The definition of a "dive bar" is a bit of a tricky one. I looked it up in the dictionary and I was told a "dive" is a "cheap, disreputable saloon, gambling hall..." whatever. Those words will be the main factors in determining if a bar gets into this list. It has to be cheap, if not in the prices of drinks than at least in the clientele. And it must be disreputable (again if not the drinks, at least the clientele.)
One thing about dive bars that makes them unique is when you're there, it feels like you've walked into something hidden and personal, something not everyone knows about. It's what the Viper Room in LA was before River Phoenix died there. It's like a "secret spot" in surfing. To the purist dive bar hunters who love the thrill of the discovery, I apologize for sharing some of these hideaways. To those new to the genre, here's a basic roadmap but please tread lightly. Many of the places listed here are neighborhood bars where people go to get away from the bullshit in their lives and wouldn't mind kicking a little ass "that'll teach tha' gaddam pretty boy to smile a' me dammit where's mah beer BARTENDER Gimme another (uuuurp)"
