National Dive Bar Day

National Dive Bar Day is on July 7th. On this national day, friends gather at a dive bar and reminisce about the old days. It is believed that the term ‘dive’ appeared in the name because visiting drinking establishments was associated with “diving” into them. Not every small bar is a dive bar, but dive bars themselves have a very long history.

History

National Dive Bar Day was launched in 2018 by Seagram’s 7 Crown, which donated $25,000 to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. July 7 was chosen to correlate with the 7 & 7 cocktail sold by Seagram’s 7 Crown and 7 Up, as the date is the seventh day of the seventh month.

Dive bars in the past were considered dirty establishments exclusively for the not very well-to-do working class. Urban Dictionary defines a dive bar as a rundown, unglamorous bar serving cheap, simple drinks to regular customers. Visitors to such establishments are called divers because, due to their excessively frequent visits, they seem to exist somewhat under society.

A typical dive bar has a pool table and jukebox but no food menu. These establishments were often featured in film noirs and pulp novels, making them a cult mainstream in the 1980s.

Interesting Facts

• In July 1871, the exact definition of the word ‘dive’ appeared for the first time, which, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, means not only immersion in water but also visiting a drinking establishment;
• From 1920 to 1933 in the USA, a ban on illegal bars was introduced, and the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were prohibited;
• In the 1980s, dive bars went mainstream thanks to movies like Blue Velvet and Barfly.

How to Take Part

You can visit one of the real dive bars with friends, where you can order a traditional 7&7 drink. During the visit, you can enjoy their music and talk with regular customers and the bartender, who will surely tell you some colorful stories.

When is National Dive Bar Day in 2024?

National Dive Bar Day is observed on July 7 each year.

Observations