Best of Boston

2014 Best Dive Bar

The Eagle

Were it possible to manufacture the ideal dive bar, you'd first need to reverse-engineer a comfy, lived-in space complete with quirkly local characters, no-nonsense bartenders, a pool table, and cheap, stiff drinks. The result would end up looking a lot like The Eagle, the long-standing South End gay bar that, sadly, is one of the few remaining dives in the area.

520 Tremont St., Boston, 617-542-4494,