What themes do movies set in bars and clubs tend to have in common? Here are common features:

- Drinking (In a bar - what a surprise!)
- Singing
- Would-be stars trying to get that big break.

Here is our selection of the top 8 bar flicks ever.

Burlesque (2010)

Directed by Steven Antin, and starring Cher and Christina Aguilera (and her incredible voice), this is the narrative of a young songbird who saves the old diva's night club, not just with her voice, but also with her clever strategy and surprising legal expertise (think "air rights"). There are plenty of song and dance numbers, with terrific costumes and choreography - and amazing vocals with two such talented singers taking the stage.

Chicago (2002)

Directed by Ron Marshall, and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere, this musical thriller is set in 1920's gangster-era Chicago. Two singers, a diva past her prime and a starlet hopeful, both on death row for having killed the men in their lives, conspire to use their talents to escape the gallows and make big money. Queen Latifah brings some extra spark to the script and the musical highlight is "All that Jazz".

Coyote Ugly (2000)

Directed by David McNally, this cult classic starring newcomer Piper Perabo, Adam Garcia and Maria Bello is a chick flick with plenty going for the dudes. Coyote Ugly is actually the name of the road house bar where the plot unfolds - where a young lady takes a job as a bar maid and teasing the male patrons to make ends meet - until she is to get her big break as a songwriter. Plenty of eye candy for the guys in this one.

Road House (1989)

Directed by Rowdy Herrington, Patrick Swayze (the ladies will enjoy this) is hired to clean things up at the Double-Duce, a brawl-infested road house in a small Missouri town. It turns out that to clean up the bar, he ends up having to clean up the town, which is paralyzed by fear by the local crime boss. More known for its fight scenes than for music, it is worth noting that the road house's band is lead by Canadian rocker Jeff Healey.

Cocktail (1988)

Directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown and Elisabeth Shue. Like so many bar movies, this is the chronicle of a would-be hot-shot trying to get his big break. The main plot variance this time around is that this is Tom Cruise, not some prettystarlet.

BarFly (1987)

Directed by Barbet Schroeder and starring Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway and Alice Krige, this is the one bar film that actually has "bar" in its title. The narrative, such as it is, centers around how life is a sewer, but at least its more fun to drown in liquor instead of waste water.

Strange Brew (1983)

Directed by and starring Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, this flick is - wait for it - a comedy, eh? These Canadians can make a bar out of anywhere, so why not a brewery (where the beer is already on tap, so to speak)? If you like Bob and Doug McKenzie, the SCTV characters of the 1980s, this is your kind of bar movie. Oh yeah, and lot's of alcohol (it is a bar, after all).

Casablanca (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, this is the most famous bar movie of them all - maybe even the most loved movie of any. Bogart's piano bar night club is a haven for refugees from the Nazis, and serves as the venue for plenty of intrigue. Ironically, Casablanca is famous for the line "Play it again, Sam" - a line that isn't even in the movie.

Let's also give honourable mention to the following three flicks ...

Wild Hogs (2007), because they blow up a road house.

Saturday Night Fever (1977), for perhaps the most famous dance scenes of all time, which along with much of the movie do take place in a disco.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), because the name of the bar is The Titty Twister.


David Leonhardt is a freelance writer, helping people learn about clubs and bars. Looking for a bar in your town? Here is where you can find a bar or club in NYC .