True dive bars are rare creatures in Marin. For my green they include the 2 A.M. Club in Mill Valley, Smitty’s in Sausalito, Smiley’s Salon in Bolinas and the Silver Peso in Larkspur. Aficionados can argue that Pete’s 881 Club and the No Name deserve mention in this small club.
The purpose of this excursion into places that pour an honest libation in a convivial atmosphere is to acknowledge that the Silver Peso has changed ownership, with Max Perry and Conor Flaherty of Sam’s Anchor Café acquiring it from longtime Peso fixture Rebel Lee.
Whenever a gin mill changes hands, regulars fret that new ownership will come in and clean house, sweeping long traditions and comforts out the door while installing unwelcome changes that fool with the magical balance. But in public pronouncements both Perry and Flaherty swore on a case of empty Budweiser Longnecks that Peso’s spirit would not go missing…