Bars in TV Shows: the Most Famous Coffee Shops and Diners on TV

Coffee often plays a leading role in iconic scenes from many films and TV shows. We’re used to seeing our favourite characters sitting around a table, talking about their lives and exchanging opinions and advice. As a result, we viewers have grown attached not only to the characters, but also and above all to these settings, imagining ourselves sitting there alongside them.

Let’s look at some of the most famous ones together: here are the general public’s favourite bars and diners from TV.

The Most Well-Known Bars and Diners from TV

The iconic bars from TV shows have become so much a part of our daily lives as viewers that, over the years, many establishments have been named after them or have been designed to emulate their same style of decor.

Let’s look at a few of these iconic spots. Are you familiar with all of them?

Arnold’s in Happy Days

It’s impossible to forget the quintessential 50s-style drive-in where the stars of this show spent their free time. Wood panelled walls, football pennants, juke box, pinball machines, leather booths, and the ever-present roller skating waiters.

Fun fact: this location was also used to film the official video of Buddy Holly, by Weezer.

The Peach Pit in Beverly Hills 90210

From the 1970s, we go to one of the most beloved shows of the 1990s. Who doesn’t remember Dylan, Brenda, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, and Andrea? Pastel colours, records, and leather seats were the backdrop of the romances, friendships, and betrayals of the show’s protagonists, in their high-wasted jeans.

Fun fact: in 2019, to celebrate the show’s return, fans had the opportunity to visit a pop-up diner, made to look like the original, where they could order food and drinks and put themselves in their idols’ shoes.

The Bronze in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Live music, chips, and fried chicken were the main ingredients in this bar, located in Sunnydale’s roughest neighbourhood. Buffy and her friends hung out here together after school, but their free time never lasted long because a new “vampirey” danger was always lurking around the corner.

Fun fact: in addition to coffee, the protagonists’ favourite beverage was the milk-shake.

The Cheesecake Factory in Big Bang Theory

In addition to being Penny and Bernadette’s workplace, it was also the restaurant where Sheldon and Leonard would go to lunch every Tuesday. The restaurant had a stage for live performances as well as a bar for sipping coffee and other beverages.

Fun fact: the restaurant appeared for the last time in the seventh season when Penny decided to quit her job.

Luke’s in Gilmore Girls

Located in the quaint town of Stars Hollow, Luke’s Diner was the favourite hang out of the protagonists, avid coffee drinkers. Everything happened in this diner: they fought, they fell in love, they got together to discuss the latest neighbourhood gossip.

Fun fact: In 2016, on the anniversary of the airing of the first episode, 200 diners across the United States dressed up as Luke’s Diner. Netflix also had a hand in this initiative.

Central Perk in Friends

Last, but certainly not least, the most famous, most imitated, and most beloved TV coffee shop ever. We’re talking about Central Perk in Friends, the iconic show from the 1990s that we all fell in love with. The protagonists’ hang out for ten full seasons, who among us hasn’t identified with the characters, laughed with them, and cried with them?

Fun fact: It’s still possible to visit the original Warner Bros set in Los Angeles.

Our journey through the fabulous world of TV shows ends here. These were just some of the most well-known establishments on TV, but there are countless others to discover.

If, on the other hand, you’re interested in the role of coffee in art, then we invite you to learn more about the connection between coffee and music.