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The term "dive bar" is an interesting one. It's a bad thing, to some, where faulty bathrooms, angry patrons and stale beer can be found. To others, it's what a bar should be: cheap drinks, real people looking for a good time and an unpretentious place to go when you just want to get away.

Boston has bars, and lots of 'em. From Irish Pubs to Sports Bars to Cocktail Lounges to Corner Taverns and Night Clubs, the Hub has it all. But if there's one place to go to capture the true essence of each neighborhood, it's the local watering hole.

There are many factors that give a bar its "dive" status, so, to make it fair, we went to Yelp and checked off "Dive Bar" and "$" in filters and hit search.

*Bars must be in Boston and have more than 1 review

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1. Biddy Early's, 141 Pearl Street

"The BEST and ONLY dive bar I have been to in Boston. That may sound a bit biased but I have come from the land of dive bars and grunge-ery - New Orleans. I know a good dive bar when I see one, there is an essence and vibe that can't be bought with industrial furniture. Simply being dirty doesn't fit the bill either. A true dive bar is worn, dark and kicks those with pretentious tendencies in the nuts. A good dive bars has locals that aren't dicks and a good mix of people that won't mind your Garth Brooks marathons on the juke box. Biddy Early's IS THE MOST EPIC DIVE BARIN BOSTON. And it has a penguin!"

- Steven R., Boston (via YELP)

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2. Croke Park/Whitey's, 268 West Broadway

"Hands down, the best dive bar in Boston. If you want to spend a Saturday afternoon drinking dollar beers, playing darts, and eating Burger King with your buds, this is the place for you.

Bring cash (no cards accepted) and a sharpie marker if you want to leave your mark on the place ... try to think of something clever! But seriously, the staff is friendly and funny. Someone tried to sell us black market Alex & Ani bracelets... so if you're in the market, bonus! ;)

Love this spot - a true Boston classic."

-Missy C., Boston (Via YELP)

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3. Corner Pub, 162 Lincoln Street

"Just when you think that you've seen all the fusion bars and restaurants there are, something new pops up. Welcome the Corner Pub, your all authentic Asian Pub. Not surprisingly on the outskirts of Boston's Chinatown, I stumbled here in a severe craving for wings on a Wednesday after the gym. I was taken aback and confused when the sign with the bar's name had a dragon painted on it, but that did not deter me from what turned out to be a good time.

Fusion time it was - All American sports memorabilia, divey set-up, the jukebox and TVs around, a gambling opportunity, Dingy T-shirts for sale and Games on the Patron tables. What isn't there to love from the get go. The bartender was surprise, also Asian with a pretty decent hearing problem I believe, or maybe he just acts confused so he can get away with mishearing your drink order or forgetting it a few times. But that's actually kind of a charm.

I was def hooked because places like these are where you get the best, most unique bar food. And I was not wrong on that account, on the back of the menu they have a whole selection of filled eggrolls at $3 a piece of the craziest creations. With this menu I abandoned my wings and went for the eggrolls. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken, the Sweet chili Pork and the White Trash Eggrolls [mac & cheese with hotdogs]. Each of the items was split in two like you receive wraps, awesome amount of food. Solid pub food, tons of flavor and crunch.

My favorite part of this place is that you can play games, gamble and buy a tshirt that says "Tipping is not a city in China" - omg so in love with corny stuff like that.

All in all, random, mindblown..."

-Simone H., Atlanta (via YELP)

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4. Corner Cafe, 87 Prince Street

"Solid little dive bar tucked in to the North End. It's a convenient walk to the Garden if you're going to a game or a show without the mobbed feel of the usual suspects: The Fours, TITS, etc.

They don't serve food but you can bring your own. We got a few pizzas from Regina's to have with our beers. I stuck with Sam Adams draft, a Boston dive staple.

The bartender was a little grumpy, but that kinda added to the charm. I'd be back if I were in the neighborhood."

-Molly G., Somerville (Via YELP)

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5. The Dugout, 722 Comm. Ave

"One of the best bars in the city. No frills, with character as far as the eye can see. Truly one of the last relics from the golden age of neighborhood dives.

Beers, simple mixed drinks, no BS. Great spot. Long live the Dugout."

-Jimmy H., Boston (Via YELP)

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6. Dot Tavern, 840 Dorchester Ave.

"Total dive: carpeted, well-lit, lots of old folks, cash-only and super cheap. They have pool tables and they let you bring in your own food. I brought a pizza in from Pantry the night the Red Sox won in 2013. Classic."

-Erin B., Dorchester (Via YELP)

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7. Eddie C's, 34 Maverick Sq.

"Great dive. Not a fake dive... It's legit. I don't even drink and i hang out here. Classic spot where you'll see old dudes rippin butts out front at 3pm."

-Megan J., Boston (Via YELP)

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8. Punter's Pub, 444 Huntington Ave.

"Total Irish dive.

This place is a bit of a sports bar- with a lot of stuff praising the Northeastern basketball and hockey teams. They play horse racing TV in the back, so if you have an off-site betting app on your phone, this could be a pretty cool place.

They show sports on all the televisions, and serve up cold beer.

It's only cash- and they have their own ATM at the bar, so they can charge you a 'bank fee' on top of the drinks charge.

They have a pool table, some arcade games, a Golden Tee, and some dart boards, so there's lots of stuff to do around here. The bar serves up a variety of local beers, and cheap drafts. It's a decent place to hang out, with lots of seating areas, so if you're coming in with a group, you'll find space.

It's pretty divey- the bathroom is tiny and rather dirty, but what do you expect from a dive bar?

The bar is right across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts, so if you need a drink after taking in the culture, this will do."

-Curt C., San Antonio (Via YELP)

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Tom English's cottage and Lisa tweeted by Southie spots on Twitter!! Posted by Paul Pollock on Sunday, November 17, 2013

9. Tom English's Cottage, 118 Emerson St.

"Whoa - first experience in a Southie bar...it was...revealing.

First, I found it entertaining to see a big ass box of goldfish on one patron's table. Apparently TE's didn't have food for a while so they still let folks bring food, or better yet, order delivery to the bar. Amazing.

Second, lottery tickets. Nothing like crushing beers and scratching furiously to see if you won more beers.

Finally, the crowd - lots of youngsters who tend to keep to themselves. I was a bit nervous after reading about the February decor in 2011, I was wondering what I would face, but it turned out to be a cool crowd there for the cheap beer and low-key atmosphere."

-Jake K., Arlington, VA (Via YELP)

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10, Sullivan's Tap, 168 Canal St.

"Smelt like vomit, beers were $4.50. I'd go back. Bathroom was scary. Trashy was promoted. Sure , I'd have another before a B's game."

-Mark M., Concord, NH (Via YELP)

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11. Silhouette Lounge, 200 Brighton Ave.

"We were on the hunt for a true Boston dive bar and boy did we hit the jack pot with this place! We were told Allston was the neighborhood for what we wanted and it was true .. Silhouette Lounge was an absolute dive and as good as it gets!

They have Yuengling Beer on tap and give you free popcorn ... hell yeah! The bartender lady working was probably the nicest local person I had a chance to talk to on my entire trip.

It is cash only here by the way. Everything is cheap. They have darts, pool, TV, music and a great staff. Oh and graffiti on the walls! It really doesn't get much better than that! So come here, hang out, make friends with the locals and enjoy this magical spot."

-Amanda S., Austin (Via YELP)

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12. Sidebar, 14 Bromfield St.

"So.............This little dive bar is pretty good 7 dollar pitchers, for bud and bud light only but... Good deal. Pretty good crowd from 5:30 to 8 not sure what it's like toward closing, lol probably a sh*t show given the downtown crossing locals aren't the umm best group of people. That being said I don't think I'd drink too much at this bar. Looking around tonight a few people in the corners alone staring at me and my friends reminded me of something from a law and order svu episode. But whatever maybe I'm just too critical. Food was decent tasted like something I would cook when I'm drunk.. But it did the job since I was starving. The staff was nice."

-Lauren M., Boston (Via YELP)

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13. An Tain, 13 India St.

"The textbook definition of a dive bar. The moment I walked in, the only four people in the bar turned their heads to look at me and returned to their drinks. It was like a scene straight from a movie. The bar was playing 80s music and beer puddles were seen on every other table. There is only one bartender working. I came in with a group on a saturday afternoon and ordered their dollar beers. The beers were were extremely flat but you can't beat $1 for a 20oz glass of beer. If you are looking to get drunk this is the place to go. Coogan's next door also offers dollar beers but has much better service/environment."

-Brandon L., Boston (Via YELP)

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14, Sullivan's Pub, 85 Main St.

"It's a classic. Hole-in-the-wall, super-strong drinks, blunt bartenders, and kooky regulars---and I mean all these characteristics the best way possible. Going into Sullivan's is like going into an old movie in the middle of an historic neighborhood that has yuppified way to quickly recently. This place hasn't changed a bit, and I hope it never does."

-Bryan J., Boston (Via YELP)

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15. Model Cafe, 7 N. Beacon St.

"Awesome vibe and awesome people during the week. Monster-hipsters and entitled "artist" brats on the weekend. Allston has this weird transformation that occurs on the weekends where alllll of the worst kinds of people show up at or near allll of the places I love (when colleges are in session). This place has a queue past 10pm Thursday through Saturday so beware of chilly waits and secondhand smoke.

I saw my first gang fight in front of the Model over the summer.

I always run into interesting people and have conversation here. People are kind and open and usually super drunk in the positive way.

Note if you didn't read any other review: Cash only, suckahs."

-Leanne C., Somerville (Via YELP)

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16. Twelve Bens, 315 Adams St.

"How Irish is this Place?

If your looking to hit up a spot and get cheap booze with clientele sporting extra thick Irish accents, this is the place for you. More F bombs being dropped than the Wolf of Wall St.

For some reason, which I can't quantify, it all seems to work. If you have thick skin and are just looking to get drunk, than say yes to the Ben's.

I guarantee you, it's going to be an odd experience that you'll be talking about for a while. Don't be afraid.

Thanks"

-Joe C., Greenville, RI (Via YELP)

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17. Mary Ann's, 1937 Beacon St.

"Your very own dive bar, right in Cleveland Circle. Get a slice at Pino's across the street to build a foundation and then head on over for a $2 Busch Light. The place smells something between Lysol and urine but is a great place for cheep drinks and college girls. Enjoy!"

-Mike S., Greenville, SC (Via YELP)

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18. BK's Pub, 4272 Washington St.

"If you're looking for a cozy, blue-collar bar with generous pours, friendly regulars, and inexpensive beers and liquor, B K's Pub is the place to be. The Christmas lights, decor, and pictures of friends and family compliment the neighborhood atmosphere within the establishment. I didn't notice a smell of old beer and vomit like some of the other reviews, either.

The only disappointing feature was the lack of actual mice racing. They would make a killing if a) they actually did have it and b)they found a way to make this something to bet on (because who knows if Massachusetts ever has casinos).

Would recommend!"

-Brett B., Somerville (Via YELP)

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See the Yelp list here.

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