What defines a “dive bar”? We asked you, we asked the experts, we racked our brains for descriptors and quickly embraced the notion that some stereotypes are based in truth — and that dive bars are no exception. The 2023 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Silver Peso (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Dive Bar picks see below.
Our 2023 Dining category sponsor is Rodney Strong.
We’ve broken it down by region: Southern, Central, and Western Marin.
Southern | Central | Western
Southern Marin
Smitty’s
Sausalito
Smitty’s is the oldest bar in Sausalito to retain its original construction. The location dates back to 1925 when John Bettencourt, a soda pop bottler also started bottling beer. Today, it is a waterhole and game room for those who love sports, darts, pool, and of course drinks to gather.
214 Caledonia St, Sausalito, 415.332.2637
2 AM Club
Mill Valley
“The Deuce” has been around longer than most Marin residents. First opened on the corner of Miller and Montford as “The Brown Jug” by Bill Brown, the prohibition caused it to close in 1921. In 1933 it reopened, and in 1939 it was named the 2 A.M. Club.
380 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, 415.388.6036
Central Marin
Silver Peso
Larkspur
Another historic dive bar. The building that houses the Silver Peso opened in 1905 as a blacksmith shop, and it wasn’t until the 1930s that the space was transformed into a bar. The Silver Peso came into being after World War II when a former GI bought the building with — wait for it — silver pesos.
450 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, 415.868.1311
Matteucci’s
San Anselmo
Despite owner Dan Pieri insisting Matteucci’s is NOT a dive bar, we put it on the list anyway. It is the only true bar in San Anselmo and hits almost every dive bar criterion on the list.
114 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo, 415.456.3614
Pete’s 881 Club
San Rafael
Opening in 1951 and now located at 721 Lincoln in San Rafael, this spacious one-room (plus an outdoor patio) saloon is possibly more sports bar than actual dive, but it still made our list. Secret to the longevity? It could be that it’s the only legal gambling spot in Marin with a daily Texas hold ’em game or that the kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. or that there are 10 TVs constantly broadcasting sports games. However, most would agree it’s the warmth of the Pellolio family — patrons love to order Grandpa Pete’s Chicken Anselmo — that keep folks coming back for more.
721 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, 415.453.5888
Western Marin
Smiley’s Saloon
Bolinas
The self-proclaimed “oldest saloon on the West Coast”, Smiley’s has been around for more than a century. It was said to be built for a young Captain Isaac Morgan, who arrived in Bolinas (or Jugville) in 1849. Today stop by for a must try house margarita, best enjoyed on the sunny patio, or one of the 11 local beers on tap.
41 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, 415.868.1311
Papermill Creek Saloon
Forest Knolls
Opened in 1907 as a general store and was eventually named for the paper mill (the first on the West Coast) that was then operating at what is now Samuel P. Taylor State Park, this dive bar is an old-standing classic Marin Watering hole.
1 Castro St, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, 415.488.9235
Sponsor
Rodney Strong: 2023 Best of the County Dining
