Dives in Charlotte, NC

Tommy's Pub

2007 Central Ave - Charlotte, NC 28205

Cracked plastic stools and walls decorated with racing memorabilia and politically incorrect stickers is what draws you in. Good beer prices and an fun people will keep you coming back. This place has been described as similar to a home bar found in your Granddad's basement. I don't need much more incentive. However, a birdie told me Tuesday Night is vinyl night. Bring in your records and they will spin them for you!

Thirsty Beaver
1225 Central Ave - Charlotte, NC 28204

Underwear hung on horns (the animal type), Burt Reynolds posters, and velvet paintings? You can't go wrong with this place. Check out a picture here: http://charlottefive.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/img_1319.jpg I hear the jukebox is free, 24oz PBR's are $3 and they even have a pool table!

Special Thanks to Jon for finding the above referenced bars for me! :-)

Snug Harbor
1228 Gordon Street - Charlotte, NC

We were spending time with a friend in the Charlotte area when we passed a bar, that looked so divey I had to check it out. Like it's counterpart in New Orleans, Snug Harbor in Charlotte is a great dive with good drink specials and live music. It is eclectically decorated and has a friendly bar staff. If you are in the area you should check it out. I hear however it is the hipster hang out on weekend late nights so best visit it early.

Best Dive Bars - Inner Harbor Baltimore, MD

1919 WINS as the greatest Dive in the Inner Harbor/Fells Point area of Baltimore.

1919, named after it's street address on Fleet St. This place is where all the locals go to drink cheap, genero beer. The newspaper showed up while we are there as they were being nominated for best dive bar. If you are looking for something that isn't a generic beer, grab a Natty Bo (the local beer). This place was dark, decorated with pictures EVERYWHERE and a strobe and a Gothic chandelier. They also serve slimjims and chips. What more could you want?

The Bar

located at 1718 Lancaster St is a great little hole in the wall. It's basic decor is brick and flags. There are TV's to watch the Ravens game or tennis as we stumbled upon. Good drink prices and the bartenders have character. Just don't call the bar a dive while they are around. You wouldn't like them when they are angry!

The Warf Rat

801 South Ann Street

This place has some of the friendliest bartenders. It's decorations resemble what you might find if Blackbeard had been around to loot the Titanic. It's creepy/classy nautical. I wasn't sure of this bar's dive status until I visited the restroom. I returned and promptly told my fellow drunks, a fat girl couldn't go in there. It is one of the tiniest, diviest, bathrooms I've ever been it. Don't be skert, embrace the dive! http://thewharfrat.com/

The Sidebar, is a little farther away from fells point, is located at 218 E. Lexington Street. It's famous for being featured in the Wire during the wake scene. Mostly, though, it's a dank dark basement where Judges and Attorneys go to drink after work. The prices are great! Go at 5 on a weekday if you really want to experience something weird, high faluting attorneys drinking in a punk club! http://sidebartavern.com/

Special shout out to J.A. Murphy's. Not a dive, but a great bar with great people. While you are there, spin the wheel!! http://jamurphys.com/

Best Dive Bar - Kannapolis, NC

This one is from a guest contributor, thanks Ruth.

WHITE OAK BAR
609 N. Enochville Ave., Kannapolis, NC, 28081
(704) 938-2613

This place is an enigma. It can be found no where on the internet with the exception of the yellow pages. That may make it the "diviest" place on this board. A true local haunt. I have not been there personally but it was recommended to my friend by the local VFW and let me tell you, Veterans can find the GREATEST DIVES!!! Below is her review. I can't wait to try this place:

"Now this is place is a true dive, frequented by the locals, but be warned the place is a dump, but colorful to say the least. $2.00 to $2.25 for a cold beer. All the locals know the White Oak. My hubby and I have been there once together, but he has went more times alone. Its too sleezely and run down for me. LOL! Bathrooms are scary small."

Now if that doesn't sound like a true dive, I don't know what does. ROAD TRIP!!

Gettin Divey in Chicago

The Cove ...the quintessential dive bar in South Chicago. Located in beloved Hyde Park at the intersection of 55th and Everett, The Cove serves mostly locals and wanna be locals cold beers and cheap liqueur drinks almost anytime of the day. A diverse mix of cultures and down to earth people make The Cove the most unique spot to grab a beer in feel at home, regardless of your origin. The atmosphere is unbeatable and the people are great. The only place I have experienced where the bartenders drink just as much as the patrons. I love it! Some of the strongest drinks I have ever experienced...just ask for Allen. If you are ever in Chicago, The Cove is the place to be. - Write up courtesy of Mr. Hilton, another Dive Bar aficionado.

I haven't personally visited this bar but the link was sent to me, and I must say I am impressed. If you don't believe me look up reviews of the place. The Old Town Ale House is located across from Second City (and yes the performers have been known to party there) at 219 West North Avenue. From the reviews and pictures at the web site it is obvious that this is a historic dive ripe for debauchery. Don't go if you are easily offended or put off by nudes. There are several paintings of nude political figures on the walls painted by a local artist. The regulars have been immortalized in a mural on the wall. If I lived there, I would so go every day just to be included. Some notes I hear the beer is reasonable price wise but the liquor drinks are expensive. Some nights they have live jazz which I have heard raves about. CASH ONLY, ATM on location.

http://www.oldtownalehouse.net/

If you go, send me some pics and give me your review. I will post it here.

Key Largo - Dive off of HWY 1

Shipwrecks Bar and Grill is located at 45 Garden Cove Dr. Key Largo, FL 33037.

It's not far off of the highway but, you'd never find it without directions. This dive is located along the water, right across from a literal dive center. You can sit inside or outside. The decor, well it's mostly dollar bills, as they are taped, stapled, and stuck everywhere. We chose a place at the bar. This place serves food and though the place looks a little crusty, the food is phenomenal. You must try the coconut onion rings! They have great tee shirts too. If you want another beer while in the area stop by the Buzzards Roost on your way back out to US Hwy. 1!

Best Dive Bar - Key West, FL

Finding a good "Dive" in Key West is tricky. This is for two reasons.
1. Key West is small so finding something off the beaten path is nearly impossible.
2. Very few bars in Key West are fancy, most all of them could qualify as a dive.

Taking in these two considerations, I have to designate the best bar in Key West as being one in the touristy area, but it does stand out. The best dive bar in Key West is:

Captain Tony's.
Captain Tony's is in a dank, dark place with tons of business cards and flyers stapled everywhere you look. There is even a tree growing through the roof. Despite it's dark surroundings, it attracts locals and tourists alike. It is the bar Hemmingway drank in and the bar Captain Tony, a local legend in his own right, owned. Captain Tony passed away recently and will be missed by all. If you get a chance, stop by and pay your respects, tip a glass to Tony.

For more information on Captain Tony's visit the website and while you are at it, read Tony's story, it is very interesting: http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/

Another Great Dive is Pepe's (D on the map below)

Located at:

Pepe’s is the oldest restaurant on the island. There is a tree growing in the middle of this dive as well. Sit at the bar and listen to the locals if you can. It's entertainment! They make their cocktails with FRESH squeezed juice. The margaritas and screwdrivers are to die for. They have are a fine dining establishment, though it doesn’t look like one. You don’t have to spend a lot of money there though. I highly recommend the sautéed mushroom appetizer and a piece of Key lime pie! http://pepescafe.net/

Key West Guide for future visits. Go down Caroline St. when Duval is too crowded. Beginning with Kelly's.

(On the map below A). Kelly’s has a great happy hour if you like breaded (hooters) type wings. Sit at the bar during happy hour for cheap wings, $2 beers, & reduced price margaritas.

(B) back and is never crowded as far as we could tell. It’s a nice break.

Just off of Caroline St. (C) Schooner Warf a block or so from Caroline is indescribable, but generally has some good outside music. (E) Turtle Kraals is really touristy, but rarely packed. They have turtle races on Mon and Fri at 6pm. SO CUTE! Across from there is Dante’s, sit at the pool side bar if you can. Note: This is a bar/restaurant with a pool. There is no hotel there so anyone can use the pool.

Just down from these places is (G) Finnegan’s Wake. I loved this place! Their happy hour is great and they have two of them. Normal one and one from 12-2am. Cheap wings here as well, but they are not breaded (more like buffalo’s wings).

I also recommend this place on the other end of the island: http://southernmostbeachcafe.com/documents/lunch-SMBC2011.pdf Try the mango bbq, it’s to die for. Also you can grab two beach chairs and enjoy drinks right from the bar. The chairs are $5 a piece and you get free frozen towels, and chili willies from the guy who is in charge. Pretty cool.

The Green Parrot has Open Mic Sunday with great Jazz (these guys can play! A must see!!). The Monkey Bar (gay bar on the corner of Simonton and Olivia) has Karaoke on Friday nights. Much cooler place than Two Friends Karaoke.

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Dive found in Columbia, SC

The Whig

1200 Main Street

Columbia, SC 29201

I am quite sure The Whig is not the only dive located in Columbia, but it was the only one my friends had a chance to visit during their brief trip there a few weeks ago. One of them owns two dive bars here in Gso, so I trust his judgement. The place is described as having a dark atmosphere where students and starving artists hang out. It's your frugal destination. Drink and food specials every day and they are good ones too. $2 Burger Mondays, $.50 Taco Tuesdays, $1 pizza from 4-7 daily, etc. My friend said it was such a dive he was a bit afraid to eat there. That's music to my ears! A dive ain't a REAL dive unless you'd be a little afraid to eat there. :-) I also hear they have a kick ass juke box! So if you are in the area, stop on by.

Special thanks to Jason and Liz!