While some enjoy a fancy (and possibly expensive) night out at one of many fine Central PA restaurants, from time to time some also have the urge for a casual night out with friends that doesn’t break the bank. To help guide you for when the mood strikes, here are seven regional picks for fun dive bars locals love.
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Brendee's Irish Pub
Brendee’s is the perfect example of a classic neighborhood bar. With delicious food and drink specials every day, it’s always a good time to pop in. Note: Many specials are late, from 9 to 11 p.m. Sunday specials include BOGO appetizers and well drinks on special. Mondays mean PBR pints, cheesesteaks and fries, and mystery beers. Tuesday is wing night with beer specials. Wednesday is for steak sliders and extreme bingo music fun at 8 p.m. Thursdays is Brendee’s night for burgers and beer specials. If you stop in on Friday, make sure it’s during the free food happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Pair those tasty treats with a 22-ounce Miller Lite for only $3. Stop in on Saturday and snag three tacos for just $3.25. There are also Coors Light bottles on special all day and cider deals. Food is served until midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends, ensuring you never go home hungry. Before you leave at the end of your night, take some photos in the photo booth. Be forewarned: Brendee’s is a smoking establishment. 449 W. Lemon St., Lancaster, PA / brendeesirishpub.com
The Shamrock Café
The Shamrock is a five star neighborhood dive bar. With signage urging patrons not to bum cigarettes or urinate outside, as the neighbors get upset, this Walnut Street staple has plenty of character. The Shamrock opens early, at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 9 a.m. on Sunday, which is convenient for some day drinking fun. And it stays open until midnight every night. Though the pool table may be a little scratched, it’s in fine working order, so chalk a pool cue and start up a game. In between shots, visit with the jukebox and pick out some treasured songs to set the mood. Have a few extra dollars to spare? Try your luck at the table bowling. Warning: it’s highly addictive, so set yourself a budget if you’re going all in. And don’t forget to end your weekend with a Sunday Funday at The Shamrock with a DJ spinning vinyl and $6 bloody Marys all afternoon. 312 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA / Find the Shamrock Café on Facebook
Wiener World
Wiener World Restaurant & Lounge originally opened its doors in 1976 as a simple hot dog shop. Since then, the menu has grown to include just about any sandwich and dinner you can imagine. For this wide menu selection and amazing pricing, people from all around come back over and over again. And the bar hours are perfect for all of the shift workers in our lives, as it opens at 7 a.m. throughout the week and stays open late. No matter what meal you’re there for, Wiener World features all of the breakfast, lunch, and dinner items you’d never expect at a hot dog shop, from hot cakes and omelettes to an expansive dinner menu. Don’t miss the Weiner World lunch special (a Texas hot weiner and a cup of chili). Come for the food and drink and stay for a great time. If you’re looking for a nice warm feeling when entering a bar and quick and friendly service, we highly recommend making Wiener World a part of your world. Please note, Sunday hours in the Lounge are a bit shorter; it is only open from 1 to 10 p.m. 2310 Industrial Highway, East York, PA / wienerworldyork.com
Hildy's Tavern
As the self-proclaimed “Best Damn Dive Bar in Lancaster,” Hildy’s Tavern should always be on your list of must-hit spots on a night out. When walking up to Hildy’s, you’re greeted with its bright blue exterior, which immediately puts you in a good mood, the kind of mood made for drinking. And while it has all of the classic, divey beers on tap, there’s also a chance that you’ll find some local craft gems. If you’re looking for a great deal late at night, stop in from 9 to 11 p.m. for its late night happy hour, which includes $6 pitchers. Head into the back for a game of darts with friends, and select your party playlist on the killer jukebox. Depending on what time of the year you go, the crowd will definitely vary. When Franklin & Marshall students are in town, Hildy’s turns into quite the college scene, and while the kids are on break, it’s more of a casual biker bar. Hildy’s is loved by the young, the old, and everyone in between, including Kiefer Sutherland, who paid a visit while he was in town earlier this year. Pro tip: Stop in on Sunday afternoon for a free spread of food. 448 W. Frederick St., Lancaster, PA / Find Hildy’s Tavern on Facebook
Stogie's Smoking Bar
Stogie’s Smoking Bar, a part of the White Rose Grill, is your go-to spot for entertaining the smokers in your life. Drop in any day for the “4 ta 6” happy hour special, which is, you guessed it, from 4 to 6 p.m. every day. Appetizers at this time range from $4-6 and include fried cheese curds, house cut fries with cheese, York City soft pretzel sticks, buffalo chicken dip, homemade crab drip, loaded nachos, Yuengling Lager batter fried shrimp, and peel and eat shrimp. And more importantly, beer, wine, and mixed drinks are all half-price. If you miss the happy hour deals, the menu is served throughout all of the bars, so if you start at the White Rose and then decide you’re in the mood for a cigar, just make your way over to Stogie’s. You can purchase cigars at the bar, with prices ranging from $9-12. There’s even a vending machine for candy and cigarettes. Try your hand at bar games like golf or do a little gambling on the arcade games. Stop by during the week from 11 to 2 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 2 a.m. 48 N. Beaver St., York, PA / whiterosebarandgrill.com
Shady McGrady's
City legend has it that Shady McGrady’s basement served as a speakeasy during Prohibition in the 1920s. Dubbed by regulars as “Midtown’s living room,” Shady’s has been described as a hidden gem in Harrisburg. It’s come a long way from its original dive bar days, when the roof would leak during heavy rains, leaving you standing in a puddle of rain as you threw your darts. And lest we forget to mention the TV needing to be unplugged during these times to protect the patrons. What started as a bar with only four draft lines now has 48 beers on tap without pretentious vibes. The team of bartenders is super friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, as it’s rare for your glass to sit empty for longer than a few seconds. Shady’s is a fun spot with a nice diverse crowd and a large selection of cans, bottles, and drafts, including craft, imported, and domestic beers. Not only is the beer selection great, the prices are very reasonable. Browse the coolers and take home a few six packs, too. 204 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, PA / Find Shady McGrady’s on Facebook
Sundown Lounge
The Sundown Lounge touts itself as the premier lesbian bar in Lancaster but caters to all straight, gay, lesbian, and LGBTQ crowds. All are welcome at the Sundown Lounge. Though the curbside appeal isn’t too rave worthy, the inside is welcoming, homey, and super clean, which are all things to be desired in a dive bar. Whether you’re there for owner Sue Ann’s famous Dr. Pepper shots or a cold, inexpensive beer, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at The Sundown Lounge. If you’re lucky enough to stop in on the right night, you’ll find Sue Ann spinning some vinyl for the crowd. Try your luck at any one of the slot games, flip through the jukebox, play a game of pool or dive in and join the pool league. There’s usually a movie on the TV for everyone’s entertainment and a friendly patron to watch it with. Don’t forget your cash, but if you do, there’s an ATM inside. 429 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster, PA / Find Sundown Lounge on Facebook
