The Bar Guide 2015: Dive bars

Half Time Rec

1013 Front Av., St. Paul • 651-488-8245 • www.halftimerec.com

One of St. Paul's most lovable dives got a huge upgrade when Paddy Shack took over the kitchen. Ex-Butcher & the Boar chef Jack Riebel does Irish and bar fare proper, with succulent fish and chips and rib-sticking mac and cheese. Otherwise it's the same hole in the wall where softball teams hammer pitchers of beer and play basement bocce ball, soundtracked by karaoke or cover bands.

Cuzzy's

507 Washington Av. N., Mpls. • 612-339-6211 • www.cuzzys.com

We could easily kill an afternoon sucking down Grain Belts and reading the scribbled-on dollar bills covering the walls and ceiling (cheers to you, "Reddog the meth hog"). This tiny booze shed with a sloped floor has stood fast as its North Loop 'hood has gentrified. There are no $30 entrees or house-made bitters here, and it probably wasn't listed in your luxury apartment building's pamphlet. But the beer's cold and it's got more character than any bar in the neighborhood.

HOT TIP

CC Club

The divey institution that's spawned a million Minneapolis tales is your go-to when you're ready to tie one on among characters as organic to the space as the wall paneling. (2600 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. • 612-874-7226.) (Mecca Bos)

Dubliner Pub

This 30-year-old Irish dive feels like the kind of place where you could catch an off-the-wagon Colin Farrell getting loaded on a Tuesday and punching a guy in the mouth (that's a weird compliment). It's actually a fairly friendly joint. (2162 W. University Av., St. Paul • 651-646-5551 www.thedublinerpub.com.)

Dusty's

Liquor Lyle's

Combine the complete inability to judge daylight (no windows) with Lyle's constant barrage of specials, and the result is a recipe for oblivious time-wasting. When they aren't serving their "world famous" two-for-one happy hour, there is likely either a craft special, cheap Jameson, mystery bottles or some such enticement. But then again, this is a place with "liquor" in its name — they don't mess around. (2021 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-870-8183 • www.lylesliquor.com.) (S.D.)

Mortimer's

A let's-get-drunk, not let's-get-drinks, type of bar. There's almost always something in the $2-$3 range, be it a 12-ounce pour of Miller Lite or a $1.50 shot of root beer schnapps — yup, Mortimer's goes there. Empty bottles litter PTA meeting-worthy tables like fallen soldiers on the battlefield incapable of being cleared fast enough. The floor is probably more spill than wood by now, though it's strong enough to support foosball, big-screens, air hockey, darts and an array of other arcade games. (2035 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. • 612-871-5591.) (S.D.)

Red Dragon

Shaw's Bar & Grill

Don't ask for the "tap list." Order a bottle of Bud, maybe some ribs, shut the hell up and listen to the blues band. OK, it's actually a very friendly place (the bikers won't bite). Just don't expect any frills, pansy. (1528 University Av. NE., Mpls. • 612-781-4405.)

Tony Jaros' River Garden