Let’s be honest, there’s plenty of places to drink in New York City. But nothing hits quite like a good dive bar. With menus plastered with cheap drinks and unbeatable shot combo deals, it’s that kind of grungy atmosphere and feeling that just feels so right.
But what makes a good dive bar good? It’s not just about being super old, but instead that ambiance of dim lights, neon signs, regular bar-goers, and simple food menus. You know the one we’re talking about.
In this guide, the Secret NYC team picks our favorite dive bars in the city; places we’d recommend to a friend, heard about through our community Slack channels, and even loitered at ourselves until 4 am.
The Secret NYC team relies on personal experience, recommendations, editorial reviews, and customer feedback before recommending the best places to grab a bite or sip cocktails in NYC. Since we’re the city that never sleeps, this list is constantly evolving. Please check back regularly.
Rudy’s Bar & Grill
This Hell’s Kitchen staple is as divey as it gets, with beer starting at just $4. Spend some time here drinking dirt cheap draft beer and bottles, while also chowing down free hot dogs that come with every drink purchased. The super narrow bar is tight quarters on any normal occasion, so we opt for heading toward the back room where there’s normally some standing space and the big sports game screened on a projector.
Where: 627 9th Ave
Jimmy’s Corner
It must be said that Times Square is a pretty dry hub when it comes to dive bars, but Jimmy’s Corner is a gem in the garden. Named after the late boxing superstar Jimmy Glenn, this dive feels like you’re entering the man cave of a world-class athlete.
Think memorabilia-lined walls with photos of Glenn beside Walt Frazier and others, plus autographed dollar bills from celebrity visitors throughout the years. Of course, the beer is affordable starting at $4 a pint and is served chilled as you like.
Where: 140 W 44th St
McSorley’s Old Ale House
McSorley’s Old Ale House goes beyond the glitzy lore as the oldest Irish pub in the history of New York City, but it’s really a special dive bar. Of course rooted deeply in Irish culture, the atmosphre rings as true as it did in 1854 between the clientele, Irish bartenders, and sawdust covering the floor.
The bar operates pretty simple from a drink perspective with only two items on the menu: light ale or dark ale. They’re served in 2 small pint glasses (two equals one in this case) for $8, and you’ll maybe even get an Irish history lesson too depending on who’s pouring.
Where: 15 E 7th St
Boat Bar
This Carroll Gardens dive bar — which has been “refusing to sink since 2000” — is a frequent Smith Street pitstop thanks to beer and shot combos, which start at just $8 and runs through the daily 4am closing time.
The jukebox and pinball machines are a nice touch. You’ll know the bar when you see it — it usually has a chalkboard at the door with a hilarious joke on it.
Where: 175 Smith St, Brooklyn
Rocka Rolla
As the name suggests, this dive bar takes deep inspiration from rock ‘n roll music—from the backwall jukebox to the music memorabilia scattered throughout the main room. Beers here are served in massive pint glasses and their beer/shot combo deal is one of the best in Williamsburg.
While they do have food, we highly suggest popping over to the nearby Birria Landia food truck and grabbing tacos, you can bring it into the bar.
Where: 486 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
The Johnson’s
We must mention the Lower East Side sister bar Welcome to the Johnson’s as an aside, but this Bushwick spin-off is even better in our opinion. You can find the classic Bushwick hipster crowd shooting pool at The Johnson’s, sipping on cheap beers on any given night.
It’s a fun spot to start your night out before going clubbing at nearby spots like Xanadu Roller Arts, Elsewhere, and House of Yes.
Where: 369 Troutman St
Sunny’s
Sunny’s is Red Hook’s dive bar, a waterfront saloon which has hung around in Sunny’s family since 1890. The non-assuming watering hole traces roots back as a restaurant and meeting place for longshoremen, but now it’s community gathering point for all.
Stop in and have a cheap beer, while maybe even taking in one of their live country / bluegrass performances that fits neatly with the knickknacks and clientele on a nightly basis.
Where: 253 Conover St, Brooklyn
Milano’s Bar
This narrow and dimly lit dive gets often throw around in the “oldest bar” conversations, but it still continues to please us even in 2025. It’s no frills— cheap beers, a vintage tin roof, and a jukebox that can take you to about any era imaginable.
Where: 51 E Houston St
Do or Dive
The once restaurant “Do or Dine” is now appropriately “Do or Dive,” and feels on brand starting with the low-effort adjustment made to their sign out front. The laidback vibes continue inside where bartenders serve cold beer amongst the vintage decor and Brooklyn residents challenge each other in shuffleboard and ‘Split the G.’
Where: 1108 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
Double Down Saloon
This spot (which originally spawned in Las Vegas) is the punk dive bar vibe you’ve probably craved at least once. Their famous “ass juice” drink makes the viral rounds every couple of years, and the overall ambiance is exactly what you expect.
Hand-selected rock tracks blasting over a jukebox, graffiti splattering the walls, and even a hilarious banner that declares “You Puke, You Clean.”
Where: 14 Avenue A