The Best Dive Bar in Provo Utah: How ABG's Libation Emporium Became Utah County's Last Honest Watering Hole

The smell of decades-old wood and the soft glow of neon beer signs hit you before your eyes adjust to the dim interior of ABG's Libation Emporium on Center Street. There's something immediately honest about this place—no Instagram-worthy décor, no craft cocktails with clever names, just the kind of dive bar authenticity that's becoming increasingly rare in Utah. "By far my favorite watering hole in Provo, and in the top ten overall," one regular customer puts it simply, and after five minutes in this 128-year-old establishment, you understand why.

This is Utah County's oldest continuously operating bar, a distinction that carries real weight in a region where finding a proper drink requires insider knowledge and careful navigation of the state's unique liquor laws. Owner Gary Whiting has transformed what was once A. Beuford Gifford's into the kind of community institution that serves as both neighborhood anchor and cultural refuge—the only place in Provo where you can catch live music on Friday nights while nursing a beer from Utah County's largest selection.

The Unlikely Journey of Provo's Dive Bar King

Gary Whiting didn't set out to become the keeper of Provo's drinking culture. A former LDS church member, but he has owned the spot for fewer than ten years, Whiting took over ABG's with the kind of pragmatic approach that defines successful dive bar ownership: serve your community honestly, don't try to be something you're not, and always keep the beer cold.

The transformation became clear during one legendary weekend in September 2017. When Wisconsin Badgers football fans descended on Provo for a game against BYU, Whiting made a decision that would define his approach to hospitality. "We had 17 people come in the door at 10 o'clock and about 35 or 40 follow them instantly," Whiting said. "It was just a constant influx." He'd opened two hours early to accommodate the visiting fans, and by the end of the day, Gary Whiting, the owner of ABG, told the Tribune Saturday was "the biggest day" he's had at the bar financially, tripling the bar's usual income.

What struck Whiting wasn't just the revenue—it was the spirit of community service. "It was a wonderful thing," he said. "The people from Wisconsin are fabulous. They're the nicest, funnest people we've ever had here." That Saturday taught him something fundamental about ABG's role in Provo: sometimes being a good neighbor means opening your doors to strangers who just need a cold beer and a warm welcome.

This philosophy has turned ABG's into more than just a bar—it's become a cultural institution in a city where drinking establishments are scarce and often misunderstood. Whiting operates with the understanding that in Utah County, bars don't just serve alcohol; they serve as gathering places for people who exist outside the dominant cultural narrative.

The ABG's Experience: Where Authenticity Meets Utah's Largest Beer Selection

Step into ABG's on any given evening and you'll immediately understand why regulars keep coming back. The atmosphere strikes that perfect dive bar balance—unpretentious without being unwelcoming, worn-in without being neglected. "It has a dive bar feel but on the nicer side of dive bars. The burgers are money, decent liquor choices and have a great bottle selection," explains one recent visitor, capturing exactly what makes ABG's work.

The beer selection is genuinely impressive for a dive bar anywhere, but in Utah County it's practically miraculous. Largest beer selection in Utah County Full Bar Live Music Fresh Amazing Pub Grub Pool Juke Box Awesome Service Cable TV Pinball and other Games CLEAN reads like a dive bar bingo card, but ABG's delivers on every promise. "ABG's is full bar serving over 58 beers and delicious food. We also have pinball, pool tables and live music on Friday nights."

The pub grub deserves particular attention. "The burgers and fries are great," according to multiple reviews, while another customer raves about "The wings were amazing. Best French fries I have had here in Utah since moving here a year ago." The kitchen operates with the same no-nonsense philosophy as the bar: "Our mouth-watering double burgers are all hand-crafted and mixed with the best seasonings and spices. All burgers come with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, jalapenos and one of our specialty sauces."

But what really sets ABG's apart is the music program. Friday nights transform the back room into Provo's only proper music venue with a full liquor license, hosting everything from local indie bands to psychedelic keyboard acts. "This Friday, August 15th, we are excited to host another fabulous set from the one and only SKIP HANSEN - it's all the psychedelic vibes with a mellow aftertaste, like you smoked your Old Man's pre-medicinal stash and took a summer evening walk." The $6 cover charge is about as reasonable as live music gets anywhere, and the intimate setting means every show feels like a private concert.

Provo's Cultural Refuge and Community Cornerstone

Understanding ABG's requires understanding Provo itself. "They cater to native Utahns who, for whatever reason, were never or are no longer a part of the Mormon majority. The average denizen is, shall we say, grizzled." This isn't meant as criticism—it's recognition of ABG's vital role as a gathering place for people who exist outside the dominant cultural narrative.

One thoughtful reviewer captured this dynamic perfectly: "The general air of uptight sphincter clenching in the surrounding environs of Provo add a froth of transgressive pleasure to the drinks." There's something genuinely subversive about ABG's existence in the heart of one of America's most conservative college towns, but Whiting has never positioned his bar as rebellious or confrontational. Instead, he's created a space that simply exists—authentically, unpretentiously, and without apology.

The community aspect extends beyond the building itself. ABG's serves as an anchor for downtown Provo's slowly developing nightlife scene, providing a template for how businesses can serve underrepresented communities while contributing to the broader urban fabric. "bartenders will tell you that ABG's has been open for about 30 years, and that the location has housed a bar for over 100 years." That continuity matters in a rapidly changing city.

The bar's regulars represent a cross-section of Provo's alternative community—artists, service industry workers, students, professionals who appreciate authenticity over Instagram aesthetics. "Always enjoy visiting this little hole in the wall. Conveniently located on center Street in Provo. Great drinks priced well, friendly locals provide fun conversation, pool tables, occasional live events on their stage in the back of the bar, and overall good times."

Planning Your Visit to ABG's Libation Emporium

ABG's sits at 190 W Center St in the heart of downtown Provo, walking distance from BYU and easily accessible by car or public transit. The bar typically opens at 3 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday service starting at 6 PM, though Whiting has been known to adjust hours for special events—just ask those Wisconsin football fans.

The best time to visit depends on what you're seeking. Weekday afternoons offer the classic dive bar experience: quiet conversations, the soft click of pool balls, and the chance to actually hear yourself think. "The music isn't too loud so you can easily hold conversations, although I'm sure its much louder when there are live performances." Friday nights bring the live music crowd and a $6 cover charge, transforming the space into Provo's premier indie venue.

For food, arrive hungry. "I love their cheese fries," according to one regular, while multiple visitors specifically praise the burgers and wings. The kitchen typically serves until late evening, making ABG's one of the few reliable late-night dining options in downtown Provo.

Parking is street-side and generally available, though Friday music nights can get crowded. Whiting said ABG's capacity is 128 people, so popular shows can reach capacity quickly. The bar accepts cash and cards, maintains clean facilities, and the staff genuinely cares about customer experience. "Staff is great - super friendly and attentive."

Bottom line: ABG's Libation Emporium represents something increasingly rare—a dive bar that serves its community with integrity, authenticity, and the kind of unpretentious hospitality that makes strangers feel like regulars. In a city where drinking options are limited and cultural conformity runs deep, Gary Whiting has created a space that simply exists, honestly and without apology, serving the best burgers and coldest beers to anyone who walks through the door. Whether you're a grizzled local, a curious visitor, or a Wisconsin football fan looking for a proper drink in Provo, ABG's delivers exactly what it promises: Utah County's most authentic dive bar experience.

Address: 190 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
Phone: (801) 373-1200
Website: abgsbar.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 3PM-2AM, Sun 6PM-Monday
Instagram: @abeuford.giffords