A SLO Dive into Bars
Story and photos by Zach Rosen
Dive bars — where neon light is the sun, beer can be for breakfast, and each day and every moment is a happy hour. Go to enough dive bars and you’ll start to notice some similarities.
They’re not speakeasys where one has to sneak around to the entrance. A dive often has its illuminated sign prominently standing over the sidewalk, drawing in passersby like moths to a flame.
Enter, and you’ll usually find a dim room with a central bar. The ceiling is overlooked. The floor, unmentionable. Amongst the plethora of beer paraphernalia, there is usually some taxidermy and other pieces of Americana. They may lack fancy décor and trendy bells and whistles, but these dive bars are serving up something different. They’re truly community watering holes, where people can go for local gossip, mindless chatter, or even to just sit in silence.
Driving up Hwy 101, cruising past the glimmering Gaviota Coast and rolling vineyards, I made my way to San Luis Obispo County to take a dive into what makes these bars so special.
Elkhorn Bar San Miguel
Pull off the 101 at the north end of SLO County into the tiny town of San Miguel, and it will feel as if you took a step back into time. Continue past the Mission San Miguel Arcángel and you’ll find a dive that will truly take you back into history. A large red neon sign looms over the street with a wooden one below it, letting you know where you’ve traveled to: “Elkhorn Bar, Established 1853.” That designation marks it as one of the oldest bars in the entire state. The fact that it was once frequented by the likes of outlaw Jesse James only adds to its notoriety and charm.
A pair of (presumably) elk horns hang above a maroon awning, and cattle branding marks decorate the sidewalk out front. A few tables and chairs are spotted around the outside area, while a faded red rope — tied from the fence to a tree and wrapped around a lamppost — ends at a sandwich board that states, “No Drinks Past Here.” This vague demarcation lets visitors know where the outside world begins, and the Elkhorn one starts.
When I walked inside, the five or so people sitting there on a Friday morning filled the room with a conversation that drifted between ammo, hot tubs, and cooking techniques (appropriately, Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay was playing on a nearby TV). As expected, the walls are lined with taxidermy. A fox with a bandana and an ace in his hat looks one way, while a deer in sunglasses keeps watch the other way. The back room houses a pool table — the site of frequent 8-ball pool tournaments — while a vintage stove and worn piano complete the scene of this cozy, quintessential dive.
Elkhorn Bar is located at 1263 Mission St, San Miguel. For more: facebook.com/Elkhornbar1853
Pine Street Saloon – Paso Robles
While many dives are part of the local lore, a particular one in downtown Paso Robles is truly steeped in it — and maybe a touch of the supernatural, as well. Pine Street Saloon, located at the easy-to-remember address of 1234 Pine Street, has been around since the town’s early days.
It sits in the oldest building in downtown Paso Robles, dating to the 1850s, and was once the site of a bordello. The bartender mentioned that it is known to be haunted and has been featured on Discovery+ Ghost Adventures, and in Smithsonian Magazine. But don’t fear the ghosts of drinks past; this bar is as lively as ever.
The more recent iteration of Pine Street Saloon was started by Pat French, or, as she is lovingly referred to, “Mama.” The current bartender pulled out a well-worn wood rod, saying, “This was Mama’s stick.” It was meant as a stern warning for any troublemakers in the space. And sure enough, the walls are lined with articles on the beloved matriarch of the bar – the photos often featuring Mama posed with the stick outstretched towards the camera. Pat passed in 2020, and the bar is now run by her son, Ron. While her ghost remains to be seen, the spirit of Pat lives in every part of the bar. A framed illustration shows the illustrious maiden with her esteemed stick and the words, “Don’t mess with Mama.”
Out back, there is a porch and comfy drinking area. A sign nailed to a post says, “‘Free’ Ride in the Pine St. Limo (Just tip driver),” with another unrelated but seemingly ominous sign saying, “Good Luck.” And sure enough, around the corner of the building, one can see a faded gray limo with “Pine Street Saloon” and ghosts painted on its side. The bumper sticker states, “We will take you home safe. The bar is haunted enough.”
The Pine Street Saloon is located at 1234 Pine St, Paso Robles. For more: pinestreetsaloon.com
Whiskey & June – Atascadero
Just south of Paso is Atascadero and a building with a tiled glass wall and “Whiskey Bar” rightfully painted on the overhang. Whiskey & June is just that. The bustling bar wall is filled with malts of all types — including a good range of craft beers one wouldn’t normally find in a dive. Bottles are packed and stacked behind the long bar, and a white letterboard filled with liquid options looks as if it’s listing stadium concessions. Several jerseys tacked into the fissured ceiling panels and faded checkerboard floor tiles complete the sportsy scene. The front glass wall lets some light splash in, brightening up this cozy dive.
Whiskey & June is located at 5950 El Camino Real, Atascadero. For more: (805) 466-9974
The Buoy Bar – Morro Bay
At The Buoy Bar in Morro Bay, regulars are like family, but even visitors feel welcome. Here, nobody’s left out to sea. The conversation is friendly and warm, with everyone on a first-name basis with the owner, Brian. Even before he introduced himself with a handshake, I heard his name a dozen times over from each person in the bar. Not surprising considering that Brian has owned the bar for about 17 years.
The Buoy Bar itself has been around for nearly 60 years, with its original location in north Morro Bay. It has been in its current spot for five years. Booth seating and bright lights make this place feel like a diner-turned-dive, and sure enough there’s burgers, fries, and other good greasy nibbles available. The warmth emanating from the patrons made me feel like being in a restaurant after-hours, hanging out with the staff.
The Buoy Bar is located at 850 Quintana Rd, Morro Bay. For more: (805) 225-1789
Legends Bar – Morro Bay
Also in Morro Bay: Legends Bar. Located on the corner of Main and Harbor, a variety of statues stand out front, including one pouring beer and enticing passersby to come in with his Happy Hour apron. A pool table is angled in the front area, and a large moose head smiles approvingly over the crowd.
While dive bars may not be the place to order a craft cocktail, a markerboard off to one side lists tasty, simple blends, such as The Shake & Bake, a whiskey sour topped with ginger beer. Before you think it’s all names and tails, one nook of the bar wall has a sign reading, “All liquor below, $3 a shot.”
Savory Smoke, the barbecue joint next door, serves up tri-tip, ribs, and other roasted delicacies, which can be brought into Legends through a small window in the wall — making it easy to spend a legendary night at this dive.
Legends Bar is located at 899 Main St, Morro Bay. For more: (805) 772-2525
Niffy’s Merrimaker – Los Osos
Near the enclave of Morro Bay lies the little town of Los Osos, and one bar full of plenty of cheer and beer. Just off the water, Niffy’s Merrimaker does just that. The bright blue and white sign standing over the building sets the joyous tone. On the outside wall, a martini glass stands with music notes drifting up around a small porthole window looking into the merriment contained inside.
Enter the bar to warm wood paneling and large exposed beams overhead. A pool table sits in the center of the main room with a long bench lining the wall next to it. In front, a popcorn machine is nestled in a corner next to a fireplace, with a painting of the bar hanging above that exhibits the local love the community has for this spot. In back, a small stage sits off in a corner and hosts karaoke, blues nights, and a plethora of live music throughout the week. As they promote: “There’s always something going on at Niffy’s Merrimaker.” The back opens up to a large beer garden with charming flora, sitting nooks, and unbeatable views of the bay.
Niffy’s Merrimaker is located at 1301 2nd St, Los Osos. For more: niffysmerrimaker.com
Bull’s Tavern – San Luis Obispo
Walk through the energetic downtown SLO area and you’ll find tourists, locals, and Cal Poly students hopping around the restaurants, stores, and more. If you spy a neon bull’s head and lasso wrapping itself around the bar sign, Bull’s Tavern, then you know you’ve found not just a dive, but a favorite spot of Cal Poly students. The Bull’s Tavern slogan goes, “Traditional NOT Trendy,” and this place certainly is part of the local prescriptive collegiate experience.
As I entered, *NSYNC was blasting on the jukebox, as a bull whip and baseball bat hung overhead. One wall of Bull’s is littered with pictures of past students and patrons wearing their Bull’s gear around the globe. Naturally, the bar has a Big Buck Wild arcade game for anyone needing to do a little virtual late-night hunting. A large deer head donning a scarf in green & white lets visitors know the team colors: Jameson. And looking around, there is actually a lot of confirmation of the whiskey allegiance.
Bull’s Tavern is located at 1040 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo. For more: (805) 543-2217
Frog & Peach Pub – San Luis Obispo
Just around the corner from Bull’s Tavern is the Frog & Peach Pub. This British-themed establishment brings a slightly punk style to its patrons. Near the front, a wall loudly slathered with stickers frames a wooden frog standing with the stern silence of a Buckingham Palace guard. A winged skeleton of some mystical creature stands watch over another space, while flags from around the U.K. (Guinness is a region, right?) hang proudly over the bar. The outside area in back is the true gem of this dive, as it’s part of the creekside stretch of SLO.
These creekside patios in SLO are a bragging point for any establishment that has one. But the Frog & Peach sets a different tone in just as picturesque of a space. Next door are charming trees with string lights; but on this pub’s back patio are murals in the outcrops of the brick wall, and an iconic red London phone booth tattered with graffiti. In one mural, a disgruntled musician Clash-es their guitar on the ground just above another of The Who resting under a British flag. Off to the side, a Union Jack hangs in a window, slightly askew but covering what lies inside. Something tells me these kids are alright.
Frog & Peach Pub is located at 728 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo. For more: (805) 595-3764
Puffer’s of Pismo – Pismo Beach
Puffer’s of Pismo may not be your usual dive bar — I mean, dives normally serve bags of Fritos’ finest, not filet mignon — but go there on a Friday night when the place is packed to the brim and crowds are pouring out the door, and you’ll know you’ve found the local drinking hole of this small town. When I arrived, the wooden sign was not displayed up high — it was down, sitting on stools propped up against a table, as if it’d had too much to drink. The bustling front patio was buzzing with conversation that almost drowned out the sound of music bursting forth from inside the bar.
Live music is the centerpiece at Puffer’s, and there are instruments strewn along the walls as décor. Molded metal tiles line the bar both inside and out, and the interior walls are vividly painted in blues and greens, giving it a much more lively feel than a typical dive. The front wall has sliding windows that blur the lines between the inside and outside with patrons chatting and cheers-ing through them.
Puffer’s of Pismo is located at 781 Price St, Suite A, Pismo Beach. For more: puffersofpismo.com
Bill’s Place – Arroyo Grande
Stroll along “The Village” in Arroyo Grande, and you’ll find a place that brings a little rowdier vibe than the rest of the charming street. This is Bill’s Place. While a dive bar may have the occasional firearm adorning the wall, Bill’s walls are loaded with rifles.
But before you think you’ve walked into an old western saloon, notice the large disco ball on the ceiling that highlights the barrage of dollar bills stapled up above. When I entered, a DJ was spinning tunes with laughter and dance filling the floor. Pool, games, and a large back area gives Bill’s Place plenty of breathing room and a fitting spot to play your night away.
Bill’s Place is located at 112 E Branch St, Arroyo Grande. For more: (805) 489-9989
Louie B’s – Santa Maria
At the southern end of SLO county is Santa Maria. Look in the middle of town for an indiscreet white wall with block lettering of a bar’s name — Louie B’s — and a simple “Pool Room” sign below it. The descriptor and script style looks as if it could easily lead to a summer camp’s extracurricular activities, but no. Instead, it heads into what could be considered a model dive, with everything one of these distinct bars should have.
An eclectic collection of road signs and beer brands in neon: check. Bags of chips on the wall: check. Several pool tables in sporadic use: check. Regulars sitting and chittering, free-form: check.
A marker board behind a lotto ticket vending machine states, “Happy Hour 18oz Fish Bowl Margaritas.” The defined happy “hour” to consume this specialty? 10 am to 6 pm, every day. Check.
Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, and other icons of ages past line the walls in autographed relics. Before I leave, I notice small, faded metal tags with names bolted on the bar. I ask about these tags and both the bartender and those sitting next to me begin to chime in about them. Louie himself first added the nametags to recognize the regulars, and now, as each one passes, they add a tag to the bar. The bartender points to the security guard (at least, I assume he’s “security,” as the daunting figure is sitting next to the door): “Ernie over there will bring out the copper buffer and give them a shine.” In a true dive, the regulars are celebrated as much (if not more) as the celebrities adorning the walls.
Louie B’s is located at 213 E Main St, Santa Maria. For more: (805) 925-1193