Friday, October 30, 2009

The definition of a dive bar

Posted by Jonathan Bender on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 1:00 PM

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​A great dive bar obeys a number of principles, walking a fine line between a standing health code violation and the place you want to be on any given night. It's time to elucidate some of those principles in this space, so you can know if your favorite spot can be classified as a dive. 

A dive bar always has a shot and a beer special, but that never includes top shelf liquor or beer on tap.

A dive bar is never a place you go to eat, but always has one food item that you look forward to eating after a few drinks -- be this a packaged snack or a square pizza.

A dive bar always possesses a leisure activity, which is either never in use or not working exactly right -- such as a pool table that leans or trivia machine that eats your quarters.

A dive bar always has a few seats open, but not necessarily next to the person you want to sit beside.

A dive bar never has glasses that match, though you've never noticed.

A dive bar is where beer is spilled on your date, but that never leads to a fight.

A dive bar always has a sign that is slightly malfunctioning, but in a way that gives it character rather than suggesting the establishment has closed.

A dive bar is never the first place you think to stop, but is likely to be the place where you end the night.

[Image via Flickr: skandopics]

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Here are some classics...

The Bamboo Hut at 10111 E. US 40 Highway
*There is a restaurant in the back half of building that serves filets and frog legs, but the front bar half is pure divey goodness.

The Piano Room by 85th and Wornall
*I believe it opens at 9:00 A.M... I can't say too much... you just have to go there.

The Stables downtown on Walnut
*It seems to be a completely local crowd (local meaning, literally, stumbling distance). The really strong cocktails help you forget the strong air of depression in the joint.

The River's Edge in the East Bottoms where North Chestnut turns into Agnes.
*I found this place on the way home from Harrah's once. It's in kind of a remote location but it stays open pretty late and the older women bartenders are nice. I think they get more of a breakfast and lunch crowd than anything thing else.

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Posted by Berry Anderson on November 3, 2009 at 9:30 AM

Jessie's across from Ponacks

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Posted by Gene on November 2, 2009 at 2:09 PM

Coach Lite Club in KCK is great!

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Posted by Chris on November 2, 2009 at 11:51 AM

A dive bar is any place where you worry more about drinking the tap water than you do about drinking the well scotch.

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Posted by Alex on November 1, 2009 at 10:29 PM

A dive bar is one where the locals come but even though it is a 30-minute drive you go there at least once a week.

They've got a football/world series pool and other bar owners drop in from time to time.

And once a month they have an Elvis impersonator LOL

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Posted by Orphan of the Road on October 31, 2009 at 8:30 AM

A dive bar CAN be scary, too, right? D.B. Cooper's comes to mind.

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Posted by karen g. on October 30, 2009 at 4:59 PM

A dive bar is one that wasn't listed in ink's dive bar guide a few months ago.

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Posted by JAZ on October 30, 2009 at 2:53 PM

My favorite JoCo dive bar? Why, that would be Close Quarters, the little bar attached to Johnny C's. It's the best!!!

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Posted by T on October 30, 2009 at 1:23 PM

@DLC - agreed. I really like the Foundry, but a dive bar it ain't.

A dive bar's shot special is usually named after the bar, one of its servers, or a dirty act.

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Posted by jjskck on October 30, 2009 at 12:57 PM

And a dive bar never advertises itself as such like the Foundry Does.

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Posted by DLC on October 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM
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