Nestled in a strip of local spots on Geer St., including LouElla (a wine bar) and Welcome Tattoo (obviously a tattoo shop), Accordion Club exists. It’s dark and cozy inside, but there’s also a sizeable patio out back with string lights and picnic tables for those who don’t want to get lost inside. The beer menu features a solid list of local and domestic beers, and locals will be the first to say they go out of the way for Sunday morning Hatch burritos. The Frito pie and hot dogs make for excellent drunk snacks to sop up all the liquids.

A popular divey bar with a badass outdoor scene, where PBRs, cornhole, a pool table, and bocce ball are part of the equation. The bar itself is dimly lit and gives off all the vibes of an expected dive. Dogs are also welcome, making it a sought-after watering hole for Durham locals and their furry friends. During the pandemic, the spot upped the minimum age for patrons from 21 to 23 to tone down weekend crowds filled with often-rowdy college students.

In December 2020, Criterion shuttered and locals mourned the loss of one of Durham’s best bars. Enter end of 2021 and Rubies enters the scene, taking over the second story of the building. Get into the bar by way of a discreetly marked entrance with crown signage, up a dimly lit red staircase, and into complete escapism. The team behind Luna Rotiserrie is responsible for bringing this new divey-meets-music venue and bar to life. Find industry workers shooting Jager shots post-dinner shifts and catching up with locals at the bar or at intimate booths with dimly lit lamps. Live music and DJs are a big part of the equation and the team will open Remedy Room, a classic cocktail bar, in the downstairs space in 2022.

It’s a dive bar with hot dogs, but some frequenters might reverse and say it’s a hot dog bar with beers. Whatever the case, it’s a good time. Expect lots of canned brews, rotating local taps, and, of course, a simple hot dog menu with all the accoutrements to add on (there’s a vegetarian dog included). The ambiance is neither that of a bar or a restaurant, but somewhere in between, just on the outskirts of Raleigh’s downtown proper — and hidden just enough that it evokes a chill, regular crowd. Co-owner Jason Howard recently opened an outpost in neighboring town Clayton.

Located in the old Office Tavern space, Johnson Street Yacht Club brings an elevated dive bar experience to downtown Raleigh — equipped with an adult slide. Note: there are rules and you can’t drink and slide. The website is quirky, noting “We’ve got booze. We take credit cards but we don’t take no shit. Behave yourself. Salty women welcome. Triflers need not apply.” There’s ample outdoor seating plus fun rotating cocktails (a frozen Dark ‘N’ Stormy, anyone?) — and an ever-changing, random food menu.

Slims is considered a music venue, but it’s got all the right dive bar vibes and has been a Raleigh staple since 1999. Shows are up close and personal, and there’s a patio out back where cigarettes and socialization happen. Upstairs, there’s a pool table and lounge, should you crave a more intimate setting. While it’s a dive bar the spot takes booze seriously and offers a wide variety of spirits and beers — and the price is always right.

Grab your friends and spend an afternoon drinking cheap drinks and playing pool. It’s Cary’s version of a modern-day Cheers and a spot that feels like a home away from home to locals — with video games, dartboards, and pinball. TVs are focused on sports and drink specials, including $8 pitchers and very cheap cocktail offerings, which are a big draw. It’s nothing fancy and that’s a good thing.