave., Indianapolis

Indianapolis-based NUVO.net used to hand out a “best dive bar” award. They eventually stopped bothering with voting because the Alley Cat won “so many years in a row, we finally just retired the jersey.” NUVO’s readers aren’t the only ones who love the Alley Cat. Visitors and locals alike agree that The Cat stands out among the many bars in the Broad Ripple section of Indy. It doesn’t hurt that the drinks are a full $2 cheaper than at some of the neighboring spots, but regulars are drawn to The Cat by more than just the price point. Punk rock and metal take the jukebox slots away from your standard Top 40. You have to walk through an actual alley to get in. The no-frills menu features breakfast for those who are trying to hang right up until the 3 a.m. closing bell. It’s pretty hard to imagine how any other bar could hope to compete.

Address: 1620 Woodland Ave., Des Moines

It doesn’t sound like they get too creative naming dive bars in Des Moines. You’ve got Stan’s Place, Gene’s Place, and Carl’s Place—all hoping you’ll place your butt squarely on their bar stools. Despite the competition from all over the place, the locals have voted Carl’s the Best Dive Bar in Des Moines. Carl’s is comprised of four different rooms that combine to make the perfect dive bar. There is, of course, a bar area outfitted with a jukebox. There is a dart room with a half-dozen dart boards. You have a video game room. And you have a room for pool tables. The only negative word we could find on Carl’s is that their bathrooms are “gross.” When it comes to a spot like this though, would you really have it any other way?

Address: 3227 E 17th St., N Wichita

Since it opened in the 1970s, Kirby’s Beer Store has been a countercultural touchstone in this notoriously conservative state. College professors, radical political figures, and artists have all sat on barstools at Kirby’s. More importantly, say fans of Kirby’s, people from all walks of life meet here to drink, talk, hear some great music, and then drink some more. Locals speak about Kirby’s with a reverence you thought only existed for bars on television shows and in novels. Yelp reviews for Kirby’s tend more towards personal chronicles of religious experience than they do critiques of the service or wares. Kirby’s is clearly deeply important to its customers, and really, that’s what a great dive bar should strive for. The point isn’t the cheap drinks or dingy décor, it’s the kind of environment the place creates. In an age where chains swallow up more and more local business by the hour, it’s comforting to know a place like Kirby’s is still out there fighting the good fight.

Address: 1398 S 2nd St., Louisville

Don’t be fooled by the name; at Magnolia Bar & Grill, you aren’t going to find any food. The “grill,” it turns out, is vestigial. What does the Mag offer on a nightly basis? You can expect a hip crowd, a renowned jukebox, and cheap booze. Locals say Wednesday night is the craziest night at the Mag, as DJs lure out Louisville’s young crowd, but it sounds like any night you make it out will be a good time.

Address: 7612 Oak St., New Orleans

The city of New Orleans as a whole carries within it the best aspects of a great dive bar. Amazing, cheap fatty food is abundant. There’s more lovely faded wooden architecture in the French Quarter than in some entire states. Booze is everywhere at all times. Because this city is built for dive bars, there may be a hundred candidates for the best dive bar in New Orleans. Though we’re confident in our choice, it is with a nod to the dozens of great watering holes around the city that we select Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge.

“We used to give out sunglasses,” owner Dave Clements told NOLA.com. It’s easy to see why. Snake and Jake’s is the kind of place where you watch night slip all too quickly into morning. Sometimes a man walks around selling foil-wrapped foods, but sometimes there’s no food to be had at all. Yeah, that sounds about right. If you’re trying to spend a long night away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street, don’t worry if it takes you a while to find the place. They stay open until 7 a.m. One word of caution: don’t let the rumors fool you; naked people don’t actually drink for free.

Address: 5 Portland Pier Portland

Rarely do dive bars and seafood make for a good mix. Of course, a dive bar in Maine is a different story. Sure, you’ll pay more for the cuisine here than you would for the traditional dive bar dollar pizza or five-dollar burger, but with oysters at $12 a dozen and lobster roll at $13.50, it’s hard to complain about the price. J’s is better maintained than most places you would consider to be dives, but the ’70s style wood paneling and the ancient cigarette machine lend it a lived-in feel that will help you relax your way through your oyster feast.

Address: 1639 Thames St., Baltimore

In a city that has more than its fair share of dangerous areas and lame sections (ain’t no reason to go to the Inner Harbor unless your really want to take a look at the aquarium), Fell’s Point is far and away one of the best neighborhoods in town. Leadbetter’s is one of the best bars in Fell’s Point. So yeah, it is pretty amazing. As you nurse your drink, you can choose to listen to the live music or the chatter between the regulars and their beloved bartenders.

Address: 222 Tremont St., Boston

Few topics have been covered as extensively as Boston’s dive bars. It seems that every Internet outlet has sent some lucky journalist to Beantown in search of the perfect dive. Several years back, hilariously sardonic Boston-based writer Luke O’Neil wrote an entire book on the subject of Boston’s dives. Last year, We Love Beantown conducted a March Madness-style bracket. This is a hard race to decide, but with respect to Sligo Pub and Silhouette, we’re going to go with The Tam.

Though the drinks are some of the strongest you’ll find in town, there is no food at The Tam. Lucky for those who get hungry when they satisfy their thirst, the staff will have no problem with you bringing in food from the outside world. There’s also no door on the men’s room. But just like with the whole no food thing, after a couple drinks, you won’t really care.

Address: 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit

Detroit is another great dive bar town. Though there are a number of amazing dives throughout Motor City, you won’t find another one quite like The Old Miami. In fact, you could probably search the globe and not find another bar quite like this one.

The vintage basement ambience of the interior décor is nothing short of amazing. Worn in couches on the floor and old rifles on the ceiling make this place look like they took their interior design cues from your working class grandpa’s man cave. There’s even a fireplace. During the summer months you’ll probably want to hang out in the vast backyard where you might find a bonfire or barbecue in full swing. Whether you want to pull up a lawn chair under the stars or warm yourself on a couch by the fireplace, you’ll hear the music loud and clear. The legendary concerts of The Old Miami have earned it a reputation as “The CBGB of the Midwest.”

Address: 2500 Marshall St., NE Minneapolis

A rash of recent closings have hurt the Twin City dive bar scene. The Country Bar and Grill, perennial winner of Best Dive Bar awards, is the latest casualty. Despite the difficulties of the Minneapolis dive bar economy, Tony Jaros’ River Garden still flourishes. Tony Jaros’ is known for their sugary mystery drinks, “pinkys” and “greenies.” While there is a fair amount of argument as to what is inside them, everyone agrees they’ll get you messed up real good. Don’t worry: if you aren’t into Pixy Stix-flavored drinks, there is plenty of cheap booze to choose from. Whatever poison you pick, know you can’t go wrong if you chase it with a pork tenderloin sandwich to keep the stomach settled. If after you eat it, you feel you haven’t taken enough steps towards a heart attack, you can also try the bacon cheeseburger pizza in hopes of sealing the deal.

Address: 208 Iberville Dr., Biloxi

An $8.50 rib eye is another one of those things you wouldn’t think of as a dive bar specialty, but that’s exactly what the regulars at The Project Lounge report. If that’s a little too rich for your blood, you can grab their beloved burger for $4.50. A couple bucks on top of your meal will get you a drink of your choice. All that’s left to do once you’ve dropped ten whole dollars for the evening is to sit back and read the stickers on the ceiling as you enjoy one of the best values left in the country.

Address: 3442 Hereford St., St. Louis

The Silverleaf’s claim to fame is that it is the smallest bar in St. Louis. While we don’t have official confirmation on this, it is certainly one of the best-loved dives in town. If any of the few bar stools are open, you should have a seat at the smoky old spot, grab a drink, and listen to the soulful sounds of blues and country emanating from the juke box. Though the bar is also home to what might be the smallest bathroom in the city, you’ll also find the smallest drink prices in the metropolitan area.

Address: 428 N Higgins Ave., Missoula

Esquire named Charlie B’s one of the “15 bars you should drink in before you die,” and if you become a regular at Charlie’s you’ll probably hasten your demise from liver failure. Locals report that you’ll find the usual crowd throwing them back at Charlie’s as early as 10 a.m. The lunch crowd drinks a little lighter, as most folks who hit Charlie’s midday are coming for the famed food at the attached Dinosaur Café. The Dinosaur serves up Cajun food, and despite being located a bit North of the heart of Creole cuisine, is one of the most beloved spots in Missoula. Once you’re done eating, you can have any drink for a good price. The last thing we’ll share on Charlie B’s is another quote from Esquire that sums things up quite nicely: “Without question this is the best place in the country to find a beautiful woman who can gut her own trout.”

Address: 1510 N Saddle Creek Rd., Omaha

How many dive bars have champagne on tap? At last count, we’re pretty sure that this is the only one. How do they complement that champagne? If you guessed peanuts served in dog bowls, you would be correct. The Homy Inn is perhaps the most famous dive bar in a town with a surprising array of amazing watering holes. If you don’t want to drink champagne—and really, let’s be honest here, you probably don’t—you’ll have options. If peanuts and popcorn aren’t enough for you, you can order a pizza right to your bar stool from Sgt. Peffer’s, and continue to admire the kitschy décor and drink unabated as you wait patiently for your ’za.

Address: 4640 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas

When you think about Las Vegas, you probably don’t think about dive bars. The Double Down will convince you that maybe it’s about time you did. If you need a breather from the neon lights, shimmering slot machines, and Hawaiian shirt clad Midwesterners on The Strip, the Double Down is probably your ideal oasis. Twinkies and Slim Jims to snack on between drinks and an unrepentant punk rock jukebox all work to make the Double Down the antidote you need for the shiny Vegas artifice. Every night of the week the Double Down is home to bands that you likely won’t see anywhere else in Vegas (at least not this close to the pristine mega-casinos). If you find yourself in Vegas not really wanting to do the whole Vegas thing, take refuge here.

Address: 1097 Elm St., Manchester

There aren’t any gimmicks or frills to McGarvey’s, which is what makes it great. You’ve got the standard bar entertainment: pool, karaoke, and fighting, and that’s about it. Yelper Danny A. put it this way, “I love this bar every time I got there there is a huge fight it is awesome and they have karaoke.” What more could you ask for?

Address: 322 2nd St., Jersey City

Young professionals along that section of the Jersey coast that overlooks New York pack Hoboken’s bars all through the weekend. Almost every bar in town is elbow-to-elbow with the bridge and tunnel crowd who decided not to cross the bridge or tunnel on that particular weekend. The solution for avoiding the more obnoxious Jersey Shore influenced scene? Drink in Jersey City.

There are a number of amazing bars in the Newport and Grove Street area of Jersey City, but Lucky 7 is just a little bit better than the rest. They’ve got a killer burger, but if you’re feeling like something a little different, you can also grab a fried catfish sandwich or pulled pork tater tot-chos to change things up. And though you just missed their annual Rock and Roll Barbeque (July 12), if you go to Lucky 7 a few nights in a row, you’ll definitely run into some great live music.

Address: 116 W San Francisco St., Santa Fe

Velvet paintings of bullfighters and an eclectic movie selection punctuate the décor of this beloved Santa Fe dive. With a focus on punk, post-punk, and rockabilly, DJs spin music you likely won’t hear other places. They offer cheap drinks, and even mix a mean cocktail if you’re feeling a tad fancy. Be careful or you’ll walk right by it; yes, the bar is down those steps on the basement level.

Address: 15 E 7th Street, New York City

There are innumerable amazing dive bars in New York City. After living there for a few years, I had collected more favorite dive bars than ex-girlfriends, and still when I talk to a New Yorker about their favorite spot, it’s almost always one I’ve never heard of. With much respect to Tip-Top in Bed-Stuy, Rocky McBride’s in Astoria, The Coal Yard in the Village, and the soon-to-vanish Subway Inn in Midtown, the best dive bar in New York, and perhaps the entire United States, is McSorley’s.

The first time you walk into McSorley’s, you feel like you’ve stepped into a place out of time. The wall is filled with pictures and photos from the past and you get the sense that the bar hasn’t changed in many ways since it opened in 1854—the official word is that the wall décor hasn’t be altered since 1910. Instead of the pretty young things who tend bar in much of the East Village, at McSorley’s a man in grey short-sleeve button-up will slam a half-dozen “light” or “dark” beers down on your table. If you want something else: too bad. If it was good enough for Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and pretty much every great man to ever pass through the Village, it should be good enough for you. McSorley’s is more than just a bar—it is an American institution.

Address: 103 Broadway St., Asheville

Asheville is quickly becoming the city that your friends wish they could move to. Joining the ranks of Portland, Austin, and Nashville on hipster wish lists, Asheville is one of the coolest cities in the country. Every up-and-coming city has their fair share of amazing dives, and Asheville is no exception. Case in point: Tiger Mountain Thirst Parlour. Though it’s only been open a short time, it has already become an Asheville institution. Locals love the cheap drinks, live music, and unique atmosphere, and you will too when you finally get around to moving to Asheville.

Address: 1025 38th St., S Fargo

You’ll find one of the oddest arrays of bar food you’ve ever seen at The Box. Yelpers mention offerings like pickled eggs, fried walleye, and fried pickles, yet surprisingly have nothing but great things to say. The odd menu fits this odd little bar, which doubles as a casino, and is nestled on the property of a local hotel. If you don’t feel like gambling, you can play darts or shoot pool as you down cheap drinks and attempt to summon the courage to try the $1 mystery shot.

Address: 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Tough guys among you might think that Now That’s Class sounds a little bit whimsical for a dive bar. You would be right, but that doesn’t mean the place isn’t awesome. No, most dive bars don’t have vintage video games, an attached skate ramp, an arm wrestling table, an eight-track player, or killer vegan food. Once you have a look at Now That’s Class though, you might just come around to believing that maybe they should. If those diversions aren’t enough for you, don’t worry, Now That’s Class offers some kind of cool event every night of the week. And don’t think that all of these attractions distract from the booze; they offer the dive bar prices you expect (starting at $1.50).

Address: 5137 N Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City

According to the “About Us” section of their website, Edna will dance on the bar if you play “Great Balls of Fire” on the jukebox. Patrons have confirmed this. That’s all you need to know.

Address: 129 S. Broadway, Portland

There are strip clubs and then there are Portland strip clubs. While most strip clubs feature over-saturated lighting and a creepy vibe that attracts guys in velour jump suits or black T-shirts under their black blazer, Mary’s feels like everyone’s corner bar—that is, if your corner bar featured nude dancers. Here you’ll find cheap drinks running the gamut, a menu that features fare as unpretentious as grilled cheese and chicken nuggets, and dancers with a pole-side manner befitting their surroundings. Whether or not you like strip clubs, it’s hard to imagine that you won’t like Mary’s.

Address: 1201 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia

If you aren’t familiar with Fishtown, the up-and-coming neighborhood of Philadelphia that actually offers the mix of working class and hipster the places like Bushwick pretend to have, you might think Johnny Brenda’s is a strange place. The bar offers a robust food menu and has the booking power to draw national acts. Once the dinner rush subsides, the drinks start flowing and the place truly becomes a dive bar to rival any other. In Fishtown, bars are still community gathering spots. You’ll find parents hanging out with young kids eating lunch saddled up next to regulars in tattered Eagles jerseys arguing over whether or not Nick Foles is the real deal as they down their first drink of the afternoon.

Address: 1718 Westminster St., Providence

The Scurvy Dog offers enough variation to satisfy anyone’s alcoholic snobbery, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a divey attitude. Whether its with live shows or their jukebox, The Scurvy Dog is determined to give their patrons “mostly violence oriented punk rock music that does nothing but reinforce all those bad feelings.” Luckily, you can eat those bad feelings away with their awesome selection of hot dogs. Even if you don’t like punk rock or hot dogs, you probably do like cheap drinks, so, yeah, The Scurvy Dog definitely has something to appeal to everyone’s sensibilities.

Address: 685 King St., Charleston

Don’t think that you have to drink the hipster cocktail of choice if you head to the Recovery Room. While you’re drinking your way through the menu you can eat breakfast all day or you can try their Tater Tachos, a Charleston staple. As you alternate between tater tots and booze as your preferred modes of carb consumption, enjoy pinball, darts, foosball, pool, bocce, or feel free to stick to competitive drinking against your demons.

Address: 624 St. Joseph St., Rapid City

With $2 beers and $3 shots, The Brass Rail might have some of the best prices in the country. If you feel like taking a stroll between rounds, peep the “art alley” out back. Once you’ve done that, get back to drinking because you may never see booze this cheap again.

Address: 115 27th Ave., N Nashville

To find the coolest parts of Nashville, you usually have to venture well away from the tourist hive of the downtown honkytonks. East Nashville is quickly becoming one of the coolest neighborhoods in the country. Nashville’s best dive, however, actually isn’t too far from the neon tour bus downtown scene. Creating comic dissonance with the nearby Vanderbilt campus is Springwater, a true dive bar in a part of town that is quickly running out of them.

In a town that offers any kind of live music you’d like on any night of the week, Springwater is known to offer one of the most consistent and eclectic line-ups. As for cheap booze, they offer some of the cheapest. In line with Southern tradition, there is even a barbecue spot next door. If you don’t feel like leaving your barstool or just can’t step away from the pool table, you can order a peanut butter and banana on rye or a jalapeño slaw dog from where you are. Oh, and if you happen to be in town over the holidays, make sure to stop by for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Address: 1600 W. 5th St., Austin

You would have to look far and wide to find a bar quite like Donn’s Depot. From the moment you lay eyes on the place—housed inside of an old depot and rail cars—you know that Donn’s is a watering hole unlike any other. A first-timer will likely find the inside of Donn’s equally strange. Regulars at Donn’s bridge the generation gap. Locals report it’s not uncommon to see women in their 20s and 30s being taught dance moves by a smooth octogenarian as they move to the vintage tunes banged out on the piano. Dancing is part of the deal at Donn’s, which hosts live music paying tribute to yesteryear, and even is the monthly home to a 12-piece orchestra. While you enjoy the music, help yourself to some cheap drinks and free popcorn as you enjoy your time boozing in a renovated boxcar.

Address: 315 S Main St., Salt Lake City

Outsiders may assume it’s difficult to get booze in Salt Lake City, but actually Cheers To You is one of a number of great dive bars in town. In addition to crazy drink specials throughout the week, this spot features free pool on Thursdays and karaoke on Fridays—it’s no wonder that Cheers To You is one of the most beloved dive bars in Utah. Whether you’re drinking alone or sharing, you probably shouldn’t be driving home.

Address: 185 Pearl St., Burlington

If you’ve never been to Burlington, be prepared to witness groups of long-haired collegians trudging down the cobblestone streets after a weekend of camping and fun. After the students have a hearty breakfast at one of the cozy local diners, many of them find their way over to Three Needs. Pool and craft brews are your distractions of choice inside this rustic gem known for its The Simpsons viewing parties. Be prepared for a killer selection and a quirky vibe that you won’t soon forget.

Address: 727 W. Broad St., Richmond

Empire has been the home of cheap booze and the trouble that accompanies cheap booze in Richmond since the early ’70s. Despite its gritty reputation and affordable drinks, the burgers are known as some of the best Richmond has to offer. If you’re not into burgers, there are plenty of other options including a vegan menu. If you’re not into any of that, well, we don’t know what to tell you.

Address: 2830 NW Market St., Seattle

Seattle is another one of those towns where there are so many great dive bars, arguing which one is best can tear families apart, pitting brother against brother as they go their separate ways to drink. There are at least a dozen great candidates for this title, but The Sloop is just as great a dive bar as any contender you can throw out there. Though it has pool tables, darts, and pinball, a ton of TVs, and great fish tacos, there is one undisputed attraction at The Sloop: The Slooper (a.k.a. a 33.8 oz. super mug for whatever you’re having). Your next trip to Seattle won’t be complete until you get that.

Address: 461 Wilson Ave., Morgantown

Often, a great bar will have a great story. Case in point: Gene’s Beer Garden. Back in 1944, Gene Perelli started a barbershop and decided to serve beer and hot dogs to his customers. Though the barbershop is now defunct (it is now the kitchen), the bar has never lost its homey, community friendly feel. Just as they’ve kept the atmosphere over the years, they’ve also kept the prices down. What more can you ask for?

Address: 119 W Main St., Madison

Load up on some cheese curds before you drink, because with the low prices at The Paradise Lounge, it’s easy to get carried away. There are quality specials to be had every day, but if you’re not a metal fan, you may not dig the jukebox; if you can put up with The Black Eyed Peas at every other bar in the country, you should be able to handle a little Slayer once in a while.

Address: 750 W Broadway St., Jackson

The Jackson Hole area used to be a barfly’s haven with dive bars all around. According to locals, there aren’t too many of those dives left. With each passing year, new hip spots ready to dip their hands deep into tourist pockets open up in Jackson, and one more smoky old bar closes down for good. In Jake Nichols’ 2013 ode to The Virginian, he name-checked a number of dives that used to keep her company. Bars like The Log Cabin and The Rancher sadly no longer stand with The Virginian in dive bar solidarity. Though, as of 2012, you can’t smoke in the bar, at least the bar still stands. And yes, they still serve rum.