Dive Bar & Grille in Regent Square opens in former Ryan's Pub

This dive bar sells “elevated bar food.”

The newest Dive Bar & Grille opened in Regent Square on South Braddock Avenue, near Forbes, in December. It joins locations in the South Side, Lawrenceville and Pine.

Located in the former spot of Ryan’s Pub – a town staple for decades – Dive’s menu includes loaded croquettes, grilled mahi sandwiches, salmon BLTs, seared ahi tuna and Thai beef salad.

There is also an accompanying “I Hate Vegetables” section offering bowls of nachos, corned beef and shaved steak covered with french fries or chips.

Diners can also get a burger. Dive has 11, including the Myron Cope, an angus beef patty with American cheese, ketchup, mustard and pickle for $10. Make it a “double yoi” for $3 more.

The Hangover sandwich is prosciutto and Canadian bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, fried egg and pesto aioli for $12.

Small bites of calamari, wings and chicken poppers can be served dry or with one of 15 dipping sauces. There are seven sliders choices, nine wraps and a children’s menu.

They will begin to introduce daily food specials.

“I really like to cook and I like making people happy with good food,” said executive chef Jamison Judge. “I want them to enjoy the experience here and good food is part of that experience.” His brother, Gordon Judge, co-owns Dive with Clint Kuskie.

The bar pours 12 draft beers and offers 50 plus-bottles as well as many wine choices and specialty cocktails. There are six big-screen televisions.

Dive can accommodate 60 seats in the restaurant and 15 at the bar and 20-25 in the adjacent sun room, which has accordion windows to create an outdoor dining atmosphere.

“We know that people in this neighborhood really liked Ryan’s Pub and it had been here forever so we are happy to give them a place to enjoy food and drinks again,” said Kuskie. “This was such an established location.”

They hope Dive Bar will follow suit.

“We have something for everybody,” Gordon Judge said. “We want it to have a local bar feel we want people to come and in stay as long as they want.”

Several patrons gathered on Wednesday to toast the year 2020, including Kathy and Jerry Cauley of Edgewood, who own Murphy’s Tap Room in Regent Square and were enjoying wine and some appetizers.

“We are happy they are in the neighborhood and happy they are open for lunch,” Kathy Cauley said. “We’ve tried most of their small plates. We think they will do well.”

They’ve been well received so far, Kuskie said. “We’ve been seeing good crowds. The word is spreading that we are open.”

This isn’t the only project for the owners. They are refurbishing Gators Grille in Indiana Township, which they plan on opening at the end of January.

Happy Hour at Dive Bar & Grille is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The kitchen is open until midnight. Later this month, a brunch menu will be added on weekends.