After receiving an enthusiastic endorsement from a DBT reader, we knew we had to check out Rumours Lounge in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. There’s very little information about this spot online, so we decided to give them a call. 

We were lucky to reach Anita, the very friendly and chatty bartender/manager. She confirmed that Rumours is a place that is much loved by locals.  It is a dive bar in its purest form: no gimmicks, no fancy cocktails, and no attempts to dress up the place to make it look like something it isn’t.  Here, you’ll just find the basics: drinks, friends, music. Rumours keeps things simple. Beer is always on ice in beer buckets, so it’s always as cold and fresh as possible. There are no coolers here. 

In terms of entertainment, there is…not much, other than a pool table (paid), a juke box, and free darts. There was a pool league, but Covid put an end to that. It may start up again once things return to normal.

However, the locals excel at making their own entertainment. Anita assured me that the regulars treat each other like family and are a boisterous and fun crew. As in many great dive bars, they embrace newcomers, and welcome them into the fold. Most newbies end up becoming regulars. This is the kind of place where people have Christmas parties, retirement parties, and birthday parties. One couple even decided to get married at the bar. 

As Anita tells the story, the wedding vows were interrupted when she burst into the place with a hearty (aka LOUD) “What’s up, bitches?!” Sadly, the marriage ended in divorce, but it’s impossible to say if the untimely interruption of the vows was a bad omen. The good news is that life carries on happily at Rumours. As one patron we spoke to said: “Every day is its own funny story in this place!”

One of the things that makes Rumours unique is their operating hours. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In fact, there is not even a lock on the door because they are never closed. When they were forced to shut down temporarily due to the pandemic, they had to purchase a padlock to keep the building secure.

As for drink specials, there are lots of deals to be had at Rumours. This place has not just one, but TWO Happy Hours, thanks to their late-night schedule. Happy Hour #1 is Monday-Wed, and Friday from 4-7pm. This features $1.50 domestic beers and $3.50 well drinks. The same deals can be had at Happy Hour #2, from 12am-3am. Thursday is Dollar Beer Day. You can get $1.00 Bud and Bud Light bottles from midnight to midnight.

Rumours has a big crowd round the clock, but if people work up an appetite, they don’t offer food.  Luckily, many local restaurants will deliver, and there’s always a pot of fresh coffee in the morning for those who prefer to stop by after working night shift hours—or for those sobering up after another fun night.

Located in:  Ocean Springs, MS

Be sure to try: a cold beer