Tower Pizza/Tompkins Bar
8351 Lincoln Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
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For those of us in this economy who are falling out of the ever-shrinking middle-class into the desperate morass of ramen-eating, public-transporation-riding poverty in Los Angeles, we are faced with a serious dilemma. Our financial instinct tells us to stay in on weeknights, drink tap water, and watch Full House reruns because you have to save up to pay your rent. But in a state of hopelessness, we can’t help but heed our pessimistic, reckless natures that crave social interaction outside of the home to commiserate with friends at the bottom of a very deep low ball.

Thus we seek out the cheapest food and drink establishments in the city. This week, the World Dive Bar Tour tries something new by combining a meal and libations with the age-old pizza and beer combo at Tower Pizza. Located on the edge of Ingle-Chester adjacent LMU, Tower has been home to poor college students and local paupers for years. Surprisingly great-tasting pizza, $10 pitchers, and a giant, satellite TV are just a few of the perks you’ll find at this west side gem. The only drawback would be it’s closing time.

Therefore, we’ll be kicking off the debauchery at 8PM sharp. Tower closes at 10, so we might roll down to the corner to visit Tompkins Bar. While it’s not a dive, it used to be a dive that was the inspiration for "Mo’s" of Simpson’s fame.

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

Brennan’s
4089 Lincoln Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

It must first be said that to move the sacred Wednesday Dive to a Thursday is an occasion afforded to only the worthiest of bars. Second, to reschedule in order to visit a somewhat trendy Irish pub that barely skirts the "dive bar" qualifications is an example of leniency by we, the Co-Czars, granted only to establishments with such an excess of character as to feature, for example, bubbly, well-lubricated women lining up to race box turtles at the bellowed command of a fat man in a hockey jersey and his whistle.

From the inside, Brennan’s is not unlike your average Irish pub with its respectable selection of lager and stout, walls adorned with Gaelic charms, and a space for a live band. The expansive outdoor patio, however, is the main draw, as the ring in the center is host to the locally famous Turtle Races on Thursday nights, and it conveniently doubles as an arena for the occasional rumpus that occurs when antagonistic patrons make sarcastic remarks to passing floozy’s, without noticing the young lady’s 300lb ponytailed boyfriend following close behind. Co-Czar Alex still nurses a tender spot on his forehead from the melee caused by Co-Czar Damien’s loose tongue. The patio also features a small bar where light beer and jello shots are available for a respectable dive bar dime.

As usual, the casual debauchery starts around 9PM an gets really interesting by 10:00, when the racing commences. 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

"This is Venice, Bitch!"

– Some geographically-challenged guy who punched Co-Czar Alex in the face in Marina Del Rey