Take a Dive Youngstown, Ohio Style

Youngstown, OH, is the former Steel Town USA, the place I grew up and home to some of the best dive bars around. At one point, South Avenue had over twenty bars that lined the two and a half-mile stretch from Downtown to Midlothian Blvd. In fact, a friend of mine would get with his buddies once a year to do the "South Avenue Shuffle" and have (or try to have) a drink at every bar on the street. When I worked for the Youngstown Playhouse once a month we would go "dive dining". While some of our favorites have closed, I've included what I consider to be the best dive bar/restaurants the city has to offer. What has earned each the title of "dive", in my humble opinion, is they are located in now questionable areas of town, the décors have not been updated for decades and mostly because the prices are cheap - like the dirt ground into the floors.

The Avalon Gardens - The former home of the Anzivino Italian store and a North Side establishment since the 1970s. Entrance to "The Av", as regulars know it, used to depend on being approved through the peephole in the door. Legend has it that once you were spotted in "The Av" the FBI made up a file on you. Most noted for its pizza and beer selection - although they were out my favorite beer on my last visit and the menu items are not always as described. Service is less than stellar but that's part of the charm! Located at 1719 Belmont Ave.

The Boulevard Tavern - Known to locals as "Angie's" this neighborhood tavern is located at 3503 Southern Blvd on the city's South Side and is noted for its Friday fish fries and spaghetti dinners. As is the case with many bars in Youngstown, the area has gone down hill but there is a parking attendant on hand to watch the cars.

Cedars Lounge - A funky and fun downtown staple for decades, Cedar's offers Middle Eastern food, $1 Straub's and live music on the weekends with swing nights on Thursdays.

Irish Bob's Pub - 3602 South Ave. - IB's is, has been and will be THE place to go for St. Patrick's Day starting with green eggs and beer for breakfast and Irish music and green beer well into the night. A great place to listen to live music throughout year with twenty-cent wing nights a regular occurrence.

The Draught House - Considered to be the best beer bar in downtown Y-town, serving around 50 micro-brews and imports to choose from in bottles, always a few good ones on draught with more expected to be added soon. Menu consists of "bar food" - burgers, fries and wings.

The Golden Dawn - More of a greasy spoon restaurant than bar. Owned for years by the Naples brothers "The Dawn" offers home cooked food including burgers, pepper and egg sandwiches, liver and onions, pizza and schooners of beer for ninety cents! Located in an old converted house at the corner of Wick and Logan Avenues.

The MVR Club - Established in 1927, Cassese's MVR club is located next to the rear entrance of Youngstown State University's Wick Ave. parking deck. The best Italian food Youngstown has to offer. Cheap beer. Best in the summer when the Bocce courts and the patio are open. Address: 410 North Walnut Street.

The Open Hearth - Located at 207 Steel St. named for the open hearth furnaces from the now deceased steel industry in town, great food - especially the lamb and pig roasts on Saturdays and BBQ on Sundays. This establishment is the embodiment of Youngstown's blue collar hospitality.

Again when frequenting these establishments, it is best to use caution no matter what time of day you go but you can't beat the prices, food, beverages and atmosphere. It makes a girl homesick!