The 10 best dive bars in New York, according to Yelp

(NEXSTAR) – Dive bars in New York range from super-duper divey to only somewhat divey. But as every true connoisseur knows, the very best dive bars fall somewhere in the middle.

Maintaining that balance can be tricky: the coolest dives are kinda grungy, but not disgusting; the music on the stereo is never mainstream, but typically crowd-pleasing; and the regulars are somehow intimidating and welcoming at the same time.

So, where can we find the most divine dives in the Empire State?

In keeping with their recent tradition of identifying the best-rated dive bars across America, the analysts at Yelp have narrowed their gaze on New York. By sorting through Yelp’s database of user-generated reviews and ratings, the site’s researchers have compiled a list of the state’s 10 best dive bars, in the hopes of steering New Yorkers to a new favorite watering hole.