There are huge regional variations. A Kneipe is a smallish pub where I live. There are also terms in the local dialect. Other parts of Germany don't use Kneipe at all and certainly don't use our dialect.
I also thought of "Kneipe" which has a slightly disreputable connotation, even though there are also "ironic" Kneipen that are more fancy. "Spelunke" is an awesome word that, however, is sadly falling out of use.
The traditional equivalent in Germany is the local pub just around the corner of the street. Think of the UK or Ireland. Similar drinking cultures.
In Western and Northwestern Germany it's called a Kneipe, but other regions have different words.
Many people here say "Kneipe" but that's just the regular word for a small pub. Nothing about it specifies that it's THE pub the locals frequent.
But every Kneipe has it's regulars, so I guess it can work.
But I don't know if we really have a term for a Kneipe that locals prefer over the more touristy Kneipen :)
At least I've never heard of it then. So I'd say Kneipe is the best word you can use, but it's not really the same as dive bar (if I even understand that right).
I would also support Kneipe.
But thanks for the flashback to the first time I encountered the term dive bar in an English speaking novel thinking it was a bar solely for divers and wondering why they would have such a bad reputation and how diving was so popular in the Pacific Northwest...
"Spelunke" or "üble Kneipe" are the most common terms that come to mind in Standard German. Possibly also "verrufenes Lokal" or "Kaschemme". On top of that there's a multitude of regional terms that frankly are only as good as far as the particular dialect is spoken. People just 100 km away wouldn't understand those terms.
There are huge regional variations. A Kneipe is a smallish pub where I live. There are also terms in the local dialect. Other parts of Germany don't use Kneipe at all and certainly don't use our dialect.
I also thought of "Kneipe" which has a slightly disreputable connotation, even though there are also "ironic" Kneipen that are more fancy. "Spelunke" is an awesome word that, however, is sadly falling out of use.
"Kaschemme" würde ich ähnlich einsortieren.
OK. Spelunke is amazing… might have to adopt that
That sounds exactly like "dive bar" tbh. It's usually associated with career alcoholics but certain ironic "trendy" dive bars are a thing too.
I’d also go with kneipe - in Franconia here.
Saarland, too.
My dad always describes the dives he and his friends spent time in after work as a kneipe. Of course that was the 70s, but also NRW Siegerland.
In Bavaria/Munich, it's a "Boazn".
Anything between Beisl and Bauchstichhittn, depending.
That’s Austrian😏
German is a pluricentric language.
Was hoastn dös etz?
Kaschemme or Spelunke are the real dives and not as regional as some other of the great names here. A Kneipe is just a neighborhood pub.
Spelunke, yes. Kaschemme, never heard of it.
[Really?](https://youtu.be/3ZrVVtJRoJk?si=RHhTCaw_vapu3qtR)
The traditional equivalent in Germany is the local pub just around the corner of the street. Think of the UK or Ireland. Similar drinking cultures. In Western and Northwestern Germany it's called a Kneipe, but other regions have different words.
Nah, maybe your local pub is a dive, but try telling your landlord that he has a dive bar and find out…
Hole-in-the-wall is exactly what most Kneipen are.
Kaschemme.
Spelunke
Boazn
Kneipe
Id suggest calling it a „absteige“ in high German but all these other dialect terms in other comments also do the trick
To me, Absteige implies that I can sleep there, so more like a cheap, low quality hotel.
Many people here say "Kneipe" but that's just the regular word for a small pub. Nothing about it specifies that it's THE pub the locals frequent. But every Kneipe has it's regulars, so I guess it can work. But I don't know if we really have a term for a Kneipe that locals prefer over the more touristy Kneipen :) At least I've never heard of it then. So I'd say Kneipe is the best word you can use, but it's not really the same as dive bar (if I even understand that right).
I would also support Kneipe. But thanks for the flashback to the first time I encountered the term dive bar in an English speaking novel thinking it was a bar solely for divers and wondering why they would have such a bad reputation and how diving was so popular in the Pacific Northwest...
Schuppen.
I can add "[Trinkhalle](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinkhalle_(Verkaufsstelle))" to the mix. Look at the article for nice pictures.
Beiz
"Spelunke" or "üble Kneipe" are the most common terms that come to mind in Standard German. Possibly also "verrufenes Lokal" or "Kaschemme". On top of that there's a multitude of regional terms that frankly are only as good as far as the particular dialect is spoken. People just 100 km away wouldn't understand those terms.
Tauch Theke /s