Welcome to the Johnsons on Rivington is the deliberate 1970s rec-room dive opened 1999, with brown couches, a pool table and the cheapest pint in the LES.
Tip: Open 15:30 Mon-Fri, noon Saturday and Sunday, closes at 04:00 every night. PBR and a shot for $5 most hours.
Address: 123 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002, New York City
Lucy's on Avenue A is Polish-born Lucy Anderson's dive, run by the same family for decades. Two billiards tables, a jukebox and the friendliest bartender in the neighborhood.
Tip: Lucy reopened in March 2025 after a brief closure. Cash preferred, no kitchen, but she will tell you a story for free.
Sophie's on East 5th has poured cheap beer since the 1980s, named for one-time Ukrainian owner Sophie Polny. Anthony Bourdain filmed here; the regulars never left.
Tip: Opens 15:00, runs to 04:00. Cash-friendly, jukebox heavy on Tom Waits, the back has Skee Ball and a pool table.
Doc Holliday's on Avenue A and 9th has been the East Village honky-tonk since 1994. Country jukebox, pool table, Lone Star Tall Boys and a saloon-style door.
Tip: Opens noon, runs to 04:00 every day. Cash preferred before 21:00, $3 PBRs at the Tuesday-night happy hour.
Mona's on Avenue B runs the city's best free live music in a dive bar: Monday bluegrass jam, Tuesday jazz with Jon Weber at midnight, every week, no cover.
Tip: Mondays for bluegrass, Tuesdays for jazz (10 piano starts at midnight). Cheap Guinness Thursday, no cover any night.
Rudy's on Ninth Avenue has poured cheap beer since 1933, with a free hot dog when you order. Red leather booths, a pig sculpture out front, the same crowd since the 1970s.
Tip: Free hot dog with any drink, all hours. Opens 08:00 Mon-Sat for cheap pints, runs through to 04:00 every night.
Botanica on East Houston is the basement bar with $3 to $5 drinks, a tiny DJ booth and the rare Houston Street happy hour that runs until 19:00 every day.
Tip: Happy hour from open to 19:00, Sunday karaoke is the regulars' tradition. Cash-friendly, no cover.