Ye Coach & Horses
7617 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
map

It is with deep sadness and painful lament that we report another one of our Dives, Ye Coach & Horses, will be closing after 73 years of business because of a leasing issue. Not even the employees know exactly when the closure will happen, but as if it were a patient on his deathbed, its important that we all make an effort to drop by and pay our last respects before he passes. Therefore, this week, WDBT is calling an audible and switching from Westwood to Hollywood in order to give this fine establishment the send-off it deserves.

Ye Coach & Horses was more than just a historic Hollywood landmark, it represented a boundary on the World Dive Bar Tour, dividing Sunset Boulevard between overpriced, hoity-toity douchebaggery and easy-going, pabst-chuggin’ rock n’ roll. It was our Gateway Arch, our Statue of Liberty, marking the entrance into a new world of old; the east-Hollywood dive. And a landmark it was, unique in all respects from its narrow, Tudor-style interior, capturing the essence of a 16th century pub to the motley clientele, some of whom look like they might have stepped out of the 16th century.  While a great deal more could be written about this fine establishment, nothing can compare to an actual memory seared into one’s consciousness–so make it happen for your first time or last time on Wednesday while the doors are still open.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drink’em,

Alex, Damien, & Travis, WDBT Co-Czars

"And so, Theodore Donald Karabotsos, in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been, we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Good night, sweet prince."

–Walter - The Big Lebowski

3rd Annual SP Classic
RED LINE TOUR

FIRST HOLE:
Phillippe’s French Dip
1001 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

More than a year and a half has passed since we last had a contest of champions . This year we will be giving the San Pedro greens keepers* a respite. This year we will be taking the tour below the streets of LA! We will tee off just outside of Union Station at Philippe’s and enjoy the history of railroads depicted on the walls. From there, we will all buy $5 Metro Day Passes (as a greens fee) and hop on on the subway to our next set of holes. We will continue following the Red Line stopping at bars along the way until we reach Hollywood.

For those unfamiliar with the game, Bar Golf combines the best elements of a pub crawl with a variety of rules derived from that fabled club and ball sport invented by the Dutch and popularized by the Scotts. Each bar serves as a different hole, with a scorecard of drinks of varying difficulty corresponding to golf nomenclature of "Pars", "Birdies", "Eagles" and so on. Other familiar golf concepts also apply, including water hazards (vomiting penalty) and mulligans (spilt beverages). Bear in mind that, whereas in real golf, shooting a hole in one on every hole is merely highly improbable, in bar golf, attempting to do so will result in a hospital visit and stomach pumping. Bar golf is a sport of moderation and pacing, where the tortoise oftentimes does beat the hare.

Some of the holes we will be visiting include World Dive Bar Tour favorites like the White Horse Inn and Powerhouse. We have added a number of new venues like Gallery Bar, nestled in the bosom of the Biltmore Hotel and the MacArthur Park flavor of the Tango Room.

Come to compete; come to caddy*; come to watch. Golf wear is encouraged. If you want to compete or would like to volunteer to caddy, please RSVP to divebar@worlddivebartour.com (or post a note saying so on the facebook invite wall) so that we can arrange transportation and caddies accordingly. This year’s winner will receive the coveted ‘green jacket’ with commemorative patch, and all competitors will receive prizes fitting this vaunted occasion.

For the first time this year, golfers who finish the course will get to compete in a bonus whole where a particularly garish set of golfwear can get them a whole in one, a birdie or an eagle.

Carpe Drink’em,

Nate, Auxiliary Captain

*Greens keeper: Dive Bar Proprietors
** Caddy: Designated Driver, score keeper, shepherd

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Whitehorse Inn
1532 N. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Whitehorse Inn is a Hollywood institution and a true dive, down to the crimson and black decor, solid jukebox, cheap drinks, and eccentric patrons. In an eerie juxtaposition, though, there is also homey feel provided by its friendly elderly hostess passing around platters of chips, crackers, and microwaved hotdogs to you in the welcoming comforts and prelapsarian familiarity of the ratty couches in the sitting area, thus blending the emotions brought on by a traditional dive with those of your kind-hearted grandma’s living room.

Throw in the fact that the bar is situated under East Hollywood’s most popular hotel for transexual hookers and their clientele, and the bar begins to truly feel like a visit to grandma’s — if you and your grandmother both led sinful lives and reconvened in hell to reminisce on fond family memories. In short, it’s one of our favorite bars, and we do hope you’ll join us.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you, if the friendly regulars don’t find you first).

Carpe Drink’em,

Alex, Damien, & Travis - WDBT Co-czars

"Poverty was an ornament on a learned man like a red ribbon on a white horse" - Anzia Yezierska  

Jumbo’s Clown Room
5153 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
map

As the name suggests, Jumbo’s Clown Room is a magical place that some would think lives only in the mind of an innocent child. It is a relief to us all that this land of prelapsarian wonder does exist, and it does so in an East Hollywood strip-mall, in a neighborhood predominantly consisting of Thai restaurants.

From the outside, Jumbo’s bears the same sort of anonymous facade as most destinations on the tour, but inside exists freakish, yet undeniably alluring sights and sounds worthy of P.T. Barnum himself. The drink selection and pricing is that of your standard Hollywood dive, and the jukebox is strictly rock and roll, with each song carefully selected by the outgoing and friendly employees. Credit cards are accepted, however it is encouraged that you bring cash. Preferably singles.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM an gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drink’em!

Alex, Damien, & Travis, WDBT Co-Czars

"You oughta be ashamed of yourselves. A bunch of big guys like you, pickin’ on a poor little orphan like him. Suppose you was torn away from your mother when you was just a baby. Nobody to tuck you in at nights. No warm, soft, caressin’ trunk to snuzzle into. How would you like to be left out alone, in a cold, cruel, heartless woild? And why? I ask ya, why? Just because he’s got those big ears, they call him a freak. The laughing stock of the circus. And when his mother tried to protect him, they threw her into the clink. And on top of that, they made him a clown! Socially he’s washed up! Ah, but what’s the use of talkin’ to you cold-hearted boids? Go ahead. Have your fun. Laugh at him. Kick him now that he’s down. Go on! I don’t care."

- Timothy Q. Mouse, Dumbo

Snake Pit
7529 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
map

Falsely rumored to be owned by G&R’s Slash, the Snake Pit bears an ambiance that any rock star can appreciate - from the gentle glow of neon beer signs to torn-vinyl stools and a fine selection of beers. Pay with a credit card and your receipt will actually read "The Steak Pit," providing you with irrefutable evidence when you tell your boss or wife that you were among your meat-loving friends eating your dinner rather than drinking it. The Pit also sports one of those internet jukeboxes that have gained popularity in recent years, but the unwritten code for acceptable music in a dive bar still applies. If you’re tempted by the technology to search for and play your favorite Mariah Carrey or Lady Gaga song, all I can say is, I hope you can run fast or fight like Chuck Liddell.

Given its location in the heart of Melrose, it’s not uncommon to run into familiar faces from TV and film at the Snake Pit. During the WDBT’s last visit, one of our tour attendees who is hopelessly devoted to The Gilmore Girls (don’t jump to conclusions about his masculinity) spotted Shelley Cole across the bar and stared at her until his pants dried and he had mustered the courage to approach her. Finally, with a clammy palm and broken sentences he managed to introduce himself. Flattered by his charm and unfazed by the stain on his trousers, Shelley carried on with him for the remainder of the evening as the WDBT looked on encouragingly. The two of them were even spotted locking lips at one point although our view might have been obscured by the dark room. He insists there was a kiss. Needless to say, our friend didn’t get Shelley’s number but rather she divulged hints about her character in the upcoming season.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9:00 and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink or stay for one too many. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many, bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drinkem,

Alex, Damien, & Travis - WDBT Co-czars

Indiana: "Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?"
Sallah: "Asps. Very dangerous. You go first."

- Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark

Amagi Night Club
6114 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Map

It’s a new year, and you’re ready to hit the gym, finish that big project in your garage, and, most-importantly, make the next American Idol tryouts. What better way to kick off 2009 than by working on a resolution you have no intention of sticking to?! The Fourth Annual Would Dive Bar Tour starts at Amagi in Hollywood this week, the finest sushi/dive/karaoke establishment east of Highland. Once known for its health department "C" rating, and still known for the mediocre sushi and the Karaoke Ninja of Sunset, who visits every Wednesday to sing November Rain, Amagi is the finest amalgam of Japanese and Hollywood culture.

Situated in the famous "Gower’s Gulch" strip mall between a Subway and Rite Aid, across from a free AIDS testing facility, Amagi’s restaurant and bar are separated by a wall, but that shouldn’t discourage you from bringing your tuna roll to the Karaoke stage. You should also bring a couple bucks to tip the KJ. And if you can’t muster the courage to sing, fear not. Liquid courage at Amagi is affordable, and they take credit.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drink’em!

Alex, Damien, & Travis - WDBT Co-czars

Jumbo’s Clown Room
5153 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

As the name suggests, Jumbo’s Clown Room is a magical place that some would think lives only in the mind of an innocent child. It is a relief to us all that this land of prelapsarian wonder does exist, and it does so in an East Hollywood strip-mall, in a neighborhood predominantly consisting of Thai restaurants.

From the outside, Jumbo’s bears the same sort of anonymous facade as most destinations on the tour, but inside exists freakish, yet undeniably alluring sights and sounds worthy of P.T. Barnum himself. The drink selection and pricing is that of your standard Hollywood dive, and the jukebox is strictly rock and roll, with each song carefully selected by the outgoing and friendly employees. Credit cards are accepted, however it is encouraged that you bring cash. Preferably singles.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM an gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drink’em!

Alex, Damien, & Travis, WDBT Co-Czars

"You oughta be ashamed of yourselves. A bunch of big guys like you, pickin’ on a poor little orphan like him. Suppose you was torn away from your mother when you was just a baby. Nobody to tuck you in at nights. No warm, soft, caressin’ trunk to snuzzle into. How would you like to be left out alone, in a cold, cruel, heartless woild? And why? I ask ya, why? Just because he’s got those big ears, they call him a freak. The laughing stock of the circus. And when his mother tried to protect him, they threw her into the clink. And on top of that, they made him a clown! Socially he’s washed up! Ah, but what’s the use of talkin’ to you cold-hearted boids? Go ahead. Have your fun. Laugh at him. Kick him now that he’s down. Go on! I don’t care."

- Timothy Q. Mouse, Dumbo

Whitehorse Inn
1532 N. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Whitehorse Inn is a Hollywood institution and a true dive, down to the crimson and black decor, solid jukebox, cheap drinks, and eccentric patrons. In an eerie juxtaposition, though, there is also homey feel provided by its friendly elderly hostess passing around platters of chips, crackers, and microwaved hotdogs to you in the welcoming comforts and prelapsarian familiarity of the ratty couches in the sitting area, thus blending the emotions brought on by a traditional dive with those of your kind-hearted grandma’s living room.

Throw in the fact that the bar is situated under East Hollywood’s most popular hotel for transexual hookers and their clientele, and the bar begins to truly feel like a visit to grandma’s — if you and your grandmother both led sinful lives and reconvened in hell to reminisce on fond family memories. In short, it’s one of our favorite bars, and we do hope you’ll join us.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you, if the friendly regulars don’t find you first).

Carpe Drink’em,

Alex, Damien, & Travis - WDBT Co-czars

“Poverty was an ornament on a learned man like a red ribbon on a white horse” - Anzia Yezierska

Spot Light Room
1601 N. Cahuenga
Los Angeles, CA 90028

The 2008 Valentines Day spectacular has arrived, and what better location than the only bar in Los Angeles where Czars on a scouting mission have ever received overt sexual advances from the management: Hollywood’s Spot Light Room, which stands alongside Power House as the last of the true dives remaining in Hollywood. On a corner of the Cahuenga Corridor overrun with upscale establishments for the “Hollywood” crowd, the Spot Light Room beams with immeasurable pride as the location most visitors to this stretch walk quickly past, with nary a thought to the glory inside.

A colorful flag adorns the outside, complimented by colorful neon beer signs on the inside, and as a point of curiosity, while the women’s restroom is locked up like a bank vault, the men’s room features the swinging saloon style doors befitting the entrance to any great dive. In this town of velvet ropes and burly doormen, the Spot Light Room welcomes all income levels, job descriptions, races, creeds, genders, ages, and sexual orientations in a wholehearted embrace into the bosom of its friendly hosts, regulars, cheap drinks, and plentiful bar games. In fact, play your cards right, gentlemen, and you’ll be granted passage to free rounds, Aretha Franklin jukebox songs dedicated in your honor, and a handwritten note with a phone number in Westchester.

For parking in this problematic Hollywood area, bypass the local valet stands and journey just south of Sunset and in the direction of Wilcox for a cornucopia of available spots, or drive up the ramp of the LA Film School (and former Klasky Csupo building) on Ivar and Selma, where if you can properly carry yourself like a douchebag film student past security, free parking is always available.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM an gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you, if the friendly regulars don’t find you first).

Carpe Drink’em,

Alex, Damien, & Travis - WDBT Co-czars

“Let me tell you a secret: I got a lot of money I can put in your hole”

-Co-Czar Damien’s Admirer

WDBT 2007 was an epic year. Unforgettable Wednesday nights; the birth of the Extension; attendance has grown substantially, swelling with quality people; not to mention the San Pedro Classic!

The official WDBT 2008 calendar doesn’t start until next week. But if you are anything like me, you are going through dive bar withdrawal. And January 16th can’t come soon enough.

To heal your woes, we are proud to bring you the World Dive Bar Tour 2008 Preview at Amagi’s (brought to you by WDBT Extension). Nothing calms the shakes like a little bit of karaoke and a lot of Blue Moon. And no where can you get as elegant a balance of the very best and the very worst entertainment Hollywood has to offer. Every trip to Amagi’s leaves the sojourner with a tale to tell. And do I really even need to remind you of the one and only karaoke ninja?

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM and gets really interesting by 10:00. Come for one drink, or stay for one too many. Bring anyone and everyone, and join us for a great time in the middle of the week. If you arrive early or late, look for the people having a damn good time (it’ll be us), or start having a damn good time on your own (we’ll find you).

Carpe Drink’em,
Nate
Auxiliary Captain

[rating:3.5]

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