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.

[Buehler445]

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.

If any of those are bad, people typically don't stay.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Scho gonna pop a generic Viagra and go to town...and not pay?

[sedated]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

I've never heard of such a thing. Perhaps you need to review your choice of establishment?

I'm not sure if its a KC thing or what, but brunch is has taken over weekends. Its tough to find a restaurant that doesn't have a 30 minute wait because of this shit too.

When I get an invite for brunch, I either skip it or ask them to pick a place that offers either a burger or a BLT (the only lunch option most of these places throw on their menu)

[Discuss Thrower]

Criteria for dive bar:

1) illuminated only for the bare minimum level of safety
2) worn the **** out tables and chairs (duct tape found on barstool seat cushions and sections of mismatched carpet
3) The number of draught beer taps meet or exceed number of televisions showing broadcast programming (Keno/Jukebox screens don't count)
4) 50% of the decor is of domestic beer brand labeling that's at least two cycles out of date design wise.
5) Pool table's felt has prominent stain and heavy signs of wear almost down the the slate.
6) Mirror facing the main bartop has an assortment of faded pictures or newspaper clippings

Bonus) Cigarette vending machine makes up for at least two instances where the bar is lacking any of the six criteria.

[xbarretx]

..the Trim.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by sedated

I'm not sure if its a KC thing or what, but brunch is has taken over weekends. Its tough to find a restaurant that doesn't have a 30 minute wait because of this shit too.

When I get an invite for brunch, I either skip it or ask them to pick a place that offers either a burger or a BLT (the only lunch option most of these places throw on their menu)

I don't hate breakfast served all day. But that sounds intergallactically stupid. If you're in KC, just hit up BBQ. That's my default answer.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by scho63

Depends if the GILFs expect me to spring for all the drinks and buy them lunch. If they do, we gotta nip that shit in the bud and call the pros.

respect

[PunkinDrublic]

It all comes down to comfort level. By that I mean you feel completely at ease drinking alone but all the other amenities like music selection, pool table and friendly enough people are around if you feel like socializing.

[alpha_omega]

Interesting. I had absolutely no idea that any bar anywhere opened at 6am.

[gblowfish]

Most of the dive bars I used to go to no longer exist.

The Eagles Nest in Lexington, MO.
The Downtown Office in Downtown KCMO
The Pow Wow Lounge in Columbia, MO
The Calico Cat in Independence, MO
The Bamboo Hut in Indpendence, MO

One that's still around is Ernie's Kross Lounge in Sugar Creek, MO.
Miller Draft on tap for happy hour.

[gblowfish]

During my time at Mizzou I worked in a beer bar and sandwich shop called Michael's that was next door to the Shack across from Jesse Hall. It's gone now, the Alumni Center is built where it used to stand. We had a brick fireplace, Tornado foosball table, Bally pin ball machine (Harlem Globetrotters and others) Jukebox and cigarette vending machine. We used to put a cattle trough full of ice and canned beer on the sidewalk on football weekends and sell beer for $1 a can. Those were good ole days.

[Frazod]

Now I've got Toby Keith's I Love This Bar stuck in my head.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Scho gonna pop a generic Viagra and go to town...and not pay?

I might have to buy Granny a drink or two. That's only about $12 with tip

[scho63]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Bally pin ball machine (Harlem Globetrotters and others)

Holy shit! That plus the KISS and PLAYBOY pinball machines were my 3 favorites.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by luv

IMO, once your favorite dive bar starts getting too crowded, it's time to find a new dive. It's someplace where you can grab a drink, talk to the bartender/wait staff without yelling, order some deep fried food of some kind, and maybe shoot some pool. Typically a dark, yet friendly, whole-in-the-wall joint where you can go to relax or forget your troubles.

Dive bars that don't have a crowd go out of business.