You’ve seen it a hundred times. The shift ends at Firehouse 51, the sirens fade into the background, and the crew from Chicago Fire—usually flanked by a few familiar faces from P.D. and Med—heads to the dim, wood-paneled sanctuary of Molly's Bar to grab a beer and decompress. It feels like the kind of place that’s been on the corner for eighty years. It’s cozy. It’s blue-collar. It’s quintessentially Chicago.
But here is the thing: if you go looking for the "Molly's Bar" sign in the city, you might end up walking in circles.
Molly's is the glue of the One Chicago universe. It’s where Christopher Herrmann, Otis Zvonecek, and Gabriella Dawson put their life savings on the line to become small business owners. It’s where relationships start, where they die, and where "Crossover Events" actually feel like people just hanging out at their local.
Honestly, the history of this fictional pub is almost as dramatic as the fires the team puts out.
The Real Spot: Lottie’s Pub and the Bucktown Connection
For the first few seasons of Chicago Fire, Molly’s wasn't just a set on a soundstage at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. It was a very real, very functional bar in the Bucktown neighborhood.
Lottie’s Pub, located at 1925 W. Cortland St., served as the original filming location. If you walk in there today, you'll immediately recognize the layout. The dark wood, the circular bar, the general "vibe" that screams Windy City history—it’s all there. Lottie’s has been around since 1934. It’s a neighborhood staple that survived the transition from a grocery store and "speakeasy" style basement into one of the most famous filming locations in modern television.
Filming on-site is a nightmare. Logistically, anyway.
Think about it. You have to shut down a working business for days at a time. You have to move massive lighting rigs, sound equipment, and a crew of seventy people into a cramped corner bar. You have to deal with traffic on Cortland and Winchester. After the show exploded in popularity, the production team realized they couldn't keep invading Bucktown every time Herrmann had a new scheme for the bar.
They built a replica.
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Basically, they took the soul of Lottie's and rebuilt it on a soundstage. They matched the woodwork. They matched the lighting. They even kept the general spirit of the place so that when the actors transition from an exterior shot in Bucktown to an interior shot on the stage, the audience doesn't notice the "magic" happening behind the curtain.
Why Molly's Bar Became the One Chicago Hub
Dick Wolf knows what he’s doing. By giving the characters of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med a neutral ground, the writers created a "home base" that justifies why a surgeon from Gaffney Medical Center is drinking a Scotch next to a detective from the Intelligence Unit.
It’s about the ownership.
In the show's lore, the bar was originally a failing dive that Herrmann, Otis, and Dawson decided to save. It gave the characters stakes outside of their dangerous day jobs. When the bar struggles financially, we feel it. When the "Molly's II" food truck blew up (literally), it wasn't just a plot point; it was a blow to the characters' dreams.
It’s interesting to note that the name "Molly" wasn't just pulled out of a hat. In the show, the bar is named after a girl Otis had a crush on, which is such a classic Otis move it hurts.
Can You Actually Drink There?
Yes and no. Mostly yes.
If you want the "Molly’s experience," you go to Lottie’s Pub. They have leaned into the fame with a wink and a nod. You can often find "Molly’s" merchandise there, and they’ve been known to serve "Molly’s By Day" burgers or drink specials that reference the show. It’s a pilgrimage site for fans.
You should know that they don't film there as often anymore. Most of what you see on screen now is the Cinespace set. But the exterior shots? That’s still Bucktown. That’s still the real Chicago.
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People often ask if the actors are actually drinking beer on set.
Rarely.
Usually, it's "near beer" or some non-alcoholic substitute because doing twelve takes of a scene while pounding actual IPAs is a recipe for a very messy production day. However, the camaraderie you see on screen is bolstered by the fact that the cast actually likes the city. You’ll frequently see the stars of the One Chicago shows at real-life Chicago institutions like Gene & Georgetti or hanging out at various spots in the West Loop.
The Business of a Fictional Bar
One thing the show gets right—mostly—is how hard it is to run a bar in Chicago.
The licensing hurdles, the health inspections, the constant need for repairs; these aren't just filler plots. They are the reality of the hospitality industry in a city known for its bureaucracy. When Herrmann grumbles about a pipe bursting or a tax hike, every bar owner in Cook County is nodding in agreement.
There's also the "Molly's" expansion. Remember the attempt to franchise? Or the side-hustle with the food truck? These plotlines highlight the "side-gig" culture that is so prevalent among first responders. Many real-life firefighters and police officers in Chicago own small businesses, landscaping companies, or bars on the side. It adds a layer of authenticity that keeps the show grounded.
Visiting Lottie’s: What to Expect
If you're planning a trip to see the "real" Molly's, keep these things in mind:
- It’s a Sports Bar First: Don't expect a quiet museum. Lottie’s is a massive destination for Packers fans (ironic, given the Chicago setting) and big for college sports. If there’s a game on, it will be loud.
- The Food is Legit: Unlike many filming locations that are just "pretty," the food here is actually good. The tacos and burgers are local favorites.
- Respect the Locals: While fans are welcome, remember that for many people in Bucktown, this is just their regular Tuesday night spot.
- Look Up: The ceiling and the signage carry that old-world Chicago charm that the set designers worked so hard to duplicate.
The Legacy of the One Chicago Hangout
Molly's Bar represents something more than just a set. In a television landscape where everything feels digital and polished, Molly’s feels lived-in. It’s messy. The lighting is slightly too yellow. The stools look like they’ve seen some things.
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It serves as a reminder that these characters—superheroes in turnout gear or tactical vests—are just people who need a cold drink and a friend at the end of a twenty-four-hour shift.
Whether you call it Molly's or Lottie's, the building stands as a monument to the show's massive impact on Chicago's economy and its cultural footprint. Since Chicago Fire debuted in 2012, the "One Chicago" franchise has brought thousands of jobs to the city. And a lot of those crew members probably grab a drink at Lottie's when the cameras stop rolling.
Practical Steps for Fans and Visitors
If you want to experience the One Chicago world for yourself, don't just stop at the bar.
Start at Lottie's Pub in Bucktown for the Molly's vibe. Grab a beer and take a photo outside the corner entrance—that's the classic shot.
Next, head toward Firehouse 51. The real station is Engine 18, located at 1360 S. Blue Island Ave. It is a working firehouse, so be respectful. They are used to fans, but they have a job to do. If the doors are open and they aren't on a call, the firefighters are usually incredibly friendly and might even have some station shirts for sale.
Finally, check out the Old Post Office or the Chicago Riverwalk. These are the backdrops for some of the most intense scenes in P.D. and Fire.
Chicago isn't just a setting for these shows; it’s a character. Molly’s Bar is that character’s favorite corner to sit and think. It’s a piece of television history you can actually visit, sit in, and order a round at. Just don't expect Herrmann to be behind the bar complaining about the bill.