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If you can’t have a good time at the Peak Inn, just order a hamburger and try harder.
The Peak Inn

14 Essential Dallas Dive Bars

Dimly lit and slightly grungy, there's nothing better than a dive bar

by Eater Staff Updated
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If you can’t have a good time at the Peak Inn, just order a hamburger and try harder.
| The Peak Inn
by Eater Staff Updated

Dallas has plenty of ritzy cocktail bars and for those who want to dress up and spend $20 on a cocktail, please look elsewhere. This is where we celebrate some of the city’s most beloved drinking establishments: its dive bars.

Yes, there are spots where Dallas drinkers can throw back some whiskey and all the PBRs in a simple jeans and a t-shirt. These are the best of ‘em.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

King's X

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This dive was purchased by a group of Lake Highlands guys who wanted to preserve their hangout when the original owners from the ‘70s were ready to retire. It has remained one of north Dallas’s best dives, with basic cocktails, beers, and shot deals. Plus shuffleboard tables, a darn good jukebox, and karaoke nights, for those who like a side of entertainment with their booze.

9191 Forest Ln # 1, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 234-9064
(972) 234-9064

One Nostalgia Tavern

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Having served as a filming site for shows like Cruel Summer and movies like This World Won’t Break, One Nostalgia will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie. Not to mention, the karaoke stage here will make you feel like a star too.

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 348-8407
(214) 348-8407

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Barley House

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This SMU favorite is a great spot for watch sporting events, game shows and more, or participating in one of Barley House’s weekly trivia nights. It’s also been hosting shows from the best local bands since the ‘90s. And you can still get a $12 pitcher of Coors Light and $5 drink specials every day.

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 824-0306
(214) 824-0306

Hidden Door Inc

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This spot aims to be the friendliest bar in Texas but your money’s no good here at Hidden Door — well, your credit card, that is. This LGBTQ-friendly bar only accepts cash, and the drinks are stacked with enough booze to keep the party going from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Yes, they open that early.

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 526-0620
(214) 526-0620

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The Goat

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It doesn’t get more divey than the Goat. One thing this dive has one most of the others is it’s robust calendar of entertainment. There is karaoke, live music, jams, and jukebox nights every night of the week.

7248 Gaston Ave (at Tucker St.), Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 327-8119
(214) 327-8119

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Lakewood Landing

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At this classic East Dallas dive, diners can enjoy stacked burgers or BLTs paired with cold brews. Not to mention, Lakewood Landing’s iconic corn dog makes for a great snack in between bars.

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 823-2410
(214) 823-2410

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Cosmo's

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Decked out with VHS tapes and old records galore, Cosmos is a funky, groovy joint that sells excellent Korean hot wings and kimchi tater tots.

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-4200
(214) 826-4200

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Dallas Woody's

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In the good-ol’ gayborhood, Woody’s offers good drinks, fun music, and sports galore. Whether visiting on show tunes Tuesday or throwback Thursday, nostalgic music videos play on large screen.

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 520-6629
(214) 520-6629

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Ships Lounge

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It’s tiny and there’s a no cursing rule. If that’s not reason enough to head to Ships for a beer, let the fact that it’s been around since the ‘50s guide you there to see what the hubbub is about.

1613 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(972) 707-7234
(972) 707-7234

The Grapevine Bar

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Sit on comfy couches on the inside of the Grapevine while sipping on bellinis and jamming to Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. Or shoot hoops in the dive bar’s large, spacious patio.

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 522-8466
(214) 522-8466

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The Peak Inn

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This unassuming spot on Peak Street in Old East Dallas is a great hang and an even better burger. The bartenders specialize in wry humor and cold drinks, and don’t seem to mind too much if you bring your dog in too.

132 North Peak Street, Dallas, Texas 75226
(214) 377-8828
(214) 377-8828

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Double Wide Bar

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Double Wide is home to the YooHoo Yeehaw, a frozen YooHoo cocktail that is a must-try. Plus, it has a separate venue for live music from great local bands. Come for the drinks, stay for the show.

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 872-0191
(469) 872-0191

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Mike’s Gemini Twin

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This spot down in the Cedars has the vibe of a dive but specializes in the classic cocktails of a much fancier spot. And it’s got hot dogs (wagyu, jalapeno cheddar, and brisket) that keep folks coming back.

1902 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 377-9356
(214) 377-9356

Lee Harvey's

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Few things beat a good night out at Lee Harvey’s — especially when surrounded with friends at one of this dive’s fireside picnic tables or catching a band on the stage.

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 428-1555
(214) 428-1555

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King's X

9191 Forest Ln # 1, Dallas, TX 75243

This dive was purchased by a group of Lake Highlands guys who wanted to preserve their hangout when the original owners from the ‘70s were ready to retire. It has remained one of north Dallas’s best dives, with basic cocktails, beers, and shot deals. Plus shuffleboard tables, a darn good jukebox, and karaoke nights, for those who like a side of entertainment with their booze.

9191 Forest Ln # 1, Dallas, TX 75243
(972) 234-9064
(972) 234-9064

One Nostalgia Tavern

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231

Having served as a filming site for shows like Cruel Summer and movies like This World Won’t Break, One Nostalgia will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie. Not to mention, the karaoke stage here will make you feel like a star too.

6521 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 348-8407
(214) 348-8407

Barley House

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

This SMU favorite is a great spot for watch sporting events, game shows and more, or participating in one of Barley House’s weekly trivia nights. It’s also been hosting shows from the best local bands since the ‘90s. And you can still get a $12 pitcher of Coors Light and $5 drink specials every day.

5612 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 824-0306
(214) 824-0306

Hidden Door Inc

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209

This spot aims to be the friendliest bar in Texas but your money’s no good here at Hidden Door — well, your credit card, that is. This LGBTQ-friendly bar only accepts cash, and the drinks are stacked with enough booze to keep the party going from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Yes, they open that early.

5025 Bowser Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 526-0620
(214) 526-0620

The Goat

7248 Gaston Ave (at Tucker St.), Dallas, TX 75214

It doesn’t get more divey than the Goat. One thing this dive has one most of the others is it’s robust calendar of entertainment. There is karaoke, live music, jams, and jukebox nights every night of the week.

7248 Gaston Ave (at Tucker St.), Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 327-8119
(214) 327-8119

Lakewood Landing

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214

At this classic East Dallas dive, diners can enjoy stacked burgers or BLTs paired with cold brews. Not to mention, Lakewood Landing’s iconic corn dog makes for a great snack in between bars.

5818 Live Oak St #4334, Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 823-2410
(214) 823-2410

Cosmo's

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206

Decked out with VHS tapes and old records galore, Cosmos is a funky, groovy joint that sells excellent Korean hot wings and kimchi tater tots.

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-4200
(214) 826-4200

Dallas Woody's

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219

In the good-ol’ gayborhood, Woody’s offers good drinks, fun music, and sports galore. Whether visiting on show tunes Tuesday or throwback Thursday, nostalgic music videos play on large screen.

4011 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 520-6629
(214) 520-6629

Ships Lounge

1613 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

It’s tiny and there’s a no cursing rule. If that’s not reason enough to head to Ships for a beer, let the fact that it’s been around since the ‘50s guide you there to see what the hubbub is about.

1613 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(972) 707-7234
(972) 707-7234

The Grapevine Bar

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Sit on comfy couches on the inside of the Grapevine while sipping on bellinis and jamming to Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. Or shoot hoops in the dive bar’s large, spacious patio.

3902 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 522-8466
(214) 522-8466

The Peak Inn

132 North Peak Street, Dallas, Texas 75226

This unassuming spot on Peak Street in Old East Dallas is a great hang and an even better burger. The bartenders specialize in wry humor and cold drinks, and don’t seem to mind too much if you bring your dog in too.

132 North Peak Street, Dallas, Texas 75226
(214) 377-8828
(214) 377-8828

Double Wide Bar

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Double Wide is home to the YooHoo Yeehaw, a frozen YooHoo cocktail that is a must-try. Plus, it has a separate venue for live music from great local bands. Come for the drinks, stay for the show.

3510 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 872-0191
(469) 872-0191

Mike’s Gemini Twin

1902 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75215

This spot down in the Cedars has the vibe of a dive but specializes in the classic cocktails of a much fancier spot. And it’s got hot dogs (wagyu, jalapeno cheddar, and brisket) that keep folks coming back.

1902 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 377-9356
(214) 377-9356

Lee Harvey's

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215

Few things beat a good night out at Lee Harvey’s — especially when surrounded with friends at one of this dive’s fireside picnic tables or catching a band on the stage.

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 428-1555
(214) 428-1555

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