I was inspired to write this after seeing a travel blogger make a list of 5 picks of must visit Dive Bars in New York. I endeavoured to visit as many as possible from their list, but too many were off the beaten path. Whilst travelling to New York, you ideally want your cheap alcohol serving close by to what you’re doing, whether it’s where you’re staying or where you’re sightseeing.
My 4 Dive Bar Picks:
Rudy’s Bar & Grill, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Rudy’s Bar & Grill is probably the most famous dive bar in Manhattan. Anthony Bourdain raved about it, and was known to be a fan of the free hotdog you can get with your beer. This establishment is a must hit bar when visiting New York, and the fact it’s cheap, makes it so much better.
Jimmy’s Corner, Times Square, Manhattan
Jimmy’s is a bar filled with boxing heritage and memorabilia. The old proprietor was Jimmy Glenn, who passed away during the COVID pandemic. He was a boxer, turned boxing trainer who was friends with Mohammed Ali, and trained with him when Ali was in New York. The bar was often filled with fighters, and is still a pilgrimage for Boxers when they visit New York.
12th Street Ale House, East Village, Manhattan
Located close to Sophie’s, a dive bar that features prominently in other “best dive bar” lists, I much preferred the ambience in 12th Street – it’s laid back, chill and has a friendly crowd.
Charleston, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Similar to Rudy’s, Charleston also offers free food with your reasonably priced beverage. This loosely Irish bar is home to a pizza oven, and you can get a plain cheese pizza free with each drink purchased before 7pm. It’s $1 per topping on said pizza, which is more than reasonable when the pizza is free.
Have you visited one of the dive bars above? Or perhaps there’s a glaringly obvious missing choice, let us know in the comments below.
