Best Dive Bars in the East Village

The East Village invented the NYC dive bar. From Ace Bar's pinball machines to Otto's Shrunken Head's tiki madness, these low-key spots serve cold drinks without attitude.

What's in this collection

  1. Ace Bar

    East Village · 531 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009, USA

    A long, no-frills neighborhood bar that breaks into a front drinking room and a back game area with skee ball and pool, where time tends to disappear without much resistance. The beer list stays cheap and straightforwar…

  2. Doc Holliday's

    East Village · 141 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

    Legendary dive featuring cowboy boots nailed to the ceiling, a non-internet jukebox loaded with country, and walls covered in stickers and hand-painted house rules. Doc Holliday's is the only honky tonk bar in NYC. PBR …

  3. Old Flings

    East Village · 25 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

    Dance away the night in this beautiful space with disco decor and a fantastic DJ. Drinks include Main Squeeze, Head Over Heels, and Some Like it Hot. Prosecco is $9, and Aperol Spritz is style="overflow-x:hidden;width:100%;max-width:100%"0 all day.

  4. Motel No Tell

    East Village · 210 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

    A 1980s Palm Springs motel somehow landed on Avenue A, complete with neon signs, disco balls, and a tiny corner TV with Scarface or Casino perpetually on. Frozen drinks, Neapolitan pizza, and a room that turns from bar …

  5. Paradise Lost

    East Village · 100 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

    A neon-lit descent into tropical chaos, where the drinks are strong, the décor is maximalist, and the line between tiki bar and surreal escape is intentionally blurred. Jungle foliage, glowing skulls, and eerie red ligh…

  6. Otto's Shrunken Head

    East Village · 538 E 14th St, New York, NY 10009

    Tiki kitsch dialed up to eleven. Otto’s is that classic place where you can sip a flaming drink from a ceramic skull while a ska band thrashes in the back. Neon palm trees, bamboo-covered walls, and a cocktail menu that…

Best Dive Bars in the East Village: FAQs

What's on the Best Dive Bars in the East Village list?
Best Dive Bars in the East Village features Ace Bar, Doc Holliday's, Old Flings, Motel No Tell, and Paradise Lost, and more. 10Spot hand-picks and updates the full list.
How many spots are in Best Dive Bars in the East Village?
6 spots, all curated by 10Spot.
How does 10Spot choose what's on Best Dive Bars in the East Village?
10Spot curates Best Dive Bars in the East Village from locally loved spots and refreshes it as new favorites open. The East Village invented the NYC dive bar. From Ace Bar's pinball machines to Otto's Shrunken Head's tiki madness, these low-key spots serve cold drinks witho…

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