The Copper Bucket is a Reseda staple, first opened in 1951. Drinkers still come through to this family-owned dive for the delightfully kitschy wood paneling, neon signs, shuffleboard, and weekend crowds. The drinks are what you might expect: draft beers or brews by the bottle, and plenty of well cocktails. Those looking to save a few bucks will be comforted in knowing that the pours are very liberal, and the prices are dirt-cheap for a dive bar. Despite its weathered look, the place is actually kept very clean — again, for a dive bar.

Television writer Jeff Strauss, who also runs Jeff’s Table in Highland Park, took over the former Bar at Oyster House and turned it into OyBar, a more polished dive experience with excellent food by chef Kenya Bovey. The vibe is undoubtedly a little cleaner than the average dive bar, and the food is good enough to be served on white tablecloths. Serving one of the best burgers in town and thoughtful versions of dishes Strauss grew up with, OyBar is a destination-worthy dive with strong cocktails and impressive food.

Head to Los Feliz for the wings at Ye Rustic Inn, which are some of the best in Los Angeles. The strip mall location makes it easy to find when driving through Hillhurst, with ample parking. Open nightly during the week, with daytime hours on the weekend, Ye Rustic is always a great choice to gather a group of friends and settle into an oversized red booth for a round of beers paired with some really great bar food.

The fun seemingly never stops at Tiki-Ti, the Sunset Boulevard cocktail legend that seats only a few dozen drinkers some nights, owing to its tiny space and customers’ penchant for lingering. The place was founded by Ray Buhen, who was one of the first bartenders at the now long-gone Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s. Buhen’s son and now grandsons have since taken over the bar, retaining its knick-knack-riddled charm and easy vibes. And patrons stick around for good reason: the drinks are strong and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in LA.

Look forward to cheap drinks, good service, and a fun crowd at Footsies, a dive bar in Lincoln Heights. On any given night, find everything from games of pool, dancing, and drag shows at this neighborhood gem. The walls are adorned in nude paintings, awash in magenta light. Drinks are pretty affordable, like $6 happy hour beers on draft. In addition to the indoor space, walk towards the back to find a small patio that often hosts local pop-ups, like smash burger specialist Flat Cow Burgers.

This historic hole in the wall off Western Avenue, established in 1933, has long been the go-to for Angelenos pregaming before a Wiltern concert or ending a night out in Koreatown. Apparently, even legendary LA novelist Charles Bukowski was a regular. A diverse collection of patrons connect over jukebox picks, a game of pool, and cheap happy hour PBRs, but make sure to also scan the curated selection of mezcals and whiskeys.

This Koreatown classic seems to be lifted straight out of the late ’60s, with a convivial after-work and early evening crowd. The easy American food is solid and the menu has more options than one would expect, including steak, pasta, and onion rings. The room seems to keep extending to the back, with dusty vinyl booths ready for small groups to sit for hours on end. Plus, the drinks are super affordable, and the old maritime vibes will feel right when you take down a few beers.

This low-key nautical-themed bar located in a Little Tokyo strip mall wants to be everyone’s neighborhood spot; it seals the deal with live music, Tiki Goth Mondays, karaoke Thursdays, and a daily happy hour that runs all day Sunday. Order up a Shot + Tots, a well shot and Tater Tots with ketchup, for around $12. Even when it’s not happy hour, the drinks are affordable and approachable. Close out a night of high-end drinking Downtown with a tropical punch like Drink Like a Fish with rum and Earl Grey tea.

Chicago transplants and fans of the show The Bear will feel right at home in this dive by the owners of Santa Monica’s Craftsman Bar & Kitchen. Congregate with other Chicago Bear die-hards while tucking into cheesesteaks and washing them down with martinis. The bar, which took over the old Arsenal space on Pico Boulevard in West LA, leans into its divey vibes with kitschy decor, year-round Christmas lights, and, of course, a jukebox. Pro tip: The Italian beef sandwich is one of the best ones in LA.

Culver City’s Cozy Inn lives up to its name: This is the cozy local spot to shoot pool, hang out with friends on the patio, or sip drinks under the twinkling lights inside. The wood panels, the dim lights, and the random wall decor makes it feel like a Midwest tavern. The jukebox is always filled with songs, and the drinks are cheap and flow fast — what else could one want from a classic Westside dive?

Hinano Cafe is a staple beachside dive bar on the Venice-Marina Del Rey border, the kind of sandy spot that visitors and locals love equally. From the simple burgers and hot dogs griddled behind the bar (paired with whatever bags of chips they have on hand) to the friendly staff and proximity to both sun and surf, Hinano is pure, unapologetic Venice. On weekends, it can be a scene, so prepare accordingly, and keep in mind that it’s cash only.

With its twinkling lights, cheerful bartenders, and burgers made behind the bar, there’s a lot to love about this Manhattan Beach favorite, which dates all the way back to 1927. The scene tends to be more sandblasted and wind-swept thanks to the salty locals who tend to filter in here from the beach, but overall the experience is really fun most days of the week. In addition to the drinks, find burgers, hot dogs, and more available to help soak up the beers and cocktails.

Dive bars don't get much older (or more famous) than Joe Jost's, a Long Beach essential for over 100 years. In fact, it’s been continuously owned by the same family over the past century, no small feat. The high ceilings, early 1900s vibe, and famous pickled eggs make it feel like a place lifted out of time. The Joe’s Special sandwich packs a split Polish sausage, Swiss cheese, pickle, and mustard on two pieces of rye bread — an excellent thing to help soak up the ice cold beer.

A relaxed dive bar in a less trafficked part of Burbank, Blue Room is a no-nonsense dive bar with a welcoming interior, swift service, and dirt-cheap drink prices (though it’s cash-only). The scotch and bourbon selections are fairly respectable, and the back patio is great for those who need to get a quick smoke (or even a longer one, as there’s heating provided in the winter). Beware, the men’s bathroom has a rare trough-style urinal, which is somewhat hilarious and gross at the same time.

A classic dive bar opened in 1947 in Hollywood that’s been gussied up in the decor but definitely not in the price or service department. That doesn’t mean it’s unapproachable, in fact Power House remains a reliable every day watering hole for tourists and locals alike, where $4 Pabst Blue Ribbon on draft or $7 well drinks lead to long nights nursing Negronis. Open at 4 p.m. daily, Power House is a fine respite from the bustle of Hollywood. Thursdays are karaoke night, in case your American Idol dreams were never met.

One of the earliest-opening dive bars in the city, this dusty strip mall spot let’s folks in at 8 a.m. every day, serving continuously until 2 a.m. The small size lends itself to random conversation with strangers, the ’70s-style wood paneled bar, the plush vinyl stools, and the buzzy feeling that this is a place to feel like a local instead of a tourist. Dive bars, especially LA dives, are the kinds of spaces to connect without shame, and the Drawing Room is one of the best places in town for that purpose.