What makes a great Dive Bar?

[scho63]

This morning I finished my shift at Amazon at 6am. Took my shower and stopped at my favorite little watering hole that opens at 6am, O'Kelley's Bar and Grill here in Mesa. They start cooking at 7am and there are 4-5 regulars that are always here having drinks or coffee when I arrive by 6:30-6:40 am.

I have a beer or two then order my food, always lunch items as I hate eggs and will never eat them or most breakfast items.

The food is incredibly good for a place like this, great prices and super nice people.

By 7:15, there was 40-50 people already inside drinking, eating, playing pool and other stuff.

This is one of my Top Five Dive Bars I've ever been to.

So, do you like dive bars and what makes a good one?

The seating and size is great and lights are low.

Feels so comfortable like an 'ol friend.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Dark, dirty, whores.

That is a big part of the recipe!

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Also, they get creative with the little things like maraschino cherries pickled (soaked) in Everclear. Bartender puts 10 in a small cup for $1.

WHOA DUDE!

Where did you grow up?

This was something I only found in one place in my whole life, they called them Cherry Bombs. It's where I grew up.

I had them often, 3 was the limit you could buy.

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by scho63

There's a fine line between a Dive Bar and a hovel, you just gotta know when the line has been crossed.

True.

[Bearcat]

There was a place on Main in KC... Davey's, I think? One of the very few places that made a real LIIT, where a couple would knock you on your ass... and they had good live music.

Only went there a few times, but it seemed like the perfect dive bar.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

There was a place on Main in KC... Davey's, I think? One of the very few places that made a real LIIT, where a couple would knock you on your ass... and they had good live music.

Only went there a few times, but it seemed like the perfect dive bar.

Lived on Armour Blvd near Davey's while attending UMKC and it definitely fits the bill. Anytime you're situated between a tattoo shop (Exile) and a porn shop with peeps (Ray's) you're legit.

Also, a bloody mary is the closest a tr00 dive comes to serving food y'all.

[MahiMike]

I don't associate a dive bar with food at all. It should be a smoky, dirty bar with hard drinking folks looking to get laid. The name of the bar should be "The Dive Bar". Or even better, no name at all. More mysterious that way.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Lived on Armour Blvd near Davey's while attending UMKC and it definitely fits the bill. Anytime you're situated between a tattoo shop (Exile) and a porn shop with peeps (Ray's) you're legit.

Also, a bloody mary is the closest a tr00 dive comes to serving food y'all.

What about crock pot chili or ball park franks served on a dirty table as the only food of the day?

The Coach House in Scottsdale fits that bill and also opens at 6am.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by scho63

What about crock pot chili or ball park franks served on a dirty table as the only food of the day?

The Coach House in Scottsdale fits that bill and also opens at 6am.

Yeah, ad hoc food supplied by ownership/staff is acceptable. A dedicated kitchen is disqualified though, imo. People there to drink.

[BlackHelicopters]

Sluts.

[bdj23]

Louise's West is the perfect dive bar.

[Rain Man]

I'm not an expert at this, but I would think that the perfect dive bar would have both a long bar with bar stools, tables where the wanton ladies sit, and booths will tall private dividers where dirty deals are made. The bartender would keep a shotgun behind the counter, and there would be a Wurlitzer jukebox near a small dance floor that plays mostly Lynyrd Skynyrd music. There would be a couple of older women at the bar who are known for providing private oral services at reasonable prices and are respected for their work, and the waitresses wear drndls. They would be known for welcoming and serving all, and their patrons would include all economic classes, but particularly off-duty strippers and cops. The bartender would pour Dr. Pepper without judgment, and would offer free refills.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by scho63

WHOA DUDE!

Where did you grow up?

This was something I only found in one place in my whole life, they called them Cherry Bombs. It's where I grew up.

I had them often, 3 was the limit you could buy.

Grew up in Colorado, I actually don't know how many cherries were grabbed by the tongs and put in the little plastic cup, was probably less than 10. But the cherries (or cherry bombs if that's the correct nomenclature) were sitting on the bar in a big glass gallon jar with a lid on it (the jar was probably originally for those big dill pickles) soaking in Everclear.

No food at this bar outside of pretzels and such. I think they may have had a popcorn maker where you could grab a small bag of popcorn if you wanted to eat something.

[T-post Tom]

Good-looking bar flies with loose morals.

[Hoover]

I love a good dive bar.

And whoever said it's about the people, they are 100% right.

Dive bars are a little rough. Not where a bunch of kids are hanging out.

I like the ones that you go into for lunch on a hot sunny day. It takes two or three mins for your eyes to adjust because its so dark in there. It's also a little chilly. Bartender is best to be an older gal who will flip you shit and could probably beat you up.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by scho63

I think people are certainly part of it but it needs more than that. Good drinks for the price, good music, food and good friendly service.

To me it's a package deal.

To me you're describing a bar and grill or sports bar. I look at a dive bar as serving one purpose a stiff drink or cold beer. It can have a shuffleboard table and tv over the bar. If you want food you can pick from a selection of red dogs or pickled eggs in a jar. I small selection of potato chips on wall in 7 oz lunch pail size or stale pretzels.