The Best TV Shows And Movies About Bartenders

Alex Alvarez
Updated April 12, 2024 12 items
Voting Rules

Vote up your favorite films and television shows that feature a bartender or bartenders.

Let's cheers to the best shows and movies about bartenders, ranked from best to worst by your votes. From Cheers to Coyote Ugly to (the lone anime on here) Bartender, this list has something for everyone interested in stories about bartenders. Bartenders serve us alcohol, be they beers on tap or incredibly complicated cocktails and they tend to listen to our problems. That's why movies and shows about bartending are such fertile ground for dramas, comedies, and even crime thrillers (look at you, The Drop). But no matter what genre they fall under, they all focus on one of our favorite professions. So, let's raise a glass one more time to these good movies and shows about tending bars.

Vote up all your favorite shows and films about bartending and vote down the ones that you think other fans should skip so they don't end up wanting to drown out the memory of having watched something awful. And once you find your next watch, look for the Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and Paramount+ buttons below each film or show to stream them right away.

  • Coyote Ugly
    Photo: Coyote Ugly
    1
    20 votes

    Coyote Ugly

    Coyote Ugly follows the story of Violet Sanford, an aspiring songwriter from New Jersey who moves to New York City in pursuit of her dreams. As she struggles financially and creatively, she takes on a job at Coyote Ugly Saloon as one of their bartenders. This romantic comedy tells the hilarious yet inspiring story of perseverance and following your heart no matter the odds you face. Although it may not be the most critically acclaimed film ever made, Coyote Ugly still stands out as an enjoyable classic that showcases how there's more to bartenders than the drinks they serve.

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  • Cocktail
    Photo: Cocktail
    2
    14 votes

    Cocktail

    Cocktail is a classic movie about a bartender that stars Tom Cruise. The movie follows Brian Flanagan's journey of self-discovery as he rises from an inexperienced bartender to a successful mixologist and bar owner. Along the way, you see him make mistakes and learn valuable lessons, all while providing viewers with an inside look at cocktail culture. It’s a fun and entertaining film that celebrates the art of bartending and shows why it can be so fulfilling for those who are passionate about the craft.

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  • Cheers
    Photo: NBC
    3
    16 votes

    Cheers

    Cheers, the classic sitcom about a hilarious group of bartenders and their regulars, has been captivating television audiences since 1982. The show focuses on Sam Malone, an ex-Red Sox pitcher who owns and runs Cheers Bar in Boston. Along with Sam are his close friends and co-workers: Diane Chambers, Carla Tortelli, Norm Peterson, and Cliff Clavin. It's easy to see why this show is beloved by so many - it paints a picture of camaraderie among hardworking individuals whose jobs often involve serving their customers drinks while making witty banter. With hilarious storylines that focus on the romance between characters as well as barroom antics from regular patrons like Norm and Cliff.

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  • Casablanca
    Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
    4
    6 votes

    Casablanca

    In the classic 1942 film, Casablanca, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), an American expatriate and nightclub owner, navigates a complex web of love and politics in Vichy-controlled Casablanca. His life takes a dramatic turn when Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), his former lover, walks into his club seeking help for her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech Resistance leader. As they grapple with their past and face harsh realities, the trio becomes entangled in a high-stakes struggle against time and tyranny. This timeless drama, which won three Academy Awards including Best Picture, is renowned for its unforgettable characters and iconic dialogues.
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  • New Girl
    Photo: New Girl
    5
    4 votes

    New Girl

    New Girl's main characters have to navigate life’s everyday issues with humor, heart, and style as they try to find success in both their personal and professional lives. The show has many funny moments that often involve Nick's bartending profession, including dealing with customers, bar fights, and other various shenanigans that come along with working behind a bar. New Girl serves up laughs while also exploring deeper topics like relationships, self-discovery, and personal growth.

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  • To Whom It May Concern
    Photo: To Whom It May Concern
    6
    7 votes

    To Whom It May Concern

    A beautiful and emotionally damaged bartender plans her death until she takes in a homeless neighbor. As the two fall in love, she has to confront her demons to stay alive.
  • Bartender
    Photo: Bartender / Fuji TV
    7
    1 votes

    Bartender

    Bartender is an anime series that follows the story of a talented bartender, Ryū Sasakura. He works in the bar 'Eden Hall' and uses his knowledge to create drinks that not only taste good but can also provide emotional support to those who drink them. The series illustrates how being a bartender requires more than just making drinks - it's about understanding people and providing solace through conversation and alcohol. It shows how one person's craft can bring joy to many and offers viewers insight into the human condition. Bartender is an excellent anime for anyone interested in learning more about bartending or simply looking for a heartwarming story.

  • The Drop
    Photo: user uploaded image
    8
    1 votes

    The Drop

    This dramatic crime thriller follows Bob Saginowski, played by Tom Hardy, as he navigates his way through the underworld of organized crime that lurks beneath the surface in Brooklyn. The film perfectly captures the gritty atmosphere of working at a bar while also tackling deeper themes such as loyalty and family. A must-watch for anyone interested in stories of bartenders trying to make their way out of difficult situations.

  • Trees Lounge
    Photo: Trees Lounge
    9
    1 votes

    Trees Lounge

    Trees Lounge is an American independent drama film written and directed by Steve Buscemi. It follows a down-on-his-luck auto mechanic, Tommy Basilio, as he spirals into an endless abyss of drinking and aimless days at the local bar. The movie serves as a timely reminder that “what goes around comes around” for those who rely on alcohol to cope with life's struggles. Trees Lounge captures the sadness and loneliness of alcoholism through its grim storyline, but it also highlights how bars can be meeting places of friendship where people from all walks of life come together in support of one another despite their differences.

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  • The Tender Bar
    Photo: The Tender Bar
    10
    1 votes

    The Tender Bar

    Directed by George Clooney, this movie is about an aspiring writer, his bartending uncle, and the people who frequent his bar. It tells a story about family, as well as their own struggles to come to terms with life itself. The characters are all so unique and relatable, which makes for an emotional rollercoaster of a ride throughout the film. Although it may not be your typical happy-go-lucky movie, The Tender Bar will make you feel something that may be difficult to express in words.

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  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    Photo: FX
    11
    2 votes

    It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

    It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia revolves around a group of friends who own a bar and are often caught up in hilarious situations that involve drinking, fighting, sex, and other wild behavior. Despite its outrageous subject matter, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia remains one of the funniest shows on television due to its strong writing and excellent performances by all of the cast members. If you're looking for a funny sitcom about bartenders doing outrageous things - look no further.

  • Mixology
    Photo: Mixology
    12
    4 votes

    Mixology

    Mixology is a single-season television show that follows the lives of ten single people in their twenties as they navigate through life and relationships at an upscale bar. The antics behind the bar make for some hilarious moments, as well as heartfelt conversations about life, love, and friendship. It’s a great show for anyone looking for a lighthearted comedy with some substance to it.