Sometimes, you just want to go where everyone knows your name; that safe, familiar dive where the drinks are cheap, the lighting is low, and you can always get away with wearing sandals and a T-shirt with stains on it. Because the only thing anyone cares about at a dive bar is shootin' the shit and knocking back the next cold one, you can let the world outside the grime-coated walls melt away.
When you can't be bothered by things like mixology or a button-down shirt, a good dive will always be there to help raise your spirits and make you feel really great about yourself afterward. Thankfully, no matter where you are here in South Florida, there are probably at least five dive bars within a one-mile radius. To make your life easier, we've compiled a list of the top ten dives near Fort Lauderdale.
10. Bimini Bay Bar
There's a reason this place has no windows. If you can't handle the occasional porn playing on the TV or bartenders sporadically taking out their
9. Play by Play
Play by Play in Pompano Beach has everything you could want in a dive
8. Le Tub
Secluded waterfront tables, gigantic burgers, and a no-BS service attitude
7. Elbo Room
The longest-surviving bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this spot has seen it all. Its corner location right across from the beach is perfect for permanent spring breakers both old and young to congregate for cheap beer, live music, wet T-shirt contests, and general debauchery.
Billed as Broward County's second-oldest bar, this Sunrise dive has been around for over 60 years. The front room has retro-looking bar stools with TVs and a jukebox, while the secret (hush hush) back room is where you can shoot pool, throw darts, and even play Ping-Pong.