What's a retired blue collar widower and recovered gambling addict in a New York City outer borough to do? Open a bar, of course. Archie Bunker's Place always seemed kind of depressing, with the bad lighting, dark colors, and Archie's grief over Edith's death hanging over the dive as palpably as the stench of stale cigarettes and beer. But that's why Norman Lear's television universe was such an interesting place to be. Note: We couldn't fit Sam's butcher shop from The Brady Bunch on the first list, but Allan Melvin, who played Sam, also played Archie's best friend and frequent bar stool dweller, Barney. If only there'd been a special crossover episode.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/food-on-television/top-tv-bars-drinking/index.php?page=2

I'm really surprised at this news. I think ABP had a real charm, but I'd have thought places like Cheers or Arnold's (later Al's) from Happy Days would have placed higher. Heck, even the Regal Beagle!! :shocked:

I'd take Arnold's, The Boar's Nest (Dukes of Hazzard), The Pizza Bowl (Laverne & Shirley) AND the Regal Beagle before ABP. Just my opinion!!!!!

^ We both forgot about the Blue Whale. Though to be honest, I'm not sure the atmosphere there would have perked me up, with most of the conversation centering around people who were missing, murdered, or somehow back from the dead! :lol:

^ Dark Shadows, right?

I'd also put Central Perk(Friends) and Cafe Nervosa (Frasier) ahead of Archie Bunkers Place. But then again I'm a coffee drinker!

^ Dark Shadows, right?

Yes, the Blue Whale was from DS. :)