Seattle's Greatest Dive Bar?
- Thread starter YellowSnow
- Start date
Not Seattle but honorable mention. Funny that none of my dive bars are on this list because no REAL dive bar would still be in operation. My dive bar days were 40 years ago. Can't even think of the main one we went to on 6th Ave by the old United Airlines Bldg
I miss the days of smoking cigs in REAL taverns. No booze. Just beer and shitty wine.
4th Avenue Tavern in Olympia
Town Tavern
Town Tavern
I've discovered that the locals to Tacoma are very fond of The Poodle Dog. Shithole, but it's *their* shithole.
Should have had the Roanoke on here. $1 taco night was an old Yella staple.
Earl's. Might not be divey enough versus the field here, but great spot to be overpoured and it was a block from my apartment during college.
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Earl's was kinda dumpy but always felt more upscale than some other close to UW spots.
Major ommission on my part with the Baranoff in Greenwood. That place is ruff. I once got put in a headlock by a 250 lb black lady there once. Good times.
Doog_de_Jour
New Fish
While not the greatest, Dante’s (RIP), The Viking (RIP - that was my go to watering hole for years) and Linda’s deserve honorable mentions.
I dont really remember the names of bars I went to in Seattle, even the ones in the U district. Too long ago and i drank way too much. I can picture different places in my mind but can't put names to them.
Except the Big Time brew pub. We typically started there and usually bought our kegs there. I loved it for the shuffleboard table.
Count me among those who hated it when I couldn't even smoke in dive bars anymore. I really couldn't think of any reason to go to them after that. I wasn't even a smoker except at bars.
Except the Big Time brew pub. We typically started there and usually bought our kegs there. I loved it for the shuffleboard table.
Count me among those who hated it when I couldn't even smoke in dive bars anymore. I really couldn't think of any reason to go to them after that. I wasn't even a smoker except at bars.
#metoo
Doog_de_Jour
New Fish
Big Time and College Inn were always my favorites after my (shout out to @MikeDamone) Earl’s phase (which I still remember). Those weren’t true dives but more like classic European style pubs.
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After I quit smoking allegedly I also liked to bum a smoke while drinking
You could buy single cigarettes at 7-11 too after the fight
They whoever they are stopped that. Too bad.
sinceredawg
Member
Used to prefunc at Dantes by everyone drinking 2 pitchers each. Then head out to various destinations. Lox Stock was I think newish at the time and felt too refined for my tastes but they had dollar well drinks.
Fishpo31
Active poster
My first Blue Moon experience was quite interesting...The Crazy 8's were playing on a Sunday night, and I was with a large group (8-10) in town for a wedding. We cased it about 6pm, and there was a line. We dropped $50 on the bouncer, and said we'd be right back with the rest of the group (this was 85-6ish).
Things I remember: it was determined that there would be no drinking from glasses...when someone wanted some beer, they would tip their head back, and one of us would pour it from the pitcher into their open mouth (and, yes, we had women with us). We had conga lines that went thru both restrooms and behind the bar. And lastly, it was the first and only time I ever walked out of a bar shirtless...csb
Things I remember: it was determined that there would be no drinking from glasses...when someone wanted some beer, they would tip their head back, and one of us would pour it from the pitcher into their open mouth (and, yes, we had women with us). We had conga lines that went thru both restrooms and behind the bar. And lastly, it was the first and only time I ever walked out of a bar shirtless...csb
I would vote Blue Moon because it had that vintage dive bar customer service whereby the bartender would treat students like complete garbage.
One time right after I graduated I walked in and was so fucked up I just said "give me whatever your favorite beer is" and the old salty dude just rolled his eyes and shoved a bottle of Sierra Nevada at me. I respect that kind of "I hope this kid is driving so he can just roll right off of the the I-5 overpass" vibe.
College Inn wasn't a dive bar, it was like what you'd get if you've ever been to Estonia or some other pissed off Eastern European country, but it was my favorite and had a shit ton of pool tables too.
One time right after I graduated I walked in and was so fucked up I just said "give me whatever your favorite beer is" and the old salty dude just rolled his eyes and shoved a bottle of Sierra Nevada at me. I respect that kind of "I hope this kid is driving so he can just roll right off of the the I-5 overpass" vibe.
College Inn wasn't a dive bar, it was like what you'd get if you've ever been to Estonia or some other pissed off Eastern European country, but it was my favorite and had a shit ton of pool tables too.
I just can't vote against the Duchess. I used to live pretty close by and have probably drunk more pitchers of "Husky Beer" there than any other place. Too many memories and CSBs. Plus where else can you find Sonny Sixkiller at the bar most days.
louism2wash
New Fish
Zoo Tavern in Eastlake.