Dive Bars Across America

The Dive Bar is as American as apple pie. And from North to South and East to West, cheap beers and sticky floors are just the beginning of what this country's dives have in common.

Scroll down to view images

Don't be surprised by the older, slightly disheveled patrons.
Hill-Top Tavern in Denver, Colorado.

Jim Wills

Don't be surprised by the older, slightly disheveled patrons.

Hill-Top Tavern in Denver, Colorado.

1 of 19

There are rules to Dive Bars.
Beacon Cocktail Lounge in Inglewood, California.

Lina Lecaro

There are rules to Dive Bars.

Beacon Cocktail Lounge in Inglewood, California.

2 of 19

Dive Bars don't use web 2.0 marketing techniques.
Rips in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ryan Wolf

Dive Bars don't use web 2.0 marketing techniques.

Rips in Phoenix, Arizona.

3 of 19

Don't expect architectural innovation.
Rocky Flats Lounge in Boulder, Colorado.

Jim Wills

Don't expect architectural innovation.

Rocky Flats Lounge in Boulder, Colorado.

4 of 19

Good lighting is key in a Dive Bar.
Mac's Club Deuce in Miami Beach, Florida.

Jacob Katel

Good lighting is key in a Dive Bar.

Mac's Club Deuce in Miami Beach, Florida.

5 of 19

Do expect indifferent bartenders.
A typical scene at CMJ in New York.

The Village Voice

Do expect indifferent bartenders.

A typical scene at CMJ in New York.

6 of 19

Whose jobs are mainly to open cans of beers.
Portland's in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ryan Wolf

Whose jobs are mainly to open cans of beers.

Portland's in Phoenix, Arizona.

7 of 19

Clientele varies. Expect one gigantic bald man, often menacing.
Lake Wood Landing in Dallas, Texas.

Sara Kerens

Clientele varies. Expect one gigantic bald man, often menacing.

Lake Wood Landing in Dallas, Texas.

8 of 19

Other regulars include the young, tattooed and sweaty.
Helm in Costa Mesa, California.

Christopher Victorio

Other regulars include the young, tattooed and sweaty.

Helm in Costa Mesa, California.

9 of 19

Occasionally, there will be a MILF, or even a GILF.
Westbury's Cozy in Houston, Texas.

Troy Fields

Occasionally, there will be a MILF, or even a GILF.

Westbury's Cozy in Houston, Texas.

10 of 19

The uniform at Dive Bars is stripes.
At Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, California

Christopher Victorio

The uniform at Dive Bars is stripes.

At Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, California

11 of 19

Ironic dresses are also permitted.
The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

Lina Lecaro

Ironic dresses are also permitted.

The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

12 of 19

Ironic moustaches are encouraged.
The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

Lina Lecaro

Ironic moustaches are encouraged.

The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

13 of 19

Many dive bars encourage sport.
Knarr Shipwreck Lounge in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Weekly

Many dive bars encourage sport.

Knarr Shipwreck Lounge in Seattle, Washington.

14 of 19

Pool is taken very seriously.
Ships Lounge in Dallas, Texas.

Sara Kerens

Pool is taken very seriously.

Ships Lounge in Dallas, Texas.

15 of 19

As is darts.
Copper Spur Saloon in Dallas, Texas.

Sara Kerens

As is darts.

Copper Spur Saloon in Dallas, Texas.

16 of 19

Light gambling is permitted.
The Barrel Tavern in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Weekly

Light gambling is permitted.

The Barrel Tavern in Seattle, Washington.

17 of 19

Often "Lounge" will be in the title of the bar.
Tattle Tale Lounge in Culver City, California.

Lina Lecaro

Often "Lounge" will be in the title of the bar.

Tattle Tale Lounge in Culver City, California.

18 of 19

Even at Dive Bars, drink and driving isn't allowed. Drinking and riding, however, is OK.
Bar in Miami, Florida.

Justin Namon

Even at Dive Bars, drink and driving isn't allowed. Drinking and riding, however, is OK.

Bar in Miami, Florida.

19 of 19