Looking for a great dive bar in Reno? Here are a few that our readers love

For visitors, Reno’s nightlife seems to be all flashing neon and rooftop lounges. But for locals, some of the city’s best nightlife can be found in small, dim-lit dives where the beer is cheap, and the vibe is gruff but friendly. These bars are communal hubs, where you can kick back, relax, grab some grub, and forget the woes of the day. 

This is the quintessential insider’s guide to Reno’s dive bars in 2025— the places our readers recommend if you want cheap drinks and good times. If you want to see a side of Reno that doesn’t show up on glitzy maps, these are the places to go.

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40 Mile Saloon

1495 S. Virginia St

40 Mile Saloon wears its back-road origin story on its sleeve. Before it was 40 Mile, the spot had other incarnations. The bar building was originally built in 1937 as Aubrey’s Grocery, which also functioned as a combined market, bar, and service station. Over time, it evolved, and in 2007, it was renovated and operated as “Chapel Tavern,” and then in 2012, it became 40 Mile Saloon. 

40 Mile Saloon sits at 1495 South Virginia Street in Reno’s Midtown district, and it carries a rugged, welcoming energy. The name comes from the notorious “40 Mile Desert”—a harsh, waterless stretch between Lovelock and Fallon—and the saloon’s founders say they meant the bar to symbolically “quench the kind of terrible thirst” pioneer travelers might have had. 

The interior leans into a dim, rustic aesthetic that’s perfect for the dive bar experience. Exposed beams, brick or wood surfaces, low lighting, and an assortment of bar memorabilia make the perfect backdrop for drinking your cares away. You’ll also find an outdoor seating area for warmer days, so you and your friends can step outside with a drink and soak in the street view. 

40 Mile leans into craft cocktails made with fine spirits. But they also carry an assortment of craft beers and have a bar staff that can whip up almost any drink you’d like. In reviews, people often call it “the #1 late-night bar in Reno,” praising their pricing, drink variety, and solid service. The bartenders get compliments for being friendly and approachable, and patrons mention a relaxed, community-bar kind of vibe. 

Their hours are generous: they’re open daily from noon onward, and stay all night, closing again at 6 a.m. 

Shenanigan’s Olde English Pub 

77 W. Plumb Lane

There’s some debate around whether Shenanigan’s qualifies as a dive bar. But since our readers seem to love it, whether or not it’s technically a dive, this old pub has earned its place on the list. 

Shenanigan’s Olde English Pub in Reno lives up to the feel of a traditional pub with a casual, relaxed environment and a menu featuring comfort food, sandwiches, and a broad beer and imports selection. They’re known for their “31 beers on tap & some of the best bar food in town.” 

A bit removed from the traditional dive bar atmosphere, Shenanigan’s is warm with a local pub feel, friendly staff, TVs for watching games, multiple bar seats, and a full food menu.  The food leans toward hearty, satisfying pub fare. Among the more popular items are the French Dip, Reuben, Monte Cristo, The Hombre sandwich (a spicier option), BBQ beef, and other classic sandwich and burger choices.  Appetizers like onion rings, beer-battered sides, and potstickers also appear on their menu.  

For drink options, Shenanigan’s offers a full bar plus many beer selections. Their draft and imported beer list includes staples like Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Stella Artois, Old Speckled Hen, and they also carry craft and rotating IPAs, such as their “Fresh Squeezed IPA” among others.  

The pub opens at 10 a.m. and stays open until 2 a.m. every day. According to their social media, they also run a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.

Wonder Bar

1195 S. Wells Ave

Wonder Bar sits farther off the typical “downtown stroll” map, but it shows up often in local lists of favorite dives (Reddit users include it among “best dive bars” in Reno). Visiting Wonder Bar in Reno offers the kind of authentic, no-frills bar experience that many people look for when they want to escape overly polished environments. 

It has a friendly, dive-bar charm, where the bartenders tend to be interactive and personable, and many patrons say that the staff is part of what makes the place feel like a community. Because of its “dive bar” identity, drinks tend to be affordably priced, and you won’t feel pressured by formality or pretension. You can enjoy a laid-back evening, catch up with friends, and not break the bank of a round of drinks. 

Another reason to go is that the venue includes a patio and a walk-out courtyard, giving an option for outdoor seating, which can be a nice contrast to the interior bar environment.  On Thursdays, they run a “Ladies Night” special, extending the happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m., which draws extra energy on an otherwise midweek night.  Wonder Bar advertises itself as having a “vibrant ambiance” and “creative cocktails” in addition to being a casual drink spot—so if you enjoy trying interesting mixed drinks, that’s part of the draw.  

Because it’s less of a “destination bar” and more of a local haunt, you won’t always find big-ticket events or promotions there, which means the experience is more about the moment and the vibe. If you like bars that feel like community hubs, where you can talk, listen to music, and enjoy drinks without skyrocketing prices or pretensions, Wonder Bar is worth checking out.