Dive Bars are Well-Worn for a Reason and We Put Together a List of Phoenix’s Favorites
Ever feel tired of the same old bar scene?
There’s no denying the allure of a night out after a long week of work. Lately, however, the bar scene has been more trouble than it’s worth. Maybe you’re over the cover charges and $12 drinks in Old Town. Maybe you’ve outgrown the free-flowing Long Island’s and EDM dance music of Mill Ave.
There’s one type of bar that offers solace no matter your reason: the dive bar. The following bars have loyal patrons, old school flair and, of course, plenty of cheap drinks. Skip the busy line and head to one of these local dive bars on your next night out in Phoenix.
Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge
Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge may be located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, but make no mistake – Pattie’s checks all the boxes of a classic dive. You’ll find cheap drinks, sticky floors and pool tables at this local watering hole. This laid-back bar offers a nice reprieve from the nightclub atmosphere in Scottsdale. Don’t be fooled by it’s low-key appearance – Pattie’s attracts some seriously rowdy crowds.
Coach House
No list of local dive bars is complete without Coach House. This long-standing dive has been a Scottsdale landmark since opening in 1959. The rustic-looking, stand-alone bar might not look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find a huge patio to go with cheap drinks and unique locals. Want to know the best part? Coach house is open from 6am to 2am every day of the year.
Yucca Tap Room
Looking for some live music? Forget about those pricey concert tickets. Make a trip to Yucca Tap Room instead. This Tempe hangout has been hosting live music since the early 1970s. You can party it up on the dancefloor seven days per week. Yucca Tap Room is also known for their huge selection of tap beers and late night munchies.
#FrayLife Tip: Happy Hour at Yucca runs everyday from 6am-7pm. It includes $2.75 wells, domestic bottles and draft beers.
Giligin’s
Greasy bar food? Check. Oversized drinks? Check. Bar games? You bet. Giligan’s is the ultimate dive bar to hit before last call. This Scottsdale bar has over 400 different liquors, 50 beers and even a spinning wheel with drink prizes. It’s the kind of place where you can order a tray of Jell-o shots or bet on goldfish races without judgment. You can also get your competitive juices flowing with a game of beer pong, giant Jenga or giant Connect-4.
#FrayLife Tip: Looking to avoid repeat trips to the bar? Giligin’s offers over 30 types of beer in 24-ounce cans.
The Bikini Lounge
There aren’t many places in Phoenix that have been continuously operating since 1947. But most places aren’t like The Bikini Lounge. This Phoenix bar captures the essence of a quintessential dive. It has amazingly cheap drinks, broken down pool tables and even an old jukebox. The Bikini Lounge also has a vaguely-Hawaiian theme to go with it’s old-school atmosphere. Grab a $2 beer and enjoy this classic dive.
#FrayLife Tip: Bring cash because The Bikini Lounge is a cash-only establishment.