On my mission to find the best dive bar in Waco (spoiler alert: there aren’t many true dives), I ended up at nine different watering holes from every end of the spectrum. Country saloon, fancy wine bar, even a members-only speakeasy… I’ve seen it all. In no particular order, I present to you the Who’s Who of the Waco bar scene.

Freight Yardbar

Freight reminds me of a huge frat party – but one where everyone from campus is invited! With a yardbar full of games, foosball, darts, cornhole, and a stage for music, there’s plenty to keep you busy. The beer selection is superb – with many local options on tap and can. Unfortunately, I went on a slow, cold Sunday night and didn’t get to have the true Freight experience. Luckily, the owner and bartenders were super personable and kept me laughing for hours. Can’t wait to go back on a warmer night to enjoy the yard!

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a coffee shop on a list of bars; however, Dichotomy’s dichotomy is that it has both types of brews – and a custom cocktail list. With a welcoming vibe and rooftop patio, you really can’t go wrong. I opened the shop with a dirty chai latte and closed it with a grand old fashioned. No complaints here! Bonus: if you love street art, they have a Blek le Rat mural on their front patio.

Truelove Bar

My favorite bar in Waco! On a hunt for a punk dive bar, Truelove was the closest I found. Dim lighting, pool tables, karaoke, strong drinks, and a crowd of locals. With two bars and a heated back patio full of people ready to chat, it is bigger than it appears. Don’t let the bathroom door sign fool you, the vibe, crowd, and staff were all ultra friendly and welcoming (I mean, the sign does say “please” after all). I’ll definitely be back!

Hemingway’s Watering Hole

While asking locals for recommendations, I was told Hemingway’s has carpeting (the ultimate dive bar trait!). Well, it turns out the new owners decided to nix the sticky floors and redecorate. However, I was not disappointed. A small gem of a local watering hole with great cocktails. When you’re in a tiny bar like this, you have no choice but to talk and get to know those around you. Lucky for me because I ended up going to the next bar with some of those patrons…

Dodge City Saloon

…and cue the carpeting! Dodge City is a large, country bar with darts, pool, gambling machines, and a dance floor – and a hole-in-the-wall vibe. While saloons aren’t usually my thing, I would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a good honky-tonk.

Pivovar

Moving on to the fancier offerings of this list, Pivovar houses a Czech brewery, beer garden, and beer spa! Their restaurant is also one of the top places to eat in Waco. Back to the booze, Czech beer is recognized internationally as one of the best beers in the world, and after a few Light Pilsner Lagers, I can taste why. One of the unique aspects of this brewery is that all the raw materials are available only in the Czech Republic. Looking forward to spending the warmer months hanging out in the beer garden!

Stay Classy Waco

With a bright, funky atmosphere, tasty cocktail menu (the Cherry Bomb is yummy!), extensive wine list, and full event calendar, Stay Classy steps up the game. Like most classier spots, it’s better to enjoy this one with a date or a group of friends than riding solo. But if you do go alone and are lucky enough to meet the owners, they’ll go out of their way to keep you company!

One Day Bar

If you haven’t noticed, a “clean vibe” is not what I chase after; however, One Day surprised me. There’s plenty of space to network, play a card game with friends, or just have a few drinks. The drink menu is balanced with classics as well as exclusive recreations. You can tell they take pride in their craft!

Undercroft Social Club

Located under an art gallery, I found Undercroft while hunting all the Blek le Rat murals throughout town. While I didn’t get to enjoy an evening here, I did get a tour of the members-only BYOB space, and wow! Serious, speakeasy vibes. Not a member? No worries, they offer day passes. Can’t wait to check out an event next time I’m in town!

Did your favorite bar in Waco make the list? Let me know in the comments.

9 Bars in Waco, TX, That Will Make You Say Cheers