The Dime Bar

«I’m not here to make drinks that people ask for.» — a direct quote from one of the bartenders at Dime Bar that perfectly summed up the terrible experience at this bar.

If you’re a dime, this is the place to be. For the longest time, I thought this little gem was called No Name Bar. There never used to be any signage, so it had a speak easy vibe. Now on the door, there is a little decal that says Dime Bar, so all dimes are welcome!
Dime Bar is easily my favorite bar in town. Tucked between Pop-​a-​Top and Barcade, it is a cozy little oasis for chill nights on the town. You will never see rowdy «ratchet» patrons here. Everyone is civil and just enjoying their time… at the dime.
The atmosphere and drinks are what make this my favorite bar in town. Dime Bar fits about 21 people comfortably. The narrow seating between the windows really give the place a special edge. I like the intimacy these window seats offer. The music is always stimulating. They either have oldies or jazz playing. It’s great! The space encourages conversation, a quality that many bars no longer have.
Dime Bar is owned by the Top, and this is evident in their décor and service. The walls are adorned with a geometric wallpaper which adds to the retro feel. If you pay really close attention, you will notice a wooden beam that stretches across the ceiling. This beam really adds depth to the space and tricks your perception. It makes Dime feel just a little bigger. The ceilings a little higher.
There is always one bartender at the bar and I bet that your drink will always be artfully shaken or stirred. I thoroughly enjoy the artistry that goes into every drink. I love watching the bartender’s finesse as they craft each cocktail. Their moves are smooth and their drinks divine. My personal favorites are the Cider Cocktails. You can’t get any like these in town. Try the Last Dragon! The cassis really adds an acidic flair to the sweet ginger and apple cider. For only $ 5, this drink is a steal! I also love the Social Club which is reminiscent of tea. Their happy hour is from 4−7pm on weekdays and 1−7pm on Sunday’s. Take advantage of the great deals!
Overall, Dime Bar is a dime for dimes. The vibes are cool. The drinks are delicious. It is the place to be if you want to sip and relax.

Also known as «No Name Bar», this place has amazing cocktails — some of the best I’ve had in Gainesville. It is a small, quirky spot with retro décor and warm atmosphere. The drinks are all very unique and interesting, many of them made with different herbs and spices, which gives a cool kick while sipping. While it is not the cheapest ($ 8-​$ 12 for a cocktail), the happy hour from 7 – 10 pm has a lot of great options for about $ 5-​$ 6. The O Rei cocktail was one that stood out. While the staff definitely knows how to make a great drink, I was hoping that I would be given a little more advice when I asked for a suggestion. Maybe the bartender was just too busy, because it was crowded. Overall, an inviting place with memorable drinks, I’ll definitely be coming here more often.

The Dime Bar, which for a long span of time went without a name at all or had a name change seemingly every day, and which a friend calls the «Snooty Bar» (I like that!) is a hidden gem downtown. It’s nestled in a small spot between Pop-​a-​Top and the new arcade bar and easy to miss if driving down University Ave. Parking is where-​ever you find it at the city hall lots or elsewhere and the bar is meant to be encountered on foot and harkens back to the classic era of urban American neighborhood bars in that regard. The drinks – there’s beer on tap but the focus is very much on a list of superb, hand-​crafted, and house-​invented cocktails – also looks back to a classic time in American social life when the rise of the city and the rise of the cocktail went hand in hand.
Of the drinks I’ve tried from their house menu, most have been good, one was too bitter, and one cloyingly sweet. Of course, the bartenders are up on how to make a proper Old Fashioned or other classic cocktails, too, and their beer selection while not vast is well-​picked and interesting. The interior is best described as a sixties London-​inspired take on pop-​art modern but done in tasteful silver, orange, and tan hues which in the subtle lighting of the bar at night is very attractive and romantic, even.
Why four stars instead of five? For one, the space is very very small. It’s intimate but also can get noisy depending on the crowd. They did their best with the space they had and I’m glad the team behind the The Top, which owns this bar, turned this little shop into a bar instead of simply using it for storage for Pop-​a-​Top or something else. But it’s tiny and can be a bit cumbersome if crowded. Also, some drinks are far better than others and at least one bartender isn’t on par with his peers. Unlike the Ice Plant in Saint Augustine, which to me is the pace-​setter for Florida bars with craft cocktails, there is a little lack of uniformity and total quality at times here but on average the quality is very high. And this bar is beyond doubt a huge benefit to downtown.

Awesome drinks, interesting crowd. From young tattooed girls to bearded men and retired couples. everyone gathers here to share a drink in this unique location. Small but very charming. If you want to get a glimpse of Gainesville’s scene, give this gem a visit!

Such a bizarre spot. No sign. Very limited space (we barely made the customer # cut off) and the bar takes up most of the room. No beer.
They serve strong fancy drinks at reasonable prices (particularly considering how much alcohol is in them) and almost everyone gets a seat. Conversation is a little hard because the music is LOUD, but the people watching is excellent.
If you miss Brooklyn, you will love it here.

It’s a tiny bar and perfect for your inner hipster. The cocktails are a work of art, and crafted with care. You won’t find high fructose corn syrup here, but you will find high quality, home made, ingredients.
The bar tenders are friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. If you’re a little intimidated by the menu, just tell them what you like, and they’ll take care of it.
As far as the prices go, I would say for downtown they are more than fair; drinks (including beer) range from $ 3.50-$ 12. And really for a cocktail this magnificent, it’s a steal.
If you’re looking for a laid back atmosphere, and a delicious drink or two, be sure to stop in. As others have said, it’s very easy to miss but just look for Pop-​A-​Top and you’ll find it :)

So I’m not really a drinker… Not experienced in the world of cocktails … But I love this place! They have delicious drinks, a very cozy atmosphere and amazing bartenders.
As other revivers have mentioned, there is a very small capacity so you may get turned away if it’s super busy.
My favorite drink is the social club– ginger ale with grapefruit and mint and some kind of tasty alcohol… Lol
Give it a try! You won’t regret it!

If you even blink you will miss it, and even if you know what you are looking for you will need to be a regular Dick Tracy of Drinks to find Bar. There’s something special about a place that unassumingly waits, with open doors, for an intimate few to sneak in and sip truly high-​class cocktails at a modest price.
The Space
Right off of E. University Ave and Main St., Bar is a literal hole in the wall. In fact, they enforce a strict 21-​person capacity because of fire code requirements, which actually supports the air of intimacy about the place. The door rests deeper into the building while two display-​like window sections poke out towards the street, allowing a cozy nook for people-​watching and easy conversation. The bar itself is pretty roomy but there are a few table-​tops to break away when it gets crowded.
The Service
I get the sense that whoever hired (or who owns the place, even) got experienced mixologists for this spot because the blend of speed and care is rock solid. When only 10 – 20 people are in the place you kind of MUST be a people person or else the atmosphere will melt away. I have been at the bar and asked about the inspiration behind cocktails (in fact, last time I was there he made one up that night that I tried and loved). I wish I could remember some of the names he was considering…
The Sips
They cater to any type of drink you may want (including 6 taps for craft drafts), but the primary focus is premium cocktails and spirits. One ding for me is that I came twice after an extended period and did notice the taps were identical with my last visit, but That may be an executive decision to stay consistent.
Most of these glasses will set you back between $ 8 – 12 but the liquor and ingredients are high quality. This is not the kind of place where anything in the drink comes manufactured or has the word «concentrate» anywhere. These fellows will only have you concentrate on detecting the nuances of each piece in a flavorful, crafty glass.
Final Thoughts
Some nights you want loud music and cheaper drinks, but some nights you want quality cocktails and conversation. You will spend a little bit more, and you will get a lot more: more intimacy, more dedication to craft, and more chances to share in this hidden Gainesville gem when you find yourself a regular.

This place is a great reminder of the famous Alcove craft beer bar, but with craft cocktails & beer! Great date place or just hanging with friends for a quiet drink. Every bartender is very knowledgable in the cocktail arts. Great menu but they can make you anything! Great atmosphere & great music! They just added a patio. This bar is a must if headed downtown. I own a bar downtown & this is still my favorite place!