What is a dive bar?

If the bartender looks like they know your order before you’ve even opened your mouth, you might just be in a dive bar. Some places won’t let you in without your glad rags on, but in our Seel Street dive, you’ll get none of that fancy nonsense: just low lights and high spirits.

We’ve been delivering exactly that since 2012 – Salt Dog Slims is Liverpool’s late-night haunt where world beers mix with weird cocktails and American dogs. Steins, brines and good times: exactly in that order.

So, what actually makes a bar a dive? Spoiler: it’s not looking ‘run down’ or ‘grimy’.

The name originated in America to describe hole-in-the-wall type of pubs that run on honesty. It’s the shirts untucked, ties loosened, heels in hand kind of atmosphere. In a dive bar, you’re among mates. That’s the most important thing.

Consider this your guide for doing a night out the Salt Dog way.

What’s the difference between a dive bar and a regular bar?

If a regular bar dresses to impress, then a dive bar doesn’t bother getting changed. People might misinterpret this as meaning dive bars don’t ‘try’, or they’re ‘old-fashioned’: all it means is that there are no expectations, no dress code.

Instead of chasing the polished perfection of candlelit corners, a dive bar wants you to walk in as you are, order what you like, and, hopefully, make mates with the person three stools down. It’s community-first.

You’ll feel it in the atmosphere: at Salt Dogs, we lean on boss tunes and even better bevvies. Speaking of drinks, dive bar drinks lists are usually much cheaper than what you’d expect.

We offer deals that mean you can make a night of it without remortgaging the house. At ours, Happy Hour slings £7.50 cocktails, £3 classic dogs and two-for-£7 bits. Then, there’s what things look like inside.

Standard bars go for that spotless, no-hair-out-of-place look. Dive bars? Scuffed floors and stickers on the tables are part of the patina. It’s evidence of a thousand late ones and the stories that came out of them.

Where does the term ‘dive bar’ come from?

In late-19th-century America, ‘dive’ was slang for the sort of place you slipped down into. Mainly cellars and below-street drinking dens where you could, quite literally, dive out of sight.

Newspapers and dictionaries from the era talk about ‘dives’ as places tucked under street level, and the label stuck to any under-the-radar spot where the night got a bit rowdy. By the 1880s, ‘dive bar’ was appearing in print.

Some sources even flag earlier 1870s New York mentions, all pointing to the same image: a rough-and-ready room down the stairs with relaxed rules.

Why do people love dive bars?

So, what’s the big deal? Why has dive bar culture exploded around the world?

Authentic

Dive bars just get better over time. It’s places that earned their dents the hard way, and people love them because they feel like part of the history.

That’s the charm we lean into at Salt Dog Slims: steins and brines on the bar, hot dogs on the go, quiz nights and karaoke that will have you wondering where your voice went.

Unpretentious

There’s no velvet rope here: we want regulars to come as they are, warts and all. Plus, we don’t price ourselves out of reach.

At a Salt Dog’s Dive, you’ll meet people from all walks of life: co-workers on their Christmas do, students from across the globe and that neighbour you sort of know but have never spoken to (until tonight).

Great deals

Another reason dives win hearts? You can actually say yes to: ‘let’s just have another one’. Our menu doesn’t torch your bank account, so when your mate asks if you want a shot or a two-for-one cocktail, just say yes.

Even better community

You know what they say: the best friends are the ones you haven’t met yet, and they’re all waiting for you here at Salt Dogs. Our doors are open to anyone who likes to cause chaos (and enjoy tequila shots). Bring your sibling, date, or even your Nan.

Ready for steins, brines and good times?

Want to know how to make the weekend last longer? Just stay out.

If you’re ready to take on the beast that is Salt Dogs, join us at either of our Liverpool or Manchester locations.

We’ve got our Salt Dog’s Stein, Brines and Question Times quiz on the first Tuesday of every month, so be sure to get down for your chance to win a meal deal or your very own toaster. If you want us all to yourself, we’re also available for private hire.