The article highlights beloved dive bars across America, celebrating their unique character, affordable drinks, and strong sense of community. These establishments, often characterized by dim lighting and a nostalgic atmosphere, range from historic tiki bars like Florida's Bahi Hut, serving potent cocktails since the 1950s, to the Ice House Bar in South Dakota, known for its tradition of smashing beer bottles against a wall.
The featured bars offer diverse experiences, including cash-only operations, chili-famous lounges, and music venues where aspiring artists have performed. Examples include Egan's Irish Pub in Alabama, a starting point for Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes; the Bikini Lounge in Phoenix, an iconic tiki bar operating since 1947; and The Hood Bar and Pizza in California, known for its Drag Queen Bingo nights.
Other notable mentions include the Red Lion Inn in Delaware, a family-owned establishment with a long history; The World Famous in Georgia, a vibrant art and music hub; and Melody Inn in Indiana, a long-standing live music venue. The article also points out Tip Top Lounge and Alpine Taproom in Iowa, The Foxhead Tavern in Iowa City, and Seidenfaden’s in Kentucky, which has evolved from an early-morning coffee spot to a lively bar with unique drinks.
Massachusetts's Vincent's is recognized for its intimate music performances and limited, iconic menu. Detroit's The Post Bar is a new iteration of a long-standing dive bar.
New Jersey features Jay's Elbow Room with its retro ambiance and extensive craft beer selection, The Ark with its unique "Shore town" hospitality, and the historic Great Notch Inn, a landmark since before Prohibition. In New York, Foley's Club Lounge preserves its Prohibition-era roots, while The Bug Jar in Rochester is a legendary music venue that has hosted famous acts before their rise to fame.
Cincinnati's O'Malley's in the Alley, one of the city's oldest bars, offers a classic pub experience, and Threes Above High in Columbus aims to recreate the feel of a bygone era near Ohio State University. Rhode Island's Ocean Mist is celebrated as a dive bar with stunning beach views.
Finally, Tennessee boasts Earnestine & Hazel’s in Memphis, a historic spot with a famous burger and a legacy of music legends, and Dino's in Nashville, which maintains its authentic dive bar charm despite neighborhood changes. Milwaukee's Wolski's is a legendary institution, known globally for its "I Closed Wolski's" stickers and its enduring, timeworn ambiance.
