Best Dive Bars in America
Rare is the dive bar not worth a beer or three. But in our estimation, these are the best dive bars in America. Every bar here is rated 10 and is worth changing plans, taking a detour and otherwise finding a way to visit.
SFG Rating
10
Abick's Bar
Nothing but brick outside, nothing but perfection inside.
SFG Rating
10
Deep Ellum
Adair's Saloon
Bring your Sharpie to the bathroom.
SFG Rating
10
Bernice's Tavern
Lithuanian beer and live Bingo may not be the most common dive bar combo, but it is potent.
SFG Rating
10
Bob & Barbara's
Philly shrine to PBR.
SFG Rating
10
Magazine Street
Brothers III Lounge
Canary yellow beckons.
SFG Rating
10
Bucksnort Saloon
Not a bad place to get stranded, if only it would come to that.
SFG Rating
10
Burger Bar
Pro tip: The cheeseburger shot is a thing, just don't ask for it when it's busy.
SFG Rating
10
Cartoon Saloon
Always open, also always closed, always worth a stop.
SFG Rating
10
CC Club
Bathe in the dim, Christmas light glow.
SFG Rating
10
City View Tavern
Take in the view in a tequila-free zone.
SFG Rating
10
Deep Eddy Cabaret
Order a mini with a straight face to really start the day right.
SFG Rating
10
Devil's Backbone Tavern
Oldest dive bar, longest line (to steal a phrase).
SFG Rating
10
Downtown Philly
Dirty Frank's
Famous Franks mural dive.
SFG Rating
10
Donn's Depot
Impossible to put into words, holiday decorations or not.
SFG Rating
10
Double Down Saloon
24/7 punk music dive.
SFG Rating
10
D&W Lounge
Be kind on your pupils upon exit and open those eyelids gradually.
SFG Rating
10
Fireplace Lounge
Everything a dive bar next to a highway should be.
SFG Rating
10
Foxy John's
Rent a bike, get some nails, drink a pint.
SFG Rating
10
Frankie's Tiki Room
Perfect Vegas dive-tiki hybrid.
SFG Rating
10
Gopher Bar
The coneys are great. The egg rolls are worth it.
SFG Rating
10
Hangin Tree Saloon
Everything a perfect Texas roadhouse dive bar should be.
SFG Rating
10
Harbor Inn
As much a Cleveland dive bar as a dive bar could be.
SFG Rating
10
Hinano Cafe
As perfect as a beach-adjacent dive bar can be.
SFG Rating
10
East Village
Inner Town Pub
Possibly the perfect dive bar, Inner Town Pub mixes dim light, stained glass and a mysterious illuminated sign.
SFG Rating
10
Jimmy's Corner
A dive bar miracle a few steps removed from tourist chaos.
SFG Rating
10
Grandview Heights
Johnnie's Glenn Avenue Grill
Perfect Midwestern dive.
SFG Rating
10
La Cita Bar
The michelada at La Cita Bar is a must-have, destination drink.
SFG Rating
10
Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Lee's Tavern
Del Taco is great and all, but this is must-see Yermo attraction.
SFG Rating
10
Lisska Bar & Grill
Columbus 1930s classic.
SFG Rating
10
L&L Tavern
Perfect people gazing spot that is perhaps too perfect thanks to a faint link to serial killers, plural.
SFG Rating
10
Mahuffer's
So good it breaks the scale. It’s probably a 12, honestly.
SFG Rating
10
Mayfair Lounge
Hidden New Orleans gem.
SFG Rating
10
McSorley's Old Ale House
The barometer for every dive bar for nearly 170 years.
SFG Rating
10
Mother Lode Bar & Deli
No promises on your own home-baked goodie provided by a regular.
SFG Rating
10
Now That's Class
It’s something for everyone except it’s everything for everyone.
SFG Rating
10
O'Malley's In The Alley
How can a dive bar down an alley be bad?
SFG Rating
10
Pinehurst Inn Bar & Grill
Please, please send videos of Alvis night.
SFG Rating
10
Riley's Tavern
Original elements dot a building erected in the 1800s, high grade dive bar ambiance.
SFG Rating
10
Rite Liquors
A classic Chicago "slashie" part dive bar, part liquor store and maybe the city's best example of both.
SFG Rating
10
Rose Garden
No trip to Houston is complete without a visit to Rose Marie.
SFG Rating
10
Rose's Lounge
It's Christmas outside, it's Christmas inside, it's open when they feel like and it's unlike anything else.
SFG Rating
10
Rossi's Liquors
Downtown Chicago's dive bar soul, another hybrid liquor store and dive bar under a pitched roof.
SFG Rating
10
Ruckmoor Lounge
Drunk ring game dive.
SFG Rating
10
Rudy's
Did we mention the hot dogs?
SFG Rating
10
Simon's Tavern
If you like dive bar neon that features Viking fish, this is our spot, modeled after a famous ocean liner.
SFG Rating
10
Carrollton
Snake & Jake's Christmas Club Lounge
Red-tinted dive shanty
SFG Rating
10
Springwater Supper Club
Two rooms, thick with stickers and a Nashville must-see.
SFG Rating
10
Take A Break
Like a warm, smoke-filled, frosty mug-serving dive bar hug.
SFG Rating
10
The Blackfriar
If you’re into friars, have we got the place for you.
SFG Rating
10
The Fat Pelican
Nothing says intense like a hand carved ceiling mermaid.
SFG Rating
10
The Moose
Like the Haunted Mansion but with an adult-themed mural or two.
SFG Rating
10
The Trap
Here's to another 100+ years of rickety dive bar drinking.
SFG Rating
10
The Villager Tavern
Birthday margaritas are out, birthday dog bowl beers are in.
SFG Rating
10
Tiki-Ti
Tiki perfection from one of the original kings of tiki drinking.
SFG Rating
10
Downtown Tampa
Tiny Tap Tavern
Because the linoleum could use another layer worn off.
SFG Rating
10
Two Way Inn
Haunted, historic and home to Polish beer. Two Way Inn is perfect.
SFG Rating
10
Bywater
Vaughan's Lounge
Faded paint, rusted roof.
SFG Rating
10
White Sail Inn
Don't drive too fast, or blink, or you'll miss it. Don't miss it.
SFG Rating
10
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Layer upon layer, snug upon snug, floor below floor.
