Any difference between a dive and a private party (as in party hearty) then? Doesn't the dive have to serve liquor on a regular basis, rather than at the hospitality of the occupants, and charge a price for it?
I suppose "dive" is one of those things that's going to differ from one state to another. All you need is some element of a "quid pro quo", the presence of liquor by the drink and the absence of a license!