The food here is incredible and such a hole in the wall find! The service is great and everyone works very hard. My favorite is the dive bar burger or The bang bang shrimp:) read more

I had heard the food at the Rip Tide had improved, but was sorely disappointed. I had the Smashburger last night, but will never have it again. The burgers were overcooked, the grated cheddar cheese that was lumped on top was fresh from the refrigerator and not even melted, the French Fries were so overdone and over-salted, they were like wooden twigs. It wasn't even possible to get a bottle of ketchup; I had to keep asking for little plastic things of ketchup. Very disappointed, and will not go back. read more

The short bearded doorman was acting very inappropriately towards my girlfriend and two of her friends, and then when they weren't receptive, proceeded to scream loudly at them over seemingly nothing, making all of us very uncomfortable. A few minutes later, we saw him involved in a violent altercation with a customer outside while smoking a cigarette. It seemed like he might've had a few drinks himself, but nonetheless this was completely unprofessional and really did put a damper on our entire evening. Shame on you! read more

I had such an awesome time at Rip Tide. It has new ownership. Fun atmosphere with darts and pool, and the bartenders were great! So excited for this to be a local bar. read more

Some of the best bartenders in town (shout out to Tim)! Excited to see the menu improvements down the line, but regardless it's still a great place to grab a drink and shoot some pool or throw some darts. read more

Haven't been here in a while but the spot looks super clean and neat. Although one of the Bar Back boys wouldn't shut up about bottle openers and hard seltzers. He really made me feel uncomfortable because he's under age. Food was actually good. read more

Bartenders are useless. The place smells and I saw them filling high end bottles with cheap well booze. The kitchen is used to smoke in and they put the cigs out in the frier. Do not order food from this place. read more

Terrible experience. New owners are incredibly rude. Food is frozen. Just make it at home. Vibe is terrible. Avoid at all costs.

The RIPPA, a crown jewel of the hearty Marbleheader. I frequent the place for the cheap and well poured drinks. The karaoke nights are something not to miss, but don't request to much Gaga or you will get skipped. The young and bustling crowd has befriended the regulars with games of pool on the felt or darts on the wall. Pride friendly read more

This is the bar that my grandfather, Curtis Smith Hamilton, used to enjoy until he died in 1985. When I took my father back to Marblehead for his 80th birthday, we learned a lot about his estranged father who was a local artist. He used to get hammered here and sell his paintings. He was extraordinarily talented and troubled. We came here to check out his favorite watering hole, and it did not disappoint. We even compared the only picture we had of him sitting in some bar to this bar -- it indeed was a match! This is a working man's bar, and it's timeless. They had a surprisingly good selection of beer. I will be back here the next time I'm in Massachusetts. Here's to you, Curtis Smith Hamilton, may you rest in peace. read more

Rip Tide Lounge - My grandfather, Curtis Smith Hamilton. I never met him, and this is the only photo i have of him, at the Riptide! - Dive Bars Near Me - Marblehead, Massachusetts

Ohmygod. The Riptide. When I was growing up in M'head, the Riptide was the diviest dive in town. That's back when we still had more Townies named Hooper, Snow, Crocker, Peach and Woodfin, than Van Otterloo types, and fishing was still a viable industry with as many or more fishing- and lobster boats in the harbor as rich folks' toy boats. Yup, I've been around that long. Anyhoo. The Riptide. We used to go to a movie at the Warwick at night, when most of the Rip's nightly denizens were just heading into the bar. Several hours later, like clockwork, they'd come rolling, howling, yodelling, staggering out. It was so predictible, so regular, that it was one of those comforting 'Header rituals, sort of like getting that copy of the Marblehead Messenger delivered by a real paperboy every week, or buying a quarter's worth of penny candy (which meant up to 50 pieces of candy if you chose wisely) from the wood-floored, glass-countered, dimly-lit penny-candy shop that used to be where the Marblehead Grand Bank now stands. So I have to be the one to sadly inform the younger generations that the dive-nature of the Riptide now is more of a studied effect, intentionally divey and proud of it. Back in the day, it was divey because it just was. As soon as we consciously pursue Tao, it is no longer the Tao. Ya know? Still, it's a good spot to get a quick brewski and chill for a while, without feeling like you're selling out to a tourist trap or an enclave of the upscale residents (though I bet a couple will occasionally "slum" there when they're not convening at the private bar at the posh Tedesco Country Club. Just don't think that Marblehead can get away with having any truly divey dives anymore. The overhead is just too high to get away with it. read more

As far as Marblehead goes, this is first on the list for an authentic dive bar experience. Whether it's a "studied effect" as one reviewer claimed awhile back or as authentic as it comes, I can't say. What I can say is that, from my experience, it's just a dive. An awesome dive. 1. It's got thin pile carpet. Wall-to-wall. 2. It boasts the lone pool table in Marblehead. 3. The particle board tables are chipped and lopsided with mismatched chairs. 4. The plastic Bud posters feature Sharpie drawn dicks in all shapes and sizes. 5. The jukebox plays some great tunes and you always get a great mix of music given the diverse crowd. 6. Even at their drunkest, the locals can still kick your ass at pool. 7. Golden Tee. 8. Strong drinks. Super stiff. 9. The prerequisite old-timer is sitting at the corner of the bar and ready to chat your ear off when you refill your drinks. I think nine well-made points should have all in agreement that this place is worth visiting if you like dive bars. read more

Do you like dive bars? Check. Have you already had a couple, but it's too early to go home? Check. Do you want to spend time in a place that looks like The Crow's Nest from The Perfect Storm, complete with fascinating locals? Check. (I just wish they weren't cash-only.) read more

We love the camaraderie. Good, mostly local, people enjoying themselves, and each other. Old flavor, no pretenses, fine, friendly bartenders, and a place to go and forget. Perky & Jody Magee - Marblehead read more

The one. The only. The best place in town to destroy your liver. Local bar extraordinaire. Many things come and go in Marblehead but the Rip Tide remains the same. This is comforting. Especially after you've had a belly full of Madras. Hell, they may even name a drink after you if you plop your butt on a barstool for a decade or two... Remember, last call is 11:30. Damn those Selectmen. Enough said. read more

Rip Tide Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Marblehead, Massachusetts

This is a solid dive bar complete with sketchy-looking men bitching about child-support, and the self medicating women who love/hate them along with the standard crazy, cackling old guys and fishwives slurping PBR...I have seen the same guys drinking beers here with a newborn in a car seat...on multiple occassions...There's probably SOMETHING illegal in SOMEONE'S pocket/purse at all times...However...the juke box rocks, its got Marbleheads only pool table, said table has decent sticks...and they serve what is THE BEST CHEESBURGER, fries and onion rings in town...and that is no small thing...Take your friends here to freak them out... read more

Fun bartenders, great (cheap) drinks, pool table, darts, and golden tee.... how can you go wrong! Old school cash only gotta love it. ..ATM inside. read more

Rip Tide Lounge - Beers on tap. .. - Dive Bars Near Me - Marblehead, Massachusetts

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We have been on the search for the perfect dive bar, which had the perfect atmosphere to satisfy our night and the perfect prices to match. When we stumbled into the Rip Tide, and it did not disappoint. Not only was everyone super friendly, but the beers were cheap and cold. We felt right at home there,and the bouncer and the bartender were so nice, and made sure that we had everything we needed. If you're looking for a relaxing night of pool, darts, or cards (which we left a pack behind the bar for future use) definitely check out the Rip Tide! read more

From an outside of town perspective- the bartender,Hannah, was amazing-Super attentive,friendly and great service. The bar was cozy and made you feel like you were "home". read more

I love this place because it's a locals bar filled with chill people, good juke box music, and you can get a sea breeze in a pint glass.

Look, it's a bar, and a dive bar, or as close as we get. And it wears it proudly. It's a particular place for a particular purpose. If you want a place to impress your new date, well you're not in Marblehead. Great neighborhood spot closest thing to a public house in the area. Beers are $1.75 to $4 for most anything you want to drink-pbr, harpoon, sams, Stella. Mixed drinks you sure get your dollars worth! Mike and Chris who tend bar are the best people too. But good God get those tap lines cleaned out my guy!!! read more

I like dives as much as anyone but this place is a dump. It looks as if no one has cleaned the bathroom in decades. I was on edge about getting a drink here, nevermind getting something to eat. The food actually looked halfway decent, but you can only imagine what the kitchen looks like. You couldn't pay me to eat here They must be in tight with the Health Inspector. read more

Easily the finest drinking establishment in Marblehead. This is where the elite meet. Also, dollar hotdogs.

The Riptide is the BEST bar in Marblehead! No fuss, no pompus a-holes. Just a great local dive to go and get a drink or some real pub food. I love the Rip!! read more

best dive bar in Marblehead! really a fun inviting atmosphere we love a good pour in my house. so quaint! I feel,,,,,,welcome,,,,,!'m accepted. they love us like sons here, thanks to my dads. read more

I've gone to the Riptide since 1969. I'm in AZ now but whenever I come back to MA I head straight for the Riptide. I used to play pinball for drinks when Noodie was a bartender. I have no memory about men complaining about child support, just having fun. Mrs. Santere made great lunches. Best bar ever!!! read more

The Rip Tide is the very best bar that there has ever been. I grew up in Marblehead Ma in the 50's, 60's and 70's and have yet to find a bar that comes close to the warmth from the locals since. Whenever I go back East I make certain that the Rip Tide is one of my first stops! read more

Know what you're getting into here, this is absolutely a lower end dive bar, but that is part of its charm. I would not eat the $2 burger, or anything from the kitchen, that is not their market. If you want a well priced draft beer or a strongly poured drink to start the night or cap it off this is the spot. Definitely a good watering hole. read more

this is a divy bar. the locals scrowl at you, but don't seem to bite. the beer is about 2/3 the price at the Jack Tarr, and the food looks great and 1/2 the price of the Jack Tarr. Divier than Maddies. worth trying if you are that sort of person. read more