Joe's Juice Joint

When my editor suggested a review of the number one dive bar in the world so many thoughts ran through my head. Firstly, we’re number one in the world for something? Go us! Secondly, a dive bar hasn’t been my scene since uni days (they were some years back, for those wondering). Third, a quick check online to make sure a dive bar was what I still understood it to be (because often words change meaning over time where things with negative connotations are now the opposite) confirms what I thought. A ‘dive’, according to Merriam-Webster, is ‘a shabby and disreputable establishment’, the same meaning as I still expected.

So it was with some trepidation that I donned my faux leather pants and headed out with the best friend for drinks on a Saturday night to get to the bottom of just how Joe’s Juice Joint in Northbridge attained this worldwide gold star status according to the global travel company ‘Big 7 Travel’ list of the world’s best dive bars.

We head down a graffitied laneway behind William Street and in through a dodgy doorway manned by friendly doormen, and here we are, about to discover Joe’s Juice Joint. Down a peeling band poster-plastered stairway you enter a dimly lit, dark and moody bar with booths and tables, Elvis pinball machines and rock music. The bar shines with bottles of American bourbon and a huge range of whiskeys. There are cocktails like the Tequilaquarium, served in a fishbowl for sharing, frozen Long Island cocktails, rum and whiskey cocktails, craft beers, wine;, a plethora of booze choices in fact. I order a delicious whiskey sour and a bowl of complimentary unshelled peanuts was delivered too; we settle into one of the booths.

Thanks to that ever-present rock music, this is not the place for quiet and meaningful conversation but we can hear each other talk at least.

There is a small food menu of cheeseburgers and fried chicken burgers, dirty fries, and chicken wings.

There are also Cheezels for $2 a bowl and I’m not going to lie, whiskey and Cheezels is life-changing. The music ranges across rock genres from grunge rock to some classic Pink Floyd to Bon Jovi rock anthems and a sneaky favourite from The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army. The bar fills quickly with groups of guys on boys’ nights out, a hen’s party, and couples on dates. The vibe is fun and the whiskey selection is hot.

Joe’s is everything you want from a classic dive bar; I dove in and loved its late night vibes. If you’re in Northbridge it’s definitely worth a visit to end your night. Just don’t forget to order the Cheezels.

Dive in for a great place to party, drink whiskey and enjoy late night rock vibes. Grab a group of friends and a Tequilaquarium. Hours: Weds – Thurs 8pm – 2am, Fri to Sun 8pm – 4am Price: $2 Cheezels, $10-20 burgers and dirty fries, cocktails start at $14

By@crumbs_and_corks