The Buffet Bar — Restaurant in Tucson

The Buffet Bar in Tucson, AZ, holds the esteemed title of being the oldest dive bar in the city. Walking in, you're greeted with dim lighting, eclectic decor, and a lively ambiance. It's the kind of place where you feel immediately at home, whether you're a regular or a first-timer. The vibe is relaxed, and you can sense the history of the place as soon as you step through the door. It's worth noting that this dive bar has seen its fair share of stories; from chance meetings that led to marriage, to heartbreaks like my own from 35 years ago.

The drink selection at The Buffet Bar is impressive for a dive. From ice-cold beers to classic cocktails, they've got something to satisfy every thirst. The bartenders, like the affable Robin, are not only skilled but also have a sense of humor. When my friend dared to order a pomegranate juice martini, Robin couldn't help but smile and gently remind him that he was at a dive bar. It's moments like these that add to the charm of The Buffet Bar.

One of the highlights of The Buffet Bar is the excellent service. The staff, including Robin, is attentive, quick to take your order, and always ready with a recommendation if you're not sure what to drink. They're also happy to chat and make you feel welcome, adding to the laid-back atmosphere of the bar.

The Buffet Bar knows how to do happy hour right. Arriving around 5 pm, we were delighted to find that promptly at 6 pm, we received a token for buy one and get a free drink. It's a small gesture, but it made the experience even more enjoyable and ensured we stayed a little longer to soak in the atmosphere.

If you're looking for a no-frills dive bar with great drinks, friendly service, and a cool vibe, The Buffet Bar is the place to be. It's the kind of place where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy a few drinks with friends without any pretension. Whether you're a local or just passing through Tucson, be sure to stop by and experience it...

Had heard alot of tales about this place called "The Buffet"...some good, some not so good, (nope sorry this is not an all you can eat restaurant)...So finally went an checked it out for myself and summed up my experience...I chose a Thursday evening before the 6pm "happy minute". This is when you receive a drink token, not an actual coin, but more like a drink marker of sorts, this rewards you with an identical complimentary free drink of whatever beverage you happen to be enjoying... The barback walks the entire bar handing out the "markers" to every customer who has already paid for their drink prior to 6pm...So make sure you're there well before 6pm with a drink in your possession or you might not qualify for the free one...As for entertainment there is a very claustrophobic but extremely entertaining pool table that requires a special "short" pool cue to make certain shots from the east side of the table, as the wall creates a very formidable obstacle, hence its only .50 cents per game..On the opposite side of the bar lies a shuffle board game, as well as room No.5 aka "The Mens Room"...¡Cuidado! enter at own risk...The Ladies room is on the pool table side, which I hear used to have a real working Bidet....there is also a somewhat decent jukebox with tolerable tunes...Flaco Diaz, is recommended... really like to see the album La Cucaracha by WEEN in that jukebox...although it might unweave the very fabric of existence, destroying the space-time...

Been here many times over the last 20 years. The Buffet definitely has its own flare and is a classic dive bar in all of the good and bad ways. The employees are great. Here's what I DON'T like about it, and new people should be warned....

If you go to the Buffet at night (especially late) you are basically required to put up with people invading your personal space and barking super weird comments and questions at you. This is especially true if you go alone. There are tons of regulars that think they own the bar, get constantly way over-served to the point they don't know what's going on, and they will talk loudly from a few inches away from people's faces and cause awkward situations and / or violence frequently. Many seem to think it's part of the charm here, but I've seen people get super pissed off and into fights for years in there because of this.

If you are new and looking for a place to go yourself or bring a couple friends and have a private conversation, the Buffet is probably not the place. If you're looking to meet new rowdy people in a close together setting who will want to get to know you personally and loudly, and tie one on, it can work for that. People staying there all day and drinking 40+ drinks and being incoherent is a...