How TV’s favorite bars inspire real-world connections
By Dana Peck
Everyone loves a good sitcom. Few people dislike New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, and other shows of the sort. One thing that a lot of these shows have in common is that the group of friends sure has their favorite bar that they like going to. While they all have a different relationship with the bar, they have absolutely built a community there.
This sense of community extends beyond the screen and seeps into the very fabric of our local bars and pubs. In sitcoms, the bar is often the nucleus where characters confront life’s challenges, celebrate triumphs, and find solace in each other’s company. Similarly, our local watering holes serve as communal hubs where strangers turn into friends and friends into family. It’s not just about sharing a drink; it’s about sharing life’s moments.
In shows like Cheers, the bar is practically a character in its own right—a living, breathing space where everyone knows your name. That’s the power these fictional bars have: they offer a sense of belonging that many yearn for in the real world. Real-life bars can replicate this feeling. They have the power to transform a simple night out into a meaningful communal experience.
Moreover, gathering at a bar can act as a cultural touchstone, similar to the traditions observed in these beloved series. Just as characters in Cheers or How I Met Your Mother decompress over a pint after a long day, so do millions around the world, finding both familiarity and comfort in the ambient glow of their favorite local spot. It’s in these spaces that we not only unwind but also create and share stories that, over time, weave into the narrative of our own lives, much like those we cherish from our favorite shows.
How I Met Your Mother is my favorite show, and I'm not sure about everyone else, but MacLaren's Pub holds a special place in my heart as I'm sure it would in all of the main characters. Throughout the series, MacLaren's is home to so many memories created.
Whether it's Lily kicking Barney and Ted under the booth whenever they need it or Barney bringing a new girl home with some trick from The Playbook, the memories are bountiful. The writing crew did an amazing job delivering such intoxicating scenes. MacLaren's is based on four different bars in New York City where the creators would go to write the show.
The bar that held the most resemblance to MacLaren's was a bar called McGee's Pub. It is furnished the same way as How I Met Your Mother with a large mural on the wall and the red booths that the characters always sat in for the show. Although the creators’ lives differed greatly from those of the characters, I believe the sense of community they found at the bar is vividly portrayed in the show.
A lot goes into making a good bar. Good cocktails, good furniture, good music, and most importantly a good environment. The appeal of bars in TV shows lies in their inviting atmosphere. Without this welcoming environment, they wouldn’t capture our interest on screen. It’s time for real-life bars to take inspiration from these fictional settings. Creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a TV show would surely delight many patrons!
As a bartender, one of the joys of my job is witnessing the formation of a community right before my eyes. I’ve watched patrons meet and gradually become friends, eventually planning activities like hiking trips after bonding over drinks at the bar. While many might think such connections only happen on TV shows, I can attest that they’re very much a part of real life!