Often Lounge will be in the title of the bar. Tattle Tale Lounge in Culver City, California.

Light gambling is permitted. The Barrel Tavern in Seattle, Washington.

As is darts. Copper Spur Saloon in Dallas, Texas.

Pool is taken very seriously. Ships Lounge in Dallas, Texas.

Many dive bars encourage sport. Knarr Shipwreck Lounge in Seattle, Washington.

Ironic moustaches are encouraged. The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

Ironic dresses are also permitted.The Cobrashop in Los Angeles.

The uniform at Dive Bars is stripes. At Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, California

Don’t be surprised by the older, slightly disheveled patrons. Hill-Top Tavern in Denver, Colorado.

Other regulars include the young, tattooed and sweaty. Helm in Costa Mesa, California.

Clientele varies. Expect one gigantic bald man, often menacing. Lake Wood Landing in Dallas, Texas.

Whose jobs are mainly to open cans of beers. Portland’s in Phoenix, Arizona.

Do expect indifferent bartenders. A typical scene at CMJ in New York.

Good lighting is key in a Dive Bar.Mac’s Club Deuce in Miami Beach, Florida.

Don’t expect architectural innovation. Rocky Flats Lounge in Boulder, Colorado.

Dive Bars don’t use web 2.0 marketing techniques. Rips in Phoenix, Arizona.

There are rules to Dive Bars. Beacon Cocktail Lounge in Inglewood, California.