SLO County dive bar ranked among best in the US. Hint: It’s not Bull’s Tavern
Dive bars are alive and well in San Luis Obispo County.
Pop into McCarthy’s Irish Pub in San Luis Obispo on a Saturday night, and you might see patrons chugging cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and playing shuffleboard.
Step into Bull’s Tavern a few blocks away and you could spot a Cal Poly student slinging back a fiery “Bull Sweat” shot,
“Whether it’s your own neighborhood bar where everyone proverbially knows your name or another town’s local haunt, you belong — for a night, for a while, or forever,” lifestyle website Huckberry said. “A great dive isn’t just a bar, and a dive isn’t great without its people.”
Huckberry recently ranked the 50 Best Dive Bars in America, and a beloved San Luis Obispo County watering hole landed on the list.
In total, four establishments in California made Huckberry’s list of the top dive bars in the nation.
Los Angeles’ Tiki-Ti came in third place, while Elsie’s Tavern in Santa Barbara landed the fourth spot on the list.
Huckberry named The Riptide in San Francisco the fifth-best dive bar in the country.
Here’s what to know about the only SLO County dive bar to earn a Huckberry ranking:
Why Niffy’s Merrimaker is one of the best dive bars in US
Niffy’s Merrimaker, at 1301 Second St. in Los Osos, came in at No. 39 on Huckberry’s list of the best dive bars in the nation based on its lively atmosphere and longstanding reputation as Wikipedia’s example of a classic dive bar.
“Quite literally the definition of a dive bar, this quaint seaside bar is credited with representing the quintessential dive bar on Wikipedia,” Huckberry said. “Locals here gather for cheap drinks, lively conversations, and share an enthusiasm for karaoke night that’s tough to beat.”
Although the bar underwent a major facelift during the coronavirus pandemic, with brand-new flooring, barstools, tables and art, Niffy’s Merrimaker has retained its community spirit and slightly rundown exterior, owner Jennifer Dorn said.
“I still feel like it’s just a neighborhood bar,” Dorn told The Tribune. “It’s the feel. I think the dive bar feel is like being able to come in and everybody knows your name, kind of like a ‘Cheers’ situation. Everyone looks after each other, and we all just share stories and laugh.”
The local bar is open seven days a week and offers wine, beer, hard liquor and soft drinks as well as karaoke nights, dance parties and live music by local bands.
What are the top 10 dive bars in the US?
Here are the best dives bars in the country, according to Huckberry.
- 1. Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, Alabama
- 2. Sultana Bar in Williams, Arizona
- 3. Tiki Ti in Los Angeles
- 4. Elsie’s Tavern in Santa Barbara
- 5. The Riptide in San Francisco
- 6. P.S. Lounge in Denver
- 7. Showtime Lounge in Washington, D.C.
- 8. Low Key Hideaway in Cedar Key, Florida
- 9. Mac’s Club Deuce in Miami
- 10. Pinkie Master’s in Savannah, Georgia
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "SLO County dive bar ranked among best in the US. Hint: It’s not Bull’s Tavern."
