Dive Bar, Hull: The Yorkshire dive bar where the beer is good, coffee is better and pizza is superb

If you’re under 30 and have a full sleeve depicting burlesque dancers, an anchor and some sort of wild cat, you’ll fit right in.

Over 30 and un-inked, you could always try growing a scraggy beard and wearing a truckers cap. You might survive and possibly even blend in.

Dive has been open on Prinny Ave (Princes Ave) for a few years now but I’ve never felt a particular desire to visit. It always seems packed and uncomfortable and, well, a dive.

There has been much talk of late, though, about the pizzas they’ve started serving, so I put on my investigation hat (which looks a bit like a deerstalker so makes me even more obtrusive), brace myself and dive in.

The bar itself is something of an acquired taste. By which I mean it’s a complete wreck.

Bits of skater and graffiti culture nailed or glued or otherwise affixed to every surface. Charity chop furniture and very loud music. Dark corners and dangerous-looking electric sockets.

I’ve never felt so old. But the beer is good, the coffee is better and everyone is – as far as I can ascertain – having a good time.

The pizza, it must be said, is superb. It arrives from upstairs via a jerry-built dumb waiter and is an eighteen-inch, New York-style, marinara beauty.

You can order by the slice, which might not be a bad choice as a full pie works out quite expensive, but it makes a very filling meal for two, or even three, or a decent snack for four.

There are other options (along with dips, which is an interesting addition) such as pep pash and hot honey, but you’ll have to visit yourself to find out what on earth they are. I’d look uncool for asking.

Welcome 4/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Drinks choice 4/5

Prices 4/5

59 Princes Ave, Hull, HU5 3QY