The National

closed forever!

We stumbled upon this amazing bar while walking around the cobblestone streets of New Bedford. As a lover of a good dive bar, this place is truly the best of the best. When we first walked in, we noticed the glorious smell of urinal cake, but we feared not and settled in on one of the bar stools that still had a seat attached. The bartender, who we would later find out was quite the storyteller and New Bedford historian, was incredibly welcoming, despite looking a little weary that we were there (like "are these tourists lost?") The place has an awesome atmosphere; a big wooden bar, flanked by stools that you have to take a step up to sit on. The walls are covered in memorabilia of yore. There is a large menu on the wall above the bar, from when they used to serve food in the 60s/70s. Around the bar are pictures of boats, and old fishermen and friends. There's actually 2 working pay phones inside, which may or may not have been used to buy drugs by roaming junkies. The bartender, Mike, ended up sharing that The National was quite the bar back in it's hay day - cages with naked ladies, important people from New Bedford, and scolloper fishermen (the local bars used to be divided by what type of fisherman you were). We could feel the memories that we once had here.

To our dismay, we found out that the bar was actually closing that Saturday (July 7th 2012). The owner had been very sick and decided to sell. I guess it's going to be turned into a steak joint. It's very sad that a salt-of-the-earth-type of place like this is going to get gutted and turned into something that will most likely be very forgettable. Thankfully for us, we got to experience a little of The National, and the friendly people inside it's doors! We won't forget our experience that's for sure! Thank you for being awesome The National!

This may be the ultimate dive bar in the state if not New England.

Located directly across the street from New Bedford's working harbor (one of the busiest in the country) this bar is predominately frequented by a mix of heroin addled fisherman and New Bedford's habitually underemployed, hopeless underbelly.  Gainfully employeed people are few and far between but a visit to this bar rewards with immeasurable pleasures of sight, sound and smell.

Although the skeleton has old-world charm,  the room itself evokes smokey scenes from old Scorsese flicks.   The long central bar is surrounded by stationary revolving stools in various states of disrepair.   A beer and nicotine doused pool table sits in the middle of the bar and is usually available, although pool sticks may have been banned by the owners.

The beer menu is full of domestic pee tasting beers that are dirt cheap (~$2 bottles).  An old grill menu (which includes a "cheese-bacon burger") that hasn't been served in years still hangs above the bar.   A list of banned patrons adorns a beam that  arises from inside the working bar area.  The bartenders are typically female and inspire thoughts of A&E's jarring "Intervention" series (the crystal meth ones anyways)

High above the door to the bathroom is a Boycott Exxon bumper sticker.  Its all in the detail w/ this place.  

The men's bathroom is a worthwhile excursion.  In the 3 years I have been coming here its remained in a steady state of filth that has erased any apprehension i ever had toward porta-johns.   The upside is soap sometimes, downside is running water never.   The aroma is tangible.

All in all, employee the buddy system and experience a rare treat that is highly memorable.