The Thirsty Beaver

Dive bar? It absolutely is, and one of the best dive bars in Charlotte. How can you not love this bar? Stiff mixed drinks and tall boy cans of beer, this is the type of place you walk in, start talking to strangers and then you start buying each other shots. The place is filled with old, retro, honky tonk memorabilia, including Billy Dee Williams Colt45 signs. It is a blast from the past. If you live in Charlotte then you have to come to this place at least once.

Just so you guys don't think I'm biased, I want to be upfront about the fact that my girlfriend's friend's sister's girlfriend's cousin's boyfriend owns this joint. Seeing as how we're so close, I was able to buy a full round for six people with a $20.

Wait a second...I'm being told that the prices at The Beav are just that awesome. That makes sense, because everything else is awesome as well. Let's run down the list:

There's the kickass jukebox that is only topped by the live music they occasionally have (we heard the funkiest of blues bands that incited a dance party). Don't worry, you won't have to pay a cover, because everyone knows the Beaver is always uncovered. (Just tip the band.)

There are the two pool tables in the back, and a PacMan for good measure. There are the PBR tallboys and the heavy, heavy pours from bartenders who're having a better time than anyone. There's the surprisingly clean bathroom, and the picnic tables outside where you'll find your new best friends sitting next to you.

There's the striking decor with ads from yesteryear like Billy Dee repping Colt 45, and Burt Reynolds repping...paternity.There's the friendliest crowd of folks of all ages, including falldown drunken kids doing their best to hook you up with their female friends, and middle-aged men toasting, "To the Possum."*

As far as I can tell, the only downside is that they'll play NASCAR over the Knicks playoff game. But the losers couldn't beat the Pacers anyway (to be fair, they were also up against the refs), so I guess it's just as well.
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*That's all I overheard, but it was pretty distinct.

A neighborhood staple! This place has no frills but lots of thrills. Go play pool and Pac Man and listen to Hank Williams on the juke box. Best days are when they have live bands. Can't call yourself a Charlottean without visiting the Beav!