Happy Hour Day: 10 Movie Bars I’d Like to Visit. 

This week we celebrate Happy Hour Day, and even though we can’t visit our real pubs we can always enjoy the bars we see in the movies. Whether you’re collecting on a bounty, selling your soul for a drop of the good stuff or trying to get over a failed romance, a bar is the perfect place to do this. Pour yourself a tipple of choice and let’s get to the 10 Movie Bars I’d Like to Visit.

Korova Milkbar – Clockwork Orange (1971)

There’s nothing better than indulging in a tall glass of Moloko Plus with your fellow droogs before hitting the street for a bit of the old ultraviolence. In this dystopian cult classic film the Korova Milkbar is the place to get your fix and amp yourself up for a night of crime. It may not serve alcohol but it offers a range of milk drinks that will definitely hit the spot. Decorated with pornographic mannequins wearing neon wigs that dispense the milk from their nipples this place is unique to its own science fiction future, and a touch terrifying. 

Rick’s Cafe Américain – Casablanca (1942)

Is there a more iconic film bar from Hollywood’s Golden Era than Rick’s Cafe? This swanky gin joint, owned by Rick, was a welcomed escape from the turmoil outside of its doors, a neutral spot to enjoy a classic cocktail and yearn for old flames. With a house pianist, Sam, who scores the bar with his classy accompaniment and warming voice, it’s a place that’s hard to resist. Many iconic lines are uttered in this stunning bar and it’s patrons are the epitome of glamour and sophistication. Pour me a gin and “Play it, Sam.”. 

Fat Sam’s Grand Slam – Bugsy Malone (1976)

If the song is to be believed then ‘Any body who is anybody will soon walk through that door at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy’. This prohibition era speakeasy is a secret hide away for the talented and the powerful of New York. Of course, this bar doesn’t serve alcohol, but that’s because of the age range of our gangsters and mobsters. However, you can be guaranteed to have a good time with a rousing musical number, a few games and some sweet treats. Just watch out for getting splurged!

The Titty Twister – From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

It’s violent, its neon and it’s filled with vampires, it could only be The Titty Twister. After the Fuller family are kidnapped by criminal brothers Seth and Richie Gecko, they haul ass over the Mexico border and end up at a seedy strip club on top of an ancient Aztec temple. With live entertainment from the mariachi band (Tito and the Tarantula) and a sexy performance from the stunning Santanico Pandemonium, who will even let you drink tequila from her bare foot if you ask nicely, it’s a welcome escape for all fugitive and lovers of…well you know. It’s not safe, it’s barely friendly but it is cool. 

The Prancing Pony – Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

This quaint inn in Bree is a central hub frequented by men, elves, dwarves and hobbits, and is the perfect spot for shadowed talks and indulging in one too many pints. The Prancing Pony is where our four young hobbit adventures hide out at the beginning of their quest to destroy the titular ring. Sent there to meet Gandalf they instead find themselves finding a companion in the mysterious man in the corner, Strider, known later as Aragorn. It’s the perfect place to make new friends and hide from Black Riders. They even serve full pints!

The Winchester – Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Ah, The Winchester, a typical British pub if there ever was one. Offering uncomfortable stools, an out of date jukebox and some traditional ‘pig snacks’ whilst you have a nice cold pint, this is the local boozer of choice for Shaun and his mates. Whether you’re recovering from a broken heart, making stories about the ‘rich and interesting’ patrons or just trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, this pub is here for you. This pub has everything the group needs for survival, a jukebox blaring out Queen, flammable spirits, pointy darts, some pool cues, and of course the Winchester rifle it’s named after. Now to wait for it all to blow over. 

Mos Eisley Cantina Bar – Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977)

It’s damn near impossible to think of this bar and not get the iconic Figrin D’an and The Modal Nodes‘ jazz song stuck in your head for hours. This hive of scum and villainy is a welcome watering hole for pilots, smugglers, bounty hunters, alien misfits and renegades alike, just don’t bring in your droid. The location of the controversial ‘Who shot first’ debate, this Cantina Bar may seem a little dark and dingy but it’s always entertaining, as long as you don’t mind a bit of violence every now and then. 

Jack Rabbit Slims – Pulp Fiction (1994)

Okay, so it’s more a themed restaurant, but during Tarantino’s signature long tracking shot we see some patrons propping up the bar so you could definitely just go for a drink here. A treasure trove of pop culture references from Buddy Holly to Mamie Van Doren, Jack Rabbit Slims is, as Vincent puts it, “A wax museum with a pulse” and I mean that in the best of ways. It’s kitsch, it’s nostalgic, it’s pure Americana in a convertible booth. It’s got live entertainment, a dance competition and I’ve got to try me one of those $5 shakes. 

The Gold Room – The Shining (1980)

All work and no play can be a dangerous combination and sometimes you just need a drink to take the edge off. The Gold Room Bar at The Stanley Hotel sounds great on paper, a luxurious space to yourself with no queues at the bar, free drinks and a friendly bartender to lend an ear to your problems, it’s like paradise. Except for the catch, you may just lose your soul and your sanity here. It’s safe to say a visit to this gilded ballroom may be dangerous, but some things are worth the risk for a good bourbon on the rocks. 

The Leaky Cauldron – The Harry Potter Franchise (2001 – 2011)

The Leaky Cauldron is a magical pub created to ‘serve as a gateway between the non-wizarding world and Diagon Alley’. It’s like a home away from home with cosy fires, spacious rooms and friendly staff. This pub plays a part through the films and is where Harry stayed after fleeing from the insufferable Dursley’s. It may be a little dark and run down but it’s a welcoming place that offers a hot breakfast and a hearty pint of Mead (or Butterbeer for those underage). This pub may have hit on hard times during the return of Voldermort but it was always a thriving hub for witches and wizards and was sure to find its feet again.