The Royal American could have easily opened as the Disney World of dive bars, as many were wary of its declarations of being a dive before day one, but the owners did a good job of making the space feel worn in and comfortable. The Royal American is now the place to go for giant cups of bourbon punch and exciting music acts.

Local 616 owner Dwayne Mitchell was a mainstay of legendary dive bar Upper Deck Tavern (RIP), until he went out on his own to open his own place on upper Meeting Street. It has all the hallmarks of a dive — cheap drinks, a pool table, and a cast of regulars — but it also boasts an expansive patio, creative slushie drinks, and pop-ups from aspiring chefs in the kitchen.

Moe's Crosstown Tavern is an institution in Charleston. Most of the staff have worked at the joint for over a decade, and they always remember a friendly face. Moe's a great selection of local draft beers, mountainous burgers, and a hangover-killing brunch.

Recovery Room (Rec Room) is the grown-up's dive bar, thanks to its location away from the Upper King crowds and owner Chris "Boston" DiMattia's no nonsense attitude. Rec Room is also the largest seller of PBR in the country. Go for the cheap beer, and stay for the tater tot nachos.

King Street dive bar Sugey’s Bar is dedicated to all things heavy metal — but even if you don’t listen to Motorhead, you’ll have a good time here. Concert posters line the walls and old slasher movies play behind the bar. The drink selections are more sophisticated than most dives, with a decent wine selection, local beers, and tropical concoctions like the Pantang Painslayer (a take on the Painkiller).

Bagard Street bar Cutty's is right across from pizza parlor D'allesandro's and seems right at home on that corner. It's dingy, windowless, and covered in cat memorabilia (the owner is a big fan of felines). Cutty's claims to be the largest seller of Fernet in South Carolina. Shots, anyone?

"If you can find us, you'll never forget us" is the slogan for Burns Alley, and it's correct. Nestled off of King Street, this dive isn't the easiest to locate, but listen for live music, bustling crowds, and the pouring of cold beer, and it should lead down the side street (next to Five Guys) to Burns.

While Bangkok Lounge looks like the former Upper Deck Tavern, it now offers a seven-nights-a-week karaoke bar with tiki drinks. Though owner Chris “Boston” DiMattia previously said, “I don’t want to call it a tiki bar, but we will have four frozen drink machines and hope to have a signature punch on tap.”