Upper East Side's Subway Inn Among America's Most Authentic Dive Bars

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Subway Inn may have gotten a face lift when it was forced to move into a new and cleaner location, but the 80-year-old Upper East Side dive bar still won't charge more than $6 for a beer — a rarity in New York City.

The dive, located on Second Avenue and East 60th street since 2015, was named one of the eight most authentic dive bars in America by the Washington Post. The Post's criteria: "They must have history; they must have regulars; they cannot be expensive; they cannot have craft cocktails."

Despite it's new location, Subway Inn is heavy on history. The bar opened on 60th Street and Lexington Avenue in 1937 and was frequented by New York City icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio — the booth they often shared still sits in the bar today. These days, Subway Inn looks a lot like the old place with its neon sign, checkerboard floor and dark atmosphere. (For more New York City news delivered straight to your inbox sign up for Patch's free newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

It's just a bit cleaner, but after 70 years who know's how it'll look.

"It took 77 years to get to that point," bar owner Steve Salinas told the Washington Post. "We just made it to our second year. That dirt and grime came with time."

Subway Inn was passed down to Salinas by his father, Marcelo Salinas, who went from busboy to owner in the span of four decades at the dive bar. Subway Inn was forced from its original location in 2014 after its landlord refused to extend the lease.

"The heart and soul of the Subway Inn was that it brought everyone together, whether you were a celebrity or just a plain old New Yorker," Steve Salinas told the Washington Post. "Nobody felt uncomfortable. No matter where you worked or what your status is in life, we’re all the same at the Subway Inn."

The other mentions on the The Washington Post’s Most Authentic Dive Bars in America list are:

• Double Down Saloon, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Nancy Whiskey, Detroit, Michigan
• The Frolic Room, Hollywood, California
• Little Longhorn Saloon, Austin, Texas
• Lone Star Saloon, Houston, Texas
• Candlelight Lounge, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Bob and Barbara’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photo by Ed via Flickr/Creative Commons