The Dive Bar is hands down the best beer bar in Worcester, although that's not really saying much as generally quality beer establishments in "Wista" are few and far between. But I can't think of a better one anywhere in Worcester County.

It's got great beer vibe, long narrow room with the bar running the length, sporting many taps, 16 I think. Nautical paraphernalia, hence the name "Dive", and craft beer signs adorn the walls. There are live bands and a cask on Thursdays, both are usually great. Also no domestic swill beer is served, which is a plus, but also there is no food at all which is kind of a bummer even a few snacks would be good between beers, no food to interfere with beer bliss I guess.

The quality is top notch, the tap beers rotate weekly so they are always fresh, unless aging is appropriate in which case the beer is cellared accordingly, not to mention the taping system is cleaned regularly. The cask is typically tapped and finished the same day and served at the appropriate temp. The glassware is impeccable, spotless and proper for the style or brand, no questions on quality here.

Service is again stellar, the bartenders are knowledgeable about the beers, answering questions with beer prowess and making poignant suggestions for the less experienced patrons as well as elaborating on the finer points for the higher beer IQ folk. Always sure to serve in the proper glassware and welcome comments and suggestions.

Selection, beer nirvana! Like 16 killer beers on tap, always rotating, just SOME that I have sampled on tap, Allagash White, Dubbel and the Black on cask, BBC Raspberry Strong ale, Imperial Stout and Cabin Fever cask, Stone Imperial Russian, Southern Tier Choklat, Ommegang Rare, Unibroue Trois Pistoles, Sixpoint Brownstone, Youngs Doubble Chocolate and Oatmeal stouts, Dogfish Chicory stout, Mayflower IPA cask (unbelievable) and several outstanding Belgians I just can't remember the names off hand. The bottle selection is also off the hook but I never seem to get there with all the taps in the way.

Ever since I walked in after the new owners took over and converted it from a real dive, I fell in love, I try to make it at least once a week, 40 minute drive for me. No disappointments here for true beer lovers, highly recommended!

Reviewed on: 05-13-2008 04:34:31
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 62624

I have been in Worcester since 02 and have been to many bars around the area. This place is like my own little heaven on Green Street. I don't live to far from the bar so taking a nice walk (when its not to cold) down to the dive is a good time. When I originally heard about the dive I didn't know what I was getting into. I opened the door to see a whole bunch of nautical stuff and it actually clicked... The Dive Bar, not really a dive but a dive bar it all made sense. I sat down at the far end of the bar and opened the menu. My first thought was "Wow, you don't ever see this selection of craft brews at any other bar". Then I noticed the big chalk board next to me listing off all of the beers on tap. Could that really be St. Bernardus abt 12 on tap, it was glorious.

The quality of the beer is always spectacular. I know there is always going to be a beer for everyone there to enjoy. The glasses are always clean as well as the taps and lines. When I go out to a bar I don't want piss in a cup, I actually like to taste what I am drinking. I could be in the mood for a really hopful flavor to the rich texture and complexity of a stout, I know that the dive always has something for whatever mood I am in.

The service is always awesome, the bartenders are always nice and they know so much about what they are serving. Its always refreshing to see the owner and all of the bartenders taking pride in their knowledge and the bar itself.

The selection is great, the bottles are pretty regular but the 16 taps change from week to week. One of my favorite things to do is to get a sampler. That way you get to try 4 different beers and you don't have to worry, if you dont like it you dont have to suffer through a whole glass. If you do like it then you can order a tall one. The cask is always a good option too, bottle and tap are pretty similar but having a beer on cask is a whole new experience.

They dont have any food. (not yet anyway, I cant wait for the abby to open)

As a side note, I am a big fan of the glassware they have there too. Its nice to actually be able to drink a beer the way its ment to be consumed.

If you want to get a bud light or anything like that you should try some of the different beers that they serve. There are many more flavorful alternatives which everyone can enjoy.

Cheers

Reviewed on: 04-01-2008 18:32:58
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 60928

Excellent little pub near downtown Worcester that specializes in craft brews and high-end imports. Located on Green Street, it definitely looks like a "dive bar" on the outside. Inside, it's a long, narrow establishment and the walls are festooned with nautical kitsch (hence the name "Dive Bar") and vintage beer ads

Nice, well-chosen selection of a couple dozen taps and a cask, plus a wide array of bottles. The night I was there, they had St. Bernardus 12 on tap, as well as its cave-aged Grottenbier, Left Hand Milk Stout, Dogfish Head Raison d'Extra, Founders Centennial IPA, and a number of other outstanding brews at reasonable prices. Loads of bottles too, from Belgian lambics, guezes and abbey ales to English bitters to German doppelbocks to double IPAs to, well, you name it. Except for, of course, Bud/Miller/Coors products. Which is a plus in my book (though if cheap fizzy watery pale lagers are your thing, they do have bottles of 'Gansett for 2 bucks a pop).

Very chill atmosphere and cool bartenders too, who tried very earnestly to be helpful to the 3 nitwits who came in demanding pitchers of Bud Light and were pretty rude about it when told there were no pitchers or Bud products. The bartender graciously tried to point them in the right direction and gave the leader a small sample of a pale ale they had on tap and he downed it like a shot, said it tastes like piss and the kids walked out. But the whole thing was taken in stride. Loud live music in a small place makes conversation a little tough at times, but whatever. With beers like that -- minus the mob scene of some of the Boston establishments -- it's a great little gem if you're passing thru Worcester or if you live in Metrowest. About 20 min from Framingham.

No kitchen here, which is a downside -- some of these beers pair so well with different kinds of food. But supposedly it's on its way?

Not cheap, but prices are very fair for these selections, especially considering all the external factors impacting the cost of beer this year.

Reviewed on: 03-22-2008 18:19:51
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 60458

Great place! Talking with the bar tender, the owners are adding taps and expanding to include food. Love it as is, but the additions will make it exceptional. By far the best beer bar in Worcester. While not the Publick House in Brookline, these guys are headed in that direction. Proper glassware, great beer selection, Cask every Thursday night and it is okay to bring your own food in.

The selection is terrific. Strong Belgian showing and many hard to find micros too.

If you are in Worcester do go. It's a must for beer lovers. Oh, and don't judge from the outside ... it's hard to see and not much to look at from the street. Don't let that fool you!

Reviewed on: 03-17-2008 03:54:19
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 60234

Ive been going to the Dive since I was 21, when it was a hole in the wall late night college bar. After a few years I grew out of it and started seeking out good beer, first at Brew City in Worcester and later in Boston at Anam Cara and the Buk in Boston.

I was pleasantly surprised a few years back when I walked in to the Dive, thinking I was going to have to drink a New Castle, and was handed a beer menu! I ordered a La Fin du Monde (with the proper glass) and the rest was history. That was the very beginnings of their changeover. Now, the selection and quality of beer rates at the very top of the scale. Many different obscure beers, including American craft, Belgian, and others are on the menu. Some highlights on draught the other night were Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball, Southern Tier Backburner, Allagash Dubbel, and Founder's Red Rye. A cask is tapped every Thursday, never mediocre, and usually consumed in one night. This week it was Allagash Tripel. The bottle menu is also great, with almost 100 beers in stock. Most beers come in the proper glass which is always spotless.

The room feels great too...long, dark and old with candles burning, beer signs, and great tunes playing on the stereo. There is live music every Thursday on cask night, and it is always great.

The staff is efficient, knowlegable and always willing to help. Alec, the owner, is extremely detail oriented in everything he does. He set out on a mission to create a world class beer bar in Worcester and has acheived it. Im sure it will only get better from here.

Reviewed on: 03-03-2008 01:36:54
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 59715

Started going to the Dive Bar about a year ago and have since become a regular. Beers are reasonably priced and fresh and there's always a new selection. It's a relaxed place to go and unless you go on Thursdays (cask night!) it's usually not that crowded. Beer is served in proper glassware and at proper temperatures.

The atmosphere, in my opinion, is first rate. The music is never so loud as so you can't hear each other and there are usually lit candles behind the bar. There are never screaming drunks falling and spilling drinks everywhere like you see at other Worcester bars.

Alec and the other bartenders are the *best* around. If you're already into beer, they always have something different to try. If you're new to the beer world they'll get you set up with a nice "newbie" craft beer. (No Bud/Miller/Coors allowed.)

Although they don't serve food, they don't mind at all if you order a pizza and have it delivered. There's live music every Thursday, typically something jazzy and mellow, which adds to the atmosphere. Bathrooms are clean and there's always plenty of parking across the street.

I absolutely can't say enough about the Dive. Alec loves beer and wants you to love it too. If a distributor or brewery gives him a specialty or limited edition beer, he'll share it with you, even if he only gets one bottle.

Such a great place, familiar faces week to week, always the same staff and always a good time. If you're in Worcester, check it out, you'll definitely go back.

Reviewed on: 02-28-2008 20:31:27
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 59585

This was my first trip to the Dive Bar and all in all I was very pleased. We got there a bit early so it was easy to grab one of tables along the wall and a few stools. I was immediately impressed by the list of beers on tap noted on the chalk board with. 16 beers were on tap with 14 being domestic micro-brews with a strong New England / New York showing. The staff was very friendly and happy to give samples and talk about the beers. The atmosphere was dark and felt perfect for drinking beer on a cold winter night in Worcester. Great spot, I will return for sure.

Beers enjoyed: Sixpoint Brownstone, Sixpoint Diesel Stout, Southern Tier Jah-va Stout

Reviewed on: 02-25-2008 01:53:31
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 59415

By far one of the best bars I've ever been to. Great selection that ranges from hard to find imports to unique American craft brews. Selection on tap is changed weekly. All beer is served in proper glassware. The tap lines are cleaned weekly ensuring that you'll be tasting the freshest beer possible. Thursday nights feature a cask offering and live music. All bartenders are extremely knowledgeable, especially the owner. He's more than happy to sit and talk beer and encourage trying new styles. If you're ever in Worcester I highly recommend a stop at the Dive Bar.

Reviewed on: 01-24-2008 06:35:33
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 57903

What a great bar... 16 draft lines cleaned weekly by Alec, and they must be nearing 100 bottles now. Prices are fair, and the pours are usually pretty generous. He also has the correct glassware for everything that isn't served in a pint glass, and takes pride in keeping it clean.

Thursday is the night to go, as they tap a Cask each week at 8 PM. BBC casks are common, but they've also had em from Allagash and Ommegang, among others. There's live music on Thursday, always great but never the same.

Some of the rarer stuff I've seen them have: DFH Worldwide, Johnny Rawton and Midas on draft, Allagash Black on Cask, BBC Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch and Rochefort 10 in Bottles... Oaked Yeti on draft... there must be more that I am not thinking of.

This place has really become something great. If you're there on a slower night, you can even order food in. No more pitchers, no more macros, and stuff that you don't see anywhere else around.

Reviewed on: 01-20-2008 17:22:58
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 57705

Great little place. Waited in the Worcester Public Library up the block for the Dive to open, then stumbled in while rest of family was at the Hannah Montana concert 12/2007. Great selection, personable waitstaff. Dogfish World Wide Stout(18% ABV)on tap! Mahrs, Opa-Opa, Rogue Chocolate, a few more Dogfish, all on tap. Many Belgian bottles too. Word was they also had a Monk's Cafe keg, waiting to tap it.

Bar itself is on the small side. Could prob get corwded during prime time. If Philly is a baby New York, then this is an teen Public House.

Reviewed on: 01-03-2008 15:16:29
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 56740

This bar has undergone a mighty transition from well...a crappy bar to a beer lovers paradise. Their taps seem to be different each time I've been in there. They use appropriate glassware and the staff was knowledgeable about the beers they were offering. List of bottles seemed a little random, with some notable beers not present. On Thursday night, they run a cask of real beer (although it says above they don't). The Dive bar is a long, narrow, and dark room. Not a bad thing in my book. No food. For what they are offering, prices are very reasonable. Will be part of my new years resolution to visit frequently. Recommended to people visiting Worcester or central Mass.

Reviewed on: 12-29-2007 20:57:07
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 56484

So, Worcester finally gets a place to get a good brew! Have been a couple times now after hearing that it became a decent beer bar, and it has more than exceeded my expectations. The owner has slowly switched the tap lines over from swill to top of the line brews over the past year and a half, and he is showing that he knows what he's doing.

I was informed that they clean their lines once a week, and the selection of beer constantly changes. This means that the beer here is fresh and clean, and varies in a delightful manner so as not to bore the pallet.

The atmosphere is nice enough, with a nautically themed decor. Thursday nights they have a band and a cask (more of mini keg without pumping action of most cask-style servings). Bartenders seem to know their beer, and can offer advice if needed.

The location is a bit tight and on popular nights it can be a bit tough to find seating. In addition, the setup is such that a party over 3 or 4 people becomes difficult to seat in a manner in which everyone can talk to each other.

This is definately the best selection of beer in central MA. Rivals the Dirty Truth of Northampton, Delaney's of New Haven, and The Publick House of the Boston area. Worth checking out.

Some selections they had while i was there: Allagash White, Allagsh Tripel, Left Hand Milk Stout, Dogfish 90 min, Dogfish Midas Touch, Young's Double Chocolate Stout, Bernardus Abt 12, Berkshire Brewing Company Traditional Pale Ale, Hennepin Farmhouse (Saison). And many more. Also, many bottles!

Reviewed on: 09-26-2007 05:04:25
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 53343

Where else can you find high quality brew in Worcester? No where. The Dive Bar is the only destination for true craft offerings in Central Mass (as far as I know). Tap list was great, with some exotic pours at shwag prices (think Old Rasputin, Allagash Triple, DFH Peche, etc -- $4.50). Service was good for the most part, though when the bartenders changed they were accosted by the new server after asking to start a tab... Definitely a low key atmosphere with decent tunes on the rock end of things. I'd recommend the place highly to anyone who finds them self crossing the state (its close to 290) or in need of a real solid pint in Worcester. Very surprised by the selection and prices, owner was beer-centric and friendly, all in all I had a great time. GO. You'll be glad you did.

Reviewed on: 07-23-2007 17:36:57
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Flag as Inappropriate | id: 51050