There are no shortage of options for thirsty Las Vegas revelers looking for a drink. We even mentioned some popular regional bars in a recent blog. But locals looking to avoid the strobing lights and staggering prices of the strip need options too. Thankfully, the city has a wealth of dive bars from which to choose. If you’re looking for a dive bar Las Vegas locals wholeheartedly approve, look no further. Typically darker, dingier, and more affordable than the resort bars, they offer an authentic taste of the real Las Vegas. Bottoms up… or maybe, in this case, down?
The Silver Stamp: The Best Parts of Drinking in Your Best Friend’s Wood-Paneled Basement
Walking into the Silver Stamp feels akin to stumbling onto the set of That ‘70s Show, through no intent of the staff. We’ll chalk it up to the wood paneling. But the real reason Silver Stamp is a dive bar Las Vegas locals love is because of their cozy atmosphere. This is largely due to the contagious rapport the staff has with one another.
It’s easy to feel welcome at Silver Stamp. But if you feel like you already have enough friends, the reverence for beer should be enough to warrant a stop. Order some of the rarest selections on tap in Sin City. Then marvel at their wall completely constructed from vintage beer cans. That’s reverence!
Red Dwarf: The Best Game of Chance in Town
Looking for a dive bar Las Vegas tiki enthusiasts adore (that isn’t Golden Tiki)? Then enter the true labor of love that is Red Dwarf. The dream of owner Russel Gardner, this dive brings you flashy tiki drinks, Detroit-style pizza, and an expansive craft beer selection. But it’s really the nuances that make Red Dwarf such a special bar. Marvel at the vintage Las Vegas flyers decorating the walls. Scrutinize the record sleeves encased in the bar. Immerse yourself in the live music blasting from the neon stage. All of this is Red Dwarf.
Just be warned, there is only one game of chance here, but it’s a doozy. The Dungeon Master’s Challenge dares you to roll the dice and drink whatever beer you get from their numbered beer board. At a mere 13-dollars, you also get a bartender’s shot. Sounds low risk and high reward!
Starboard Tack: Some of the Best Food You’ll Have in a Las Vegas Dive Bar
In true dive bar form, Starboard Tack isn’t much to look at. With an understated maritime theme that unintentionally conjures to mind the ‘70s, it almost feels like a Long John Silvers. A few figureheads and some coils of rope are about as far as Starboard Tack goes toward the atmosphere. That’s why their absolutely delicious food hits so hard. Not quite a tiki bar, they also serve up a mean tropical drink. Hungry and thirsty Las Vegas landlubbers won’t regret hitching their mast to this dive.
Dino’s Lounge: A Dive Bar Las Vegas Locals Have Loved Since 1962
If you’d like some drinks to wash down your karaoke, Dino’s Lounge is your place. Just look for the building with their slogan “Getting Vegas Drunk Since 1962” proudly plastered across its facade.
This Las Vegas dive bar is noted as the best karaoke in town, Thursdays through Saturdays. It even has a gaudy silver tinsel backdrop to make you feel like a Vegas star. Dino’s also serves up some remarkably stiff drinks, so pace yourself. Otherwise, you may end up with a very good view of their art-paneled ceiling.
The Sand Dollar: The Holiday Hooch Hole for Las Vegas Locals
The Sand Dollar is a dive bar known for its delicious pizza and diverse live music offerings. But this dive bar Las Vegas Christmas fanatics frequent is even more well known for going all out on the holidays. In fact, it can feel nearly impossible to get a table during their Halloween and Christmas festivities. But if you’re lucky (or resourceful) enough to snag a spot, you’ll be dazzled by their holiday decor. Dive bars don’t seem like the sort of places that require reservations, but the Las Vegas dive is a different animal!
The Dive Bar: You Can’t Fault Them for False Advertising
Calling your dive bar “the Dive Bar” seems like shooting yourself in the foot from a marketing perspective. Yet, this come-as-you-are dive bar Las Vegas locals love to frequent doesn’t care about impressing you. This lends to its own unintentional charm that’s obviously not for everyone. But for drinkers looking for a dark, dingey hole where they can grab a cheap PBR while listening to live punk rock, it’s perfect. It’s one of the most dimly lit shadows in tinsel town. If you start to lose your way, just focus on the Elvis lamp glowing from behind the bar.
Berlin Bar: A Dive Built on Hot Dogs
A truck selling hot dogs outside of a strip club seems like something that could only happen in Las Vegas. So it’s fitting that this is the Berlin Bar’s origin story. The Las Vegas Arts District dive was funded by proceeds from the Dude, Where’s My Hotdog? truck. Locals may recall this food truck was posted outside of the Hustler Club for years. Today, you’ll find it parked in front of the Berlin Bar. With a selection of German beers perfect for pairing with your dog, the Berlin Bar also offers its own extensive menu. And keeping with the Arts District vibes, they even have live painting on the weekends!
The Golden Tiki: The Best Las Vegas Dive for Getting Tiki Freaky
It’s a dive bar, but it’s also one of the most popular in the city. Therefore, you’ll want to make a reservation well in advance of visiting the Golden Tiki. This is the dive bar Las Vegas tiki fanatics hype to their out-of-town friends because of their stellar tropical drinks. But the atmosphere is really what makes Golden Tiki a must. From its wall of celebrity shrunken heads and its risque restroom decor to its liberal use of fire, it’s less a dive bar and more an experience.
