When you want to keep it casual and grab a great drink at a lower price than you probably want to visit a solid dive bar and LA has plenty of them. Very different than those trendy hipster rooftops and other high end cocktail bars, dive bars are much less complicated places with a variety of cheap drinks and a laid back atmosphere.
Check out our list of fun dive bars. You can stop by at the end of a long day of work with a friend for happy hour, or hit up on the weekend for an all-nighter.
1 – The Roost, Atwater Village
Description:
This cash only Atwater bar on Los Feliz Blvd. is a true neighborhood classic! Regulars here look like they have been coming since the bar opened for the first time. Its the kind of place where no one is judging you so don’t worry if you forget the lyrics as you sing along with the old school Jukebox machine.
Enjoy the carnival style popcorn machine, dimmed lights and getting to know the regulars who are usually pretty friendly and lots of fun.
Make sure you come hungry because surprisingly (for a dive bar) they have a really good Thai menu with tasty Pad Thai, fried rice and yellow curry.
Like any solid dive bar the cocktails are good and cheap as should be expected.
Location: 3100 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Pic Credit: @stephaniehanes
2 – The 35er, Pasadena
Description:
Some dive bars are located in central spots and others are located in very cool spots. Both is the case for 35er in Pasadena, located on historic US route 66 in Old Town Pasadena, and this bar has been pouring drinks since the 1960s.
Locals and visitors can expect free popcorn, pool tables, sports on big screens, and of course cheap drinks like any good dive bar has to have.
It’s not the most spotless place you can have a drink and it can even be slightly sketchy sometimes but if you want to have some laughs in a casual bar in Pasadena in a great location this is your spot.
Their new hours are Monday through Thursday 5 pm to 12 am, Fridays 3 pm to 12 am, and Saturday and Sunday 12 pm to 12 am.
Location: 12 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
PIC Credit: @35erbar
3 – Scarlet Lady Saloon, Culver City
Description:
Culver City has exploded recently with brand new trendy bars, restaurants and cafes and there are hundreds of places for the upscale venue crowd to go hangout. But in this cluster of hipster heaven bars we want to tell you about one of the best old school dive bars in Los Angeles.
Yes in Culver City the Scarlet Lady Saloon has been around for awhile providing urban feels, chill vibes and of course cheap strong drinks.
The Scarlet Lady Saloon is a great place to watch a game with its 13 flat screens and they always have games from all sports playing. You can get competitive yourself as well with their 2 pool tables and 2 dart boards.
If sports and games aren’t your thing, karaoke nights are also popular here.
Or if you are a true Karaoke star you can walk just a few feet away to Stage 21 bar and lounge, where they have karaoke nights on Fridays and Saturdays and a cocktail called Purple Rain, that you got to try at least once.
Location: 5411 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
PIC Credit: @scarlet_lady_saloon
4 – The Offbeat, Highland Park
Description:
Sometimes we have to sadly say goodbye to some spots that are very close to the hearts of locals, but then, if we are lucky something even better comes out of it.
That’s when a new place comes and is so awesome it gets embraced immediately making us forget the past, rather quickly. The Offbeat has big shoes to fill as it replaced a long standing neighborhood bar called Dusty’s which was about as divey as a bar can get.
The Offbeat came in and kind of fits the mold of what Highland Park has morphed into in recent years. While it still has divey elements its more of a local bar but they really have their finger on the pulse of the area by highlighting their funky tv shows, live music, karaoke nights, comedians, art and just lots of interactive fun.
If you want to visit Highland Park we recommend you also check out this dive bar that is much more than just dim lights and cheap booze. You can feel good about having fun while supporting the local community at the same time because all live shows are $5 to $7 at the door which go directly to the artists.
Open Monday – Sunday 5 am to 2 pm.
Location: 6316 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
PIC Credit: @wheresthepartyla
5 – Ercoles 1101, Manhattan Beach
Description:
OK we have to give love to a dive bar that has been open for about 100 years! Ercoles in Manhattan Beach is what we call an old school classic original, and it proudly wears the title of oldest bar in Manhattan Beach. This local favorite has been serving the Beach cities since the 1920s!
This dive bar is not only popular for its affordable, tasty and strong drinks but also the food is pretty great too! Their Ercs Burger has won the award as best burger in the beach cities, and their footlong Dodger Dog is another favorite for regulars and locals.
The next time you’re in beautiful Manhattan Beach make sure you stop here. This is a gem of a dive bar with the best burgers in the area.
Location: 1101 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
PIC Credit: @angriggs22
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!