Dive bars often have a bad reputation and negative connotation. Sticky floors, questionable characters and a touchtunes machine that hasn’t been used in a decade. Yet these are the same bars we rely on for cheap drinks and a hometown ambiance where all are welcome. There’s no bouncer guarding access at the door, no dress code, no enforced male-female ratio. The doors are always open, and the drinks are usually cold.
When out of town relatives come in, we may want to impress them with spots that serve flashy drinks coupled with unique decor, but those wanting to feel at home and just relax and catch up are better suited visiting these iconic NKY dive bars.
The Goat
The Goat is one of the newest places in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood. This corner bar has all the essentials for a fun and casual night out. Countless drink choices and snacks under $5, darts and occasional live music and trivia – there’s always a reason to visit.
The newly renovated interior still exudes traditional bar vibes in a less sticky and smokey way. One of the coolest features of the Goat’s bar is that guests can also order six or 12 packs of beer to go. It’s commonplace for breweries to do this with their homebrews, but for a bar it’s borderline brilliant.
It’s great for a pit stop before a family party where you can conveniently grab a case to go to bring the party home.
Old Guy’s Tavern
In a small strip in Burlington, a new dive bar awaits thirsty guests with beers and a laid back atmosphere. Old Guy’s Tavern exudes hometown charm and is a spot for all occasions. Like all good dive bars, its main focus is on a relaxing atmosphere for hanging out or watching a game with a cold beer.
Although it’s in the name, it isn’t just a spot for old guys. Guests of all drinking ages are welcome. There are plentiful beer choices on draft, and in bottles or cans. There’s full selection of liquor, too.
For food there are fried appetizers, pizza, wings and burgers – bar classics that always taste good. The interior has plenty of seating that doesn’t feel crowded in a smaller space and plenty of TVs so you never miss a touchdown.
Pee Wee’s Place
Pee Wee’s is best known for its causal atmosphere and reasonable prices. Its slogan, “great fun, great food, great friends,” perfectly encapsulates the Pee Wee’s experience.
Beer buckets, sand volleyball and a slew of yummy food are a trifecta for a great evening. The wings are the best matches to the beer buckets. For football Sundays, the starters menu is the way to go. With choices of fried pickles, nachos and potato skins, fans will be full and focused on the game.
The large patio can fit every member of the family. From siblings to your third cousin, there’s a seat and a drink waiting.
Finke’s Pub
Those looking to hit the Covington bar scene have most likely passed this unassuming bar along Dixie Highway in Park Hills. If you blink too quickly, you may miss it, but those that visit can expect alarmingly cheap drinks, darts and TVs with the latest game. The front of the bar has a garage-like opening that opens to an outdoor patio. This welcomes the warm weather and sunshine in the summer, illuminating the bar’s interior.
Although the space is on the smaller side, you won’t be standing shoulder to shoulder screaming over music to order your favorite domestic beer. The drink selection is primarily domestic canned and bottled beer, with seltzers and select spirits thrown in for variety.
The easygoing, welcoming atmosphere is perfect for a pit stop to or from a family celebration. There’s nothing like decompressing with your favorite family member over a drink after a dysfunctional family gathering.
Larry’s
Nothing says all-American bar like neon beer signs, mismatched bar stools, pool and hot dogs. Larry’s in Covington has got the recipe for a dive bar down, and patrons can’t get enough.
Long before Zach Bryan came into town and put Larry’s onto the radar for many people, including me, true fans were downing hot dogs and shooting pool at Larry’s. A longtime staple of the Mainstrasse area, Larry’s can easily be overlooked nestled a street over from the majority of the Main Street bar and restaurant scene.
Larry’s is best known for its creative yet cheap hot dogs. They got all the bar necessities one needs for an enjoyable evening out. Any out of town relatives will be impressed with the marriage of simplicity and authenticity in this bar.
B-List
Every city has a hometown bar like the B-List, but only Bellevue has the B-List. It’s even dubbed itself as “the greatest neighborhood dive bar on the planet.” This dive bar has an old-school vintage feel, a spot even your old cranky out of town uncle will love.
The full bar assortment, with local and domestic beer choices along with over 30 bourbons, assures no patron leaves thirsty. It’s got a pool table and darts for your competitive cousins to play on as well as a large outdoor patio if you need space from your aunt’s incessant questions.
It’s a place where regulars and newcomers alike are welcome. Try it out with friends and family on Drinksgiving for a full and fun experience.
What to Know If You Go
The Goat
Location: 3702 Huntington Ave., Covington
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Old Guy’s Tavern
Location: 5987 Carlton Drive, Burlington
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 2-11 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Website: oldguystavern.com
Phone: 859-534-5039
Pee Wee’s Place
Location: 2325 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Website: peeweesplace.net
Phone: 859-341-4977
Finke’s Pub
Location: 1458 Dixie Highway, Park Hills
Hours: Monday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Tuesday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Wednesday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 4 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Phone: 859-431-6154
Larry’s
Location: 536 W. Ninth Street, Covington
Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
Phone: 859-360-1007
B-List
Location: 343 Division St., Bellevue
Hours: Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.- 2 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-2 a.m.Phone: 859-261-7033
