10 Best Ever Movie Bartenders

Bartenders in reality are rarely as they are in cinema. Whereas you may be expecting a burly man "with stories" who recognizes you by drink, fully interested in your inane daily troubles, you're more likely to get a grump with access to the tap or a pretty girl trying to pay off student loans.

The harsh reality of economic hardships and an easy paycheck make the classic bartender a rarity at best, relegated to stage and screen. And while we may find solace in a particular watering hole, it's less for the company provided and more for the atmosphere and drink specials.

So here's a word for the lowly barkeep, who often struggles just to keep his establishment open in the face of Tom Cruise wannabe employees, under-the-table drug deals and balancing the books - he has no time for a "penny for your thoughts" conversation.

Here's to those who, fictionally, do.

Cocktail thrust its audience into the high stakes world of pouring liquid into glasses, including doing so while flipping and spinning bottles in the air like you're a damn juggler. We understand the importance of going above and beyond while performing a job in the tip-based industry, but sometimes you just want the man behind the counter to ply you with forget juice as fast as possible.

If you are looking for an inexpensive mini-Cirque De Soliel show before getting your drink on, however, don't order from novice Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise). Sure, he's 80s handsome and The Church of Scientology hasn't sunk its greedy fingers in his mind yet, but he's just starting out - a college drop-out who couldn't even finish a business degree.

That's why we prefer Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown), Flanagan's mentor who taught him everything he knew, and knows how to do it ten times better.