Ever wish you could find that intriguing bar that you saw in the movies? While many of them exist only in the minds of the film makers, some are actual places that are fun to visit if you have the chance.
New York Bar, Park Hyatt, Tokyo
Creativecommons.org/ Jun SeitaIt looks like a great place in Lost in Translation, and it really is a superb upscale bar in Tokyo, though without the drama of the film.
The first thing you notice when you walk in is the wall of glass windows and amazing view of the city from the 52nd floor. The lights in the bar are slightly dim, ensuring a glittering cityscape that is dizzying.
No shorts or t-shirts are allowed there, although the hotel might be able to produce a jacket if that helps you look respectable. A strict dress code is enforced to maintain the swanky appeal of the place.
Light snacks are available – of the caviar and crab kind – but the New York Bar is more about the cocktails and high-end spirits they serve. There are few places where you can order a glass of 34-year-old Port Ellen, so why not dress to the nines, settle in by the window and enjoy the live music as you sip your $200 a glass whiskey?
Coyote Ugly, New York City
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Now a chain, the bar in New York is the original Coyote Ugly and the inspirational location for the movie of the same name. Based on a story by a former Coyote Ugly waitress, the movie was fairly accurate in its description of the rude, brash, over-the-top antics of the waitresses and owner. It was a dive bar that took pleasure in being a dive bar.
Coyote Ugly is somewhere between “fun” and “cajoling you out of your last dollar” in atmosphere, and that’s just what the patrons want. The booze is cheap, the waitresses attractive and the place is packed every night. Don’t even bother asking for some fru-fru mixed drink there – you’ll get a shot, and it’ll be served with a healthy dose of derision for even mentioning a cocktail.
This is not a classy place and they don’t care how you dress or if you ever come back. The food is okay, but really, you’re there for the fun anyway so order a happy hour drink and contemplate how the bar managed to get all those bras hanging from the ceiling….
Kong Bar & Restaurant, Paris
Who can fail to fall in love in this gorgeous bar, which was featured in Sex and the City? The view from the top floor encompasses the Seine River and much of the city. The interior is modern and shiny, with female faces imprinted on glass creating a somewhat distracting feeling of being with more people than you are.
The east-Asian inspired menu serves a full meal in a mix of Japanese, Chinese and French dishes and the cocktail listing is short but adequate. It’s a trendy spot where getting a table is something to brag about and patrons search the faces of newcomers hoping to spot an artist or local TV star.
Kansas City Barbeque, San Diego
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While the location director for Paramount Studios was out scouting around for locations to shoot Top Gun, he stopped into this bar for a beer and realized it was the perfect setting for Tom Cruise’s character to hang out. Some 20 years after the movie, KCB is still collecting memorabilia to add to their collection.
This is a basic barbecue joint serving chicken, ribs, beef and pork. It’s a casual place and a good spot for a lazy afternoon meal while checking out the pictures on the walls.
Mulberry Street Bar, New York City
Perhaps one of the most filmed bars in both movies and television, this little spot on Mulberry Street has been in scenes in The Godfather, Men of Honor, 9 ½ Weeks, The Sopranos and more. In the heart of Little Italy, the interior retains its 1908 charm.
The wooden back bar and subway tile floor are original, as the photos on the wall demonstrate. The current owner is something of a sports fan - hence the new TVs - and the clientele of the bar are a mix of sightseers, locals and those who are there to watch the game. Whatever your own purpose is for visiting the place, it’s an eclectic, historic place to have a burger and a beer.