Dive Bars

[dovecanyoncat]

I knew we were in for a quite an evening night when in the bathroom, comprised of two toilets facing each other in a closet, some guy in a silver puffer jacket wondering in behind me, checked with me whether it was “ok, bro?” if this could be his corner to do coke. Sure enough, as I was leaving anyway, he was readying rolling paper.

Ok fer sure, dude. Carve me out a bump and I'll come back to take a shit once you're done.

[CatsbyAZ]

Anyone ever frequent the Oldfather Inn Bar and Grill northwest on Ina Road toward the Interstate? I lived within walking distance of this place about a decade ago and I now regret not wondering on in and catching a game and a beer. Definitely has the independent minded Western look going on. Probably an older crowd?

(can't find any good photos)

[Merkin]

I had a friend who lived off Ina and Thornydale back in the early 1980's. Used to drive by it all the time, but never stopped in.

Just crazy how much that area has grown since then.

[wyo-cat]

There’s better dive bars in town IMHO.

[UAEebs86]

Anyone ever frequent the Oldfather Inn Bar and Grill northwest on Ina Road toward the Interstate? I lived within walking distance of this place about a decade ago and I now regret not wondering on in and catching a game and a beer. Definitely has the independent minded Western look going on. Probably an older crowd?

(can't find any good photos)

I went once back in the early '90s I think it was on a Sunday during NFL and had a buffalo burger.

I now live just down the road, had thought of stopping in, but I think someone here said it's gotten very Trumpy.

[Jefe]

Cross Golden Nugget off the list, new owner converted it to a night club and its now The Nugget. Previous bar was in business for 41 years

[wyo-cat]

Yup. Home Den has been gone forever, too.

[97cats]

standing offer: i will buy anyone a cheeseburger and as many beers as you can drink if you ever come to Cassidy's - my all time favorite dive bar

[UAEebs86]

Cross Golden Nugget off the list, new owner converted it to a night club and its now The Nugget. Previous bar was in business for 41 years

Wow that looks a lot different than when I went there back around 1990.

[Siempre Verde]

I had a friend who lived off Ina and Thornydale back in the early 1980's. Used to drive by it all the time, but never stopped in.

Just crazy how much that area has grown since then.

Used to go there and Grumpy’s now and again for burgers and pedestrian beer when I lived on that side of town, but that’s now been over a decade ago. It was fine and friendly enough then (with some decent specials IIRC), but preferred the food at Grumpy’s. Now if I’m on that side of town, I go to Monsoon’s. Frankly, none of them are the Red Garter. Finally got there now that I’m moving to midtown (soonish) and I’m hooked. Please don’t tell me bad things about that place.

[CatsbyAZ]

Wow that looks a lot different than when I went there back around 1990.

You owning the bars while I was seated on the living room carpet, either watching DuckTales/Talespin or wrestling the Nintendo controller from my younger brother.

[azgreg]

My favorite dive bar in Tucson was Jeff's pub.

[UAEebs86]

My favorite dive bar in Tucson was Jeff's pub.

My son went there one time not too long after he was legal. He said he saw someone break a beer bottle over someone's head.

[azgreg]

My favorite dive bar in Tucson was Jeff's pub.

My son went there one time not too long after he was legal. He said he saw someone break a beer bottle over someone's head.

I was the first there to have a Jack and Jolt.

[UAEebs86]

Anybody ever make it to Tiny's on far west Ajo Way? Now that's a dive bar.

Long story but a group of us from the dorm ended up there one night in college ('84 I think). I pretty much peaked with the ladies that night (the ones from the dorm, not the locals LOL).

Good times.

[84Cat]

My favorite dive bar in Tucson was Jeff's pub.

Growing up on the east side I've been there quite a few times. I wouldn't call it a dive bar though. It always had a homey feeling but it's not seedy really

[Jefe]

Frankly, none of them are the Red Garter. Finally got there now that I’m moving to midtown (soonish) and I’m hooked. Please don’t tell me bad things about that place.

Garter is top notch. Excellent food too. One of the few places left that Ill gladly go home smelling like smoke from

My favorite dive bar in Tucson was Jeff's pub.

Growing up on the east side I've been there quite a few times. I wouldn't call it a dive bar though. It always had a homey feeling but it's not seedy really

Its been remodeled quite a bit in the last few years. I was there Christmas night and it was packed. Beer pong in Christmas sweaters was strange

[Merkin]

I lived on the eastside on Pantano when I first moved to Tucson in 1981.

My favorite east side club I remember going to was Chances, but was more of a disco than a dive bar.

Also used to go to a country western bar on Tanque Verde, forgot the name, but sounded feminine something like Mustang Sally's.

Wasn't Chuck Wagon and the Wheels the house band at some east side club??

Also spent a lot of time at The Outlaw (22nd/Wilmot) also a disco style of club with great free happy hour food.

The Sundance (aka Scumdance) was my favorite east side dive bar. Never failed to entertain, which caused the city to shut them down.

[Siempre Verde]

Anybody ever make it to Tiny's on far west Ajo Way? Now that's a dive bar.

Long story but a group of us from the dorm ended up there one night in college ('84 I think). I pretty much peaked with the ladies that night (the ones from the dorm, not the locals LOL).

Good times.

I’ve been to Tiny’s a couple times during the pandemic. According to friends, it used to have the best wings in town, but things have apparently changed in the kitchen. The food was sub-par (and that’s being kind). Tried it again with a friend who used to frequent the place. He was disgusted by the decline in food. Still, the beer was cold.

On the west side, there isn’t a whole lot to choose from. Usually end up at Rusty’s if watching games is going involved.

[wyo-cat]

Been to Tony’s a few times, it’s a classic dive.

[wyo-cat]

We used to just drive around looking for them. A Dive Bar Tour, so to speak.

[RichardCranium]

Anybody ever make it to Tiny's on far west Ajo Way? Now that's a dive bar.

Long story but a group of us from the dorm ended up there one night in college ('84 I think). I pretty much peaked with the ladies that night (the ones from the dorm, not the locals LOL).

Good times.

Is that the one that used to be 'The Mission' at the corner of Mission and Ajo?

Dad would occasionally come home late after stopping off with workmates on the way home. They used to say "We just stopped off at the Mission to get saved".

Not often, Dad wasn't a big drinker.

But one time he took out one of the posts holding up the carport as he drove in.

[scumdevils86]

I have to drive past Oldfather Inn whenever I go the "back way" to my house. I was intrigued. I live in the neighborhood on the hill right behind it.

[UAEebs86]

Is that the one that used to be 'The Mission' at the corner of Mission and Ajo?

Tiny's is farther west on Ajo.

I looked at Google Maps around Mission and Ajo - maybe you are thinking of The Original Hideout?

It was on Bar Rescue a few years ago.

[CatsbyAZ]

Not really a dive bar, but worth mentioning PUTNEYS sports bar on north Oracle.

This was my go-to bar for watching football during my community college years, 2007-08 (along with Fox & Hound at the Foothills Mall). Back then it was a sports bar with elements of a country bar - low lights, booths, hard floors, lots of smokers.

With my Dad relocating two blocks away, I wondered in a few months ago with my brother, and Putneys is still going strong. Their remodeling leaned into more of a sports bar, adding much more bar space and replacing the booths with high-top tables. More TVs too.

[CatsbyAZ]

Not a Tucson bar but for those in the Phoenix area, The Vine Tavern located in Tempe is set to close after 36 years. A new location is scheduled to open away from the ASU campus which means it won’t be a college bar anymore. Its lot at Rural/Apache was sold to make room for another student housing project.

During my transient time crashing through Tempe several years ago, The Vine was the most happening of the ASU bars on weeknights. One late night the owner posted up right beside me at the bar and together we sifted through a fishing bucket full of fake IDs he and his bouncers had confiscated over the years. 300 or 400 hundred dating back to the 90s. Beside the register he kept a “Hawaii Fund” jar where leftover change would go toward land he was paying off on the Big Island.

[Merkin]

Seems fitting for ASU.

[CatsbyAZ]

As part of continuing our happy Thanksgiving tradition, planning on Danny’s Baboquavari tonight. DM me if you end up there as well.

In town for Thanksgiving and last night was taken here by a few hometown buddies who make it their tradition to visit one of the only bars open on Thanksgiving.

[CatsbyAZ]

Anyone ever frequented Danny's Baboquivari over on Ft. Lowell?
In town for Thanksgiving and last night was taken here by a few hometown buddies who make it their tradition to visit one of the only bars open on Thanksgiving.

Yep I was there, left before it got nuts Did you see Kim the blonde bartender throw that guy out at the bar? I didn't see what he did but she made a huge scene.

After another year of turkey dinner and watching the Cowboys game, off we went to continue our tragic tradition of ending Thanksgiving night at Danny's Baboquivari. To catch up with several hours of familiar faces filing through the door, I buy our circle a large round. One of our drinks ends up in the hand of a friendly guy named Kenny whose tattoos are his most outward feature. Covering his arms, neck, and with a few on his face, he says most of his tatts he did himself while “doing time.” Kenny walks me through how for three years behind bars he and his cellmate mixed their own inks using soot from burning charcoal with oils. His prison sentence resulted from pleading guilty for selling cocaine and Percocets; a teammate on his college baseball team ratted him out. “When I heard the state wanted 15 to 20 years I said ‘aww hell naw!’ I called up my brother and told him to dig up the fifty grand in our backyard and get me a real lawyer. Who got the state to agree to three years.”

The second round I bought was for just me and another guy – the same buddy of mine who Kim tossed out last year. Of course we paid up right away and we were left alone to sip our drinks while Kim fought other battles, confronting two other customers until the bouncers took over.

[Merkin]

Just left Tucson today. The Bashful Bandit is closed. No idea what happened.

[scumdevils86]

Closed in June 2021 after being bought by new owners.

[ASUCatFan]

Not a Tucson bar but for those in the Phoenix area, The Vine Tavern located in Tempe is set to close after 36 years. A new location is scheduled to open away from the ASU campus which means it won’t be a college bar anymore. Its lot at Rural/Apache was sold to make room for another student housing project.

During my transient time crashing through Tempe several years ago, The Vine was the most happening of the ASU bars on weeknights. One late night the owner posted up right beside me at the bar and together we sifted through a fishing bucket full of fake IDs he and his bouncers had confiscated over the years. 300 or 400 hundred dating back to the 90s. Beside the register he kept a “Hawaii Fund” jar where leftover change would go toward land he was paying off on the Big Island.

Went there for my 21st birthday. Barely remember it. That was an amazing place. Sad to see it go.

[Siempre Verde]

Just left Tucson today. The Bashful Bandit is closed. No idea what happened.

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Speaking of holes in the wall, I heard a few months ago that The Bambi was for sale and that it has been purchased. I hope that’s true. It’s the only Tucson bar I’ve been to that skeeved me out.

[RichardCranium]

Not a Tucson bar but for those in the Phoenix area, The Vine Tavern located in Tempe is set to close after 36 years. A new location is scheduled to open away from the ASU campus which means it won’t be a college bar anymore. Its lot at Rural/Apache was sold to make room for another student housing project.

During my transient time crashing through Tempe several years ago, The Vine was the most happening of the ASU bars on weeknights. One late night the owner posted up right beside me at the bar and together we sifted through a fishing bucket full of fake IDs he and his bouncers had confiscated over the years. 300 or 400 hundred dating back to the 90s. Beside the register he kept a “Hawaii Fund” jar where leftover change would go toward land he was paying off on the Big Island.

Went there for my 21st birthday. Barely remember it. That was an amazing place. Sad to see it go.

Did they still sell hot dogs?

[Merkin]

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Haven't been there, but a BBQ place is at the old Wildcat House. The Wildcat House is where I met my future and still wife. Back when the college bars were away from the campus core.

[EastCoastCat]

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Haven't been there, but a BBQ place is at the old Wildcat House. The Wildcat House is where I met my future and still wife. Back when the college bars were away from the campus core.

Wildcat House used to have a burger special every week - burger, fries and a beer - for something ridiculously cheap. Was there every week.

[CatsbyAZ]

Anybody remember those very catchy Wildcat House radio ads? Running in heavy rotation around 2008/09? They parodied the Happy Days theme and, along with those Jack Furrier commercials, always got my attention.

[Chicat]

Need that shirt.

[Carcassdragger]

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Haven't been there, but a BBQ place is at the old Wildcat House. The Wildcat House is where I met my future and still wife. Back when the college bars were away from the campus core.

Score! I never had any luck there, or pretty much anyplace else.

[UAEebs86]

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Haven't been there, but a BBQ place is at the old Wildcat House. The Wildcat House is where I met my future and still wife. Back when the college bars were away from the campus core.

Score! I never had any luck there, or pretty much anyplace else.

LOL same. Wildcat House is now Brother John's BBQ. Took my wife there a couple years ago - only way I could have any luck ha ha.

BBQ is decent, a little pricey. They still have the big Wilbur wood carving on the wall.

[gouacats]

Supposed to become a BBQ restaurant. They’ve put so much work (and I’m sure $$) into that space that’s it’s going to have to be the best BBQ ever to recoup what’s been put into that building.

Haven't been there, but a BBQ place is at the old Wildcat House. The Wildcat House is where I met my future and still wife. Back when the college bars were away from the campus core.

Score! I never had any luck there, or pretty much anyplace else.

LOL same. Wildcat House is now Brother John's BBQ. Took my wife there a couple years ago - only way I could have any luck ha ha.

BBQ is decent, a little pricey. They still have the big Wilbur wood carving on the wall.

Brother John's has $2 craft beers on Tuesdays. Granted, they are only 10 oz, but still good beer at a great price!

[Merkin]

Drove down Stone a week or so ago, looking for the remnants of the Bum Steer. Looks like they tore it down and built apartments. Sure was an eyesore for years and years.

The Wildcat House was the only place you could get tri-tip sandwiches in Tucson. Reason being there was one other out here where I live with the same owners, The Grad in SLO. Also long closed.

You can see the resemblance.

[UAEebs86]

Drove down Stone a week or so ago, looking for the remnants of the Bum Steer. Looks like they tore it down and built apartments. Sure was an eyesore for years and years.

Especially after it burned down 7 years ago.

https://tucson.com/news/local/40-firefi ... 40818.html

[Merkin]

Jim Anderson still drives the yellow Ford Festiva. I saw him a few months ago at the Wendy’s at St Mary’s and Silverbell.
I have heard the story about liquor license and his daughter also.

This one? And what story?

[UAEebs86]

He's still alive?

[TheCat]

Hey what was the name of the disco bar on miracle mile (right where the road curved). ? Hot chicks.

[UAEebs86]

Hey what was the name of the disco bar on miracle mile (right where the road curved). ? Hot chicks.

The Fine Line? That was the name of a gay bar in that area some of my straight friends used to go to and swore they had the best music.

[UAEebs86]

So did anyone ever eat at the High Five Grille? It was close to us before we moved, ate at the restaurant next door once.
If you did, you might have gotten sick.

Justin Spears and Ali Farhang from ESPN 1490 were used to scope out the place initially for Bar Rescue. Bar was changed to Cinco Cantina by Jon Taffer, but it's already out of business.


https://thisistucson.com/eat/bar-rescue ... 752eb.html

[wyo-cat]

So did anyone ever eat at the High Five Grille? It was close to us before we moved, ate at the restaurant next door once.
If you did, you might have gotten sick.

Justin Spears and Ali Farhang from ESPN 1490 were used to scope out the place initially for Bar Rescue. Bar was changed to Cinco Cantina by Jon Taffer, but it's already out of business.


https://thisistucson.com/eat/bar-rescue ... 752eb.html

No. I remember when it was Famous Sam’s back in the day.

I lived at OG and Shannon from like 97-03.

[TheCat]

Hey what was the name of the disco bar on miracle mile (right where the road curved). ? Hot chicks.

The Fine Line? That was the name of a gay bar in that area some of my straight friends used to go to and swore they had the best music.

No not it. It was full of well dressed chicks and guys with platform heels. LoL.