Dive Bars

I have always been a fan of the "dive bars" around downtown.

This may sound odd, but one of my favorite spots was The Western. There was nothing glamorous about this smoky, dirty casino, but $3 for a beer/shot combo and the people watching was worth the walk.
I never went after dark, but made it a point to stop by for a few mins each trip.

Are there any dive joints downtown worth checking out? I tried Hogs & Heffers, but I can get a $6 PBR at home. By "dive" I don't mean dangerous, its a bar that's not real flashy, they offer cheap drinks and don't cater to the club crowd (I guess the entire LVC property would be a top contender) . Sage Door Casino by Ballys is a good example.

marko..

This is what I found doing an internet search for "Dive bars las vegas"
Bunkhouse Saloon A neighborhood dive bar reborn as music venue. Ska, blues, punk, metal, even an indie film night. Food choices include Frito Pie and BBQ. A handful of easy chairs near the stage provide the ultimate option to enjoy the blast of the superior sound system. 124 S 11th St, Las Vegas, nv 89101702-384-4536Website36.165697775575 -115.134503500311
Champagne's Cafe Velvet draped walls and red vinyl booths. Framed Marilyn Monroe pictures and the Rat Pack on the jukebox. A time stood still in 1980s clientele and design style meets a steady import of UNLV regulars. Plus video poker. 3557 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89109702-737-1699Website36.12501 -115.137544
Cheers Bar & Grill A mix of thrifty UNLV customers and thirsty locals. The un-fussy layout includes video poker and three pool tables. Hungry visitors expecting to see the non-existent grill portion of the name will be directed to Roberto's Taco Shop next door. 1220 E Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119702-734-245436.1081 -115.136479
Dino's Lounge A Strip dive bar since 1962. Dino's welcomes neighborhood bar-flys and downtown hipsters. Hosts fiercely competitive karaoke contests and bartender nominated contests to choose the "Drunk of the Month." Not named after Dean Martin. 1516 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89104702-382-3894Website36.1524385653831 -115.151973237699
Dispensary Lounge A working water wheel, living room-style seating and a 1970s lounge decor. Playboy magazine rated them the fourth best dive bar in the country. The $5.95 half pound burger remains a perennial draw for locals. 2451 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121702-458-6343Website36.0996799 -115.117825
Double Down Saloon In your face attitude and design, matched by the loud DJ soundtrack and shifting roster of live acts ranging from rockabilly to punk. Covered in art, stickers and helpful signs such as, "You puke, you clean." Legendary libations include the Ass Juice shot and a bacon martini. 4640 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109702-791-5775Website36.1054883889423 -115.150499939919
Four Kegs Sports Pub Sports obsessed bar that even sponsors two local softball and soccer teams. Most famed for their comfort food menu, in particular the Stromboli and pizza selections. Unique for a Vegas dive bar, a separate back room welcomes families with children. 276 N Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107702-870-0255Website36.1759204576747 -115.223536491394 Frankie's Tiki Room The premiere Las Vegas Tiki lounge. Home to deadly potent drinks, authentic and plentiful Tiki props and a peerless surf music selection on the jukebox. 1712 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102702-385-3110Website36.1590986389787 -115.164676849879
Fun Hog Ranch A dive bar that also happens to be a gay bar. Fetish wear and leather are encouraged by their patrons. A rustic and basic design is matched by the unpretentious atmosphere. Cash only! 495 E Twain Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109702-791-7001Website36.1209595760749 -115.153284072876
Hogs & Heifers Vegas outpost of the New York City original and inspiration for Coyote Ugly. Popular with genuine and wannabe bikers. Female visitors are encouraged to dance on the bar and donate their bras to hang from the ceiling. Bartenders frequently berate customers via megaphones. 201 N. Third St, Las Vegas, NV 89101702-676-1457Website36.1719461001963 -115.142100665727
Huntridge Tavern Noted for cheapness of booze, plenty of TVs, unpretentious locals and rockabilly crowd. An ominous hunk of wood labelled "Attitude Adjuster" hangs on the wall. Their Jameson Century Club celebrates regulars who have downed 100 Jameson shots. 1122 E. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV702-384-737736.1581966333333 -115.137846
Johnny Fontane's Beach House Nautical and beach themed props on the wall. A monthly featured beer and BBQ on the menu. And a New York Yankees and Giants supporting clientele that can play pool or the jukebox when a game isn't on. 5310 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89146702-387-686736.145024 -115.21386
Meathead's Instead of karaoke, Meathead's offers comedy open mikes. Plus, live bands every Friday. A loyal Detroit Lions clientele mingles with hard rocking music fans. Plus free popcorn. 1121 South Decatur, Las Vegas, NV 89102702-870-4440Website36.1583460047957 -115.205303000417
Moon Doggies Bar & Grill Small and smoky pseudo surfer bar, launched into legendary status through its alliance with Naked City Pizza providing the menu. Buffalo, N.Y., design accents and sports team focus. 4300 W Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102702-368-4180Website36.1306478494012 -115.199027332901
Saddle 'N' Spurs Saloon Twenty-four hour country bar with a country music karaoke night, frequent live bands and plenty of room for boot scootin'. Noon to 6 p.m. happy hour. Resolute cash only policy. 2333 N Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108702-646-629236.202195 -115.223606 Tap House An Italian-American bar and grill since 1964. Twenty-four hour dining noted for its pizza and hot wings. The Monday night open-mike jam sessions draws from a roster of veteran local performers.

We can all do Google searches. The OP of this Downtown Vegas forum thread was interested in dive bars downtown, not places like Cheers somewhere east of UNLV.

PS: Don't be surprised if Magnumdf asks for her sig file back.

Big fan of the Downtown Cocktail Lounge. Good luck finding your way in.

I've heard great things about the DCR.

Ok, you have my interest with the Downtown Cocktail Lounge..
Or should I keep walking..


marko..

4 kegs...over by az charlies Decater. They have a fun, neighborhood crowd. Beer is served is schooners. The atmosphere is very dive-ish ...in fact, it was on the shows diners, driveins and dives. The stromboli is the big draw.

For dives actually downtown, consider:

Dino's Lounge
Great karaoke scene. On LV Blvd halfway between Charleston and the Strat.

Atomic Liquors
A hipster dive. It used to be a real dive, but a ton of money and incredible promotion has made it pretty slick. Still worth checking out. 3 blocks east of El Cortez on Fremont.

Huntridge Tavern
A true dump. It gets on a lot of "cool dive" lists, but it's really just a terrible, end of the line hole. Except for the cool people who like to scare their friends by slumming it here on Friday and Saturday nights, its customers consist solely of people who live in public parks within stumbling distance. Homeless heaven. On Charleston at Maryland.

May or not be Downtown...but I hightly recommend the Double Down Saloon. It is dirty, gritty, great local bands at night, great for day drinking, awesome bartenders, by far the best juke box in town, and the TRUE mark of a real dive bar....disgusting bathrooms.