You know that feeling when you're watching a show and the setting feels so real you basically want to grab your coat and head there? That’s the magic of Molly's Bar. If you've spent any time at all watching the One Chicago universe—whether it's Chicago Fire, P.D., or Med—you know that Molly's isn't just a place to get a cheap beer. It’s the soul of the franchise. It’s where Casey and Severide decompress after a brutal 24-hour shift and where the various squads collide to gossip, grieve, and celebrate.
But here’s the thing about Molly's Bar Chicago Fire fans often get mixed up: it isn't just one place. It’s a mix of a real-life Chicago staple and a highly detailed soundstage.
Is Molly's Bar a Real Place You Can Visit?
Honestly, sort of. In the very beginning, the show actually filmed at a real pub. If you want to walk the same floors as the original cast, you have to head over to Lottie’s Pub in Bucktown. Located at 1925 W. Cortland St., Lottie’s served as the "real" Molly’s for the first season and parts of the second. It’s a historic spot that’s been around since 1934, originally run by a woman named Lottie Zak who supposedly ran a basement gambling den back in the day.
Television production is a logistical nightmare.
Once the show became a massive hit and the crossovers between Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. started happening every other week, filming at a functioning neighborhood bar became impossible. Imagine trying to run a business while 50 crew members, massive cameras, and actors are blocking the entrance for 14 hours a day. It doesn't work. Eventually, the production team built a meticulous replica of the interior on a soundstage at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.
Why the move to the soundstage mattered
When they moved to the set, they didn't just throw together some plywood. They painstakingly recreated the vibe of Lottie's so well that most casual viewers never even noticed the switch. They kept the dark wood, the specific layout of the taps, and that "lived-in" Chicago dive bar atmosphere that makes you feel like you can smell the stale popcorn and floor wax through the screen.
👉 See also: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
The Ownership Drama: Who Actually Owns Molly's?
In the world of the show, the ownership of Molly's Bar has been a revolving door of Firehouse 51 favorites. It actually started as a side hustle—a way for the characters to have something outside of the life-and-death stakes of the CFD.
Christopher Herrmann, Otis (Brian Zvonecek), and Gabriela Dawson were the original trio who put their skin in the game. It wasn't just a business investment; it was a character arc. We saw them struggle with plumbing issues, liquor licenses, and the general headache of being small business owners in a city with plenty of red tape.
When Dawson left for Puerto Rico, her share became a bit of a plot point. Later, after the devastating loss of Otis in the Season 8 premiere, his stake in the bar became a sentimental weight for the rest of the crew. Herrmann eventually took the reins as the primary face of the establishment, often using the bar as a setting for his various "get rich quick" schemes that almost always backfire in a hilarious way.
Behind the Scenes Secrets of Molly's Bar Chicago Fire
You might notice that the exterior shots still look remarkably like a real Chicago street. That's because the production still uses "plate" shots of the area around Lottie's or other Chicago corners to maintain the illusion.
Here are a few things you probably didn't know about the "set" version:
✨ Don't miss: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
- The Beer is Real-ish: While the actors aren't actually getting hammered on set (that would be a liability nightmare), the taps often have real liquid flowing to make the pours look authentic. However, it’s usually non-alcoholic beer or a specific type of colored water that doesn't foam too much under the hot studio lights.
- The Wall of Fame: If you look closely at the walls of the set, there are photos and memorabilia that pay tribute to real-life Chicago first responders. The production designers worked closely with the Chicago Fire Department to ensure the "decor" felt earned.
- The Crossovers: Molly's is the only location that consistently unites all three shows. Because the studio set is permanent, it’s the easiest place for a Chicago Med doctor to "bump into" a Chicago P.D. detective without needing a massive location scout.
Why Fans Keep Flocking to Lottie's Pub
Even though the show doesn't film inside Lottie's anymore, the bar has leaned into its legacy. If you go there today, you can find "Molly's" merchandise. You can order a "Molly's Burger." It has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the One Chicago universe.
It’s interesting how fiction bleeds into reality. Lottie's was already a legendary Chicago bar, but the Molly's Bar Chicago Fire connection gave it a global profile. You'll see tourists from Germany, Brazil, and Japan sitting at the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of Taylor Kinney (even though he’s usually miles away at the studio).
The bar's real history is just as cool as the show. During Prohibition, it was a "grocery store" that acted as a front for a speakeasy. That gritty, authentic Chicago history is exactly why the showrunners picked it in the first place. They didn't want a shiny, modern lounge; they wanted a place that looked like it had survived a hundred Chicago winters.
The Impact of Molly’s on the Narrative
Think about how many major life events happened in those booths. It’s where Herrmann found out he was going to be a father (again). It’s where some of the most heartbreaking "end of shift" toasts happened after a character was written off or killed.
Without Molly's, Chicago Fire would just be a show about people putting out fires. The bar provides the "after-action" context. It’s where the adrenaline wears off and the emotional toll of the job sets in. In TV writing, you need a "third space"—somewhere that isn't the workplace and isn't the home—where characters can speak freely. For the One Chicago world, Molly's is that sanctuary.
🔗 Read more: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Practical Tips for One Chicago Tourists
If you're planning a trip to see the "real" Molly's, keep these things in mind to make the most of it:
- Visit Lottie's on an Off-Peak Time: If you want to take photos of the interior without a crowd, go for a late lunch on a weekday. Saturday nights are packed with locals who are there for the vibe, not the TV show.
- Check out Firehouse 18: While you're in the city, the actual station used for Firehouse 51 is located at 1360 S. Blue Island Ave. It’s an active fire station (Engine 18), so be respectful. They are used to fans, but they have jobs to do.
- Look for the Cinespace Signage: You can't get into the studio where the Molly's set lives, but driving past Cinespace on the West Side gives you a sense of the scale of the production.
- Order the "Molly’s" Specials: Lottie's often has drink or food specials named after characters. It’s a bit touristy, sure, but you're already there. Lean into it.
The legacy of Molly's Bar is really about community. It represents the idea that no matter how hard the day was—no matter how many buildings burned or how many calls were missed—there’s a place where the lights are dim, the beer is cold, and your "family" is waiting for you.
For the people of Chicago, Lottie’s is a neighborhood gem. For the rest of the world, it will always be Molly's.
How to Experience Molly's Yourself
If you want to dive deeper into the world of Molly's Bar, your best bet is to plan a trip to Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. Start at Lottie's Pub for a mid-afternoon drink to see the original bones of the set. Afterward, take a 15-minute Uber down to the Near West Side to see the exterior of Engine 18. This gives you the full "One Chicago" experience, moving from the fictional social hub to the real-life working heart of the CFD. Just remember that while Molly's feels like home, the real locations are active businesses and emergency services—keep your camera ready but your presence low-key.