Down the Hatch

Total dive bar, pure Flint. I have stopped in on a few occasions recently; I will now just get a 6-​pack of warm Budweiser and slam as many down as I stand while sitting in the liquor store parking lot rather than go back.
The place somehow stays open; somehow, the twenty or so regulars stay out of jail, I suppose. This places was originally called Vechills and was always known as a fighting kind of place, what being so close to Chevy In The Hole back in the day.
No longer. They don’t care for strangers these days, it’s always dark and the TV is always on. I’ve never heard the jukebox work. Well, not since the 90’s. And may God have mercy on your ears if you suggest that you might shoot a game of pool. Wait your turn. I put my quarters on the table and a guy walked out, scooping them up on his way.
The bartender didn’t seem to care.
Bar’s like this are almost all gone, certainly on this side of the city. But I always have to leave before I quench my thirst.

One of Flint’s many dive bars, but this one is a little grittier than most.
The atmosphere is kinda hardcore, not overly friendly in a fun, dive bar kind of way that most people that patronize dive bars have come to expect. The vibe inside is sort of chill in a way, but only if you are a straight up a regular. There are true regulars and they usually hold court most nights at the favorite spots. If you aren’t one of those barflys, you might feel a tad uncomfortable.
The interior is straight up divey– it’s really dark and the bar isn’t much more than a little hole in the wall. I was really put off by the place the first time my friend, Rudy, dragged me here. Oddly enough, it does have outdoor patio seating during the summer, which is nice. The building is funky, it looks like an old depot. It used to be called Down the Hatch and they still haven’t changed the sign. Why bother now?
The drinks are typical of an average dive, strong and cheap with a beer selection easily described as average at best. If you are into craft beers, skip this place. Also, I can’t imagine anyone ordering a glass of wine here because they would likely get laughed outside.