Blog: Our Favorite Local Dive Bars
Sharing Daphne's Dive with our audiences got us thinking about our own local dive bars and why we love them. We asked the cast and Signature staff where they get their dive-bar fix in the area and here’s where they suggest.
Silver Spring, MD
“The “why’s” are obvious. Half price burgers on Mondays. You have to serve tots. You have to have a whiskey special. It’s cool if you feel like you have to crouch down to keep from hitting your head as you walk through the place. And it’s a real bonus if you have to walk down a flight of stairs from the sidewalk to get into the place.”
- James Whalen, Acosta in Daphne’s Dive
Red Derby
Petworth, Washington, DC
“It’s women-owned and they do a lot of great charity work! Great shot/beer combo. If there is not a shot and beer combo on the menu IT IS NOT A DIVE BAR.”
- Colleen Murphy, Signature’s Development Manager
U Street, Washington, DC
BIPOC owned business
“Best spot on U Street for amazing live jazz. A true communal spot with strong drinks, artistic “regulars” and every now and again, my husband Kris Funn on upright bass.”
- Paige Hernandez, Director of Daphne’s Dive
Rockville, MD
“Hank Dietle’s is a living piece of Montgomery County history. They are the oldest continually working roadhouse in Montgomery County and also hold the very first liquor license ever given out in the County. Tragically, Dietle’s burned down in 2018 and it looked like that would be the end of this Montgomery County institution – but it was bought by a trio of music lovers, refurbished with the help of volunteers from the local community, and reopened just this past summer. Before the fire Hank Dietle’s entire menu consisted of beer, soda, two wines (one red, one white) and an assortment of packaged salty snacks like the pork rinds. Since re-opening they have expanded their culinary and beverage ambitions a bit, while hosting live concerts most evenings by local folk and roots artists.”
- Jen Buzzell, Signature’s Director of Marketing
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
“Their burgers are big and greasy. What’s better?”
- Deidre Staples, Understudy in Daphne’s Dive
Petworth, Washington, DC
“Pinball and beer are a great combination. They’ve got a great birthday deal there too.”
- Matt Strote, Signature’s Education Program Manager
Arlington, VA
“Fun fact LA stands for Lower Arlington. Love this place because it’s a laid back, no nonsense dive bar with weekend Karaoke and shockingly tasty and cheap food.”
- Micaela Lell, Signature’s Bar Manager
Parkview/Petworth, Washington, DC
BIPOC owned business
“A best kept secret not far from Howard University in the Parkview/Petworth neighborhood. An incredible menu, some of the best throwback R&B jams and a beautiful outdoor patio.”
- Paige Hernandez, Director of Daphne’s Dive
We hope you will consider planning a night out at any of these local haunts or come grab a drink at Signature’s Ali’s Bar when you come to see Daphne’s Dive!
Now through March 20
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