If you are ever in Boston and happen to walk or drive by the “Bull and Finch Pub” at the corner of Beacon and Brimmer Streets, you will immediately recognize it as the restaurant/pub used by the popular show “Cheers.” At the beginning of the show, the outside of “Cheers” is shown, which was filmed in Boston. A replica was not built in Hollywood.
The show ran for eleven seasons, accumulating over 100 Emmy nominations along the way. A total of 275 episodes were filmed with the actors/actresses winning many Emmy’s in their particular role. The first show of “Cheers” was shown on September 30, 1982 and immediately captured many regulars.
The “Bull and Finch Pub” or “Cheers” is part of the Hampshire House hotel which was built in 1910 as a private residence. Ruth and Bayard Thayer lived here with their family; their “morning room” had rich wood paneling along with a marble fireplace and overlooked the Boston Public Garden.
The Hampshire House was lived in by various couples until purchased by Tom Kershaw and Jack Veasy in 1969 when the pub was added. It opened on December 1, 1969. In 1981, Mary Ann and Glenn Charles walked into the Bull and Finch while looking for a pub to use in a new television show. The rest is history.
Before enjoying lunch or a cool beverage, visitors from the Boston area and from out-of-town love to take pictures of the outside of “Cheers.” Inside is a cozy bar along with tables for lunch or supper. The menu includes delicious items such as Sam’s Turkey Club, Frasier’s Chicken Panini, Giant Norm Burger, Coach’s Power Club Sandwich, Diane’s Brownie Sundae or the famous Boston Crème Pie. The bar on the television show, as we all know, is an island bar while that of the Bull and Finch is a wall bar. However, the details are identical.
Autographed pictures of many Boston sports figures, past and present, adorn the walls. You may even purchase a souvenir from one of the two gift shops. They include a variety of shirts, caps, mugs, sweatshirts and other momentos to bring home for family and friends. Who knows, you may be lucky and see Sam, Norm, Diane, Woody or one of the other “regulars” the day you visit.
