The Olive Saloon

The olive is the best! Virginia is still truckin on..no more duct tape she put new booths in.it really looks clean.. and they are open 365 days a year! Its nice nobody has to be alone on the holidays.thanks Virginia, Dennis, Tom and bj.

The Olive, or as my friends and I used to lovingly refer to it in college: The Dirty O.This place is the dive of all dives and it's fantastic. It has booths lining the walls that have been lovingly repaired many times over the years using the tried and true duct tape method. It has a pool table, fun and friendly locals (mixed in with the occasional bar fight) , a Touch Tunes juke box, beer signs that have been there for who knows how long, Sunshine Wheat Beer in a frosty mug for $1.50, and a wonderful owner named Virginia. This was my college gang's bar, and it could just be nostalgia talking but I love this place. Virginia, the owner, is a hardworking, sweet yet tough woman. She watched over us like a protective Grandmother, and even checked to see if we had finished our homework for the day before she brought us a pitcher of Sunshine. If you like dives and find yourself in Hastings, NE-go to The Olive, and say hi to Virginia for the gang and I. Things to know:Bring cash! No card machine here!There's a small parking lot and also plenty of meter free spots on the street.This place is pretty much a beer and simple mixed drink place. Don't expect to get any martinis, wine or fancy cocktails. Rum and Coke? Definitely. Cosmopolitan? Definitely not. The crowd in here can get a bit drunk and rowdy, but for the most part they are very nice and friendly. If you're looking for a quiet night out, I wouldn't suggest this place.

First things first. When you think of a dive bar, this should be one of the pictures you think of. Let me explain.Location: Just of the "beaten path" in downtown Hastings. Parking: Private lot that holds 10 cars max. No spot, park around the corner.Decor': It's really a dive bar people. Serious. Beer signs that were new 25 years ago. Several booths that have more duct tape than actual vinyl. Bar stools attached to the floor that have the same duct tape applique'. Drop tile ceiling that has the requisite smoke stained look.On Tap: Bud, Coors Light, High Life, and Sunshine Wheat. Liquor: Yes, but don't expect anything fancy. Food: Pickled eggs, sausages, chips, candy bars, and it appears they have stopped using their grill and substituted a George Foreman... sad.Prices: Dirt Cheap. We paid $5 for TWO pints of Sunshine Wheat. That also included $2 in tip. You do the math. Chips, candy bars, pickled eggs, etc... all at reasonable prices. Other: Two arcade games, Pinball, Mega Touch, Pool table, and digital juke box (doesn't really fit the "dive bar" thing, but you do need music.)Conclusion: A great place to have a few beers and be extremely low key with a group, just a friend, or just a pint for yourself. Oh... I know I said it before, but $1.50 for SUNSHINE WHEAT!!!!

The most friendly bartender owner in the world. Makes you feel like family. Drinks are very reasonable. Decorated just like it should be the oldest bar in the town of Hastings. Plus it is a historic site in Hastings. It would be so nice if you removed the picture of the lady with her middle finger up. Not a very nice picture at all.

. The best and the oldest bar in Hastings, This is a down-home bar providing down home fun. You won't find no Ritz and Glitz but you sure we'll find a lot of people that care about you. This is a neighborhood bar that makes Cheers look pitiful. The owner Virginia is an elderly woman that works her butt off and cares about every customer that walks in that door. She's very genuine and loving and everybody comes in there to talk to her and enjoy a good time. You may walk in a stranger but you always leave as family. She serves daily meals that she home cooks or herself for $4.50 a plate. I've never seen her turn away anybody that asked for help. The prices are the lowest in town and the bars not the fanciest but you won't find a better more caring place to hang out. You don't need family when you have the dirty O because they got your back.