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10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!)
Blue & Gold Tavern is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

1. Blue & Gold Tavern

7.2
79 E 7th St (btwn 1st & 2nd Ave), New York, NY
Dive Bar · East Village · 99 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: Ice is limited and mixers come from a back room, but the $5 beer-and-shot combo can’t be beat for birthdays, celebrations or just the usual TGIF. And the jukebox is loaded with Hendrix.

Ovidio's Bar is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

2. Ovidio's Bar

6419 39th Ave (65th Rd), Woodside, NY
Dive Bar · 3 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: Metal bars cover the windows and walking in feels like descending into a cave, but the Spanish-language music videos cued up lend the place a fun, festive vibe.

Welcome to the Johnsons is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

3. Welcome to the Johnsons

6.7
123 Rivington St (at Essex St.), New York, NY
Dive Bar · Lower East Side · 117 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: Known as “that 70’s bar” with fake wood paneling and a dingy old refrigerator to boot, no one will point fingers if you slosh a little on the plastic cover couches. So head here for a few too many.

The Levee is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

4. The Levee

8.0
212 Berry St (at N 3rd St), Brooklyn, NY
Dive Bar · Williamsburg · 210 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: Boasting an impressive (& still cheap) craft beer list, order the chili drenched Frito pie, enjoy the free cheese balls and make sure to try the house specialty: Beam Cream (Jim Beam & Cream Soda)!

Lucy's is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

5. Lucy's

6.7
135 Avenue A (btwn E 8th & E 9th St), New York, NY
Dive Bar · East Village · 43 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: If Sophie’s is queen of the East Village, Lucy’s is princess. Most locals know the place for bartender-owner, Lucy who frequently switches the jukebox to polka. She’s the boss here, as it should be.

Milano's Bar is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

6. Milano's Bar

7.1
51 E Houston St (btw Mulberry & Mott St), New York, NY
Dive Bar · NoHo · 42 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: This bare bones spot has been slinging drinks since 1880. Go on a Tuesday; when every whiskey shot comes with pickle juice! But get here early because regulars are hard-pressed to give up seats.

179 Subway Bar is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

7. 179 Subway Bar

180-02 Hillside Ave (180th), Jamaica, NY
Bar · 2 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: The crowd is sparse most nights and the F-train rumbles beneath, but don’t let the bottles of Absolut and Bacardi Gold fool you! Even top-shelf drinks are just $5.

Ding Dong Lounge is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

8. Ding Dong Lounge

929 Columbus Ave (at W 106th St.), New York, NY
Bar · Upper West Side · 46 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: A single bulb lights the pool table and they host punk acts here on the weekends, but after a few too many, join the regulars and the fun and pick up a hula hoop from the ones on the wall!

Connie O's is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

9. Connie O's

7.0
158 Norman Ave (btwn Newel & Diamond), Brooklyn, NY
Dive Bar · Greenpoint · 6 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: The only beers on tap are Coors and Bud, but this place is full of regulars who all seem to know each other and in a few hours you’ll feel like one of them. Tip: Sunday there’s a weekly pool league!

The Alibi is one of 10 Best Dive Bars 2013 (Readers' Edition!).

10. The Alibi

6.4
242 Dekalb Ave (at Vanderbilt Ave.), Brooklyn, NY
Dive Bar · Clinton Hill · 57 tips and reviews

Village VoiceVillage Voice: Graffitied walls, a well-loved pool table and frequent arm wrestling make this place a down-and-dirty drinkers dream. Order up a whiskey neat for just $4 and soon you’ll be ready to join in!