KC's Top Ten Dive Bars

[KCMax]

http://cowtownchow.blogspot.com/2011/10 ... l?spref=tw

Agree? Disagree? No Davey's Uptown?

[heatherkay]

I think Davey's is too much of a music venue, although it's definitely a dive bar during the day. None of the bars on that list have live music as a main focus, although the News Room does have some music some times. I think DB Coopers is the real miss on that list.

[AJoD]

What's DB Coopers? Seems like a pretty good list, though by the time I moved to KC my best dive bar days were behind me. I dig Bobby Baker's, and the Keyhole is my neighborhood watering hole.

I think Cigar Box is pretty overrated, but have only been once or twice. Drinks are much more expensive than a dive bar should have, and I like the Platonic ideal of Al Latta much more than the actual Al Latta. Maybe I need to try again.

Walsh's Corner Cocktail is new to me, sounds like it warrants a visit.

Surprised to see Zoo Bar and Chez Charlie left off the list.

[brewcrew1000]

Bobby Bakers isn't even a dive anymore, it's way to crowded on the weekends and too cool these days to be considered a dive. I walked into this place not knowing it was a gay bar but Side Street bar on like 33rd just off Gilham is a true dive, the place reaks of piss

[earthling]

Dave's Stagecoach, Newsroom, Blarney Stone, Caddyshack are far more divey than that list with some pretty colorful characters.

DB Cooper's is pretty trippey - blank staring old farts still stuck in the 50s. Usually too dead to suggest though.

I'm not sure if Mike's Westsider qualifies as a dive bar but for some reason I've been checking in about once or twice a month for the cheap doable grub. They always have a fish of the day that is usually not too bad. Steaks are reasonably priced and above average. I suppose a real dive bar doesn't serve food but of those that do, this is a pick.

[beautyfromashes]

Where's The Peanut?

[FangKC]

I think the greatest dive bar of all time was that placed called "Soakies" in the old parking garage at 13th and Main that was next to the adult bookstore.

Did anyone ever eat of of those "Famous Soakies Sandwiches?"

And the runner-up had to be that place on the NE corner of 14th and Main. I think it was called The Goldmine Tavern.





Goldmine Tavern

http://kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.p ... X=1&REC=13

[WSPanic]

Zoo Bar has to be on the list. Chez Charlie, Karen's Kozy Cabin and Dave's Stagecoach would be on my top 10 as well.

Glad to see the Twin getting some good pub.

[chingon]

Zoo Bar has to be on the list. Chez Charlie, Karen's Kozy Cabin and Dave's Stagecoach would be on my top 10 as well.

Glad to see the Twin getting some good pub.

South Waldo is a heavy hitter in the dive bar category, although I don't think that Walsh's qualifies. its more of a neighborhood bar. Tommy Farha's is the crown jewel of KC dives, though Northeast has a bunch of gems, the Bigger Jigger, Askew Inn and Karen's "Cocaine" Cabin.

To me Chez isn't a dive. I think a dive bar has to basically have the same clientelle at on a weekend night as a weekday afternoon, which rules out places like Baker's and Chez, which transform into scene and be seen spots on the weekends.

[loftguy]

I think the greatest dive bar of all time was that placed called "Soakies" in the old parking garage at 13th and Main that was next to the adult bookstore.

Did anyone ever eat of of those "Famous Soakies Sandwiches?"

And the runner-up had to be that place on the NE corner of 14th and Main. I think it was called The Goldmine Tavern.





Goldmine Tavern

http://kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.p ... X=1&REC=13

Yes, Fang, I did eat at Soakies a couple of times. The sandwiches were much like what is offered at Cafe' Al Dente today. It was a unique offering, in it's day. The place was off the grid, and as such was a lunch favorite with the business crowd that wanted a discreet rendevous, or to shoot a couple of cold ones away from the eyes of co-workers. (a lot of Jones store personnel slipped down the block to this joint).

Only went in the evening once, and it was obivious that it was a niche place that served a considerably older crowd than I and they were there to drink hard and take care of business that was off the margins.

[taxi]

I went to Gus's Goldmine a couple of times. That place was a trip and as divey as you can get. The owners were an older couple, and she would bartend and wear lingerie. There was usually a couple crack ho' dancers in the back and the same number of patrons.

While I see the value in the P&L, we have traded genuine flavor for packaged culture.

[town cow]

Gus's Goldmine was owned by a Greek waiter who retired from the Savoy, who would break into "She called me baby, baby all night long" at any time.

The sandwiches at Soakie's were indeed good, Loftguy. The dives I miss are the Ship, Rainbow (Home of the Hot Tomato Chaser), George's Jubilee Room at 36th and Main, the Keg at 39th and Main, either of the Bigger Jiggers, and the News Room burgers in the '80's, when all of these were open...actually, our favorite bar in the '70's-80's was Bryant's when Arthur was still alive, and a pitcher of Schlitz was $1.25, and dinner was a plate of fries and free burnt ends.

[AJoD]

To me Chez isn't a dive. I think a dive bar has to basically have the same clientelle at on a weekend night as a weekday afternoon, which rules out places like Baker's and Chez, which transform into scene and be seen spots on the weekends.

Huh, I've never been to almost any of the places on a weekend night. I get what you're saying, but it's hard for me to classify bars based on their clientele when I'm not there. Not trying to be snarky, an interesting question.

[loftguy]

Gus's Goldmine was owned by a Greek waiter who retired from the Savoy, who would break into "She called me baby, baby all night long" at any time.

The sandwiches at Soakie's were indeed good, Loftguy. The dives I miss are the Ship, Rainbow (Home of the Hot Tomato Chaser), George's Jubilee Room at 36th and Main, the Keg at 39th and Main, either of the Bigger Jiggers, and the News Room burgers in the '80's, when all of these were open...actually, our favorite bar in the '70's-80's was Bryant's when Arthur was still alive, and a pitcher of Schlitz was $1.25, and dinner was a plate of fries and free burnt ends.

Where was the Rainbow?

You were aware that the News Room had rooms upstairs for "private parties", or at least they did in the 70's? The friendly ladies at the bar would sometimes offer the use of them to customers. Such friendly people.

[chingon]

Gus's Goldmine was owned by a Greek waiter who retired from the Savoy, who would break into "She called me baby, baby all night long" at any time.

The sandwiches at Soakie's were indeed good, Loftguy. The dives I miss are the Ship, Rainbow (Home of the Hot Tomato Chaser), George's Jubilee Room at 36th and Main, the Keg at 39th and Main, either of the Bigger Jiggers, and the News Room burgers in the '80's, when all of these were open...actually, our favorite bar in the '70's-80's was Bryant's when Arthur was still alive, and a pitcher of Schlitz was $1.25, and dinner was a plate of fries and free burnt ends.

The Ship is still around, by the way, just in a different location with irregular hours.

[Highlander]

I think the greatest dive bar of all time was that placed called "Soakies" in the old parking garage at 13th and Main that was next to the adult bookstore.

Did anyone ever eat of of those "Famous Soakies Sandwiches?"

And the runner-up had to be that place on the NE corner of 14th and Main. I think it was called The Goldmine Tavern.





Goldmine Tavern

http://kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.p ... X=1&REC=13

Oh of course, my parents were close friends of the owner and his family. Spent a lot of time there but do not explicitely remember the sandwiches.

[FangKC]

I would think these bars would rank among the best dives in the city. Has anyone been inside any of them?

Green Duck Tavern, 26th and Prospect.



Golden Bar, E. 9th and Spruce.



Gladstone Bar, E. 9th and Bellefontaine



AJ's Bar, Independence Avenue near Prospect



Jay's Bigger Jigger, E. 12th and Bellefontaine



Tom's Bigger Jigger, St. John and Belmont



The Shady Lady, E. 12th and Chestnut



Calico Cat, E. Independence Avenue/24 Highway and S. Hardy

[aknowledgeableperson]

Years and years ago there was a place at about 84th and Wornall called Buster's Tavern. Since then the rather small building has been used for mainly an office for a very small used car lot.

[loftguy]

Where is ScooterJ?

He was born for this thread.

[chingon]

I would think these bars would rank among the best dives in the city. Has anyone been inside any of them?

Green Duck Tavern, 26th and Prospect.
NOPE


Golden Bar, E. 9th and Spruce.

NOPE


Gladstone Bar, E. 9th and Bellefontaine
CHECK


AJ's Bar, Independence Avenue near Prospect
CHECK


Jay's Bigger Jigger, E. 12th and Bellefontaine
CHECK


Tom's Bigger Jigger, St. John and Belmont
CHECK


The Shady Lady, E. 12th and Chestnut
CHECK. not a dive, though.


Calico Cat, E. Independence Avenue/24 Highway and S. Hardy
NOPE