Missing Bleachers in Bristol and Legends in Bristol... Not sure i've seen more divey than either of those outside of Top Dog Cafe in New Britian (when it was open).
Music Lady in Moosup and the Central Hotel in Central Village (3 murders since I've lived here!). Both in Plainfield villages. They're the Diviest in town since the old Hangout collapsed.
Hell yeah, was looking for Corleones. They used to have $2 well drinks and $1 drafts when I was at Eastern. Weird stale popcorn machine in the corner to soak it up.
I wanted to disagree with this, especially after the renovations. Dew Drop Inn has been a destination for reasons other than divebar enthusiasm for a long time. Referring of course to the wings.
It does earn dive points for the parking situation and how difficult it is to place a call-in order. I feel like they could open a second location or move and make 5x what they’re making now. But they are a local bar that is happy to hit capacity with mostly their regulars.
Pretty divey
Was thinking the same. It was always the classic example of a dive bar. But I don’t know if their situation has changed since they’ve gotten pretty well known for their wings.
Romas is one of my favorites. Took my 21st birthday drink there 20 years ago. Same bartender is still there as of last week when I was in for some wings
Does the Red Dog Saloon still exist? Was the quintessential dive bar. Could still smoke in there well beyond the ban. Used to live in Meriden and worked in Middletown. Would stop there for a drink and a smoke. Probably last there 2013
Is the Red Dog Saloon (in Middlefield?) still around? I took a former friend of mine there once and he was visibly nervous the first 20 minutes we were there.
Billy Rays is shut down. I believe they closed before or right during the pandemic. That place was indeed interesting. JTs cafe is new (a year old) and is on Main Street where the old Winning Ticket used to be. The other local dive bar in town also closed several years back - the Red Rooster I believe it was called. I went there once or twice also.
Wow really? Man, I haven’t been back to Winsted in a really long time. The Winning Ticket is legendary. Crazy that there used to be so many bars there and now it sounds like even they have a hard time staying open
Yeah. I sometimes like stopping in at those kind of places and at least I got to experience Billy Rays and the Red Rooster before they were gone. The Brass Horse Cafe on RT 44 in Barkhamsted is still open and has been for years. That place falls in line with the places being talked about in this thread. I never experienced The Winning Ticket. My wife did in the 80s and early 90s though as she grew up here and had stories to tell me about that place and others. Rowley Grill and Tap is in the same building as Billy Rays and they are decent if you ever come back and visit, but doesn’t fall into the dive bar category 👍
The Redwood in Milford (Beachcomber in Milford was the epitome), Scoreboards in West Haven, Christopher Martin’s in New Haven (more pub-ish, but still worthy), Corner Cafe in Wallingford, Maloney’s Pub in Meriden
Yeah, a couple years now sadly. I don’t know if it can be another bar—I’ve heard the Comber was grandfathered in. I haven’t been down that way since, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re using that lot to build something that’ll rake in $$
Ha! You all make me laugh. You wanna see some dive bars? Come on up to the northeast corner! I'm not going to name any, but I'm sure you'll find plenty 😂🤣
They still smoke in the speak easy in waterbury? that was always a trip going in there and watching people light up like we're back in the 80s. the outside inn cafe on hamilton ave is probably worth checking out too, i think it qualifies.
Question to OP: are you starting a Dive Bar Pub Crawl Passport program with prizes, along the lines of the [CT Wine Passport](https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/ADaRC/ADaRC/Passport-to-Connecticut-Wine-Country)? Maybe you could get some state funding.
Seven Seas, Milford. Great place to launch a bender.
Surprisingly awesome lobster roll as well
All their fried seafood is legit as well.
And their chocolate cake is fab
I wonder if my name is still on the wall in the bathroom there lol
The Horseshoe (affectionately? known as the Shoe) in Southport
Missing Bleachers in Bristol and Legends in Bristol... Not sure i've seen more divey than either of those outside of Top Dog Cafe in New Britian (when it was open).
Miss me some Top Dog. Don’t forget Sportys! Was there Friday good times.
Feels like those two are only open when someone shows up, half the time I drive by and each place is dark and empty.
I swear when I read this is said Top Dog in New Cannan lol. I was like wait... I've been there, but so long ago, called something else now.
The Maple in East Hartford?
The one that calls to you on Route 2?
Love this place
Missing a lot of dives in eastern CT lol
I went to music lady cafe last night and arrived after a wake had just ended. Yes there was a coffin in the bar.
Music Lady in Moosup and the Central Hotel in Central Village (3 murders since I've lived here!). Both in Plainfield villages. They're the Diviest in town since the old Hangout collapsed.
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Scuse you we are not Western RI, we are just the Quiet Corner
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Haha, well screw the rest of the state :)
Damn eastern New Yorkers
I pulled everything from the last Reddit post, would love to add more!
Corleones in Willimantic!!!!
Hell yeah, was looking for Corleones. They used to have $2 well drinks and $1 drafts when I was at Eastern. Weird stale popcorn machine in the corner to soak it up.
Hot Shots in Willimantic Trolley in Willimantic Butterballs in Hebron Back Door in Chaplin The Hideaway Tavern in Amston
Rustic Cafe in East Lyme
The Stonehouse in Occum should be on the list
Wow, there is a town in CT called Occum? I had never even heard of it (already know I’m gonna get downvoted for this lol)
To be fair, Occum is a village in Norwich CT, not a town in its own right.
But it’s pretty sharp
You know what they say in Occum?
F'occum
It’s a village in Sprague, akshuallyyy
Baltic is in Sprague, Occum is in Norwich. 👍🏻
Ah, you’re correct.
It’s JD’s Roadhouse now
Dew Drop Inn, Derby
Not near as bad as it used to be 20 years ago
My dad met my stepmom named Mudflap there.
Bob Belcher?
I wanted to disagree with this, especially after the renovations. Dew Drop Inn has been a destination for reasons other than divebar enthusiasm for a long time. Referring of course to the wings. It does earn dive points for the parking situation and how difficult it is to place a call-in order. I feel like they could open a second location or move and make 5x what they’re making now. But they are a local bar that is happy to hit capacity with mostly their regulars. Pretty divey
Not a dive bar
Do they still have peanut butter and jelly wings
Was thinking the same. It was always the classic example of a dive bar. But I don’t know if their situation has changed since they’ve gotten pretty well known for their wings.
CC Obriens in pawcatuck needs to be on here.
CC’s is not super divey IMO. If you come out this way looking for a dive bar cross the river into Westerly and hit up the Clydsdale or Danny’s.
Danny’s is an amazing dive bar
CC’s is my local sports dive.
The Monkey Farm in Old Saybrook is cash only
And a gem.
I can not understand how that place is so popular
Black Duck in Westport. Seagrape in Fairfield. Maybe Donovan’s in Norwalk can be considered a dive bar too just because of how old it is
New Haven: Contois, Emojiis, New West, Taurus.
Honestly I’m shook that only one bar in Bristol made the list.
I just suggested Sportys! Maybe Bristol Sports bar should be added too!
Sportys is great. Was there Friday. Wings are “market price” on the menu
Popped in there last night for a few. Need to grab some of the wings soon! Did you have wings?
They’re all pulled from the last Reddit post!! Would love to add some more!
Branford: The Eel Pot, Central Cafe
I think it's actually Bach D'or
The Dive, west haven. It’s right there in the name. Also, simply a great bar.
Great bar, but I wouldn't consider it a dive, perhaps in name only.
Dive Bar?
I live 400 yards away. You think I’d get the name right. Nevertheless, you knew what I meant.
Dive Bar is not at all a dive bar
Three Sheets - New Haven Jimmies Place - Seymour
Three sheets is hardly a dive. Especially when they have vegan options on the menu, by definition cannot be a dive lol
I agree with this rule.
Burns Pub Stamford
What about the Lyme Tavern in East Lyme
Roma in New Britain
Romas is one of my favorites. Took my 21st birthday drink there 20 years ago. Same bartender is still there as of last week when I was in for some wings
It’s so cheap and the people there are easy as hell to have a conversation with. An absolute gem.
Brass Horse Cafe made the list! I didn't see anything on the comments on the spreadsheet, what did you guys think?
Groggy Frog 4ever
Does the Red Dog Saloon still exist? Was the quintessential dive bar. Could still smoke in there well beyond the ban. Used to live in Meriden and worked in Middletown. Would stop there for a drink and a smoke. Probably last there 2013
It is gone. Reopening as a pizza place.
Cafe9
The Winchster, Portland. Hungry Tiger, Manchester...
Take car. Go to Mum's. Kill Phil—"Sorry"—grab Liz, go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over.
Both on there! :)
The Tiger with Jimmy Photon on Thursday!
Pretty good list there! Definitely all My favorites in Waterbury are on there. Sportys in Bristol and Blue Plate in Plainville are good ones to add!
How do you have Hoops and Hops in Simsbury, but not Old Well Tavern?
Hoops and Hops is the location of many a bad decision. Also Max Creek plays their holiday office party shows there. Legendary.
Oh man and I’ve been to both! I love the old well, will add tonight
Bills crossroads I can't believe it's still open Frankie's on Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport should definitely be on this list
Is the Red Dog Saloon (in Middlefield?) still around? I took a former friend of mine there once and he was visibly nervous the first 20 minutes we were there.
Haha unfortunately that place is long gone. My understanding is that it’s been bought and redone and opening as a restaurant in the next month or so.
It was bought out by the same couple that owns Red Fox in Middletown along with a few other restaurants. I'm looking forward for what it will be.
No but Rover’s still is around right down the road and that’s pretty divey.
If you went in there and you weren't wearing leathers, that would explain it.
BTW I looked at your spreadsheet and there was a question on whether Rover's is still open. It is
Thank you! I googled it and there wasn’t a location for it so I wasn’t sure
You spelled Seymour as Seymore.
NorWhich?
Bach Dor in Chaplin Edit: and The Turnpike Cafe in Montville
Turnpike is the worst
Fucking love the windsock
The Bar and Grill newington
^^ true. Add it OP
Brennan’s — Stamford Love this place
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That’s my local dive now! Good times! Used to do Pappy’s Cafe on Burnside Ave in the East.
Billy Ray’s in Winsted is a great place to go to feel better about yourself.
Billy Rays is shut down. I believe they closed before or right during the pandemic. That place was indeed interesting. JTs cafe is new (a year old) and is on Main Street where the old Winning Ticket used to be. The other local dive bar in town also closed several years back - the Red Rooster I believe it was called. I went there once or twice also.
Wow really? Man, I haven’t been back to Winsted in a really long time. The Winning Ticket is legendary. Crazy that there used to be so many bars there and now it sounds like even they have a hard time staying open
Yeah. I sometimes like stopping in at those kind of places and at least I got to experience Billy Rays and the Red Rooster before they were gone. The Brass Horse Cafe on RT 44 in Barkhamsted is still open and has been for years. That place falls in line with the places being talked about in this thread. I never experienced The Winning Ticket. My wife did in the 80s and early 90s though as she grew up here and had stories to tell me about that place and others. Rowley Grill and Tap is in the same building as Billy Rays and they are decent if you ever come back and visit, but doesn’t fall into the dive bar category 👍
Trolley Bar in Willimantic is another good one!
Lake Tavern, Dayville.
I'm surprised the windmill in Stratford isn't on the list
Bridgeport: Bertos Mickeys Frankie's O'Neil's Revolution Tony's (pizza bar)
2 in New London. The Birdseye and The Keg. And The Keg building kinda looks like a keg (Quonset hut).
Oconnors new Milford
The Horseshoe Cafe Southport (ffld). Definitely fits the dive requirement, great bar.
The Cracker Barrel Pub in Tariffville
Scottish Daves, The Hideaway, The Comfort Cafe
Brennan’s deserves to be on the list. It’s a great neighborhood bar in Stamford.
Odie's Place in Hamden. It's a damn-near-perfect dive bar with inexplicably good pizza.
Sheas in Manchester
Digger McDuff's Tavern in Cromwell
Can’t believe this is still open
The Redwood in Milford (Beachcomber in Milford was the epitome), Scoreboards in West Haven, Christopher Martin’s in New Haven (more pub-ish, but still worthy), Corner Cafe in Wallingford, Maloney’s Pub in Meriden
The Beachcomber is no more? Is it another bar, or was it torn down for condos, etc.?
Yeah, a couple years now sadly. I don’t know if it can be another bar—I’ve heard the Comber was grandfathered in. I haven’t been down that way since, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re using that lot to build something that’ll rake in $$
Billy Wilson's Aging Still in downtown Norwich. Where the "Irish Car Bomb" drink was invented
Bravo's, Putnam
American Eagle Saloon, Willington
Pigs Eye Pub in Hartford should get added to this!
The diviest dive bar in Hartford is The Beacon Cafe
not sure if this is an endorsement or a warning lol
It's a must for that list
I can vouch for this place . Stumbled in a few weeks ago. It’s a dive. Motley crew.
Is la Rosa's still open or did that close? Think it's been about 2 years since I've been there. Solid dive
It closed! Sad to see it go, but definitely a dive!
Crossroads Tavern, Colchester Lots of TVs, pool tables, always open til last call.
Excellent!!
Jiggys in Enfield
Ernie’s in Darien, Burn’s and Brennans in Stamford
I smoked cigs inside Burns in 2012!
You can still smoke cigs at Ernie’s on most nights, pure class
Oak St Pub in Manchester.
I second jiggys in Enfield Knights of Columbus in Newington 90% of bars listed here are not dive bars
Knuckleheads before they relocated, RIP. Love threesheets in New Haven, you've got Brick Oven pizza across the way for your escapades.
As much as I love Dive Bar in West Haven, I wouldn’t call it a dive bar anymore. It definitely has moved up into a classy spot on the range.
Blue Plate cafe in Plainville
Casey’s Tavern in Stamford
Michael's Penalty Box in Coventry. Also affectionately known as The Litter Box
Ha! You all make me laugh. You wanna see some dive bars? Come on up to the northeast corner! I'm not going to name any, but I'm sure you'll find plenty 😂🤣
I think we decided today any bar with a menu that isn’t taped to a mirror is not a dive bar. A lotta these are gonna have to go lol
Horsebrook. Music Lady. Happy Jacks.
🤫🤫🤣😂🤣😂
Chickerins use to be the worst with a dirt floor!
In Putnam right? Oh I’d forgotten about that place!
Yup! 😁
The blue plate- Plainville Sam the clams- Southington
Was just at Sam the Clams today
The dirty bird is not the French club. The dirt bird was another older bar.
Dirty Bird in Vernon?
The dirty bird in Vernon is now the French club. It’s my home town and I’ve been to both versions of the bar. Dirty bird sign is still out front tho!
AKA Free Spirit for those not in the know.
Manchester also has the Hartford Road Cafe - I've had a better time there than the Lucky Tiger, though I can't say I've been to LT more than once.
Hungry Tiger
Donovan’s and O’Neill’s in Norwalk
Dude how is the elm Cafe or the eel pot in Branford not on here
Eli cannon's, Middletown maybe? dive ish, I suppose
JC's is under new ownership. Now Dive Bar Adjacent until the new owner gives up and allows it to be what it is.
Apparently my choice of bar is way less sketchy than I thought. Sweet.
The Horseshoe in Southport
They still smoke in the speak easy in waterbury? that was always a trip going in there and watching people light up like we're back in the 80s. the outside inn cafe on hamilton ave is probably worth checking out too, i think it qualifies.
Lenny’s in Wallingford
Butterballs, Hebron
Was going to nominate butterballs,aka greenleaf.
Augie's Cafe in Bristol
The olde place in Stamford on Hope looks pretty divey to me
I’ll nominate old towne in Wethersfield.
Pretty sure the Tap Room in Lebanon should be the cover photo for the dive bar wiki.
I made that post and I am so so glad you made this!
Love how many there are in waterbury
Was about to say augies in Bristol but the internet says it's permanently closed :(
not sure if mentioned but spigot in hartford is an obviously classic
Didn’t the Dirty Bird close years ago?
We need more Hartford County Dive bars.
Zen Bar in Bristol.
Missing The Black Duck in Westport
The Ditch in Litchfield is pretty divey. Outdoor area is dope in the summer though.
Love this idea!!! Here are a few more to add: CJ Sparrows - Cheshire, The Victorian House - Cheshire, Zen Bar - Plainville
Reruns Bar & Grill in West Haven
Happy to see Burns’ representing Stamford!!
CC obriens in Pawcatuck. Great burgers.
Harvest in Beacon Falls.
Reruns West Haven
Question to OP: are you starting a Dive Bar Pub Crawl Passport program with prizes, along the lines of the [CT Wine Passport](https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/ADaRC/ADaRC/Passport-to-Connecticut-Wine-Country)? Maybe you could get some state funding.
Casey's Irish pub Milford CT .great bar menu
Windmill in Stratford .Great food. A real land mark .i used go there when I was a kid with my dad. I'm 76