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    Dive Bar

    3.2 (988 reviews)
    ModerateDive Bars
    Open 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Dive Bar Photos

    DIVE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Good for dancing
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Dive Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jessica M.

    First time at Dive Bar downtown my friend wanted to show me the place. There was a $10 cover, which honestly didn't feel worth it and almost made me not want to go in at all. Once inside, there was a good mix of ages, which was nice. The bar itself was just okay. The mermaid was cool at first, but the experience didn't really live up to expectations. She seemed kind of bored, like she was just waiting for it to be over. She'd come up for air and appeared to chat with people before going back down, which took away from the whole vibe. Overall, it just wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be, and I probably wouldn't go back.

    Ed M.

    Dive Bar is just that. A play on words. The theme is a giant aquarium above the bar with a mermaid swimming during certain points of the evening. You will know once the lights turn down and the music shifts. Full bar service. Good for groups. Dance floor and a DJ were on hand on a Wednesday night.

    Under the sea vibe
    Lynn O.

    My colleagues raved about Dive Bar, so I had to check it out. Upon entering, I was enchanted by the iridescent jelly fish hanging from the ceiling and the 40-ft aquarium above the bar with tropical fish swimming throughout. Sunday through Thursday, mermaid showtimes are at 9:30 and 10:30pm for about 15 minutes. Fridays and Saturdays, mermaid shows are at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30pm. These shows are what make this bar unique and it's really cool that they don't charge at the door! At least they didn't on the Monday I went. I was mesmerized by the red-headed mermaid swimming around, dancing with props and re-enacting scenes from The Little Mermaid. I saw that they're hiring! If I lived in Sac, I would totally apply to be a mermaid! The cocktails are on the very sweet side. I went for the least sweetest, which is the espresso martini and it was decent. I switched to white wine after that and it was okay. Seemed the bottle might have been open for a while. The bartender with a mullet seemed like she didn't want to be there. She flashed an attitude to a few people and grumbled that she's the only bartender or they were short staffed. A male bartender came moments later and he was much more pleasant and easy to order from. The dj played classic throwbacks of 90s and 2000 hip hop; he had all of us singing along! Besides the grumpy bartender, I had a blast with my colleagues and will return next time I'm in Sac!

    Malikah H.

    Came here after visiting the crest for a date night for a nightcap and to show off the mermaids and was pleasantly surprised. For a Tuesday the place was pretty lively. We came around 9 and didn't leave until 11. We enjoyed the music, no cover, the drinks were strong and the place was packed enough to have a good crowd but also share an intimate evening to chat over our cocktail.

    Mesmerizing!!!! You HAVE to come here!
    Sarah B.

    I've been coming here since I was 21 and it's by FAR one of my favorite bars in Sac! Not just me but literally all of my friends this was the SPOT and still is! I've never been during the day, so I can't really speak on the food however at night the drinks are chefs kiss!!! It is a totally open bar BUT I have a particular favorite called "The Tipsy Mermaid" and as I looove me a fruity cocktail this one is so sweet kind of like a sour patch kid only a drink! It's got rumraven, black raspberry liquor, sweet and sour, and the glistening blue curacao! They say it mimics the ocean tides! Service ?! A zillion stars!!! You have literal MERMAIDS putting on a show for you, smiling and waving it's the most amazing experience you can have while enjoying a drink!!! The bartenders are also very nice and very fast as well as this bar WILL get packed ! So if you can find a good spot kind of in a corner? You're solid!!! The atmosphere is as if you stepped into finding Nemo vs the little mermaid vs a dive bar. The ENTIRE decor of this is like you're underwater and in a cave it's decorated with coral and everything and I absolutely love everything about it!!! There are obviously sooo many other places that are super fun to go out but my friends and I make it a NECESSITY to stop here!!! We love it!!

    Seasonal drink (appletini) and tipsy mermaid (super sweet)
    Anastacia S.

    This is my favorite bar in Sac. The bartenders are great (shoutout to Zach), drinks are poured strong, and the music is awesome from the live DJ. I love the ambiance, as everything is really inviting. The mermaid shows happen once an hour starting at 8:30pm on the weekend, and honestly, the show lasts for quite some time! The people in the crowd were definitely mesmerized. The only complaint is that they take away the bar stools from the counter right around 9pm, as the place turns into a nightclub. So, forget sitting down, you gotta just stand or dance!

    Water tank
    Taylor M.

    I went with a group on a weekday night. Apparently everyone in our group already knew about this place's notorious reputation except for me. We were all warned not to drink anything here which was fine since we just wanted to see the mermaids. There was no cover on a weekday. Inside, the place is loud with good pop music and dimly lit. They have a lot of jellyfish decor to give the place an "under the sea" vibe. There is some room to dance in the front of the bar. In the middle is the bar and the mermaid tank above. We arrived just in time for the mermaid show. The mermaid was a few minutes late but the show lasted a while.

    Christine V.

    I was visiting a friend in Sacramento and I wanted to go to a place where I could listen to music and chill or dance and I looked up places on yelp and this place looked great. I loved all the lights outside and I loved all the decorations inside. It was a Monday night and I regret not asking the Dj who he was or if he had a place to download his music because I absolutely loved the music he was playing.

    Left: cherry mojito right: lavender lemon drop
    Antonio R.

    Came to visit Sacramento for the weekend from southern cali. I saw this place recommended on a reddit forum. Pros: Unique! Interior was decorated really cool and different from any other bar i've seen. Clean, and of course the whole mermaid show is different and one of a kind. Cons: We ordered 2 drinks and they were really disappointing. I figured their drinks were going to look and taste great, given the fact that this place has such a cool concept. But the drinks look like they were made at any old dive bar. (Yes i know the place is called Dive bar, but i figured that's a word-play on the mermaids diving). Couldn't taste the alcohol, the presentation of the drink was ... nonexistent, and they tasted like juice. We got the lavender lemon drop and the cherry mojito

    Kt R.

    This place is everything you want in a dive bar and more. Chris from security was phenomenal and so welcoming! The drinks are great, and the atmosphere is unique and not like anything you'd find elsewhere. The staff goes above and beyond. I left my wallet on the bar and one of the bartenders, Celeste, brought it back to me! This place is a must do when in the area.

    Felix A.

    Stopped in as we were walking downtown and what can I say.... Wow! The aquarium was amazing and the drinks were good. Awesome environment. Just wished they offered some appetizers. We left early because we were hungry, otherwise we would've hung out a bit longer.

    Courtney O.

    Visiting Sacramento, my coworker said we HAD to go to the dive bar. She not only told me this, but every single person we met along the way at the conference we were attending. We looked up the times for the mermaid show on a Tuesday and it was 9:30 and 10:30pm. I assumed that the place would be dead on a Tuesday night, but I was wrong. She must have convinced some of the folks she saw to come, because there sure was a crowd there. They have a very thorough security and ID check process before letting you in. The front half of the bar has a big dance floor with a DJ. The back half is where the long bar is and the tank above the bar. Just on cue at 9:30pm, the mermaid dove in and began her show. It was honestly kind of mesmerizing and a gimmick that I totally was here for!

    Auriana N.

    Such a cool experience. Your classic dive bar but with a twist. They have a mermaid show that's pretty dope to watch. Drinks are strong, DJ had the tunes....what else do you need.

    Greg

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    Page 1 of 25

    Dive Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dive Bar

    Are you open Christmas Day?

    Yes! We are open from 7 PM to 2 AM on Christmas Day

    Is this bar still open?

    7 days a week. 3pm-2am DJ and Mermaid swims nightly. No food, but you can bring or have delivered.

    Does Dive Bar have a lost and found?

    Yes

    What is the current dress code?

    Arbitrary. Their website says "Dress to Impress" and prohibits "sportswear" yet I went last night and saw multiple people entering wearing jeans and sneakers. If you identify as a man or were assigned male at birth, I would avoid wearing any jewelry… Read more

    Is it 18+ and if so what nights?

    Never 21+ only

    What is the cover charge for Friday and Saturday Nights?

    $10

    I keep seeing different answers about cover charges... is there a cover charge?

    When I was there I went about 5pm and then again around 10pm on a Thursday. There was no cover that day for either time frame. I can't speak for the weekends, as I was traveling and not from the area to go more than what I did.

    Why type of music is played?

    Latest hits, dance music

    How much is it to get in?

    There's no cover charge

    Do they charge a cover on sunday night?

    There's no cover charge, they just check your IDs at the door, and that's it.

    Does the bass bother the fishes in the aquarium?

    No, I was there Friday night and the fishies don't seem to mind the bass.

    What kind of slushies do they serve?

    Watermelon tequila margarita and Rum Tropical Punch

    I'm Going for the first time for my bday this month... is there a cover charge during the weekday? & what are the times the mermaids preform during the week? ??

    Not during the week,yet Friday is considered the weekend just a heads up and tbey start at 10 in the weekend idk about the week.

    What time do they start charging the $10 cover on Friday and Saturday?

    I think it's 9.

    Is there a cover to get in this year? Answer: Yes- $10 cover started last Friday!

    The night I was there a couple weeks ago, they were just checking IDs at the door. No charges

    What is the age range? And is it a wider age range to go eat in the early evening?

    20-30s. All Ave welcome and work. Just mostly younger. It's worth a go.

    What time do the mermaid swim? Is it at certain times?

    Yes. Their schedule is: Everyday- 5pm, 6pm, 9pm & 10pm. Additional weekend showtimes are 8pm… Read more

    This Dive Bar! What kind food if any is served?

    No food, just great bartenders serving up tasty libations beneath a huge fish tank with a sexy mermaid. And there are a ton of late night food options within easy walking distance... I recommend Petra Greek, open late and serving up awesome gyros!

    What is the dress code? I tried going on the website but their is no information.

    It's always up to the managers discretion, but right now they focus on no solid color Tees, no sports attire, no camo gear during weekend nights. Daytime it's a dive bar, no code. Every week night is a theme night, but not enforced. Source:… Read more

    Would I be able to bring a teenager there?

    No

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    Review Highlights - Dive Bar

    The mermaid shows happen once an hour starting at 8:30pm on the weekend, and honestly, the show lasts for quite some time!

    Mentioned in 285 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    3.9(164 reviews)
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    Amazing dive bar! Superb vibe inside, loved the music and the drinks were cheap! Aaron our…read morebartender was very kind and the only reason why I'm leaving this review :)

    So every once in a while,the wife and I like to go out and enjoy a cocktail or 2-living in…read moreNatomas,downtown is a short Uber ride both ways-so driving is not in play so we both can enjoy ourselves.When we do decide we are going to go downtown we usually either end our night of debauchery or begin it at this bar-B-Side on 14th and S street. This bar is truly a definition of a dive bar-dark lighting inside,they tend to play throwback music 100% of the time which is awesome-the bartenders here are always super friendly and always seem young-not always the most experienced bartenders you will run into but they always do their job with lots of enthusiasm and friendly demeanors-I think that's important. The drinks themselves are pretty inexpensive per todays Sacramento downtown standards,I think my old fashioned ran for either $10 or $11 which is pretty good and they are always solid-they make very solid get the job done keep the vibe going level drinks and at that price-that's a winning combination. My favorite part of this bar though for me is easy-it's the outside back patio.It features a few long tables and it's mostly frequented by someone either looking to smoke a cigarette or vape,I personally will go back there and light up a cigar and just enjoy the craziness that occurs back there.By craziness I just mean a lot of people socializing-laughing telling stories and getting along,u literally can strike up conversations with people you never met before just based on the fact that you know anybody who finds themselves in the back outside patio at B-Side knows what's up-nobody lands there on accident-it's a super chill spot with a never ending cast of unknowns who might sit next to you and just be prepared as your probably going to have the most random conversation you have ever had in your life. B-Side isn't a fancy bar or a place to go before a nice dinner-this place isn't for everyone,especially at my age,but if u are ever lucky enough to walk thru those doors be prepared to be transported to a time when all you ever wanted was a place you could kick back-have a cheap drink,maybe enjoy a smoke and just chat with people who don't have their noses buried in their ohones-a true throwback.

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    3.4(257 reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown
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    This is the same place I used to go to back in the '90s -- and somehow it's still here. Now I'm…read moreback 35 years later with some of the same guys I was hanging out with back then, which honestly made the whole night pretty special. The place is a lot cleaner and brighter than I remember, and there are way more beer selections now. I feel like in the old days there was basically one option. Also, no popcorn all over the floor like I remember from back then -- the whole place feels much more updated and polished now. They also do karaoke now, and apparently it's a pretty big deal. There seemed to be a lot of regulars who clearly have karaoke night circled on their calendars. I didn't sing, but my friend got up and did a Quiet Riot song... which felt appropriate considering we're all straight out of the '90s ourselves. There's also a lot more seating now -- tall tables and stools instead of the little round tables that looked left over from the 1970s. I don't know when I'll be back, but if another occasion comes up where old friends are getting together and this is the chosen spot, I'm definitely in.

    We loved coming here and came here multiple times a week. Very rarely do I leave a bad review but…read moreI'm hoping someone will actually read this and take it seriously. From what I've seen, if you leave a bad review - you are banned from there! Reviews are meant to be helpful and changes should be made if it's about the same person. My boyfriend and I have been coming here for months. We would easily spend hundreds of dollars there. One night, where we had been drinking, it looks like he miss wrote his tip. The bartender, Marissa, asked me if her service was poor. He left $2 on a $100. Does he always leave 20%? Most of the time yes. But the bartender asked me if the tip was bad because of her service. First off, ask him and not me. That put me in an incredibly uncomfortable position. Feeling bad for the misunderstanding, I sent her a Venmo of $20. On top of the $6 I left her on my $20 tab. Easily over 20%, so it should have been all taken care of, right? Wrong. Boyfriend went in a few days later and all of a sudden she describes him (to his face) as "the guy who never tips." Let me remind everyone, he had been going there for a few years. Ma'am, you got your 20% tip. You should not be bringing this up again. Once my BF found out about the interaction her and I had had a few days earlier, he wrote a review. He tried to entera few days later and all of a sudden he was not allowed in the bar. Marissa also kindly sent me a Venmo of $40 saying she didn't need "mine or his money." We were not trying to create a false narrative as everything that happened was 100% true. As soon as you complain about your tip and I give you a 20% tip, that should be over and done with and not to be mentioned again. It was a mistake on his end unfortunately, but she was incredibly unprofessional in all aspects of this interaction. Our friend went a few weeks ago to Pine Cove, and when he said the amount he was charged was a lot more than he originally signed for, I asked who the bartender was and lo and behold, it was Marissa. He said his total was $26 and when the payment went through on his bank, he was charged $40! So now we are overwriting people's tips because you need to get money a different way. I understand you need tips to survive when you're in the service industry, but the way she makes it happen is incredibly unprofessional and fraudulent. Ownership. Take the reviews seriously. If you're constantly having poor reviews based on the same things, some aspects need to change. We loved going to Pine Cove but now we aren't allowed to come back. I would get if we were in a fight or throwing up at the bar, but he didn't tip well and he called her out on her unprofessional behavior. Not that I'm doing it, I won't be back either!

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    Dive Bar - divebars - Updated May 2026

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