This is my first review and it's a doozy! My friends and me went to the Blue Crab Tavern back in November. We heard it was a cool place to check out the sunset and the people there were friendly except the old lady tending bar. When we were outside watching the sun set we noticed there were cameras everywhere! This is a real small bar so we couldn't figure out why there had to be so many cameras. When we went inside I noticed at least two more cameras watching us and then it got real creepy. The rude old lady behind the bar was watching videos on her phone. Or that's what we thought she was watching. We figured out she was actually watching a couple on the other side of the bar who were having a private conversation but you could hear every word they were saying on this lady's phone because she had the volume turned way up and they weren't talking that loud. But this lady was glued to their conversation! They got up and left and the old lady starts telling us what they were talking about and making fun of them! Even though this happened we decided to give the bar another chance and went back again in January. This time there was a pool being passed around and the same old lady (RG is her name) was asking us to buy blocks to bet on the Super Bowl. I wasn't interested but a few customers were buying blocks and taking pictures of this hand drawn graph with people's names in it. There were two of these pools. One had blocks for sale for a dollar and depending on the score matching the numbers you picked was whether or not you win. The one dollar pool paid $100 cash per quarter of the football game. The second pool was for the last quarter and those blocks were $5 each and the winning pot was $200 cash, or something like that. I wish I took a picture of it. I have never seen anything like this in a bar and after we left my friend told me why I had never seen it and that's because it's illegal gambling! I looked it up. "North Carolina law states that it is illegal for any person or organization to operate a game of chance or to play or bet on any game of chance that involves winning money, property or anything of value. Violators shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. GS 14-292." I am giving this place one star and I'd give it zero stars if I could because I think there's more going on there than just beer being sold. No one likes being spied on so I can't imagine you would want to try to have a private moment in there without RG listening in and she's not someone I want knowing my business. The illegal stuff could be funny until somebody gets in trouble. All in all this place has bad vibes. No bueno!
Ron Cekovich
Our kind of place. Great deck out back on the water and 2 pool tables.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Melissa Ball
Went during the 12 Bars of Christmas. Small cute place. The people behind the bar could it have been nicer.
Bren H.
Alright this is quite the dive bar! Cheap drinks! Decked in Christmas decor! Friendly staff - Argie never takes a day off. Can't hype this place up enough! They host local bands and have events weekly - def recommend checking this bar out
Mark Owen
Great beer, great outside seating and views!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donna Little
If you want to drink with your grandmother, this is the place to be! I had 2 of their Sutter Home Pinot Grigio at $4 a bottle and was told I drank them too fast!
Pam Morris
Best dive bar at Nags Head. AmaInf owner/bartender!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Amy W.
One reviewer said it's "One of the greatest dive bars in these United States". We found this to be true! Quiet Sunday afternoon with cold beer and good friends. What a gem!
Tracey Hansrote
Great dive bar! We stop here every time we’re in. Best review comeback to Pirk! Love reading the review comebacks! Sunset views, Argie and cold beer ?❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Gary Gentile jr
4 stars for a dive bar is pretty damn good. I suggest grabbing your beer at the bar with cash, then heading out back to the deck.
One of the coolest most unique hideaway bars on the Outer Banks bring cash no credit cards here! If you love visiting unique dive bars this is a must stop! A true local favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Marie L.
This is one of the greatest bars in these united states. I come here every time I'm in the outer banks.
bryan cattenhead
Nice locals atmosphere with great prices for your beer or wine of choice. Help support small business and stop by to experience the best Dive Bar on the beach! Don’t forget to bring cash because your credit is no good here!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pool Table
D A.
From reading the reviews, it is clear that you either get it or you don't about this place. The most recent 5 star review summed it up very nicely. It's a cool dive bar that is not for up tight people. Argie (r-gee) the owner has a heart of gold and is a fascinating lady. If you go, just chill and take it all in. Take cash and a good sense of humor. Argie and The Blue Crab Tavern was the bright spot of our first trip to OBX. Much better than other places on the beach that came highly rated.
Glenn R.
5 Star Dive Bar. Not for kids or uptight people. Wonderfully old school beer only bar. No food, no tabs and no frills. Just cold, reasonably priced beer. Fun place to hang out and meet some colorful locals. And they don't take American Express. ( or any card for that matter).
This is my first review and it's a doozy! My friends and me went to the Blue Crab Tavern back in November. We heard it was a cool place to check out the sunset and the people there were friendly except the old lady tending bar. When we were outside watching the sun set we noticed there were cameras everywhere! This is a real small bar so we couldn't figure out why there had to be so many cameras. When we went inside I noticed at least two more cameras watching us and then it got real creepy. The rude old lady behind the bar was watching videos on her phone. Or that's what we thought she was watching. We figured out she was actually watching a couple on the other side of the bar who were having a private conversation but you could hear every word they were saying on this lady's phone because she had the volume turned way up and they weren't talking that loud. But this lady was glued to their conversation! They got up and left and the old lady starts telling us what they were talking about and making fun of them! Even though this happened we decided to give the bar another chance and went back again in January. This time there was a pool being passed around and the same old lady (RG is her name) was asking us to buy blocks to bet on the Super Bowl. I wasn't interested but a few customers were buying blocks and taking pictures of this hand drawn graph with people's names in it. There were two of these pools. One had blocks for sale for a dollar and depending on the score matching the numbers you picked was whether or not you win. The one dollar pool paid $100 cash per quarter of the football game. The second pool was for the last quarter and those blocks were $5 each and the winning pot was $200 cash, or something like that. I wish I took a picture of it. I have never seen anything like this in a bar and after we left my friend told me why I had never seen it and that's because it's illegal gambling! I looked it up. "North Carolina law states that it is illegal for any person or organization to operate a game of chance or to play or bet on any game of chance that involves winning money, property or anything of value. Violators shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. GS 14-292." I am giving this place one star and I'd give it zero stars if I could because I think there's more going on there than just beer being sold. No one likes being spied on so I can't imagine you would want to try to have a private moment in there without RG listening in and she's not someone I want knowing my business. The illegal stuff could be funny until somebody gets in trouble. All in all this place has bad vibes. No bueno!
Our kind of place. Great deck out back on the water and 2 pool tables.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Went during the 12 Bars of Christmas. Small cute place. The people behind the bar could it have been nicer.
Alright this is quite the dive bar! Cheap drinks! Decked in Christmas decor! Friendly staff - Argie never takes a day off. Can't hype this place up enough! They host local bands and have events weekly - def recommend checking this bar out
Great beer, great outside seating and views!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want to drink with your grandmother, this is the place to be! I had 2 of their Sutter Home Pinot Grigio at $4 a bottle and was told I drank them too fast!
Best dive bar at Nags Head. AmaInf owner/bartender!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
One reviewer said it's "One of the greatest dive bars in these United States". We found this to be true! Quiet Sunday afternoon with cold beer and good friends. What a gem!
Great dive bar! We stop here every time we’re in. Best review comeback to Pirk! Love reading the review comebacks! Sunset views, Argie and cold beer ?❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
4 stars for a dive bar is pretty damn good. I suggest grabbing your beer at the bar with cash, then heading out back to the deck.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the coolest most unique hideaway bars on the Outer Banks bring cash no credit cards here! If you love visiting unique dive bars this is a must stop! A true local favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is one of the greatest bars in these united states. I come here every time I'm in the outer banks.
Nice locals atmosphere with great prices for your beer or wine of choice. Help support small business and stop by to experience the best Dive Bar on the beach! Don’t forget to bring cash because your credit is no good here!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pool Table
From reading the reviews, it is clear that you either get it or you don't about this place. The most recent 5 star review summed it up very nicely. It's a cool dive bar that is not for up tight people. Argie (r-gee) the owner has a heart of gold and is a fascinating lady. If you go, just chill and take it all in. Take cash and a good sense of humor. Argie and The Blue Crab Tavern was the bright spot of our first trip to OBX. Much better than other places on the beach that came highly rated.
5 Star Dive Bar. Not for kids or uptight people. Wonderfully old school beer only bar. No food, no tabs and no frills. Just cold, reasonably priced beer. Fun place to hang out and meet some colorful locals. And they don't take American Express. ( or any card for that matter).