Little Dutch Garden

Boise, Idaho

Opened in the 1930s, Boise’s Little Dutch Garden is in the running for oldest dive bar in the city, nestled in a residential neighborhood south of downtown Boise. The sign above the door simply reads “Tavern” in unison with a free standing sign in the parking lot inscribed with the same word atop the bar’s “LDG” logo. Along the bottom of the Boise dive bar’s insignia, “Illigitimi non Carbrundum” can be found, a faux Latin phrase that originated in World War II loosely and facetiously translate to mean something along the lines of “don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

The star of the Little Dutch Garden show is the sprawling back yard very much at home in the dive bar’s residential setting. Horseshoe pits here host occasional tournaments and a grill out back is up for grabs, Little Dutch Garden visitors occasionally bringing their own meat to be grilled up and often shared. The tall fence at the rear of the property features a massive mural spelling out the name of the bar in dramatic fashion. Inside, a checkerboard floor connects darts, ping pong and pool in an unassuming space. Little Dutch Garden is cash-only and has no liquor license, limiting selections to beer and wine.

The Basics

Classification:
Neighborhood Bar

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Further Reading