This Tiki classic is still going strong after all these decades, with Hurricanes, Scorpions, and Blood & Sands flowing through the night. The vibe is extremely communal, with twenty-some seats packed into a tiny space. Tiki-Ti is one of the few places in LA where one can legally smoke inside, because only family members are employees here.

This dive at the edge of Los Feliz and Atwater Village smells a bit like old plastic and feels like an old haunt in Chinatown. Drinks are stiff and cheap, the stale popcorn flows, and old TVs show sports highlights and cheesy movies. As quintessential as a dive can get.

Though perhaps lacking a distinctive feature, Club Tee Gee somehow manages to be the most average bar in the city, with strong drinks purchasable only in cash, in a blase, dark room with green booths, sturdy chairs, and slightly sticky tables. Actually, that's exactly what a dive should be.

This tiny joint in the middle of Koreatown has the most eclectic crowd in town, packed together to enjoy their merriment. Still, the diversity doesn't seem to bother anyone, with typical cheap drinks and chilled beer. Amusement includes video poker and electronic darts.

Though more of a restaurant than a dive bar, Chez Jay has remained a Santa Monica institution for over fifty years, with its mix of seafood and steaks served in an old-timey room. Drinks aren't too expensive and the decor fitting - peanut shells on the ground and kitsch all around.

It's always stuffy and hot in here, but that doesn't stop the locals from filling the place every night. With one of the best craft beer lists in the city and definitely the best whiskey list in LA, The Daily Pint lives up to its stature as a dive.

The regulars cram into the boisterous room on the edge of Culver City and West LA, where the dingy chairs and walls mesh with the seemingly endless (and loud) blues rock coming from the live bands.

There's a secret password required to enter at this dark, pirate-themed dive in Koreatown, but a world of merriment awaits inside. A small stage sometimes hosts ragtag bands while bartenders dole out shots and cheap beer for all.

There are plenty of bar games like billiards and shuffle board at this Culver City, perhaps a little generic otherwise, but still a popular hangout for locals looking for a strong drink. The jury's out as to whether they accept credit card, but last word is that they do now.

Despite plenty of hipsters in Echo Park, Gold Room manages to keep it real. Dodger fans can catch a drink before or after the game. It's all very simple. Oh, and there's also that $4 deal of a shot of tequila, pint of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon for the non-hipsters), and free tacos. Yes, you heard that, free tacos.

Though it's become more of a hipster dance club, The Short Stop manages to be one of the best places to catch a drink and hang out with friends. The back room has arcades and a pool table, along with plenty of seating. There's a smoking patch behind the building, but the loud hip hop or old-school tunes coming from the DJ will be sure to get you up and shaking.

Though more of a burlesque, strip bar (non-nude) than a dive, Jumbo's is now an LA institution for those looking to have a little bit of fun without feeling sleezy. As with most dive bars, drinks are cheap and strong.

The old-time Bavarian vibe never dies at Red Lion, with the bottom floor and mezzanine giving the most dive-like experience in Silver Lake. Old guys play busted up synthesizers for music while waitresses look straight out of old town Munich, dishing sausages of questionable origin and large steins of German beer.

This dim alcove along Hollywood's Cahuenga Blvd feels strangely comfortable. Drinks aren't that cheap, or strong, for that matter. But the place sure feels like a Hollywood dive bar might look in a movie, which counts for something.

Perhaps the quintessential dive bar in Los Angeles, this place is notable for two things: first that it opens every single day of the year at 6 a.m. (believe it). The second is that they offer free hot dogs and other snacks. Other than that, the place is dark, the drinks are cheap and stiff, and the crowd is well, generally amenable.

This long tie Eastside dive bar is known not only for its lively crowd and crazy karaoke nights, but incredibly cheap drinks, though some regulars have been a little off put by the two drink minimum. Come, hang out, and play some pool to relax. And remember, cash only.

This absolutely tiny dive bar is a place where regulars will come by early the morning. Yes, the drinks are strong and cheap, but most people will remember it for being possibly the smallest public bar in the Los Angeles area. It'll feel like your dumpy neighbor's garage, or even smaller.

This boisterous karaoke bar in Santa Monica is a solid place to end the night on the Westside. There's even some dancing, for those that wanna get their groove on but don't want to bother with a traditional nightclub. The ideal midweek hang.

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

Bukowski used to drink here. While that should be enough said, one should know that this rough Skid Row-adjacent bar has been cleaned up a bit by Acme Group, but still maintains its dive bar vibe. Hang out, sip on a cheap shot of whiskey, and make some new friends.