50 Best Dive Bars near Vancouver

“This place screams Portland vibes but is Vancouvers own little retro upscale dive bar paradise. The bartender was friendly and shares a passion for searching for the best cocktail bars in the Portland/Vancouver area. We shared our love, and sadness, of the Expatriate, a beloved bar that recently closed on Portlands east side. You couldn't find a better place for great drinks, amazing food and top notch service...not to mention the dark and moody ambience was everything you want and more and added to the experience. While not exactly the same, Elbow Room is Vancouvers special something - from old timey movies playing on the TV, creative wall paper and pictures frames, to the nostalgic music in the background, all in all, a wonderful experience.“

“Good food I love there fully loaded steak bites only complaint is pool table is a dollar a game. Older crowd of people not alot of young people.

Parking: Lots of parking

Wheelchair accessibility: There is spots close to door“

“Friendly staff, delicious pub food with an interesting twist, a good beer selection, and great cocktails!“

“Best music bar in the city! Good vibes and character all over.“

“The Montavilla Mic returns on April 8th.“

“First of all---some of the best tomato soup I have EVER had. Unbelievable soup!! Excellent beer selection, clean and comfy accomodations, security on site. The bar service tends to be slow and bare minimum but everything else compensates for that. I am a repeat customer and for your own sake, try the soup.“

“Friendly staff, relaxing place with a pool table, outdoor seating; award-winning, best crispy fried chicken & jojos in Portland (made fresh each order, so allow time.) ❤ I love this artful dive bar with an EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN KITCHEN.“

“One of my all time favorite bars“

“They were a lifesaver during the snowstorm because I was stuck at work for 2 days. Ordered a great burger to go. That was warm and fresh“

“Was the best time Jon and Me had so so so much... What a fun adventure and entertainment!!!“

“Awesome place to grab a brewski. Went here with the wife and had a great time!“

“Been going here since the doors opened. Still a home base for me even though I don't live in the neighborhood anymore.“

“Just what the Doctor ordered. Great little neighborhood bar even if you aren't from the neighborhood.“

“Bar food gets a bad rap. Personally, some of my favorite dine-in meals have been at bars. Twilight Room is one of the best. My husband and I recently visited for lunch. I ordered the fish & chips and my husband ordered a burger. The homemade fries were delicious! We came in for lunch on a weekday, so it wasn't crowded. We ate and played pool for a couple of hours. Our bartender was also great. She gave me some drink recommendations and was extremely attentive. In hindsight, I wish that I would have taken some photos to share.“

“We had their sweet and sour chicken and it was actually really good. The rice was fresh and fluffy and the chicken was crispy and covered in a delicious, sweet and sour sauce. Karaoke was very fun. Operation of the karaoke unit was very professional and the audio was a spot on. No distortion and you could actually hear people sing. The song selection was, of course great and the ambiance and drinks were on par with what you'd expect on a popular bar in Portland. This is a great place to meet with some friends sing some songs. Have some good food and drink some too.“

“The bartender was rude & the server was all over the place. Happy hour and specialty cocktails were definitely lacking. But the food was amazing!“

“We have lived within 2 blocks of Barlow for the last 14 years and had never been.

We went for dinner (were not big drinkers so have no reviews of those) and were impressed with the food!

Had the chicken sandwich, fries, tots, egg salad sandwich and Ceasar salad.

Ate outside very pleasant on a warm evening.“

“Super nice staff. Good food Plenty of beers Dig!“

“Easy place ti sit down with the friends after w long day and get some cheap brews, play some pool and just you wind.

Reminds me of a little place I had back home. Nothing to make you fond of a place quick like some nostalgia.

Food is alright for bar food, longer you’ve been there the better it gets, ig you know what I’m saying.

Overall good little bar and I’d recommend it to anyone passing through the neighborhood with a hankering for a cold one.

Cheers.“

“Great spot. Its a dive bar! Excellent prices, tasty food and good service. The owner is top notch. Know where you're going and you'll love it. Keep expectations on a mellow setting and enjoy. I attended their anniversary celebration recently and it was clear they are a pillar of the community with a great following and history.“

“Watch our the wild goose! Trivia on Sundays!“

“hipster central good drinks“

“are house in the middle of the street ... HOME“

“Best spot, best vibes. But man. The chicken Parmesan sando. Two chicken strips on a hoagie with marinara. For real? Bring back the chicken sando. The normal one. With a whole breast and pickles. For the love of god please. I beg you. I love holmans. This chicken parm will bring shame upon your families if you continue to serve it. Please“

“Love this place! Jill is the best. The place is fun and friendly, clean, cheap beers too! Love the live music too!“

“awesome bartenders here...if you like that kind of thing. 😍“

“Sharon is such a fun & friendly bartender! Husband won on video poker, my drinks were great I went a sweet drink & husband went with rum & coke.
weekly events are fun too like karaoke and line dancing night! And bonus if you play pokemon go; there’s a pokestop“

“the best place to shoot pool and now they got karaoke too 😃“

“Went bar hopping for my son's 21st birthday a few weeks ago, and we had a great time at The Slammer. Our bartender who's name I've forgotten (younger man wearing a looney tunes shirt) took excellent care of our party, and made my son a drink he actually finished. Great music and atmosphere. We will definitely be back.“

“This had to be one of the best dive bars in Portland. Drinks were cheap! The had an amazing patio and a great area upstairs with pinball machines and a pool table. This was the highlight of the night. There is food up and down the street from Billy Rays so you’ve got plenty of food options for when you get hungry. It is a classic dive bar so don’t expect bright lights and fancy drinks. This is definitely a local spot!“

“Not many things were open on Christmas during the afternoon but this place was and I spent a few hours here reading a book with fresh drinks aplenty and I was happy about all of it. ⚓️

Vegetarian options: Beer and liquor are available.“

“Great staff and food! Love it here!“

“Best drinks, friendly atmosphere, great bartenders! Especially liked sitting outside on a warm day having a drink with old friends, and making new ones. Always someone there to play pool with and “talk story”.“

“These muh hecka’s put on.

They treat. They meet, they seat, they have nobody that can compete.
It’s an establishment that does complete everything you hoped to see
It’s a good place to displace all the disgrace from 82nd’s open face
Stop in and buy, try, and guide your mouth to exquisitely seasoned simple fair“

“Fir 6 months the owner would blatantly ask to give me felatio or if I would masturbate in my window while he stands across burnside and watches since my apt was directly above the bar. Lastly out of spite and hate he blatantly would ask bro z” suck my nigger dick” When I asked the bartender to tell his boss that I was wto call the police next time, the bartender James ran around the counter and pushed me and my two dogs into traffic and called me a nigger. I was surrounded by 7-9 patrons who all wanted to defend the bar. The bartender then threw a stack of coasters at my face and shoved me again. The owner Duane did nothing. I’ve taken this to the police as well“

“I wanted to write a review because I’m moving away from Portland and the last year Sarah has been my day bartender. She celebrated everyone’s birthday through the year and on my last week living here on my birthday made me a card for regulars to sign and I was even Captain of the ship for a day at one point.
She always has my drink ready, she’s thoughtful and protective in all the ways you would want your local bartender to be. I will always make it a point to come here on her shifts in the future when I find myself in Portland during the day.
She’s introduced me to amazing people; considered me in conversation with others to help me out when I just shared a simple life problem.
She treats everyone here like family and that is what will make me come back and I thank her for the friends I have met here at the ship.
Ps. Food gets one star because I haven’t had the glizzys but they smell good.

Some ships sail the ocean and some ships sails the sea but the best ships are the friendships and may they always be.“

“The bartender had a great story about a person who ordered a disgusting cocktail. 🙂 And then failed to drink it afterward.“

“Came down from Edmonton, Alberta for my friends wedding and had such a blast frequenting this place during my stay. People of Portland, I salute you. Great vibes all around the city, and especially this place! Ps. Sorry if I hit anyone with a pool ball or was too loud! Cheers ya'll..“

“love this little hole in the wall, yup one of portland's finest dive bars.On weekends there is a lot of different folks that stop by,Marcee and Stormi always treat them well.“

“Had an amazing time. Friendly bartenders and staff here. Gem treated us with pride and enthusiasm for the job instead of trying just to get money out of people granted women got to make money but You don't have to make it look like that's all you want to do. Will definitely be returning“

“Best dive ever“

“The blond bartender who works the night shift is absolutely wonderful. She is my favorite bartender. If i ever make plans to go grab a couple drinks or play video poker I will literally drive completely out of my way if i know she is working. She is wonderful to talk to. She remembered my name the second time i went there. She just makes the vibe of the bar so much more than any other bars I've been too. I went in a couple times when another bartender was working the night shift, she was a brunette and she was very snappy and i didn't want to be negative but she seemed really ditzy or sorry to say but maybe a little intoxicated in my opinion. But other than her. GREAT BAR!!!“

“Still love this place!!! We had our normal go-to's, but we added the beef with vegetables, even though it was mostly onions and jalapeños 😆. I think it's either #8, or #11, or #13, or was it #31 or 32?🤔
Either way, I love--and really admire--how they can get everything so piping hot and not burn anything!! Those beef cubes were sooooo tasty and sooooo freaking tender!!!

Most people sit at the bar to eat, but they do have regular restaurant seating in another portion of the building.“

“To be honest I never would have gone here if it wasn’t for Drag Trivia.
It felt like such a warm, inclusive place and I have made so many new friends.
The bartenders are lovely, and I love that they have CBD soda on tap!“

“Cheapest prices in this country. Shots, beer, & bar food are priced 1980s. Take advantage of this place as long as it last. Wont be around much longer as it attracts borderline hobos & other folks that only come out at night. I absolutely love this sleezy but top spot preflight! 4 drinks limit.“

“Great dive bar and good beer and great prices, plenty of space outside for smoking or hanging out with drinks, always have Karoke every night every day. I’m deaf, I used to go there when I dated an ex girlfriend of mine, but no longer together, but it’s a great bar through. It doesn’t have pool tables or darts at all, like it said it’s a dive bar with Karoke at nights :). Lot people do like it, and bartenders are awesome as well :)“

“A cool neighborhood bar that serves some good fried chicken and wings. The interior is clean and there are plenty of tvs with sports playing in the background. We ordered some wings, fried chicken, and a grilled cheese and tomato soup to eat. The person taking our order at the bar was pretty nice and patient while we figured out what we wanted. The grilled cheese and tomato soup was pretty simple. The wings were good and the fried chicken had a good crunchy exterior, but nice and moist inside. I do want to come here next time for happy hour.“

“I went there for the first time a few days ago! Great drinks and great people“

“Great hangout spot to meet with friends and play pool“

“I love Dots so much, from the atmosphere, Pee Wee photo booth, drinks, events, and solid vegan menu. I would give 5 stars if Happy Cow allowed that. My go-to has been the T.L.T. (tomato, lettuce, tofu) and y'all...it is so freaking good! So many places in Portland just aren't doing this classic and Dots crushes it. They house smoke their tofu and it makes me drool just thinking about it. Another item on their all veg menu I appreciate is the soup, salad, and grilled cheeze. They are open late for food and have started lunch on the weekends again from 12pm-4pm. Def add it to your list if you are in the area, at Clinton Street Theatre, or with a group of omnis and want to please everyone with extremely decent bar food. My pic of the T.L.T sucks, but don't let that dissuade you. Great vegan ranch there too and everything is affordable!“