Paul’s Tavern in Mission Hills does the basics right. The drinks are cheap, there are string lights glowing inside the space, and the pool tables get prominent placement inside. Come in, grab a pint or three, watch some TV, and enjoy.

The Copper Bucket is a Reseda staple, first opened in 1951. Drinkers still come through for the delightfully kitschy wood paneling, neon signs, and weekend crowds. Add in daily hours from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and this place feels like just the right kind of dive.

Though some dive bars pride themselves on avoiding karaoke, the Good Nite embraces it. Its success is dependent on reasonably priced drinks and a masterful karaoke DJ. The former is always a welcome sight, and the latter keeps drunken and potentially cringeworthy performances at bay. Though dive-y, the Good Nite’s setup feels like a lounge, so select a drink and a song, and nab a taco from one of the vendors out front.

Located on Colorado Boulevard’s retail hub, it would be easy to assume the mellow 35er hangout was a faux relic playing to another age, but the truth is the iconic bar has been pouring since the early 1960s, when the stretch was Route 66. The 35er is still a great hang for locals looking to drink on the cheap and watch sports right in the thick of Pasadena.

Hoards of Highland Park locals lamented the closing of longtime dive Dusty’s in 2013. The Offbeat’s owners reworked this neighborhood watering hole into one that boasts dive elements, but with stylish drinks, screenings of funky TV shows, and live music.

Al’s is the kind of unassuming dive bar that every community deserves. The San Gabriel haunt pours stiff drinks from a dimly-lit interior that’s lined with old kitschy bits of ephemera and just the right amount of neon. Stop in and make a few new friends.

Hollywood's essential dive bar only gets better as the place gets more crowded. While the drinks are strong and cheap, the scene is the main draw, with everyone from scenesters to old-timers mixing and enjoying the general revelry.

This Koreatown classic seems to be lifted straight out of the late ‘60s, with a convivial after work and early evening crowd. The food probably won't wow, but the drinks are dirt cheap and the old maritime vibes will feel just right while taking down a few beers.

Don’t overlook the magic of this longtime haunt. Stationed next to Chef Marilyn’s on the border of Jefferson Park and West Adams, the Living Room keeps the vibe chill as DJs spin old-school grooves. A jazz band performs the blues on Sunday nights.

Backstage Bar & Grill is somewhat famous in Culver City circles, thanks specifically to its location near the Sony building and its stellar karaoke setup. Celebs have been known to drop in from time to time, but mostly this is a place to belt out a few tunes and turn up with a group of friends looking to hang out under the dim red glow of the lights inside.

A true dive bar classic, this Culver City icon is the kind of place that's just a little bit grungier than other bars in a really great way. Just stay cool, sip on cheap beers, and don’t forget about the karaoke.

With its twinkly lights, surly bartenders, and burgers made behind the bar, what's not to love about this Manhattan Beach favorite, which dates all the way back to 1927?

Dive bars don't get much older (or more famous) than Joe Jost's, a Long Beach essential for going on 100 years. Yes, the place is that old — and that cool.