Hinano Cafe
15 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
map

In light of Venice’s rapid gentrification, it’s nice to know that there’s still a beach bar where you can get a cheap beer, shoot some pool, and mingle with local surfer bums, hippies, and the occasional gang member. Those places are all but gone. Hinano’s is the exception. Surrounded by trendy eateries with a high douchebag quotient, this surfer shack extraordinaire has embraced the Venice mentality over the years and maintains that laid back style today.

Hinano is adorned out front with a string of Christmas lights year round and aglow with neon within. Don’t let the ski-capped eastern-European doorman checking IDs fool you. You won’t find any Kolatchys in this bar, but rather a fine variety of draught beer, a delicious and affordable bar menu served throughout the night (try the burgers), and free popcorn courtesy of the stand-up machine in the corner. Bring enough change for the PacMan and pool tables and enough greenbacks to quench your thirst as Hinano is cash only. And don’t bother with the Valets on Washington right in front of the bar (yes, it’s gotten that bad). Park on Pacific or one of the other side streets.

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

Big Dean’s "Muscle-In"
1615 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
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Every summer for the past 4 years, the World Dive Bar Tour has kicked off the season at the best beach bar in the county, "Big Dean’s ‘Muscle-In,’" a dive’s dive that perfectly blends easy-going, surfer sensibility with dilapidated decor.  Rather than closing at sunset like most bars on the strand, Big Dean’s owner T.J. graciously keeps the doors open extra late JUST FOR US (that includes the kitchen, Travis), and Mary Francis keeps the beer flowing like wine long into the evening.  If you stay long enough, she might even school you in the art of vanishing beer. Invite your friends and co-workers. This is one for the calendar. Let’s show Big Dean’s our appreciation and make this the best dive stop of the year!

Built over 80 years ago, Big Dean’s has changed hands and changed names a number of times, but it has never lost its appeal as the quintessential beach bar.  Icy cold American macro-brews are available on tap, served in a variety of different sized plastic cups.  Wine is available upon request and will more than likely come from a cardboard box rather than the rusty spigot protruding from a wooden cupboard labeled "M-rlct."  Like an ancient Roman city, Big Dean’s has simply built on top of its previous occupants.  Their refrigerator is literally a converted ice box, the bathrooms former broom closets that may or may not be ADA compliant.

Don’t fret at Big Dean’s location. There is plenty of free parking in the structure at 2nd & Colorado. There are also free street spots if you’re lucky enough to find one. Last year, some people parked at the beach lot right next to the bar, but it technically closes at sunset. So do so at your own risk.

Because Big Dean’s is being kind of enough to stay open late for us, we’ll begin the revelry an HOUR EARLY at 8pm. As usual, It’ll get real interesting by 10. Come for one venti bud light, 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

Joker
2827 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Map

We are happy to report that despite a recent drug bust at the Joker where a bindle of cocaine was found in the bathroom along with scales, packaging materials, and $5,000 cash in "undisclosed locations," this fine establishment remains open for business.  We have not yet confirmed if the bartender who was arrested got her job back, but we’re certain that her consummate selling skills are an asset the owner of any bar would want behind the counter.  We are lobbying him to promptly post her bail and restore her position.

While SMPD considers the Joker a "nuisance," we on the World Dive Bar Tour consider any bar where bottles are broken and cars are set ablaze in the parking lot a paragon of watering holes.  Holding to values from a day long past where disputes were settled with fisticuffs or the occasional Molotov cocktail, by default we assume that the owner of the torched vehicle no doubt got his comeuppance and absolve the perpetrator from any wrongdoing.

Needless to say, Joker is lacking anything but character.  Pictures of the eponymous Batman villain and other clowns adorn its walls along with other decorations indicative of a time when the "jokers" were the ones who went outside to smoke a cigarette.

Drinks here are some of the cheapest on the west side, and one could leave thoroughly lubricated for under $10. But Joker is cash only, so be sure to hit up the ATM ahead of time. And, there’s ample parking in the back.

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

San Francisco Saloon Co
11501 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
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Northern Californians new to Los Angeles might be particularly interested in a dive bar bearing the name of their beloved Bay Area city. They might jump at the chance to step over the threshold into a room that captures the character and ambiance of a watering hole in historic North Beach. Perhaps they would yearn to mingle with patrons whose fashion sense and love for show tunes takes them back to their days in the Castro District. Or, at the very least, the NorCal sports fan might hope to catch a Giants game in the warm company of SF natives looking to get away from their violent, Dodger-worshipping roommates.

Needless to say, the person who steps foot into the San Franciso Saloon Co will be sorely disappointed and be awakened to the sad fact that there really isn’t anything authentic in LA; only pathetic attempts to emulate other cities, cultures, foods, and experiences for the purpose of either attracting tourists or improving their Zagat rating. There is actually very little about this bar that resembles or harkens back to the original Sin City of California other than the name and the strip club one block down.

That said, the San Francisco Saloon Co is a worthy dive, serving up a fine selection of draft beer at dive-worthy prices and a highly respectable bar menu. Despite the copious TVs throughout the establishment, don’t expect to find the game you were planning on watching unless it’s on one of the major networks. We would suggest, instead, that you direct your attention out the large, front-facing windows to the highly entertaining strip club clientele occasionally passing by.

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

Lost and Found
11700 National Blvd. #D
Los Angeles, CA 90064
map

Adventure stories are based on some heavily clichéd mechanics. One, something is lost. Two, something must be found. And that said thing is always hidden in a dusty old hidden room. This week the World Dive Bar Tour quests for our lost treasure, a cheap drink. Our journey takes us to the Lost and Found, in a remodeled strip mall that just reinforces the adage, "true beauty is on the inside." The faux classical facade of fading days of consumerism and capitalist glory gives way to the warm wood paneled walls and acoustical tiled ceiling of a bygone time festooned with the trappings of a well appointed secret chamber:

A fireplace for warmth.
A crooked pool table for the sharks.
A jukebox of classic rock and soul for the previous generation.
A fancy "new" electronic dart board.
A box to fill with toys for the underprivileged youth this holiday (or christmas if you are into the culture war and live on that side of the fence) season. Why not bring something to fill your spirit with the season’s joys.
A cigarette machine for those that smoke only while drinking.
A client base with more gray hair than a powder whig trade show circa 1753.
And a bartender named Steve; graduate of Reno High School Class of 1969 and attendant of the inaugural Class of Archie Clayton Middle School (where my Pop Warner football teams practiced back-in-the-day.)

At Lost and Found, one can all find that missing ark, those mystic stones, the chalice or at least drink to forget the one that slipped away. True to its time, the payment scheme is archaic for the 21st century but these credit-less times it is back in vogue - CASH ONLY. (An ATM is on-site buy stashed next to the cig vending machine in a corner of vice.) And on a last note, there’s $3 beer.

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!

Brian, Sergeant of Arms and Legs

Backstage Bar & Grill
10400 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
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Don’t let this establishment’s proper name fool you. Unlike other "Bar & Grill" establishments you may come across that feature the bar-going atmosphere of an Applebee’s, the "& Grill" portion of Backstage is strictly there to put the face of legitimacy on bar tabs expensed by Sony lot employees from across the street. Here at the Backstage, the motto written across the biker gang tattoo-esque logo is "Dedicated to Pleasure", and once you step through the doors, it’s clear that the pleasure of alcohol consumption is the real focus. That’s not, of course, to minimize the glory of their extensive menu of top-notch pub food, and if you’re lucky, you just might get to witness a Co-Czar chowing down on a row of sliders.

When it comes to treating its patrons right, the Backstage does it right, designating Mondays and Tuesdays as "Regular’s Night" and effortlessly creating a Sam Malone-worthy environment on other days unparalleled in the LA bar scene. Karaoke is offered up 3 nights a week, with the notable exception of Wednesdays. In a town where every dive bar seems to place its karaoke on our night, this offers us a welcome reprieve from "Cheeseburger in Paradise" at a bar that knows Wednesdays are for one thing only: The World Dive Bar Tour. Please join us this week for one of the true gems of the Tour.

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

"Heaven blazing into the head: Tragedy wrought to its uttermost. Though Hamlet rambles and Lear rages, And all the drop-scenes drop at once, Upon a hundred thousand stages, It cannot grow by an inch or an ounce"

- Yeats

Cinema Bar
3967 Sepulveda Blvd.
The City of Culver City, CA 90230
map

To visit a place with a name such as "Cinema," depending on your knowledge of popular LA bars/clubs, one might assume that inside such an establishment a projector, large screen, and ample seating could be found in addition to the requisite trendy atmosphere and overpriced drinks. On the contrary the Cinema Bar is neither trendy nor overpriced and has barely enough room inside for a big screen TV let alone a movie theater. However, the bar still features live entertainment by squeezing a folk or country/blues band into the corner, making it a one-of-a-kind stop on the Tour.

Allegedly one of the oldest in the city so nice they named it twice, Cinema Bar gets its moniker because it’s situated within the borders of the crooked-street, red-light-camera-saturated, and arrogantly-christened "heart of screenland." The soft glow of Christmas lights on the walls and bartenders’ stiff drinks creates a cozy ambiance, crucial for such a claustrophobic space. As the seating is as limited as the standing room, expect to rub shoulders with fellow bar goers as the place fills up. And don’t worry, should either the stiff drinks or an dashing bar maiden/fella keep you from getting home, the Sun Burst motel across the street stays open late.

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 can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don’t mean just like in no paper cup, I’m talking about a glass of beer."

 - Vincent Vega, Pulp Fiction

Prince O’Whales
335 Culver Blvd.
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
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There are only two dive bars left this year, and Prince O’Whales is a new addition to the Tour that shouldn’t be missed. The "P.O.W." (as the locals call it) is actually 2 bars, one for live music and a larger one with TVs and dining tables–we encourage any sampling from their respectable bar menu. The bifurcated bar is separated by a dark, filthy, "outdoor" hallway soaked in puddles of spilled bud light, which also doubles as a smoking area, though don’t be surprised if inside the bartenders are ashing while pouring your drinks.

The clientele consists mostly of baby boomers who roll in from their ocean view homes up the hill and LMU students who never cease to harsh the mellow of anyone looking for a quiet drink. The latter is more of an issue on Tuesdays when a band is playing. Have a seat at the bar and you will most likely end up next to a crusty ol’ regular who started drinking long before you and will be arguing with the barkeep for another one long after you leave. Needless to say, some of the best conversations start with these loyal patrons.

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

"…the crowd in there, friends aside, seemed more like it was 1 p.m. on a Tuesday and acted as if they were just drinking as much as they could before they had to go back for the rest of their shift at the slaughterhouse."

-Yelp.com reviewer

Hinano Cafe
15 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
map

In light of Venice’s rapid gentrification, it’s nice to know that there’s still a beach bar where you can get a cheap beer, shoot some pool, and mingle with local surfer bums, hippies, and the occasional gang member. Those places are all but gone. Hinano’s is the exception. Surrounded by trendy eateries with a high douchebag quotient, this surfer shack extraordinaire has embraced the Venice mentality over the years and maintains that laid back style today.

Hinano is adorned out front with a string of Christmas lights year round and aglow with neon within. Don’t let the ski-capped eastern-European doorman checking IDs fool you. You won’t find any Kolatchys in this bar, but rather a fine variety of draught beer, a delicious and affordable bar menu served throughout the night (try the burgers), and free popcorn courtesy of the stand-up machine in the corner. Bring enough change for the PacMan and pool tables and enough greenbacks to quench your thirst as Hinano is cash only. And don’t bother with the Valets on Washington right in front of the bar (yes, it’s gotten that bad). Park on Pacific or one of the other side streets.

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

“…It’s just like, dude, you got the best barrels ever dude, its just like you pull in and you just get spit right out of’em and you just drop in just smack and..whah-pack!…and drop down..and BAHHHHHHWWW!…and after that, you just drop in, and just ride the barrel and get pitted, so pitted…like that.”

- Surfer Dude

Cozy Inn
11155 Washington Place
Culver City, CA 90232
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The Cozy Inn has always been a WDBT Culver City favorite, known for its subdued character, precarious location, and colorful clientele. There is always at least one Harley parked outside and a quiet group of hard-boiled, blue-collar geriatrics inside drinking Wild Turkey and Bud. People keep to themselves, but it’s always possible to make a new acquaintance for the night over a game of shuffleboard or darts.

In the two years since we last visited the Cozy, it would seem business has increased–and the douchebag quotient has risen slightly–as more post-college 20-somethings discover the Washington and Washington nexus. Nevertheless, the ambiance remains the same, and the drinks remain stiff and cheap. The Cozy is still cash only, and you can still bet on seeing bored, Culver City PD patrolling the parking lot when you leave. So be prepared for both, and remember: always drink and drive responsibly.

For quality pre-dive eats or a post-dive sobriety snack, hit up Jonnie’s Pastrami or the famous Tito’s or Cinco de Mayo taco stands, all within walking distance.

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

   "Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer."

                                                                    — Henry Lawson