The greatest fictional bartenders of all time

A 90210 side character, Jesse (Mark Damon Espinoza) bartended while attending law school. In fact, that's how he met Andrea Zuckerman (Gabrielle Carteris), while working a fancy party. Jesse and Andrea got together, he got her pregnant and they eventually married. Of course, Jesse, known for flirting behind the bar to rate good tips, cheated on Andrea — as she did to him. Jesse eventually quit the business once he passed the bar exam.

From the 1984 Walter Hill cult favorite, Clyde (played exceptionally by the late Bill Paxton) is the obnoxious barkeep at the Blackhawk, the local watering hole in this neo-noir. Clyde is sarcastic and mouthy, so of course, he eventually meets his match in soldier of fortune McCoy (Amy Madigan), who knocks him out and takes a bottle of tequila, for good measure.

That's how Cheech Marin's character is credited in this 1995 Robert Rodriguez favorite. He doesn't need to say much, and isn't overly dramatic. However, his subtle antics in the movie's opening scene opposite Steve Buscemi (character known as "Buscemi") make for one of the most memorable moments in the film — especially his sarcastic and wonderfully demeaning attitude toward said customer.

From the 2006 romantic comedy-drama starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. Jon Favreau's Johnny O is one of the more underrated characters in the movie. Like any good bartender, Johnny O, who works at Chicago favorite Skylark, is there for his customers, especially when it comes to offering advice. He can be gruff and annoyed by hot days at Wrigley Field, but he also knew when Gary (Vaughn) blew a good thing, thanks to his selfishness and taking ex-girlfriend Brooke (Aniston) for granted.

Nick (Jake Johnson) is kind of the bartender (working the local Clyde's Bar) with a heart of gold. Apathetic, sarcastic, appropriately snarky and sometimes willing to help out a customer's cause. However, Nick's truly endears himself when dealing with friend, roommate and on-again, off-again love interest Jess (Zooey Deschanel). When it comes to a bartender we'd like to ride the rail with, Nick would be our guy.

Before she hopped the globe in search of the lost Ark of the Covenant — and eventually became Indiana Jones' wife — Marion (Karen Allen) ran a bar in the harsh Himalayan environment of Nepal. Her remote establishment was actually quite charming; roomy, rustic, with a nice fireplace and stocked with top shelf liquor. Of course, if anyone wants to challenge Marion at a shot-taking contest, beware.

Yes, apparently, there are bartenders in the outer regions of space, and one of the best is Arthur (Michael Sheen), an android who can make a drink just as stiff as any human on Earth from this sci-fi romance starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. Well dressed, Arthur works the bar on the Avalon and always seems to be polishing a glass that is already clean. For those in the know, Arthur is obviously influenced (essentially ripped off) from The Shining (more on that soon).

Played by veteran New York City actor Sheldon Leonard, Nick is rough around the edges, but takes care of his loyal customers from this iconic Christmas classic from 1946. Also, Nick delivers one of the great lines from any fictional bartender, which pretty much sums up his establishment. "We serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast." Straight and to the point, just the way it should be. 

Horace is the proprietor and bartender of The Drunken Clam. And, while Horace is friendly to buddies Peter, Brian, Cleveland, Joe and Quagmire, he can be a bit surly. That said, it seems anybody is allowed in: dogs, babies and even the Grim Reaper (aka Death) hang at the Quahog watering hole. Though it's not the best animated bar on television, it has great karaoke and loyal regulars who will put their lives on the line for their favorite gathering spot. In fact, Horace himself has cheated death there on a few occasions. 

There might not be a more dysfunctional or downright nasty set of twins than Dennis and "Sweet Dee." Dennis (Glenn Howerton) may or may not be a serial killer, but he's a serviceable bartender (certainly more so than he is a co-owner) of Paddŷ's Pub. In addition to being a terrible bartender — a job which she does not perform often — Dee (Kaitlin Olson) is an aspiring actor who is just as bad at that, and really, an even worse person, especially to the customers at their bar. At least they have each other.  

The old "fool-osopher," Coughlin is a grizzled, veteran bartender in this 1980s favorite that made Tom Cruise even more famous (we'll get to his character from the movie). Played by Bryan Brown, is one hell of a bartender (known for making a "Red Eye"), he knows how to score -- with the customers in and out of the bar, notes that "beer is for breakfast" and is on a quest to pick up a "rich chick" to spend his life with. A genuine mentor, Coughlin, however, is severely flawed and could never shake his many demons.

The Ten Forward is an oft-visited watering hole by crew members of the USS Enterprise The place is run by Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), who holds down the fort. Not to mention, her wisdom is simply universal. In some circles, in fact, she's been compared to Yoda. Of course, she's one talented bartender when it comes to helping the crew unwind. Guinan also appeared in Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: Nemesis and the series Star Trek: Picard.  

How many bartenders also double as vampires? Mean Razor Charlie (Danny Trejo, in one of his most unheralded roles). Now, we're talking about the famed 1996 Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino offering, as the character saw more prominence in the series of the same name. On film, Charlie is serious, relatively stoic, but can be patronly. Don't forget, though, he's a vampire. 

There was something special about "Coach" Ernie Pantusso (Nicholas Colasanto), the beloved, aging bartender. It was kind of sad that we never learned more about the death of Colasanto's character on the show, following his own passing in 1985. Coach had many memorable moments, but his best might have come in the fifth episode of Season 1. When his daughter Lisa (Allyce Beasley) visits the bar with her obnoxious boyfriend, Roy, Coach has issues with the abrasive and demeaning manner in which he treats his daughter. Lisa, who lacks self-esteem because of her looks, understands Roy only wants to marry her for business reasons. But after a heart-to-heart pep talk from her father, she has the courage to walk away from the relationship. What Coach lacked in book smarts he made up for by being there for the ones he loved.

Eerie and brilliant all in one. That's what makes Joe Turkel's Lloyd, the character, who through a hallucination within the deteriorating mind of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), gets the main character to start drinking again. Lloyd is a man of few words, but has enough of an impact to further damage the rapidly-collapsing mental state of Jack, who sets out to revive the dark and tragic history of the Overlook Hotel with murderous intent. 

Young Flanagan (Tom Cruise) learned all his behind-the-bar tricks from the film's tragic anti-hero, the aforementioned Doug Coughlin, and turned into the one of the flashiest bartenders New York City's ever seen. Of course, Brian messed things up along the way to eventually finding personal and professional happiness in the bar business. Now, 1988's Cocktail is perhaps the schlockiest of all Cruise movies, but it's a worthy guilty pleasure. 

Woodrow Huckleberry Tiberius Boyd (Woody Harrelson), the simpleton from Hanover, Ind. Woody came off as dim-witted, but his generosity, loyalty and hard-working nature (the man made a mean Screaming Viking) made him one of the most memorable characters in television history. In addition, Woody was quite the singer, a devoted boyfriend — and later, husband — and, surprisingly, a likable politician. 

The former major league pitcher turned Boston bar owner, Sam (Ted Danson) had great hair and even greater success with the ladies. There was always something lovable about Sam because no matter how many women came in and out of his life, he was loyal to his friends. And we know his true love was that bar where everybody knows your name. Maybe that's why he felt so comfortable behind the rail.

Isaac, played brilliantly by Ted Lange, is not just an iconic bartender, but one of the most memorable primetime characters in the history of television. Who can forget that legendary double finger point during the opening credits of The Love Boat? In addition to concocting some tasty beverages and keeping the passengers spirited, Isaac delivered solid advice and never shied away from taking part in a good caper with Doc or Gopher.

Moe's Tavern is the best fictional animated bar in television, if for any other reason than its gracious host, Moe. Homer and Barney are regulars, and while it is not as raucous and inappropriate as, say, "The Drunken Clam," "Moe's" is a step up from a dive bar. A big supporter of Duff beer, Moe is frequently on the business end of Bart's prank phone calls. Moe, meanwhile, doesn't run the tidiest of ships, but he does not discriminate and welcomes and supports those from all walks of life.