13 Upstate NY Cities; 13 Great Old-School Dive Bars!

Bars come in all shapes and forms. From elegant lounges to the once lowly dive bar, there is one for every person who enjoys having a drink with friends. This gallery looks at 13 great dive bars found in 13 different Upstate New York cities.

But lets take a look at the term "dive bar" first. They were once places where people (mostly men) went to forget their troubles after a hard day at the factory. A place no young people would ever think about going into once they reached the legal drinking age. Dive bars were for "other people."

But they are still around and they can be fun! Many of them are 50, 60 or many more years old. They have changed just a bit with the times, though, having added kitchens, wi-fi, arcade games, and sports TVs. But you will certainly know when you are inside a "dive bar." You can tell. You can feel it!

Here are some great ones. Each one (where possible) is linked to the actual bar so you can check out what is happening at these place (live music is another new addition to dive bars, in some cases replacing the old neon jukeboxes over in the corner).

Of course, this is just a minute sample of Upstate's legendary dive bars. If your favorite didn't make our list, please visit our Facebook page and give it a shout out. we really do want to hear from you!.

12 Upstate New York Cities; 12 Great Old-School "Dive Bars"

What makes a dive bar? Back in the day, it was usually a hole in the wall bar, tucked around some dimly lit corner of town. A place where people (mostly men) went after a hard days work for a hard night of drinking. No "respectable folks" would go to a dive bar. But, man that has all changed! Dive bars carry with them a sense of nostalgia, a sense of history and a sense of fun. Most have been around for 50, 60, and more years. They were our first college bars because the beer was cheap and everyone went there! A lot of them are still around. They have added kitchens, live music, and sports TVs. But a dive bar is a place you will know in an instant that it is a dive bar! Here are a dozen great ones in a dozen Upstate New York cityish.

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

21 of the Best Submarine Sandwich Shops in Upstate New York

The original "meal in itself," submarine sandwich shops have been ubiquitous in Upstate New York for well over 50 years. Every small town has a sub shop or restaurant that sells subs, and many have the familiar franchises that dot the Upstate landscape. Here are a 21 great sub shops for your consideration. Some of them are in Upstate's big cities, and others, well, you may have to refer to your GPS to find them. But they are all worthy of a visit from you. Soooo delicious!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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