Top 10 fictional bartenders of all time

There have been numerous portrayals of bartenders across literature, television and film over the years, both inspiring and irking members of the on-trade.

Like holding up a mirror: How true to real life are these 10 fictional bartenders?

From iconic American cartoons and menacing cowboys, to sitcom stars and irreverent comedic figures, bartenders are portrayed in a plethora of ways through fictional characters.

Providing comedic relief, emotional poignancy and dramatic drinking-throwing, these characters are both loved and loathed by the real-life bartenders across the world.

Although these characters do not usually accurately convey professional role of the on-trade, they do offer a crucial shoulder to cry on for main characters, give solace to down and out drunks, and occasionally sweep the limelight for themselves.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of the top 10 fictional bartenders. 

Have we skipped one of your favourites? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Moe Szyslak – The Simpsons

If it’s a cold Duff beer you need, Moe’s your man. One of the regular characters in irreverent classic cartoon The Simpsons Moe Szyslak, voiced by US actor Hank Azaria, is the proprietor and bartender at Moe’s Tavern, a Springfield bar frequented by Homer Simpson and friends.

With a snappy temper and suicidal thoughts, Moe often threatens his loyal patrons with a shotgun if they do not pay their tab.

His establishment is also regularly depicted as an unclean, unpleasant place, full of belching beer drinkers – the most notorious of which is Barney Gumble.

Sam Malone – Cheers

Sam Malone, played by Ted Danson, is the star character of iconic US comedy Cheers.

Malone is a former professional Boston Red Sox baseball player and serial womaniser who becomes the owner and head bartender of Cheers, a bar based in Boston, Massachusetts.

His career change was due to developing an alcohol dependency problem, which was later replaced by sexual addiction by the end of the series.

Sascha – Casablanca

As part of the cast of one of the most famous films of all time, Casablanca, Sascha is the head bartender at Rick’s Café Américain, a sanctuary for Westerners awaiting flights from Morocco as they flee from the turmoil of the Second World War.

Sascha, played by Russian actor Leonid Kinskey, is ever-loyal to American expatriate Rick Blaine, proprietor of gambling den and bar Rick’s, diligently adhering to his every demand.

He is also infatuated with Yvonne (pictured) – a French refugee and Rick’s ex-flame whom is frequently told by Sascha, “Yvonne, I love you.”

Cast  – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a derisive US TV series which focuses on the lives of four self-centred bartenders who run the unsuccessful Paddy’s Bar, a fictional Irish bar based in Philadelphia.

The bartenders are twins Dennis Reynolds and Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds, and their friends Charlie Kelly and Ronald “Mac” McDonald.

The show follows “the gang” – generally bound by their shared egotism and greed – as they scheme to make a quick buck from the dilapidated Paddy’s, encountering a plethora of cringe-indicing problems along the way.

Peggy Mitchell – Eastenders

The archetypal cockney barmaid Peggy Mitchell was one of the star characters of long-running British soap Eastenders.

Fiercely loyal to her family and the Queen Vic pub, Peggy appeared in the programme between 1991 and 2003, with numerous breaks in between.

Not afraid of tipping a pint over a patron’s head when provoked, the barmaid became famous for her catchphrase: “Get outta my pub!”

Brian Flanagan – Cocktail

Many a bartender reading this list will undoubtedly flinch at the sight of Brian Flanagan, star character of cheesy 80s classic Cocktail.

But, while the film’s celebration of mainstream 80s cocktail culture – where the Sex on the Beach and the Slippery Nipple were the tipples of choice – will be viewed with a somewhat tainted view, it also represents an industry on the cusp of great change.

The film centres on New York business student Flanagan as he discovers a skill for bartending and takes up a job in Jamaica, where he of course falls in love.

Al Swearengen – Deadwood

Deadwood, the critically-praised US western TV series based in Deadwood, South Dakota during the 1870s, charts the areas progress from gold-mining camp to bustling town, negating prolific crime and corruption along the way.

At the centre of the series is Al Swearengen – played by English actor Ian McShane – owner of The Gem, a notorious saloon and brothel.

Both a menacing and influential figure, Swearengen, a based on real-life character of the same name, helped steer the annexation of Deadwood to the Dakota Territory through a series of savvy political allegiances.

Eddie – Barfly

Set in the early 80s, Barfly is a film based on the autobiography of poet Charles Bukowski, charting the time he spent excessively drinking in Los Angeles.

Bukowski, played by Mickey Rourke, frequently drinks in a local establishment run by archetypal “tough guy” bartender Eddie, whom he despises and has regular fights with in the bar’s back alley.

Teetotal Eddie, played by Sylvester Stallone’s brother Frank Stallone, is viewed with particular disdain by Bukowski after it is discovered he slept with his love interest, Wanda.

Nick Miller – New Girl

US actor Jake Johnson plays Nick Miller, a law school drop-out and bartender, in popular sitcom New Girl.

The show centres around offbeat and sunny kindergarten teacher Jess, played by Zooey Deschanel, after she moves in with Nick and his friends and the raucous, outrageous events which undoubtedly follow.

At the centre of the show is the “will they, won’t they” subplot between dichotomous characters Jess and slacker Nick, who is renowned for his pessimistic and miserable outlook on life.

Isaac Washington – The Love Boat

The Love Boat is a classic US TV series which charts the romantic misadventures of the passengers and crew on-board a cruise ship.

One of the star regular characters on the show was “Your Bartender” Isaac Washington, played by Ted Lange, who was one of the only characters to star in every episode of The Love Boat, which ran from 1977-86.