Top five dive bars

Billy Ray’s

2216 NE MLK Blvd.

This neighborhood bar is crammed into a place that feels like that one house out in the sticks where you used to hang out in high school—the one where you wouldn’t get caught drinking. The upstairs has been filled with pinball machines and a great pool table. During the summer, one can find ping-pong tables on the back patio, part of which is covered and heated for the colder nights. Indeed, there is plenty to do at Billy Ray’s.

Tony’s Old Time Tavern

1955 W Burnside St.

Walking into Tony’s bears a feeling of walking into a small-town dive on the arid east side of the Cascade mountains…in the ‘80s. This tavern has that rustic charm to it that only comes with truly cheap beer and George Jones on the jukebox. One trip will make you plenty of friends with which to share the bar or the pool table.

Yamhill Pub

223 SW Yamhill St.

Where do gutter-punks go after a long hard day of bumming around asking for spare change? They head to the Yamhill pub. Watch out for the pitbull on the floor they brought inside with them. The Yamhill’s greatest charm is that it is perhaps the dirtiest pub in all of Portland, and therefore one has to go there. Though being one of the only late-night options in its corner of downtown, many find the Yamhill to be a nice after-work hang out. The bathroom will give you chills.

Joe’s Cellar

1332 NW 21st Ave.

Joe’s is a great place to bring a crowd for an evening to enjoy each other’s company. Once a haze-filled cave in the days of indoor smoking, Joe’s is now…well it’s still a cave, just easier to breathe in. While it always hosts a number of aged-to-perfection regulars, it also attracts its fair share of the hip younger crowd. Service is usually great, and unlike most dive bars, it has plenty of room to move around in.

Skyline Tavern

8031 NW Skyline Blvd.

The Skyline Tavern is kind of a well-kept secret, only known to those able to make the drive, bike ride or motorcycle trip through the curvy west hills roadways. Stepping inside, it is easy to tell this bar is a home to many regulars, comfortably chit-chatting about various topics—sometimes more sensitive topics. The menu here boasts a greasy line of microwavable treats to accompany a range of cheap beers and bottom shelf liquors. The Skyline has one of the greatest views out west towards the ocean. Patrons can relax on the amazing back patio and watch the sunset.