Tiny Doom's Top 5 fictional Bars and Restaurants

If you are a regular reader of The Ladies musings, you may recall that last month I shared and discussed my favorite fictional vehicles.  I was excited by how much discussion that stirred up!  And then not a few days later, fab food site Serious Eats posted a list of their favorite fictional restaurants, pubs, and bars. Hey! I like those types of places, and I have thoughts about this!  Lo, you are getting another list of favorite fictional things from me (do I even like any stuff in IRL?)  This time it’s about where I would like to grab a pint, a snack, wait for the whole thing to blow over - yeah, spoilers.  

The Bronze- (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

I grew up in a small town where the most exciting thing was to walk “the tracks” to the “center of town” and buy a Clearly Canadian or something.  So when I started watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and saw teens with access to a place like The Bronze, it was mind blowing.  Food, drinks, live music, DANCING! The Bronze was a place for the teens of Sunnydale to hang out and have their teen drama.  Yes, often times the drama was coupled with vampire or demon attacks.  But you know what, I don’t care.  I still would have been there as much as I could have, waiting for a glimpse of the action, and wondering if they sell Clearly Canadian in Sunnydale.

The Winchester- (Shaun of the Dead)

Everyone should have their own Winchester (I’m not talking Sam and Dean here).  The Winchester Pub is the regular for the Shaun and Ed, perfect for boys nights and date night alike. It’s where they feel the most comfortable, the most at home, and the most safe. So naturally, when the zombie apocalypse starts up that’s where they plan to run and hide out.  Naturally.  It’s got a rifle above the bar, the cooler mostly still works, and there are many preservative laden snacks available-I’m just going to assume Hog Lumps are like pork rinds, yeah?  

Milliways, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe- (Book of the same name) "Ladies and gentlemen, the Universe as we know it has now been in existence for over one hundred and seventy thousand million billion years and will be ending in a little over half an hour. So, welcome one and all to Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe!"—Max Quordlepleen's introduction at Milliways.

Milliways is located at the literal end of the universe, as is when the universe ends, ceases to exist.  So you eat a great meal and watch all of creation end, and you can do it as many times as you want!   It's 5-Star, and thanks to the restaurant's location in time and space, your bill only costs a penny that has been deposited into your account at the present time, before you travel to Milliways.  Most importantly they are said to serve a great Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.  Given this delightful slogan, how could I resist: "If you've done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe."

Jack Rabbit Slims- Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction was a big deal for lots of reasons.  But I think one of the biggest reasons is that it showed me how good really solid restaurant theme-ing could be.  I want full immersion people, not just a few things hung on the wall and some pun-named dishes!  Do not phone in your theme.  Commit!   The closest I think I have gotten to something like this was the time I went to the restaurant at Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas.  Sadly that's not around anymore, but perhaps that leaves an opening, as Jack Rabbit Slim's and Las Vegas seem to be a match made in heaven.  Plus, these days, a $5 shake isn't even that pricey.

The Brick - Northern Exposure

Sometimes when things are rough and I have to go to one of my "happy places," I go to Cicely, Alaska.   Owned and operated by Holling Vinceour, The Brick is Cicely's only bar and restaurant and main town hangout.  A warm, cozy oasis in the harshness of Alaska, it matters less to me what you can eat here (though if you are there a night that Adam is cooking, hello Michelin level meal), and more who would get to encounter.  In a town filled with delightful characters including but not limited to, a former astronaut, a lady pilot, a hunter turned photographer, and a bohemian radio DJ,  you would just about be guaranteed to have an interesting night.