Back Door Pub
813 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
map

Often on the Tour we escort our debauched devotees to dive bar landmarks. On a rare occasion, however, we have the pleasure to introduce our well-versed followers to a true unknown.

This week we venture into a recessed corner of downtown to check into the Back Door Pub at the Milner Hotel. With an entrance located off of the alley, this dreary dispensary of domestic lager is not your typical hotel bar. And why would it be? The Milner doesn’t really attract the convention crowd, choosing instead to advertise its accommodations through scanned photographs of hand-written customer surveys on its website. Feedback includes something that reads like “Feculent Hotel,” but upon further inspection is actually “Excellent Hotel.”

Very reassuring.

Navigate the hotel’s rear alley entrance (or, for the less adventurous, the main lobby entrance) and you’ll find that the Back Door Pub is neither a pub, nor directly accessible through the back door. Rather, the entry is located in the middle of a hallway and the bar itself feels a lot like an unfinished basement. But what it lacks in decoration it makes up for in dive bar comforts. Take for the example the self-serve popcorn machine, or the jukebox in the entry way greeting you like an old friend. There’s even a Golden Tee machine shoe-horned into a shadowy corner. Did I mention two for $5 on beer and wine for $2 a glass? Whiskey is cheap, too, and it’s served by a fresh-faced bartender who should be showing you his ID. Nevertheless, the service is adequate and seating is plentiful so invite your friends over for a nightcap at the Back Door Pub.

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,

Neil, host

for The World Dive Bar Tour Executive Committee

“Cause I’m a back door man/The men don’t know/But the little girls understand” – Willie Dixon, as interpreted by Jim Morrison

]]> http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/09/26/september-28th-2011-back-door-pub/feed/ http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/07/21/august-3rd-2011-hinano-cafe/ http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/07/21/august-3rd-2011-hinano-cafe/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:29:24 +0000 World Dive Bar Tour http://www.worlddivebartour.com/v1/2011/07/21/august-3rd-2011-hinano-cafe/ WEDNESDAY, August 3rd, 2011

Hinano Cafe
15 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
map

In light of Venice’s rapid gentrification, the classic beach bars where beer is cheap, one can shoot some pool, and mingle with local surfer bums, hippies, and the occasional gang member are all but gone. Hinano is the exception.

Surrounded by trendy eateries with a high douchebag-quotient, this surfer shack extraordinaire embraces the "old" Venice, laid-back mentality, eschewing trendy modernization and the haughty personality that goes along with it.

Hinano is adorned out front with a string of Christmas lights year round and aglow with neon within. They check IDs at the door, but a fake will work just fine. Inside they offer 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!

Mariscos Los Kabo’s
4168 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
map

At our last dive bar, the first in a series of three ‘underground’ locations in our fair city, those who arrived late discovered just how underground we mean as we were nowhere to be found and the bar closed early to prepare for their crush of drunkards the following morning. With our apologies to the snafu regarding our St. Patrick’s Day debacle please rest assured there is no danger of such a tragedy befouling our enjoyment of this weeks dive.

This week, we visit Mariscos Los Kabo’s and it is just about as far from your typical nightlife establishment as any we have ever attended on the tour. While it is possible to ‘check in’ at the bar via popular social networking applications…. nowhere would you find any inkling of what is in store. Los Kabo’s does not even merit a glib Yelp review by a hipster bag raving about the authentic cultural experience… until now.

Mariscos Los Kabo’s is a Central American beer bar in the center of our fair city and is easy to miss unless you happen to notice faint glow of neon light and the drone of accordion music through the unassuming screen door. There are just a few caveats; the bar is cash only (but the beers only run a few dollars each), it may very well be a low key gay singles spot, the jukebox is quite loud and only loaded with songs in Spanish, and you will not find any Mariscos to speak of even though the bartender will bring you a bowl of peanuts and a plate of chopped cucumber and carrots doused with picante sauce when you order a beer. Yet, there is a quality Salvadorean / Honduran restaurant right next door and a burrito shack across the street if you feel a bit peckish.

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,

Brian & Travis, hosts

for The World Dive Bar Tour Executive Committee

I’m not trying to be some kind of underground renegade. ~Alex Winter

WEDNESDAY, September 15th, 2010

The Roost

This Wednesday, the World Dive Bar Tour will deviate slightly from our previously stated intentions with a visit to the Atwater Village landmark known as The Roost. A perennial tour favorite that this year’s original calendar bypassed under misguided concerns of geographical parity, The Roost is a roomy and comfortable environment for mid-week celebration, which is exactly what we’ll be doing this Wednesday as a result of some well-timed tour-devotee birthdays. Fun Fact: The first official WDBT after the reigning Co-Czars took over happened at The Roost many years ago.

Although you may find yourself mildly disappointed in The Roost if only drawn in by the promise of “BIG TV” on the bar’s vintage 1960s sign (the TV itself being only slightly more modern than a 1960s vintage), the cheap drinks, friendly service, and abundant free popcorn should quickly make up for it.

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

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

Dave’s on Broadway
708 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
map

It is not very often that the World Dive Bar Tour makes its way somewhere without a Los Angeles address, but this week will bring us all to the fine city of Glendale. Once you step away from the rampant consumerism of Brand Blvd. one will find the small town charm in the city’s quality collection of dive bars. Located at the intersection of Broadway and Glendale Ave, Dave’s is easy to miss. Keep an eye open for the red lit sign and the neon in the window, which simply hints at the quality within.

Dave’s on Broadway is a dive bar of the most typical sort. It is fit into a basic storefront configuration 40-ish feet wide by 100-ish feet deep, with a dark doorway in the front, a long bar along one side of the room, a pool table to the side, and a not so secret back entrance. The mixed drinks will set you back just a few bucks, the domestic oat sodas even less, and the bartender might just be wearing a classy old school white dress shirt and a thin black tie - just the way it should be. There might be free pizza, there might be karaoke or some sort of live musical performance of dubious quality, and there most certainly will be friendly senior citizens ready to make conversation with the slightest perception of eye contact.

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

"In the early 1880s town names such as Etheldean, Minneapolis, Portosuelo, Riverdale, San Rafael, and Verdugo were proposed. Following Thanksgiving dinner in 1883, settlers met at the schoolhouse (which also served as the community church) on lower Verdugo Road to discuss the possible names for the town. Ultimately, a young woman painter from Chicago offered the two word name "Glen Dale" and it was approved."

–Glendale Historical Society

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  

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

Dave’s on Broadway
708 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
map

It is not very often that the World Dive Bar Tour makes its way somewhere without a Los Angeles address, but this week will bring us all to the fine city of Glendale. Once you step away from the rampant consumerism of Brand Blvd. one will find the small town charm in the city’s quality collection of dive bars. Located at the intersection of Broadway and Glendale Ave, Dave’s is easy to miss. Keep an eye open for the red lit sign and the neon in the window, which simply hints at the quality within.

Dave’s on Broadway is a dive bar of the most typical sort. It is fit into a basic storefront configuration 40-ish feet wide by 100-ish feet deep, with a dark doorway in the front, a long bar along one side of the room, a pool table to the side, and a not so secret back entrance. The mixed drinks will set you back just a few bucks, the domestic oat sodas even less, and the bartender might just be wearing a classy old school white dress shirt and a thin black tie - just the way it should be. There might be free pizza, there might be karaoke or some sort of live musical performance of dubious quality, and there most certainly will be friendly senior citizens ready to make conversation with the slightest perception of eye contact.

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

"In the early 1880s town names such as Etheldean, Minneapolis, Portosuelo, Riverdale, San Rafael, and Verdugo were proposed. Following Thanksgiving dinner in 1883, settlers met at the schoolhouse (which also served as the community church) on lower Verdugo Road to discuss the possible names for the town. Ultimately, a young woman painter from Chicago offered the two word name "Glen Dale" and it was approved."

–Glendale Historical Society

The Roost
3100 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
map

Any bar that feels compelled to advertise as a major selling point in their exterior signage the presence of a "BIG TV" is unquestionably a proper dive. Even more so at The Roost, which has yet to make the transition to a digital signal. Standing strong as the Alamo of dives on a street facing an invasion of gentrification, The Roost serves up cheap drinks, free popcorn, and an overbearingly red-tinted ambiance to those who appreciate the little things that make a bar great. Make a stop at the Indian Sweets and Spices down the block for the most delicious cafeteria-style vegetarian Indian cuisine you’ll eat all day, and then join us at the bar for an evening of unbridled debauchery as we ramp up the celebrations surrounding a certain Co-Czar’s impending decent into matrimony.

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