Ernie’s is still there. I have passed by probably 500 times but never been.
It (Ernie’s) used to be a rough looking place you entered through the garage. Last time we were there they fixed it up
No jukebox ? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Bartender decides what music to play
Better yet, no music.
Now that’s a dive bar!
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here in Chicago I’ve been going to dive bars for 40 plus years. We called them bars back then. Always had a jukebox. Of course the mob controlled the jukebox industry so I promise you every bar had one.
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What’s your favorite in your hometown or possibly visiting elsewhere.
Harbor Inn in Cleveland is my high. It actually came up for sale years ago and I wanted to buy it. I’ve regretted it ever since.
Here is a time capsule poster size picture hanging on the wall there where I occasionally still throw darts to this day.
These are what the sports champions looked like with multiple trophies in the 70’s
Would love to hear about the gems elsewhere and what makes them worth hanging out at.
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Naja’s Place. Located in Redondo Beach. 88 taps, most of which are craft. Same two house bands forever. For a long time the only two TVs in the place were 10” tubes on a shelf behind the bar in the little side section usually occupied by the regulars; they’ve since upgrade to a handful of flat screens throughout. Small, serviceable, but decidedly not fancy food selection. Dingy-ass barstools throughout. Not the cleanest place by any stretch. Can attract a rougher element at times. Some bartenders can be a bit rough around the edges. But still my favorite place to go grab two or three pints. Virtually always there will be others there who are happy to engage in conversation about whatever: last time it was a nice couple whose dog was allowed to roam around (and even behind!) the bar.
See you there next Wednesday Brian…lol
Rudy’s was always my favorite in my younger days. All kinds of people. Cheap beer. Free hot dogs. Excellent juke. Opens at 8 a.m.
In the town of Bodega ( not Bodega Bay) is The Casino Bar and Grill. Ancient dive bar that rivals New Jersey’s best.
You will get stares from the regulars but that is part of being accepted. 2 pool tables, juke box and old wood everywhere.
Great atmosphere and crazy bonus is that Friday-Sunday a Michelin star chef cooks up some awesome dinners at excellent prices.
Very well known within Sonoma County.
Tom
I’d make that happen. 
You guys have very classy dive bars.
Here’s some real dives in no particular order.
Darwin’s Theory - Anchorage, AK
Paradise Lounge - Madison, WI
Euless Yacht Club - Euless, TX
Big Apple Cafe - Fort Worth, TX
Slapsy Maxies - Columbus, OH
JJ’s Bar and Grill - Northwest Arkansas, AR
Hog’s Breath Saloon - Key West, FL
The Elbow Room - Atlanta, GA
Cliff’s Dive Bar - Cedar Rapids, IA
Four Quarter Bar - North Little Rock, AR
The Absinthe Room - Memphis, TN
These are some that come to mind that I’ve spent more time in than I care to admit. Some of them I’m first name basis with the crew.
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Naja’s is my all time favorite beer bar in the world.
My all-time faves closed.
Bert’s on Sullivan Island.
Pool tables, lots of beer, and beach sand everywhere.
Bert’s til it hurts many nights.
Also the ORIGINAL Captain Harry’s in Charleston.
Floor cleaned every night with a fire hose.
We’re searching for a retirement hangout.
In Key West isn’t Hog’s Breath a tourist joint ?
The locals I know go to the Green Parrot.
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Merged two threads, but still wonder where this should be - put it in travel/restaurants but wonder about beer and spirits…
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Columbus has many great dive bars. The two walkable from my home are St. James Tavern and Mike’s Grill. Again, going to share this but Scoundrel’s Field Guide does a great job listing the best in Columbus and would imagine it does your town too:
I do love Johnnie’s Glenn Avenue Grill but somehow haven’t been to many as they are on the outskirts of town. Johnnie’s is a time capsule from the 70’s, with a juke and pool tables. A room with free food and a few crock pots bubbling away and $1 macro beers all the time. Cash only, of course.
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Before it was gentrified, the Gemini in Lake Oswego, Oregon was a dive bar called the Open Seas Tavern. Of course, we called it the Open Sores, which was appropriate.
Ha! I went to Lakeridge. Only went to the open sores once
Poison Girl in Houston. One of the region’s best selections of Bourbon and even the unicorns are at fair prices. No juke box, but several pinball machines.
I didn’t know they had a web site, but they do here Poison Girl Bar – Cocktail Lounge
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