“Holy shit. We are the only ones here. This is awesome!” - Me.

Nothing is worst that pushing yourself through a crowd to overpay for a cheap, watered-down drink at a bar filled with dickheads. First world problem I know, but living in a city with a population of over four million people it is bound to happen. Jamie and I rarely go out because it just isn’t worth it. Trying to find parking is a task all on its own and then paying surcharges for it adds salt to the wound. We needed a local place to go. A “Cheers” type place where you can go, actually relax, and everyone knows your name. So we went on the hunt for it.

Deep down in the trenches of Yelp we found a spot that looked like a mistake. There was barely any reviews, only a few dingy photos, but it was within walking distance so we decided we’d roll the dice. We walked in and it was everything you hope for in a dive. Old leather burgundy bar stools, pool tables that have seen a million 8-balls end games, dimly lit by faded Budweiser pool lights from the 70’s. Wood paneling on the walls and an even darker wooded bar that was lacquered to a fine shimmer. There was a jukebox playing oldies in the corner. The menu hadn’t been touched in decades. The carpet was stained from years of party fouls and puke; no one knows its original color. A true diamond in the rough.

We took our seats and ordered cheap bottled beers from the owner, who also happened to be the only employee. This was a blue-collar bar and we immediately felt a sense of belonging. We were the only ones there and we wouldn't have it any other way. Everyone else our age is out trying to find the next hip bar, over pay for their experience and put it on socials that they were there on opening weekend, but we are fine right here. We have music we love playing and each other. In a city packed to the gills with people, it is great to go out and actually relax from time to time. We danced the night away to Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Roger Miller, Dolly and more. No one came in the whole night, we just sat, enjoyed our conversation and company. It is nice getting out every once in a while.

If you need me in the foreseeable future, I’ll be at the dive.

-YourFriendMatt