Don't Just go to a Bar...DIVE Into it!

My friends make fun of me all the time...I am the hugest fan of dive bars. I love them! They always feel like home. No outfit is too dressed up or dressed down. And if they let you smoke inside, even better! I can come up with a bazillion reasons why I love dive bars, but I decided to incite you with my top 15!

15 Reasons I Will Choose a Dive Bar Over Any Classy Joint:

1. Drinks are always cheap: I hardly ever walk out with a tab more than 20 dollars, and that is including food!

2. Everybody knows everyone: It's like "Cheers."

3. There is that old drunk guy who comes in everyday, orders a Coors Light, and always has a story to tell...."When I was your age..."

4. The stray cats outside: It is just totally random

5. There is always a diverse group of people: In one night you will see the old, lonely guy sitting by himself drinking a Coors; the sorority girls taking shots of Washington Apples washing them down with a margarita; the older ladies who finally got away from their husbands for a "girl's night"; and the random drunk girl who "loves everyone," and is your new best friend because you gave her a cigarette...I can go on for days!

6. Did I mention drinks are cheap?

7. The bartender (once you are a regular) knows you by your drink, and first and last name!

8. "Regular" status means you don't have to put a credit card down for your tab.

9. The random "cover bands" that consist of men in their 60's who never moved on from the high school garage band stage.

10. Pool: Who doesn't love playing pool? Especially, if you make a bet that winner buys the next drink (must choose a very drunk opponent for this one), and cheat every time they turn their back (put the ball in the hole and tell them you made the shot). I did that once, and got two free beers out of it!

11. It's okay if you look like crap, I guarantee there is still going to be a guy that will hit on you: Despite this "guy" isn't going to be cute or have any potential; he is going to buy you a drink and call you beautiful, and come on, who doesn't love free beer and a complement?

12. Karaoke: Everyone sounds like a dying pigeon, the mike is never loud enough, and nobody really pays attention; yet, they all clap and say "you sounded sooooo good!"

13. The stray cats outside can handle their alcohol better than you can.

14. Peeing in the bush outside is okay as long as there aren't any cops watching.

15. Talking to yourself isn't considered "weird."

So, next time you want to knock on a dive bar, you can look back at my reasons for trying them out! However, before you do, I will only provide one warning: Don't go into a bar with a parking lot full of motorcycles - you are moving out of "dive" territory and walking into a biker bar. I made that mistake once, and almost got stabbed for it. It is a long story, maybe I will just save that for a later post!

But, "The Bear" must get her beauty rest now...