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20 Essential Dallas Dive Bars

Dimly lit and slightly grungy, there's nothing better than a dive bar

by Whitney Filloon and Alex Gonzalez Updated Feb 14, 2022, 2:31pm CST

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by Whitney Filloon and Alex Gonzalez Updated Feb 14, 2022, 2:31pm CST

SingleWide Bar

Dallas has plenty of ritzy cocktail dens, but some of the city’s most beloved drinking establishments are its dive bars. From The Grapevine, a bar with its own basketball court, to Lakewood Landing, home of the city's best late-night corn dogs, Dallas has a divey destination to fit any personality.

Want to dress up and spend $15 on a cocktail? Look elsewhere. But if in search of a place to throw back some whiskey and several PBRs in jeans and a t-shirt, look no further than Dallas's 20 best dive bars.

Did we miss the scoop on your favorite haunt? Shout it out in the comments.

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One Nostalgia Tavern

Having served as a filming site for shows like Cruel Summer and movies like This World Won’t Break, One Nostalgia will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie. Not to mention, the karaoke stage here will make you feel like a star too.

Open in Google Maps

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231

Inwood Tavern

One of Dallas’ oldest dive bars, Inwood Tavern remains a place for cold drinks and good times, with live music from local bands and DJs.

Open in Google Maps

7717 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Milo Butterfingers

With multiple TVs at Milo’s, you’ll never miss a beat of the big game (or the latest episode of your favorite crime show). Plus, challenge friends to games of darts or pool, while chowing down on burgers or chicken sandwiches.

Open in Google Maps

5645 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Barley House

At this SMU favorite, watch sporting events, game shows and more, or participate in one of Barley House’s weekly trivia nights. Get a boost of energy from their frozen Deep Eddy vodka and Red Bull cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The IVY Tavern

In this loungey little dive, drinkers can enjoy pizza, burgers, and flatbreads while jamming to their favorite tunes on the jukebox, or spun by a local DJ on weekends. The patio is spacious, featuring pool tables and grassy walls for Instagram photo ops.

5334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Hidden Door Inc

Your money’s no good here at Hidden Door—well, your credit card, that is. This LGBTQ-friendly bar only accepts cash, and the drinks are stacked with enough booze to keep the party going from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Yes, they open that early.

Open in Google Maps

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Stan's Blue Note

Whether you’re catching the game with your drinking team, or simply shooting the breeze with your best friends, Stan’s Blue Note is the place to be loud and rowdy. Plus, the $12 pitcher deals are unbeatable.

Open in Google Maps

2908 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

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Single Wide

In this cozy, trailer park-themed bar, loud music and rocking out are encouraged. Beware of their signature frozen YooHoo Yeehaws.

2110 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The Old Crow

Draft beers and cocktails await at this Lower Greenville favorite. The Old Crow is a “come as you are” environment, offering pool, bar games, and karaoke.

Open in Google Maps

1911 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The Goat

With multiple pool tables, a jukebox and dart boards, The Goat evokes the feel of a classic blues dive.

7248 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Lakewood Landing

At this classic East Dallas dive, diners can enjoy stacked burgers or BLTs paired with cold brews. Not to mention, Lakewood Landing’s iconic corn dog makes for a great snack in between bars.

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214

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Cosmo's

Decked out with VHS tapes and old records galore, Cosmos is a funky, groovy joint that sells excellent hot wings.

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206

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Also featured in:

Dallas Woody's

In the good-ol’ gayborhood, Woody’s offers good drinks and fun music. Whether visiting on show tunes Tuesday or throwback Thursday, nostalgic music videos play on large screen.

Open in Google Maps

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

The Grapevine Bar

Sit on comfy couches on the inside of The Grapevine while sipping on $7 bellinis and jamming to Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. Or shoot hoops in the dive bar’s large, spacious patio.

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Charlie's Star Lounge

Charlie’s Star Lounge is big fun, and not just because the resident bartender goes by the name of “Big Fun.” On the inside, you feel like you’re in the pit of a hotly-anticipated rock concert—especially on karaoke nights, when you’re front and center singing an iconic ‘80s rock anthem. On the outside, you feel like you’re backstage with the crew.

Open in Google Maps

4319 Main, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Double Wide Bar

Double Wide has everything there is to love about Single Wide, plus a separate venue for live music. Come for the drinks, stay for the show.

Open in Google Maps

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Thunderbird Station

From the minds behind Single Wide and Double Wide comes Thunderbird Station. In this dive bar, designed to look like a vintage service station, diners can enjoy beers, cocktails, hard ciders and more — plus, the best fried bologna sandwich you’ve ever tasted.

Open in Google Maps

3400 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Off the Record Craft Beer & Vinyl

With good cocktails and a mix of new and classic vinyls, keep Off the Record on the record. Choose between 24 craft beers here, and stick around for DJ nights like “Future vs. Drake” on Sunday Fundays with $5 drinks.

Open in Google Maps

2716 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

One Eyed Penguin

In true speakeasy fashion, the clandestine One Eyed Penguin is located in between Birdguesa and The Scarlet Pumpernickel in downtown. Enjoy cocktails on the patio while taking in beautiful views of the city.

Open in Google Maps

1, 2, 1404 Main, Dallas, TX 75202

Visit Website

Lee Harvey's

Few things beat a good night out at Lee Harvey’s — especially when surrounded with friends at one of this dive’s fireside picnic tables.

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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One Nostalgia Tavern

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231

Having served as a filming site for shows like Cruel Summer and movies like This World Won’t Break, One Nostalgia will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie. Not to mention, the karaoke stage here will make you feel like a star too.

Open in Google Maps

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231

Inwood Tavern

7717 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75209

One of Dallas’ oldest dive bars, Inwood Tavern remains a place for cold drinks and good times, with live music from local bands and DJs.

Open in Google Maps

7717 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Milo Butterfingers

5645 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

With multiple TVs at Milo’s, you’ll never miss a beat of the big game (or the latest episode of your favorite crime show). Plus, challenge friends to games of darts or pool, while chowing down on burgers or chicken sandwiches.

Open in Google Maps

5645 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

Barley House

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

At this SMU favorite, watch sporting events, game shows and more, or participate in one of Barley House’s weekly trivia nights. Get a boost of energy from their frozen Deep Eddy vodka and Red Bull cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The IVY Tavern

5334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

In this loungey little dive, drinkers can enjoy pizza, burgers, and flatbreads while jamming to their favorite tunes on the jukebox, or spun by a local DJ on weekends. The patio is spacious, featuring pool tables and grassy walls for Instagram photo ops.

5334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Hidden Door Inc

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Your money’s no good here at Hidden Door—well, your credit card, that is. This LGBTQ-friendly bar only accepts cash, and the drinks are stacked with enough booze to keep the party going from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Yes, they open that early.

Open in Google Maps

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

Visit Website

Stan's Blue Note

2908 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Whether you’re catching the game with your drinking team, or simply shooting the breeze with your best friends, Stan’s Blue Note is the place to be loud and rowdy. Plus, the $12 pitcher deals are unbeatable.

Open in Google Maps

2908 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

Single Wide

2110 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

In this cozy, trailer park-themed bar, loud music and rocking out are encouraged. Beware of their signature frozen YooHoo Yeehaws.

2110 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The Old Crow

1911 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Draft beers and cocktails await at this Lower Greenville favorite. The Old Crow is a “come as you are” environment, offering pool, bar games, and karaoke.

Open in Google Maps

1911 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

The Goat

7248 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214

With multiple pool tables, a jukebox and dart boards, The Goat evokes the feel of a classic blues dive.

7248 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214

Visit Website

Lakewood Landing

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214

At this classic East Dallas dive, diners can enjoy stacked burgers or BLTs paired with cold brews. Not to mention, Lakewood Landing’s iconic corn dog makes for a great snack in between bars.

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214

Visit Website

Cosmo's

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206

Decked out with VHS tapes and old records galore, Cosmos is a funky, groovy joint that sells excellent hot wings.

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206

Visit Website

Dallas Woody's

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

In the good-ol’ gayborhood, Woody’s offers good drinks and fun music. Whether visiting on show tunes Tuesday or throwback Thursday, nostalgic music videos play on large screen.

Open in Google Maps

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

The Grapevine Bar

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Sit on comfy couches on the inside of The Grapevine while sipping on $7 bellinis and jamming to Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. Or shoot hoops in the dive bar’s large, spacious patio.

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Visit Website

Charlie's Star Lounge

4319 Main, Dallas, TX 75226

Charlie’s Star Lounge is big fun, and not just because the resident bartender goes by the name of “Big Fun.” On the inside, you feel like you’re in the pit of a hotly-anticipated rock concert—especially on karaoke nights, when you’re front and center singing an iconic ‘80s rock anthem. On the outside, you feel like you’re backstage with the crew.

Open in Google Maps

4319 Main, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Related Maps

Double Wide Bar

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Double Wide has everything there is to love about Single Wide, plus a separate venue for live music. Come for the drinks, stay for the show.

Open in Google Maps

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Thunderbird Station

3400 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

From the minds behind Single Wide and Double Wide comes Thunderbird Station. In this dive bar, designed to look like a vintage service station, diners can enjoy beers, cocktails, hard ciders and more — plus, the best fried bologna sandwich you’ve ever tasted.

Open in Google Maps

3400 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

Off the Record Craft Beer & Vinyl

2716 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

With good cocktails and a mix of new and classic vinyls, keep Off the Record on the record. Choose between 24 craft beers here, and stick around for DJ nights like “Future vs. Drake” on Sunday Fundays with $5 drinks.

Open in Google Maps

2716 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

Visit Website

One Eyed Penguin

1, 2, 1404 Main, Dallas, TX 75202

In true speakeasy fashion, the clandestine One Eyed Penguin is located in between Birdguesa and The Scarlet Pumpernickel in downtown. Enjoy cocktails on the patio while taking in beautiful views of the city.

Open in Google Maps

1, 2, 1404 Main, Dallas, TX 75202

Visit Website

Lee Harvey's

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215

Few things beat a good night out at Lee Harvey’s — especially when surrounded with friends at one of this dive’s fireside picnic tables.

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215

Visit Website

Related Maps