- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (4)
Print
Save/Share
You know what I'm talking about—a place with a special kind of charm. It may be a little (or a lot) run down, yet the drinks are cheap, the vibe is unpretentious, and the locals love it. But does it deserve a spot on your vacation itinerary?
Many years ago, before I lived in New York, I paid the city a visit. Considering myself a savvy traveler, I asked the locals which bar they would recommend and there was this one place (it has long since closed—a casualty of the recession) that everybody raved about: "it's an institution! You have to go!" went the collective wisdom.
Many years later, I moved back—around the corner from this bar, as it just so happens, and one day found myself back in the same barstool I had rejected years ago. It was just as grimy as before, the music just as out-of-date, and some of the furniture might have even been held together by duct tape at this point—yet, it was somehow different. Suddenly I got it. This place was cool—not because the drinks were good (they weren't), not because the atmosphere was great (there wasn't any), not because the place was even sanitary (I'm still pretty sure it was a health risk), but because of the people. The locals gathered there—it was the place you went to kick back and catch up.
I had my awakening—yep, no doubt about it—that place was an institution. But that doesn't mean I would have sent a visitor there.
Recently, the topic came up in our office. Do travelers want to know about dive bars in the cities they're visiting? On the one hand, a dive bar can seem like a great window into a local culture. On the other hand, part of what makes a dive bar so special is its local connection—something you wouldn't really appreciate unless you were, well, a local.
What do you think?
SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL:
4 Common Airport Security Questions--Answered!
Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2012
The Best of Australia—On a Budget!
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
In these bars the locals have the best info for where to go and what to do. Just be friendly and accept the place and appreciate it for what it is. In St. George's, Bermuda, I was directed to a scenic, out-of-the way beach that hosted a live band for the locals and, while I was dancing, was raided by the police who were searching for a fugitive; in Cozumel, to a great snorkeling spot; in Sosua, D.R.,to a beach bar that served good food on fine china.
Posted By ulle trautvag on December 19, 2011, 12:17 PM
On the opposite side of this if the locals know you are tourists they try to squeeze every penny out of you. While in Cozumel my husband and I walked in a bar and the first question they asked was were we off the cruise ship. The drinks were $20 a piece. Really, in Mexico? We left after the first drink and found a local dive where we had an amazing time at a far less cost.
Posted By travelbug on December 23, 2011, 10:13 PM
On the opposite side of this if the locals know you are tourists they try to squeeze every penny out of you. While in Cozumel my husband and I walked in a bar and the first question they asked was were we off the cruise ship. The drinks were $20 a piece. Really, in Mexico? We left after the first drink and found a local dive where we had an amazing time at a far less cost.
Posted By travelbug on December 23, 2011, 10:14 PM
I really like your writing style, great info, regards for putting up . The superfluous is very necessary. by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
Posted By nike free run 2 on February 21, 2012, 12:23 PM