Mickey’s Tavern is a dive bar that, refreshingly, doesn’t want to be anything else. Don’t come here for the karaoke, DJs, or bands — because that’s not happening here. Come to Mickey’s to drink with friends and play a little pool or a game of darts with a badass jukebox cued up in the background. Note: unlike many Nashville dive bars, Mickey’s Tavern is non-smoking.

Back from the dead after a short hiatus and change of ownership (enter Teresa Mason of beloved Mas Tacos), the McFerrin Park dive bar saw some renovations but remains the same low-key longtime Eastside hang. Thankfully, the name and iconic sign remain, but folks can get pumped about some new menu items like a Sonoran hot dog or classic bar nachos.

When Dino’s changed owners in late 2014 there was fear that this East Nashville icon would lose its charm. But those fears have long since faded, with the new Dino’s having retained its icon status by keeping much of its vintage feel while adding some new touches, including an expanded patio and a killer weekend brunch.

The food and drink selection at Betty’s Grill might be limited, but that’s part of the charm that makes this dive a beloved neighborhood hangout. It's the place to go if you want an authentic dive experience: smoky, filled with NASCAR paraphernalia, and it’s the type of bar where everyone indeed, knows your name.

Often marked upon entry by a rotating cast of drunken college girls peering into the hole in the floor, this dive bar (est. 2002) has locations in Nashville’s Midtown and on the East side. Another still smoking establishment, prepare for a shower after a long night spent here.

Just around the corner from Vanderbilt, Villager Tavern is where college students and Nashville locals come together for cheap beers and games of darts. Head here for your birthday and ask for the dog bowl to get just what it sounds like — a complimentary dog bowl filled with beer.

No list of best dive bars in Nashville would be complete without the legendary Santa’s Pub. A Nashville staple, Santa’s can sometimes be a little too touristy to be considered a dive bar… but the truth is it’s as dive-y as you can get. It’s housed in a double-wide trailer with a cash-only bar, and some of the best karaoke in town.

After all was said and done, the new Melrose Billiard Parlor, reopened and given a spit shine by Austin Ray (M.L. Rose, The Sutler) and his team, is still basically the same as it ever was. Pool tables, ping pong, shuffleboard, darts and more are throughout, and those who want to can still smoke after 10 p.m. each night.