July 7 is National Dive Bar Day.
A humble decor (most often highlighted by a dart boardand/or a pool table or both), cheap beers, a long historyand dedicated regulars. Such are the attributes of a classic dive bar. And these days, when we all crave nostalgia, these neighborhood stalwarts have become more popular than ever.
Thedefinition, however, has changedover the years. Some owners find the words as derogatory while others, like Plan B in Suffern, have embraced the moniker, declaring themselves a "5-star dive bar" on its website.
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"Dive bars back in the day were divier," said Keith Kennedy of the Pearl River Hotel in Pearl River, which is celebrating 150 years in business."Idon't know when the transformation happened, but now I think they're more about neighborhood places that offer arelaxed ambiance."
And everyone has a favorite.
For John O'Riordan of Stony Point,it's the familiarity of Sportsviewthat has kept him a devotedfan. "You never know who from the neighborhood you're going to see there," he said of the Stony Point bar that has been in business since 1988. "Or what Jerry, who's both the cook and waiter, may be serving." (O'Riordan recommends the "Jerry burgers.")
He also appreciates the homey vibe — with dart boards and three fireplaces— and that the decor has remained unchanged for decades. "It's nothing fancy but it's great," he said.
That could also be said of The Duck Inn in Mamaroneck.Joey Tineli of White Plains said after his mom passed away in 2020, he found comfort with the people he met there. "Theywere there for me during a rough time," said Tineli, who's not only a regular, there three to four times a week, but is also a bartender now, too.
Andy Walsh, who's owned AJ's Bar & Grill in Yorktown for 20 years, said once restaurants and bars were allowed to openin June 2020 (after being closed that March), his regulars were dying to come back. "People needed to get out," he said.
It's hard to define what a dive bar is these days. Should it serve food, or not? Is it decades old or can it be a relative youngster? And it is dimly lit with a no-nonsense decor, sticky floors, dart boards and some colorful character on the end stool nursing a beer?The common thread, it seems, is community.
What makesa great 'dive' bar?
While the term invites many interpretations, the bottom lineis their intangible, warm, fuzzysense of solace,sentimentality and belonging.What follows are some of Rockland and Westchester's most beloved neighborhood spotsculled from fan favorites on the lohud Food Facebook page, as well asNorth Rockland Community, YorktownEat, Drink and Party! and Westchester Foodies.
Rockland
Peppermill South, Congers
Ruth Price may live in Malverne, on Long Island, but the former Congers resident still makes it a point to go to Peppermill Southat least oncea month fora cold beer andwings. "I like that it's not a place anyone would normally walk into and expect good food," she said. (Pizza and wings are specialties.) She alsoappreciates the sense of nostalgia and that, no matter what, much inside remains the same.
Located in a small strip of shops near the train tracks, owner Katie Frawley said she tries her best to make customers feelwelcome from the minute they come inuntil the time they leave. The 16-year-old baris so revered by those in the neighborhoodthat Sheridan Ruitin, a local Irish band, recentlyrecorded a song about them on their new album.
Go:31 Lake Road, 845-268-2047,peppermillsouth.net
Plan B, Suffern
The shuffle alley bowling arcade is the first thing you notice when you walk into Plan B— it greets you on the left—the second is the amount of wood. A large wood bar, and to the right, a large dining room withlots of bare wood tables and chairs, a pool table and two darts boards.
Plan Bbills itself as "the corner bar in the middle of the block." General Manager Will DeGroat said the5 ½-year-old bar is known as much for its drinks — the apple pie shot is a popular favorite — as it is for its food, including its crowd pleasing burgers and fried pickles. The elevated food is why the bar gives itself its"five star" rating though you'll also findunique drinks like the Kittles Cocktail made with Absolut lime, Absolut lemon, Southern Comfort, Lemon juice, topped with red bull and splash of lemon lime soda or the Honey Mint Whiskey Smash made withJack Daniels honey, homemade mint syrup,and fresh lemon juice.
Go:114 Orange Ave., 845-368-8181,planbsuffern.com
Sportsview, Stony Point
This hidden gem, with a full menu spanning everything from half pound hand-pressed burgers to Mexican pizza,is a neighborhood favorite, revered for its welcoming atmosphere, 16 TV's, three fireplaces, pool table and dart boards. Owner RalphHeavner said it's been a bar for over 100 years, although he's owned it since 1988. What makes it special, he said, is its down-home appeal, attracting everyone from families to singles andretirees.Go: 3 Wayne Ave., 845-429-0802
The Pearl River Hotel, Pearl River
You can almost feel the history walking into this expansive bar with its original Southern pine wood floors (at least in the main section) andtin ceilings. Built in 1872as a brewing company, then operated as a sweet shop before Kennedy's grandparents took it over as a bar in the 60s, the walls are decked withmemorabilia including old Guinness ads, family photos, and even aRockland Parkway sign.
And, usually on a stool upfront: Dick Whelan, a 94-year-old Monroe residentwho bartended at the Pearl River Hotel from 1972 until the day the pandemic closed them (temporarily) in March 2020. (Talk loud into his hearing aide and he's full of back in the day stories.)
Whelan, of course, adds character, but factor in the 14-foot-high ceilings, two pool tables, four dart boards and the ambiance of a well-loved pair of sneakers and you get the attraction.This is a bar's bar where Guinness is the draft of choice and food (if you must have it) is takeout ordered from Russo's House of Pizza a few doors down. And soon, there may be more bar to love. Kennedy, who refers to the Pearl River Hotel as the McSorley's of Pearl River, hopes to expand into the (now closed) tailor shop next door.
Go:4 S. Main St.,845-735-9718
Westchester
AJ's Bar & Grill, Yorktown
There's a "come as a stranger, leave as a friend mentality" at AJ's, popular for its freshly ground hand-pressed burgers, killer wings, and craft cocktails. Owner Andy Walsh grew up in Yorktown and coaches at the local high school, which makeshis spot almosta defactoliving room for the town. The fact that he has so much outdoor space— complete with cornhole and a full menu— helped him tremendously during the height of the pandemic. So, too, did the devotion and loyalty of his staff, many of whom have been employed at the bar foryears.
Go:3833 Crompond Road, 914-737-5058
Cellar Bar, Larchmont
Tucked into the basement in the back of a building — hence the Cellar Bar name— this small nearly windowless watering hole features a jukebox, a dart board and lots of big screen TV's. In business since 1981 but under its current ownership since 1991, manager Gary Bisonette said he's seen a resurgence in the need for people tobe together since the pandemic. The bar's clientele changes with the clock: From an after work crowd — the bar is directly across from Larchmont's Metro North train station — to a younger crowd after 10 p.m. As for the drinks, Bisonette said he can make anything you want through beer tends to be the main focus. There are five beers on draft and at least 50 different bottles. No food but there's usually pretzels, peanuts or popcorn and occasionally, when they do parties, free food like chili or chilidogs.
Go:8 Railroad Way, 914-834-8723,thecellarbarusa.com
Duck Inn Bar & Grill, Mamaroneck
There aren't many bars withacarnivalmachine full of plastic ducks but at this self-described "Quack House," which operates from10 a.m. tothe wee hours of the morning it's all about duck decor. That and Gaelicpride, which is as much on display as the ducks.Owner Jack Collins, whose nickname is "Duck," has owned the Duck Inn since 2002 but the building itself dates to the 1860s and has its own colorful history. Collins saidit was owned by Al Capone (and had a tunnel that led to Mamaroneck Harbor during Prohibition). There's no food but you can order from area restaurants. And no visit is complete without trying the bar's famous Fluffy duck signature drink, vodka, triple sec, lime juice and club soda.
Go:128 W. Boston Post Road, 914-835-8791
Foley's Club Lounge, Pleasantville
Foley's famous wings are one reason to come here— thinkteriyaki, Thai, Cinderella, garlic parmesan, honey garlic, and BBQ in everything from mild to XXX— but the real reason people flock here is for the down-home, come-as-you-are vibe. First opened in 1954, there are darts (and dart nights), multiple sports on multiple TV andoccasional live music.There's also a steady local crew, many of whom have been coming since high school (shout out to my editor and colleague Karen Croke!). Plus the food gets rave reviews with many crazy for theCinderella wings (hot sauce mixed with barbecue)and disco fries, but the extensive menu also features pizza, quesadillas, burgers, salads and sandwiches.Best of all: its open early and stays open late.Some may call it a "dive," but others simply consider it a historic, reliable, local— and much beloved— hangout.
Go: 479 Bedford Road, 914-741-2079,facebook.com/foleysclublounge
Set Back Inn, Tarrytown
Reputed to be among Westchester's oldest bars— it's been owned by the Toth family since 1959—the Set Back is the kind of place that carries its history like a badge of honor. This isan unpretentious bar with lots of dark woods and customers who are content with a bottle of Bud (though there are upwards of 50 craft beers here), a game of poolanda round of darts. Co-owner Scott Toth, who runs the bar with his father, said what makes the bar special is that it's seasoned. "It's been through thick and thin and is still standing," he said. In fact, it's going strong, despite having no food and a cash-only policy. Toth said he thinks it's because people appreciate what could have been lost to the pandemic. "I think it's an outlet for people to just come, hang out and shoot a game of pool," he said. There'salso live music.
Go:33 Main St., 914-631-9740, setbackinn.com
Fan favorites
Suggestions poured in from readers when we asked about favorite dive bars.
- "Redline Roadhouse," Lauren Apollonio, Yorktown Heights
- "Lucy's in Pleasantville,"MaryJane D'Angelo,Yonkers
- "Sportsview in Stony Point. Best kept secret in Rockland. They've got a huge fireplace that's always raging. Best wing and tacos," John O'Riordan, Stony Point
- "Kelly's Sea Level in Rye," Danielle Marino McFadden, Port Chester
- "Peppermill South," Seth Levy, former Rocklander now in Florida
- "Plan B in Suffern,"Nicole Russodivito,Suffern
- "Cellar Bar in Larchmont," Krysten White, Larchmont
- "O'Connor's Public House in White Plains," Lizzie Orlando, White Plains
- "D&D's in New City," Marco Farsetta, Valley Cottage
- "Mt Ivy Pub in Pomona,"Pete Kassell, Monroe
- "Sam's Bar in Port Chester,"Sandy Pflugfelder,Port Chester
- "Olive's in Nyack," Anthony DelRegno, South Nyack
- "Redline Roadhouse [Cortlandt] and AJ's [Cortlandt Manor]," Stacy Bennett, Putnam Valley
- "AJ's in Yorktown," Chris Bamberger, Yorktown
- "Last Chance Saloon, Congers," Donna Castaldo Narciso, West Nyack
- Tapp in Tarrytown,"John Simson, White Plains
- "The Grandstand in Croton on Hudson;family owned for 48 years and counting ... pool table, shuffleboard, dart boards, fire pit and the most amusing and sarcastic owner out there," Jackie Loi Bufi, Cortlandt Manor
- "Dunne's Pub in White Plains," Shanique Lanae DeCarlo, White Plains
- "Taco Dive Bar in Peekskill," John Savoca, Katonah
- "Blazer Pub in North Salem,"Rob Casasanta, Somers
- "Set Back Inn in Tarrytown," Erin Hammond, Sleepy Hollow
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram@lohud_foodor via thelohudfood newsletter.
