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Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Boris Badunov ()
Date: September 07, 2010 03:00PM

Hello! I just moved here, and I'm desperate for a good dive bar: cheap booze, quiet-ish except when it's rowdy. I'm near Kingstowne, which means practically my only bar is Bonefish, which, no thanks.

Suggestions? Save me, FFU!

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: ITRADE ()
Date: September 07, 2010 03:02PM

There is no real thing as a dive bar in Virginia because there are no bars in Virginia. They're restaurants with bar areas attached. Totally changes the scene.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 07, 2010 03:06PM

Boris Badunov Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello! I just moved here, and I'm desperate for a
> good dive bar: cheap booze, quiet-ish except when
> it's rowdy. I'm near Kingstowne, which means
> practically my only bar is Bonefish, which, no
> thanks.
>
> Suggestions? Save me, FFU!






There is no such thing as cheap booze.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: LisaC ()
Date: September 07, 2010 03:20PM

Virginia used to have blue laws, it is formerly a devout Baptist state meaning drinking and dancing is frowned on. historically

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: notme ()
Date: September 07, 2010 03:31PM

Check out Applebees in Fair Lakes. Probably the closest to a dive bar I can think of.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Lurker. ()
Date: September 07, 2010 04:44PM

John's Place in Fairfax is a great little dive. Try the roof top bar.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Britdrnva~ ()
Date: September 07, 2010 05:35PM

Payne's in Leesburg is a decent bar - kind of a biker's bar though so not sure tis your thing or not...tisn't really mine.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Tim45 ()
Date: September 07, 2010 05:47PM

Try Bungalos in the Shoppers Food center. The prices are about what you expect anywhere in Nova. Go to Happy Hour first before handing over money for regular prices. They can get some real trash people in there when they want to. They do have or had some decent looking waitresses. Havent been there in a few months.

Hard Times at Backlick and Keene Mill have dollar bottle beer for happy hour and good wings.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 07, 2010 05:50PM

Tim45 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Try Bungalos in the Shoppers Food center.




They have shitty, overpriced food. I ordered nachos one time and it was Tostitos covered in barely melted cheese.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Tim45 ()
Date: September 07, 2010 06:06PM

eesh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tim45 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Try Bungalos in the Shoppers Food center.
>
>
>
> They have shitty, overpriced food. I ordered
> nachos one time and it was Tostitos covered in
> barely melted cheese.


I didnt eat there either, just did the usual drink beer, get munchies and hit Shoppers or Jerrys for food for when I get home. It does appear dirty but I am drinking from the bottle so I dont care.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Blank Reg ()
Date: September 08, 2010 09:47AM

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern in Herndon
Fat Tuesday at University Mall
Sign of the Whale in Falls Church

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: GBINVA ()
Date: September 08, 2010 10:03AM

Fat Tuesday at University Mall, Pitcher specials along with MICO Brews

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: TheMeeper ()
Date: September 08, 2010 10:05AM

The PUB in McLean, good dive bar, but gets smoky as hell

Mark's Pub, Idylwood Plaza, Falls Church- dive bar with pretty good bar food (wings, potato skins, etc)... the place attracts some pretty weird rednecks though

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: acidbyt3 ()
Date: September 08, 2010 12:10PM

Fat Tuesdays sucks. Expect to pay a cover, and at $5 for domestics its as pricey as the 9:30 club in DC.

Only good thing about this place is occasionally they book good bands.

Johns place in fairfax, id call a dive.
Omias is a dive with incredible food

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: FiveStroke ()
Date: September 08, 2010 12:13PM

Kate's Irish Pub in Springfield.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: ffx dude ()
Date: September 08, 2010 09:55PM

Carlos O' kellys off of 236 in ffx city. lots of drunks and cheap liquor

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: whiterussian ()
Date: September 08, 2010 10:35PM

Boris: unfortunately, the posters are correct; I come from the Ohio River valley where there were neighborhood bars everywhere - - not much here, and in Kingstowne your options are nil. Everybody has good suggestions though. I would add Patriots in Fairfax City, and Grevey's in Falls Church. I think Sign of the Whale closed a couple of years ago.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: ITRADE ()
Date: September 08, 2010 10:36PM

SoW has been gone for at least 18 months.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: BB*X ()
Date: September 09, 2010 08:16AM

There is also Lucky's in the Kingstowne area. Never been but I hear its like a mini Dave and Busters, not really a dive bar though. There used to be a place in Adams Morgan called Common Share, they had two dollar bottles and it didn't matter what time it was or whether you wanted a Miller Lite or Heineken, everything was $2.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Rob ()
Date: September 09, 2010 08:55AM

patriots in fairfax. i think they have $5 pitchers everyday till 9pm. i classify it as a small dive bar with gmu students who go there.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Porksta ()
Date: September 09, 2010 09:21AM

Rob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> patriots in fairfax. i think they have $5 pitchers
> everyday till 9pm. i classify it as a small dive
> bar with gmu students who go there.


This.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: alexandria ()
Date: September 09, 2010 10:00AM

It's not FFX but I'd try Old Town Alexandria. Either Murphy's or Bugsy's (upstairs) Bugsy's is a true dive bar and very freindly place, good food, good prices.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Piggy ()
Date: September 09, 2010 03:40PM

Sunset Grill in Annandale.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: dove by it ()
Date: September 09, 2010 04:42PM

on rt 1 in the village of accotink. just drove by but it looks like it would be a shitty little place like I used to go to in western pennsylvania to forget about the fact that I was in western pennsylvania. fucking dairy princesses kept reminding me thou

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Hangover County ()
Date: September 10, 2010 12:46AM

Yeah you aren't going to find much near Kingstown. Are Dauphine's and 1320 still kicking in Springfield? That will be about the best you will do. There was Peyton Place also in Springfield but I'm not sure if thats still there either.

Take a day and drive the corridor on Rt. 1 between the beltway and Fort Belvoir. I know that its not the greatest place in the world these days but there used to be some stellar dives. If there are any enclaves of rednecks still in the area there will be a really bad restaurant/bar close by. I remember a place called The Country Club close to Woodlawn where I sat drinking Buds and listening to a junkyard dog barking at the bar area through the wall in the next space for several hours straight one day. The patrons just felt it was business as normal.

There might be a couple of places in Arlington still but if you want dives you're best bet will be a road trip to Baltimore... Fort Street comes to mind. Route one between the capital beltway and baltimore had some good ones as well. Elkridge Tavern for one. Real nice old biker bar... at least the last time I was there.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Ja'spook ()
Date: September 10, 2010 07:09AM

JW & Friends in Springfield, just west of the mixing bowl

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Mudd ()
Date: September 10, 2010 08:44AM

Two words: Vienna Inn

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: wally pip ()
Date: September 11, 2010 05:39AM

I find the Vienna Inn to be a bit of a poseurs joint

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: wally pip ()
Date: September 11, 2010 05:40AM

I forgot to mention, JV's in Falls Church last of its kind in this area

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: TheMeeper ()
Date: September 11, 2010 07:57AM

wally pip Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> JV's in Falls Church last of
> its kind in this area

That place makes me laugh.

Haven't been in there for a few years though. A real down-on-their-luck crowd who takes it's drinking very very seriously. I don't think I've seen a place with that many visibly drunk adults in NoVA before. And the bartenders are pretty surly, especially after they suspect a couple of knuckleheads like me are only in there to get their kicks at other people's expense.

The last time I was in there some really really drunk redneck asked me if I could give him a couple bucks. It's an adventure for sure.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: tomahawk ()
Date: September 11, 2010 10:35AM

alexandria Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's not FFX but I'd try Old Town Alexandria.
> Either Murphy's or Bugsy's (upstairs) Bugsy's is a
> true dive bar and very freindly place, good food,
> good prices.


Southside 815 if you're in Old Town. It's definitely more divey than Murphy's, way more locals, they all know each other in there.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Johnny Walker ()
Date: September 11, 2010 01:57PM

Hangover County Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah you aren't going to find much near Kingstown.
> Are Dauphine's and 1320 still kicking in
> Springfield?


Dauphine's is now Paper Moon, but 1320 is still there.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Piggy ()
Date: September 12, 2010 01:14PM

Moe's Peyton Place off Backlick near 644. There is also a pool hall (Can't remember the name) off Rolling Road near 644 by I believe a Blockbuster Video. THese places are pretty run down.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Johnny Walker ()
Date: September 12, 2010 02:15PM

Piggy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is
> also a pool hall (Can't remember the name) off
> Rolling Road near 644 by I believe a Blockbuster
> Video. THese places are pretty run down.


Q-Ball. Blockbuster's gone though. There's now a Panera in its place.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: lived here awhile ()
Date: September 12, 2010 02:45PM

the best dive bar in the area (like you are describing) is Peyton Place in Springfield (caddy corner to Five Guys on Backlick Road).

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Fairfax ()
Date: September 21, 2010 07:16PM

The Old Firestation #3, or Firehouse Grill. The original owner is back. He ran 2-3 restaurants in Fairfax city. A clean place, no fights, good food and $1.50 beers on happy hour.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Lurker. ()
Date: September 21, 2010 09:56PM

Piggy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sunset Grill in Annandale.

Oh, hell yeah. That might even top John's place.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: tefd ()
Date: September 22, 2010 02:19PM

Patriots off of 29.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Jays ()
Date: September 22, 2010 02:32PM

Jay's Saloon in Arlington

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Yabels ()
Date: September 22, 2010 03:04PM

Wait a minute, this isn't "faux" dive, this is just dive!

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: MOTR ()
Date: September 29, 2010 03:51PM

Little Italy @ corner of Backlick and Braddock
Sunset Grille-Downtown Annandale
Hard Times-Springfield
Neighbors-Vienna (Cedar Ln.)

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Lurker. ()
Date: September 29, 2010 03:57PM

MOTR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Little Italy @ corner of Backlick and Braddock
> Sunset Grille-Downtown Annandale
> Hard Times-Springfield
> Neighbors-Vienna (Cedar Ln.)

I thought little Italy closed?

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: wienerluvver ()
Date: September 29, 2010 04:02PM

VIENNA INN-deffinition of dive bar! if you love weiners, it the place fo youuuu!

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: DEStewart01 ()
Date: October 01, 2010 12:10PM

Hard Times in Springfield... or King Street Blues in Kingstown. Which surprisingly has a bit of a locals hangout vibe going. My brother used to be a regular there 5 years ago, and now everytime he goes back he still sees the same people.

Hard Times Springfield I think would be your best bet. Or any of the other Springfield bars already mentioned.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Rambunctious ()
Date: October 01, 2010 01:06PM

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is no real thing as a dive bar in Virginia
> because there are no bars in Virginia. They're
> restaurants with bar areas attached. Totally
> changes the scene.


Have you been to the Shade Tree in Centreville? It's a dive bar with a restaurant attached.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: dimwit ()
Date: October 02, 2010 07:46PM

I heard shady tree closed down. becuase it was dive.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Unknown ()
Date: October 06, 2010 10:36AM

The Dive of all dives is by far:

1. John's Place in Fairfax City
2. Sunset Grille in Annandale
3. JV's in Falls Church
4. Moe's Peyton Place in Springfield
5. Vienna Inn in Vienna
6. Jay's Saloon in Arlington
7. The Pub in Mclean
8. Patriot Cafe in Fairfax City
9. Downtown Saloon in Leesburg--------Formally Payne's Biker Bar
10. Mark's Pub in Pimmit Hills, Falls Church

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: wally pip ()
Date: October 07, 2010 01:53AM

What about Neighbors bar in Cedar Park Shopping center in Vienna? I drive by that way a couple times a week and never noticed it be packed till the last month or so? Is the place packed with gringo's or folks from the lovely apartment complex behind the shopping center?

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: albert ()
Date: November 13, 2010 04:18PM

Does anyone know if the crowd at Brinkleys in Seven Corners is mainly Gringo or Latino?

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Dig Dug ()
Date: November 13, 2010 10:22PM

Fairfax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Old Firestation #3, or Firehouse Grill. The
> original owner is back. He ran 2-3 restaurants in
> Fairfax city. A clean place, no fights, good food
> and $1.50 beers on happy hour.

I used that place! What happened to the Asian chick that took over for a bit?

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Most closed ()
Date: December 22, 2013 06:01PM

Sunset Grill in Annandale-closed
John's Place in Fairfax-closed
Kilroy's in Springfield-just the place to be missy!

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: another one goes ()
Date: December 22, 2013 06:06PM

Kate's in Springfield closes tonight for good.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Silky smooth ()
Date: December 22, 2013 07:38PM

Most grocery stores and I think 7-11's sell Dove Bars.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Ffxfolife ()
Date: July 09, 2015 10:04AM

Neighbors is under repped here. Its a notch divier than the vienna inn

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: cheapo ()
Date: July 13, 2015 04:24PM

Blue Iguana in fairlakes has 3 dollar pbr and fireball everyday

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Johnny p ()
Date: July 14, 2015 11:27AM

What's wrong with PBR?

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Nice Guy Eddie ()
Date: July 14, 2015 03:30PM

ffx dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Carlos O' kellys off of 236 in ffx city. lots of
> drunks and cheap liquor


Carlos O'Kelly's has been gone for a couple of years. Its now something like Piero's Corner.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Mo the bartender ()
Date: July 14, 2015 03:44PM

Nice Guy Eddie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ffx dude Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Carlos O' kellys off of 236 in ffx city. lots
> of
> > drunks and cheap liquor
>
>
> Carlos O'Kelly's has been gone for a couple of
> years. Its now something like Piero's Corner.

Piero's has also been gone awhile. It's now something like vacant.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Dive Bar RIP ()
Date: August 25, 2016 03:37PM

Not bad lists going here, but I figured I'd update ya'll.

Vienna Inn- def divey, but can be overrun by kids and family.
JVs- As legit a dive bar as NOVA has.
J's Saloon- sadly closed, this place was also legit and decently priced beer but not great ($4 bottles usually).
Forest Inn- definitely a dive. Beers vary on price. Very closed local crowd.
Johns place- sadly closed, but also a true dive.
Neighbors- the best. A true dive bar, good food and cheap beer. About 5 notches above the Vienna Inn, no kids and no rules.

Bonus-
Abi's in Arlington- technically an upscale Salvadorian joint, but its not. Go for the happy hour and cheap (and good) Mexican food.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Dive Bar RIP ()
Date: December 24, 2017 09:23AM

I have a truly devastating update. Neighbors has closed for good. Very sad news. This area is depressingly unfriendly to nieghborhood dive bar institutions.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Ghgfvv ()
Date: December 24, 2017 09:26AM

Try Backyard Grill in Chantilly
They've got good live music on Saturdays

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: 2343222222331 ()
Date: December 24, 2017 12:26PM

Ghgfvv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Try Backyard Grill in Chantilly
> They've got good live music on Saturdays

Was inside this place for 1 hour once and left reeking so bad of cigarette smoke it took three showers to smell clean again.

That's not necessarily a negative in terms of dive bars. Just saying.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: December 24, 2017 06:35PM

Fancy Dancer

Nevermind, that was 3 decades ago.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: gagwygi ()
Date: December 24, 2017 07:25PM

P&P in Falls Church. Not far from Fox's Music. Been a long time ago and I'm not sure if it's still there.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: jimBBeam ()
Date: December 27, 2017 10:25AM

Blue Iguana - Def a dive bar, burnt microwaved food, 2 unattractive female patrons, and hairy sweaty bartenders selling coke on the side of the bar.

Reminds me of a typical rural white trash bar in a Ohio strip mall.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: loookin ()
Date: December 29, 2017 06:10AM

where is a place to pick up over 60 horny trashy women.....

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: DiveBars ()
Date: December 30, 2017 08:56PM

Blackie's?

Wait....

That was a long time ago.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Yichhh ()
Date: December 30, 2017 11:24PM

This area is a whore to the chains.

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Re: Dive Bars in Fairfax Co
Posted by: Frank's Place ()
Date: December 31, 2017 07:51AM

For my money Frank's Place in Falls Church couldn't be topped for divism.
Not too successful,no interior upgrades for decades.
A serious layer of grease vapor on the screen door as you entered.No fucked up hipsters trying to appear blue collar.
They don't make em like that anymore.

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