33 Classic Bars That Police and Firefighters Love

Across the country, neighborhood dives and old-school taverns attract patrons with an eclectic atmosphere, low drink prices, and friendly faces. But not all of them are places where law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders feel comfortable rubbing shoulders with the locals or kicking back with a beer, cocktail, or plate of food — sometimes even with a nice discount. Here's a roundup of watering holes where those who protect and serve like to hang out.

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Entertainment reporter Lisa Johnson Mandell nominates MiniBar Hollywood, "a retro-cool bar with the motto 'Only Tell Nice People,'" she says. "It's easy to become a regular because of the friendly bartenders and locals, including first responders." Since 2015, chef and owner Brandon Boudet, co-owner Warner Ebbink, and certified sommelier Jeremy Allen, who lives in the neighborhood and walks to work every day, have served a curated menu of cocktails, beer, wine, and rare whiskeys in this swanky establishment.

This quirky bar in Wilmington's Little Italy looks like a typical pub from the outside, but inside you'll find ephemera from every American president covering the walls, and visitors have reported paranormal activity in this 200-plus-year-old building. Patrons can enjoy a Manhattan while learning about the seven presidents born in the Empire State, and there's a 20% discount for law enforcement and firefighters.

Destination DC media relations manager Julie Marshall says that Old Ebbitt Grill — the oldest bar in the city — "has another bar located just behind the main dining room — the 'back bar' or 'Grant's Bar' named by Old Ebbitt. It's a notorious hangout for active secret service. This mahogany bar also has a ceiling painting of General Grant. The back bar is a home away from home for many federal agents, especially during their late-night happy hour."

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Located in East County, San Diego, Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs is the ticket for Texas-style barbecue in Southern California, also slinging righteous drinks in a family-friendly venue with a neighborhood feel. A go-to spot for locals, Grand Ole BBQ offers a 20% discount to first responders and police who come dressed in uniform.

Joe Lunghofer of the Boise Fire Department nominates Bear Island Brewery. "You can definitely find firefighters and police here," he says. "This was an Old Fire Station #6, and it's veteran-owned." The family-operated brewery with a fun backstory about its name uses local farm-to-table ingredients and is a regular spot for Boise's finest first responders.

A coal miner opened Joe's Tavern in 1960, and the tavern — still owned and operated by the same family — retains the classic, warm community feel it's had for six decades. Joe's recently partnered with local Bethlehem brewery Bonn Place to create Carrot Cake Strong Ale, brewed with produce from a bartender's garden, with sales benefitting the Bethlehem Mounted Police Force.

Tucked away from the West Loop, Aberdeen Tap in West Town is a friendly neighborhood place serving drinks and excellent bar food with top-notch customer service where locals have been mixing it up with first responders for nearly 10 years. From businesspeople to police to construction workers, Aberdeen Tap is full of returning guests from the 11 a.m. lunch hour all the way through the after-work and late-night cocktail hours.

Located in Ocean Beach, Blue Water delivers seaside views and organic, fresh seafood meals. It's a hot spot for locals, including firefighters, police, lifeguards, and military personnel. Crowd favorites include the fresh catch of the day, wasabi-crusted sesame seed ahi, and beer-battered fish and chips — all with a 15% first responder discount for police and military personnel.

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Established in 1927, Nick's English Hut has long welcomed university students, Bloomington locals, first responders, and all other visitors. With a friendly atmosphere, this college bar is the place to be for Indiana University basketball games or just a night out on the town — where everyone knows everyone and traditions like "Sink the Biz" make all feel at home. They offer a 10% discount on food to active military, firefighters, and law enforcement.

This Alabama-Florida border roadhouse, established in 1964, offers a 10% discount to first responders in uniform and military members who present their military ID. Additionally, Flora-Bama works with Operation Reconnect to provide beach vacations for women and their families who have dealt with difficulties surrounding deployment. Known for a laid-back atmosphere, Flora-Bama throws benefits throughout the year that raise funds for law enforcement and first responder charities.

Loved by locals and frequented by firefighters and law enforcement, the High Line Hotel's lobby bar opens in the evenings after Intelligentsia coffee service ends. Patrons linger at the bar drinking classic cocktails and, on warmer nights, gravitate toward the private back patio or front courtyard.

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Since 1909, J.J. Foley's has been considered one of the friendliest spots in Beantown, where local law enforcement and firefighters mix it up with hungry and thirsty locals who love the Irish-American pub menu. Management always finds seats for newcomers and regulars alike, and bartenders are well-known local heroes who keep everything running smoothly, according to many glowing reviews.

Old-school country music and down-home charm reign at the Bunkhouse Bar & Grill. Frequented by Cheyenne cowboys, police, firefighters, and locals alike, the Bunkhouse boasts a tasty and reasonable menu, with live music every Friday. Throw in some old-timey wall decor, including quirky objects like vintage snowshoes and banjos, and it's a must-do in Wyoming. People even ride there on horseback.

Another Irish-American gem with lots of history behind it, McGreevy's is in the Back Bay neighborhood and has the distinction of being "America's First Sports Bar." It's owned by Ken Casey, frontman for Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, so it's a regular gathering place for Red Sox and music fans, tourists, and local star athletes. In addition to being located near the Boston Marathon finish line, it's also one block away from the neighborhood firehouse and just over a mile from the city's police headquarters — meaning lots of firefighters and police are regular patrons.

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Locally owned and operated, Steele's Dive is a cheap and cheerful neighborhood favorite offering home cooking, steaks, shrimp, fried catfish, oysters, and other classic, delicious Southern fare. Always packed, this mom-and-pop spot has live music almost every night of the week. Local military, firefighters, and police officers receive 10% off their entire tab.

Jennifer Wilnechenko, editor at the travel site Etia.com, nominates O'Lunney's Times Square Pub, where locals and law enforcement unwind after a long day with classic pub food. Come for shepherd's pie, classic chicken pot pie, or a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, all served at reasonable prices, especially considering the pub's proximity to one of the city's tourist hot spots.

This family-owned distillery handcrafts its distilled spirits, including whiskey, vodka, and moonshine, in small batches using local grains and rainwater. Locals, first responders, and police all rub shoulders here. Community-oriented and first-responder-friendly, Copper Shot has hosted fundraisers for local law enforcement, and Stephen Todee, who owns the distillery with his wife, Cheri, is a certified firefighter himself.

Perhaps the oldest Irish-American saloon in existence — it opened in 1854 as "The Old House at Home" — this East Village spot is beloved by locals, police, and firefighters. At one point it was even owned by an officer, Daniel O'Connell, who bought it from the McSorley family in 1936. Today, it's considered a New York institution, known as much for its memorabilia — a pair of Harry Houdini's handcuffs, a John Wilkes Booth "Wanted" poster — as it is for the McSorley's Ale it's served for 166 years.

Mandell says another favorite for first responders getting off work is the Foxfire Room — "one of the few bars that opens at 6 a.m., has cheap drinks, a friendly atmosphere, and a fabulous bartender, Mike, a former LAPD homicide detective! It's extremely cop-friendly and is featured in movies and TV series," according to the Los Angeles entertainment reporter. "Having first responders there at all hours makes our neighborhood feel safer. It's the kind of place where everyone not only knows your name, they know your dog's name, too!"

Lotties, which opened in 1934 in the city's Bucktown neighborhood, has become a mainstay for many Chicago residents, thanks to its ability to serve up classic pub favorites and drinks. The bar is known for attracting a wide swath of professionals and locals of all ages, from old-timers and firefighters to college students and even fans of NBC's "Chicago Fire" (the show has filmed there multiple times), and is regarded as a friendly place to have a bite and a beer.

Oregon locals flood to Coin Toss Brewing to taste the traditional lineup of handcrafted beer brewed from Oregon's historic recipes. The brewery's name is inspired by an infamous coin flip between Portland's two founders, who both wanted to name the town after their New England homes. Coin Toss is a vibrant spot for the community to gather, drink, and soak in Portland's history. You'll often find police and first responders there after their shifts.

Nathan Mares, general manager of Reliance Mine Saloon, says: "This 45-year-old saloon in the heart of Gettysburg attracts locals, law enforcement and firefighters, tourists, and history buffs who come to unwind after a long day of exploring battlefields. Patrons can mingle with local historians and authors like William Frassanito, who can often be seen posted up at the bar enjoying one of the many craft beer or unique whiskey offerings."

This family-owned spot purchased by Melvin and Aurora Davis in 1956 went from being an ice house to a restaurant featuring Tex-Mex, seafood, and chicken-fried steak. Members of the San Antonio Fire Department go here after every promotional exam, and the restaurant is also popular among local law enforcement. MK Davis offers a 30% discount to first responders in uniform.

Kildare's is a family-owned pub that's a cornerstone of the borough and just a five-minute drive from the local police department. Owner Dane Gray strives to know all of his regulars on a first name basis and welcomes all into his Irish-themed establishment. In addition to being popular with first responders, it's a haven for soccer and rugby fans.

Jennifer Callison of the city of Waynesboro nominates The Fishin' Pig, which has live music on summer weekends in its "Pig Pen" outside. "They offer traditional Southern fare, everything from savory, smoked meats to flavorful, fresh seafood (think pulled pork BBQ and fried catfish)," she says. "They recently hosted a holiday lunch for 58 first responders from Waynesboro's police, fire, and first aid departments, so I know they are law-enforcement friendly."

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Emilie King of Turner PR calls this local tavern a hidden gem for Door County locals. "A warm atmosphere and old-school, classic decor — from neon sports signs to metal bar plaques stamped to the ceiling — bargain beverages, and a surprisingly robust food menu make it a hot spot for locals as well as first responders and police," she says.

A San Antonio institution, Bar America first opened as Café America in 1942 and has been owned and operated by the same family for four generations. The bar is known for its beer selection, great burgers, and welcoming environment in the Southtown neighborhood of the city. It is also popular among members of the San Antonio fire and police departments.

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An old-school-cool watering hole, OB Surf Lodge is a place that the locals love and where everyone knows your name. The family-friendly waterfront restaurant is known for its ocean views, 1960s surf decor, and made-from-scratch menu. It's also a local hangout for police, lifeguards, and firefighters, and offers all first responders a 15% discount.

Firefighter Joe Lunghofer identifies Gil's K9 as another hot spot for Boise police and firefighters. Described in a TripAdvisor review as having the "kind of customer service you read about in classic novels or see in movies from the '40s and '50s," this old-school pub serves up prime rib beef dips, Reubens, burgers, and prawns in large portions at reasonable prices.

VFW Post 76 is the oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Texas. In addition to providing opportunities to strengthen camaraderie among its members and foster patriotism, the VFW operates a canteen in a scenic location in a Victorian-style home along the Mission Reach of the River Walk. This friendly destination is a perfect place to gather with friends and get to know local veterans, police, and firefighters.

Located in the heart of Indiana, this family-owned spot offers local brews, wine, and slow-smoked meats with hospitality. The vintage decor provides nostalgia, and the '60s-era jukebox plays throwback tunes. Locals, firefighters, and police are the regulars here. "Big Dog's caters to local firemen and law enforcement, with all receiving their first drink for free," says King of Turner PR.

With nightly live music (including occasional national acts), an award-winning menu, and an extensive craft beer list in a relaxed, eclectic atmosphere, the Blue Canoe is a local favorite for Tupelo residents and first responders alike.

Live Oak is a Southern food restaurant located in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood. Owners Justus Frank and Jeremy Barber host annual brunches allowing police officers, firefighters, and other first responders the opportunity to dine for free. A popular hangout spot in a small neighborhood, this is a joint where drinks, tasty comfort food, and family-friendly events are always on the menu.