You’ve seen the grainy exterior shots a thousand times. That iconic maroon awning, the black wrought-iron railing, and those stairs leading down into a basement where, supposedly, everybody knows your name. For a lot of people, the Cheers Bull and Finch connection is the ultimate piece of TV trivia. But if you actually walk into the bar on Beacon Street today, you might be in for a bit of a shock.
Honestly, it's kinda funny how many tourists expect to walk through those doors and see Sam Malone wiping down a circular bar in the middle of the room. Spoilers: the real bar looks almost nothing like the set. The "circular" bar from the show was a Hollywood invention designed so the actors had enough room to move around for the cameras. The real Bull and Finch Pub, which is the actual historical name of the place, has its bar tucked against a brick wall.
The $1 Deal That Changed TV History
Back in 1981, three guys named Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows—fresh off their success with Taxi—were looking for a location for their next big sitcom. They wanted a neighborhood bar in Boston. Why Boston? They liked the city’s vibe: old-school, sports-obsessed, and full of character.
They were literally looking through a phone book when they saw an ad for the Bull and Finch. When they visited, they fell in love with the atmosphere. They paid the owner, Tom Kershaw, exactly $1 for the rights to use the pub’s exterior in the show.
Talk about a bargain.
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Kershaw didn't just get a dollar, though. He got the kind of free advertising most business owners would sell their souls for. By the time the show became a hit, the Cheers Bull and Finch association turned a quiet local hangout into one of the most visited tourist spots in the world.
Why the Interior is So Weird
If you go there now—and yes, it's still very much open in 2026—you’ll notice two distinct vibes.
The downstairs is the original pub. It’s dark. It’s cramped. It feels like 1969, which is when it actually opened. It’s a legitimate basement bar. The show's creators actually photographed the inside with the intention of recreating it on a soundstage in California, but the layout was a total nightmare for a multi-camera sitcom.
You can't really film a "workplace comedy" if the actors are constantly trapped behind a linear bar or hidden behind support pillars. So, the Hollywood designers took the spirit of the wood and the brass but invented a totally different floor plan.
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The Identity Crisis: Bull and Finch vs. Cheers
For years, the bar tried to keep its original identity. Locals called it the Bull and Finch Pub, while the signs outside started leaning more and more into the TV fame. By 2002, they finally leaned all the way in and officially rebranded the Beacon Hill location as Cheers Beacon Hill.
They eventually opened a second location at Faneuil Hall that was a literal, stitch-for-stitch replica of the TV set. If you wanted the "true" TV experience, that was the place to go. Interestingly, that location actually closed its doors during the pandemic era, leaving the original Beacon Hill spot as the primary pilgrimage site for fans.
Is It a Tourist Trap?
Basically, yeah. But also no.
If you go there expecting Ted Danson to serve you a beer, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s crowded. The gift shop is massive. You can buy "Norm" burgers and "Cliff" appetizers.
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However, there is something legitimately cool about sitting in the place that inspired one of the greatest comedies of all time. The staff is used to people yelling "Norm!" when they walk in (pro tip: don't be that person, they've heard it ten million times today).
What most people don't realize is that the bar name itself—Bull and Finch—was a nod to Charles Bulfinch. He was the architect who designed the Massachusetts State House just a few blocks away. The place has deep roots in Boston history that have nothing to do with Diane Chambers or Frasier Crane.
Real Talk: Tips for Your Visit
If you're actually planning to make the trip to 84 Beacon Street, here is the reality of the situation:
- The "Cheers" bar you see on TV never existed in Boston. It was a set in Hollywood.
- The downstairs is the "real" bar. It’s more authentic but less "TV-like."
- The upstairs "Hampshire House" is a gorgeous venue, but it’s a totally different vibe from the pub.
- Expect a wait. On weekends, the line to take a photo with the sign can be longer than the line for a beer.
The Cheers Bull and Finch story is really a tale of two different worlds. One is a cozy, slightly gritty Boston basement bar where people used to hide from the winter cold. The other is a global cultural phenomenon that defined 80s and 90s television.
Honestly, the best way to enjoy it is to acknowledge both. Grab a drink, look at the memorabilia, and realize that while everybody might not know your name, they’re definitely happy to sell you a souvenir t-shirt.
To get the most out of a visit, I'd suggest going on a weekday afternoon when the crowds are thinner. You can actually find a corner, order a pint, and look at the photos on the walls without being elbowed by a tour group. It’s the only way to catch a glimpse of the neighborhood bar that the show's creators fell in love with forty years ago.