Adive bar is typically a small, unglamorous, eclectic, old-styledrinking establishment with inexpensive drinks; it may feature dim lighting, shabby or dated decor, neon beer signs, packaged beer sales, cash-only service, and local clientele.[1] The precise definition of a dive bar is rarely agreed on, and is the subject of spirited debates.[2] The termdive was first used in the press in the U.S. in the 1880s to describe disreputable places that were often in basements into which one "dives below".[3]: 1 A dive bar may also be known as "brown bars" or "brown pubs" in parts of Western Europe and Northern Europe, for examplebrun bar orbrun pub in Norway.[4][5][6]
Once considered a pejorative term, "dive bar" has more recently become a badge of distinction from patrons who seek authenticity in such establishments.[7] Devotees may describe a bar as "very divey" or "not divey" and compose rating scales of "divey-ness".[8] One such devotee is Steve Vensen, founder of a California group called the DBC (Dive Bar Conoisseurs) who says, "Every dive bar is like a snowflake: diverse and unique. . . you always get local subculture and every time is an adventure."[7]: 13 Author Todd Dayton offers the following: "Dives [dive bars] are likepornography: hard to define butyou know it when you see it".[9] As to what distinguishes a dive bar from an ordinary bar, Dayton stated in 2004:
For me, the ideal dive bar is run by a beefy guy named Frank, where the aroma of yesterday's beer still hangs in the air, and your quest for clean bathrooms (or toilet paper, for that matter) will go eternally unanswered. A bottle ofBud costs two bucks, a shot ofJack, $3, andPabst Blue Ribbon is served in a can. The sign outside says Steaks, Dinners, Cocktails— but there hasn't been any food served sinceFDR was president. The prevailing decorative elements are redNaugahyde, wood-tonedFormica, andcinder blocks.[9]
Dive bars traditionally only adhered to the minimal effort needed to provide guests with drinks; i.e., they typically do not advertise, provide parking, or have fancy signage.[2] Dive bars are not known for their food.[8]: 3 They often do not serve food beyond pretzels and snacks.[8] For example, in 2018 a visitor to a well-knownNashville dive bar reported seeing a hand-written menu taped to the refrigerator, listing only pork rinds, popcorn, peanuts, and microwavedcorn dogs (US $1).[10] Dive bar bathrooms are usually in poor repair, with stalls occasionally enclosed by a shower curtain instead of a door. Transactions are typically cash-only, handled directly by the bartender and rarely involve computerized registers. The owner or a family member often tends bar. Patrons range widely in background and occupation, including locals who have remained regular customers for many years.[1]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic of the early 2020s, U.S. cities closed down bars and food service establishments, and many dive bar owners made repairs and cleaned up while they were closed down. Rick Dobbs, author of the 2019 bookLocal Spirit: Neighborhood Bars of Orleans Parish, said, "A dive can absolutely be cleaned up but still be a dive... it's the character and spirit of the space that counts".[3]: 1 The news websiteSFGate recently covered the ongoingdiscussion over the definition of a "dive bar", whether it is the character or decor that make a "dive bar", and whether or not the image of theMerrimaker featured in this article still qualifies due to an extensive remodel in 2019.[11]
