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The beer's cheap. The food is nothing fancy, and it's probably fried. The decor's a bit messy. Regulars abound. Bartenders are salty. They're DC's dive bars. Though new development, time and the economy have caused some to close their doors, these dive bars keep on serving inexpensive beer and their special style of service to their customers. Mapped here, in no particular order, are DC's 16 Iconic Dive Bars. Disagree? Share your favorites in the comments.
Read MoreThis bar got a little cleaner and a little classier after a post-fire renovation, but you still can find the taxidermy decorations, cheap beer and all-day breakfast.
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A taco bar. $1 Miller Lites. Tot-chos (tater tots + nachos). That sums up this underground bar in a nutshell.
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This dive bar, located in a Falls Church strip mall, is one of the oldest watering holes around. It's known for its live music.
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The ultra-relaxed Jay's, off the beaten path in Clarendon, has an eclectic crowd, cheap beer and cheap food. They'll celebrate their 20th anniversary next year.
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Is The Big Hunt a dive bar? A theme bar? A bar trying to be a dive bar? It can be debated, but patrons head to this casual establishment for its beer events, multiple rooms and animal print decor.
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Mount Pleasant's Raven Grill (they don't serve food, despite the name) is one of the oldest bars in DC. It's cheap and its jukebox is well-worn.
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Red Derby has a relaxed rooftop, board games and affordable prices. Canned beers, cash only.
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Galaxy Hut may push the limits of the "dive bar" definition (but hey, it's also Arlington). The bar has a stripped down menu of fried fare and serves beer almost exclusively.
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Oh, Recessions. The basement location. The carpet. The karaoke. The happy hour. The puzzling decor.
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This cheap 17th Street bar is known for its generous pours (get a bourbon and ginger ale and you'll get a glass of bourbon with a ginger ale). The inside, with its vinyl booths and salty service, is where Fox and Hound feels most divey.
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A change in ownership years back upgraded the food at this basement bar. But you can still find a mixed crowd, plenty of whiskey and graffiti-laced bathrooms at this Silver Spring venue.
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Solly's is the hipster answer to the dive bar. The two-floor location recently added a food menu to its offerings. But it's still a place to order a tall boy and play Buck Hunter.
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A possible building sale may put the status of this Capitol Hill bar in jeopardy. But for now, patrons still can head here for a cheap beer, and to chat with the regulars.
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This no-frills Irish bar brings together college students, Hill workers and locals.
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Don't expect anything fancy at this boarded up, casual Adams Morgan destination. Just cheap beer, a very limited liquor selection and a pool table.
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The bar, which obtained new ownership last year, is currently in the midst of renovations, but is expected to still emerge as an Adams Morgan dive bar.
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This bar got a little cleaner and a little classier after a post-fire renovation, but you still can find the taxidermy decorations, cheap beer and all-day breakfast.
A taco bar. $1 Miller Lites. Tot-chos (tater tots + nachos). That sums up this underground bar in a nutshell.
This dive bar, located in a Falls Church strip mall, is one of the oldest watering holes around. It's known for its live music.
The ultra-relaxed Jay's, off the beaten path in Clarendon, has an eclectic crowd, cheap beer and cheap food. They'll celebrate their 20th anniversary next year.
Is The Big Hunt a dive bar? A theme bar? A bar trying to be a dive bar? It can be debated, but patrons head to this casual establishment for its beer events, multiple rooms and animal print decor.
Mount Pleasant's Raven Grill (they don't serve food, despite the name) is one of the oldest bars in DC. It's cheap and its jukebox is well-worn.
Red Derby has a relaxed rooftop, board games and affordable prices. Canned beers, cash only.
Galaxy Hut may push the limits of the "dive bar" definition (but hey, it's also Arlington). The bar has a stripped down menu of fried fare and serves beer almost exclusively.
Oh, Recessions. The basement location. The carpet. The karaoke. The happy hour. The puzzling decor.
This cheap 17th Street bar is known for its generous pours (get a bourbon and ginger ale and you'll get a glass of bourbon with a ginger ale). The inside, with its vinyl booths and salty service, is where Fox and Hound feels most divey.
A change in ownership years back upgraded the food at this basement bar. But you can still find a mixed crowd, plenty of whiskey and graffiti-laced bathrooms at this Silver Spring venue.
Solly's is the hipster answer to the dive bar. The two-floor location recently added a food menu to its offerings. But it's still a place to order a tall boy and play Buck Hunter.
A possible building sale may put the status of this Capitol Hill bar in jeopardy. But for now, patrons still can head here for a cheap beer, and to chat with the regulars.
This no-frills Irish bar brings together college students, Hill workers and locals.
Don't expect anything fancy at this boarded up, casual Adams Morgan destination. Just cheap beer, a very limited liquor selection and a pool table.
The bar, which obtained new ownership last year, is currently in the midst of renovations, but is expected to still emerge as an Adams Morgan dive bar.
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