Ye Rustic Inn
1831 N. Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
map

“What is that smell?”

“Chicken Wings!”

This week we go old, medieval. Or country. The name is confusing. The place is dark. The window is blacked. The interior is illuminated by a handful of TVs, a tequila shrine and the radiance of the inhabitants. The music is loud and the roar of Bachman-Turner Overdrive is wholly appropriate. Because tourists, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Our stop is the Ye Rustic Inn. The name is confusing - everything else is straight forward. The wings are great. Do ye a favor and order a plate or do a favor for us all and get two. They have a late night happy hour that brings in the fun locals. And I don’t mean hipsters; they are across the street at The Drawing Room . Making an off color comment about Bristol Palin at the Rustic and you might meet the man that is producing her reality show or at least claims to be. (I hope he was telling the truth.) The Inn is perfect for a mid-week party and bullshit.

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 and we’ll find you.

Carpe Drink’em,

The World Dive Bar Tour Executive Committee

“B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t seen n-n-n-nothin’ yet” - BTO

]]> http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/09/11/september-14th-2011-ye-rustic-inn/feed/ http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/02/28/march-2nd-2011-prince-o-whales/ http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/02/28/march-2nd-2011-prince-o-whales/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:06:55 +0000 World Dive Bar Tour http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/02/28/march-2nd-2011-prince-o-whales/ WEDNESDAY, March 2nd, 2011 

Prince O’ Whales
335 Culver Blvd.
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
map

In order for our bi-weekly schedule to coincide with the week of St. Patrick’s Day, WDBT will be in full effect this Wednesday and taking next week off.

Not to be mistaken for the "Prince of Wales," the "Prince O’ Whales," this week’s dive bar, does share some similarity with the heir to the UK throne.

The Prince O’ Whales (POW as the locals call it) is situated, much like the country of Wales, in a small, southwestern enclave of a larger territory, and not unlike Price Charles himself has no official role in government or leadership in the territory. That by no means is meant to downplay the importance of its role in the community.

The POW is virtually the largest center of commerce, camaraderie, and Coors Light in Playa Del Rey. Every night is a royal celebration, and with two large rooms, one on each end with 2 large covered patios in the middle (smoker friendly), the entire community could easily fit inside. Live music regularly blares night after night, and the walls are lined with video game and dart entertainment.

Expect to be treated like royalty here as well. It’s not uncommon to leave the POW on a first name basis with the bartender and the whiskey-soaked septuagenarians at the bar who introduce themselves every time you order a 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!

Tower Pizza/Tompkins Bar
8351 Lincoln Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
map

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

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

Prince O’Whales
335 Culver Blvd.
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
map

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

Lotus Lounge
1135 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
map

There are times when this city can still surprise and delight. It’s the feeling one gets in a slightly grimy neighborhood, which you have passed through hundreds of times, when you wander in a slightly grimy doorway, which you have never before noticed, and find a dive bar that warmly welcomes you and serves up the most inexpensive pitcher of beer seen in years. It is harder and harder to uncover a new dive never before seen on the tour, but this week we will bring such a bar into the fold.

This week sets us down smack in the middle of town, on axis with the great dive bar heaven of San Pedro and somewhere between the neighborhoods we often call "east" and "west." The bar is just a block from a stop on our often neglected subway system between downtown and the valley. It is just a stones throw away from the 24 hour Mexican restaurant known affectionately as ‘The Gran’. A pitcher of beer will set you back just 12 dollars. There is a dart board, a pool table and over sized 80’s macro-brew posters all over the walls. If you do decide to drive (rarely has a dive bar destination been so accessible to public transportation) you will find copious amounts of street parking and a small lot in the back. Stay long enough and you might find yourself in a crackpot conversation about the economic future of the United States of America with a nice old-timer. With all these factors taken into account, I am beginning to think the Lotus Lounge could be a lynch-pin of the entire Los Angeles dive bar universe.

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

WEDNESDAY, March 26th, 2008

The Green Frog
13624 Moorpark Street
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

So pick up some discarded, vomit covered shamrock paraphernalia out of a nearby gutter, and confuse the locals by celebrating Old St. Patrick with us at the legendary Green Frog.

On this rare visit to the Northern Territories, the WDBT Executive Council also issues a strong recommend for Pre-Dive-Eats at the only dive bar with the audacity to declare itself as having "The best seafood in LA!" — the legendary Oyster House Saloon, just down the street at 12446 Moorpark.  Stop in for the dive bar ambience and drink selection, the 75¢ oyster shooter happy hour, and the heaping bowls of mussels and linguini, but only if you’re truly brave enough to attempt a dive bar double header.

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

"Me? In love with a pig? Ha ha! Wait ’til I get the guys at marketing!  Maybe you’ve expected me to go hog-wild! Oh, good, maybe you expect me to bring home the bacon! Ah, the sounds of love - Soue! Oink oink!"

-Kermit