The Boston Bar That Became TV’s Most Iconic Pub for $1
▼ Summary
– Real locations, like a New York apartment building and a Boston pub, were used for the exterior shots of classic sitcoms such as “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” and “Cheers.”
– The Boston bar used for “Cheers” was originally named the Bull & Finch, an English-style pub opened in 1969 by Thomas A. Kershaw.
– The bar’s name was derived from Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, who is considered the first prominent American-born architect.
– Writers Glen and Les Charles chose it for their sitcom because they wanted a Boston bar setting, which offered a sense of camaraderie and was an uncommon TV location.
– Kershaw agreed to let the show use his bar for establishing shots for only $1, though he later earned significantly more money from the arrangement.
Nestled in the heart of Boston, a historic pub gained worldwide fame as the exterior for television’s most beloved neighborhood bar, all for a symbolic payment of just one dollar. This iconic establishment, where everybody knows your name, began its journey long before it became synonymous with the hit sitcom Cheers.
Originally named the Bull & Finch, the English-style pub opened its doors in 1969 under the ownership of Thomas A. Kershaw. The name paid homage to Charles Bulfinch, a renowned Boston architect celebrated as the first major American-born professional in his field. For years, it operated as a popular local gathering spot, a comfortable haunt for regulars with no indication of the global recognition that lay ahead.
The transformation began when writers Glen and Les Charles, known for their work on Taxi and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, decided to develop a new series. They envisioned a show centered on a Boston bar, drawn to the unique sense of community found in East Coast pubs and the relative scarcity of television settings in the city. Needing an authentic exterior for their establishing shots, they quickly located the Bull & Finch in a phone book and reached out to the owner.
Kershaw agreed to let the production use his pub’s façade, striking a remarkably simple deal. The licensing agreement was finalized for the token sum of one dollar. While that initial payment was minimal, the association proved immensely profitable for Kershaw in the long run. As Cheers grew into a television phenomenon, the bar itself became a major tourist destination, drawing fans from around the world eager to visit the real-life inspiration for the show’s setting.
Today, visitors to Boston can still experience the magic at the original location, which now proudly bears the Cheers name. The story stands as a fascinating chapter in pop culture history, where a simple one-dollar deal between a pub owner and two creative writers forever linked a local business with one of television’s most enduring and friendly fictional worlds.
(Source: The Takeout)