The Legendary Rivalries of Cheers' Gary's Olde Towne Tavern

The Cheers Gang and Their Colorful World

Cheers, the classic sitcom that first premiered in September 1982, takes place in the titular 'Cheers' bar in Boston, MA. The show revolves around the antics and interactions of a group of colorful locals who gather at the bar to drink, chat, and unwind. At the center of it all is Sam Malone (played by Ted Danson), the charming owner of the bar. The cast of characters at Cheers includes famous television personalities such as Norm Peterson (played by George Wendt), Frasier Crane (played by Kelsey Grammer), Carla Tortelli (played by Rhea Perlman), and Woody Boyd (played by Woody Harrelson). With a record 117 Emmy nominations and 28 wins, Cheers is widely hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Gary (Robert Desiderio) laughing at Sam (Ted Danson) who's pointing a finger in Cheers.

The show ran for 11 seasons and featured a diverse range of storylines, from character-driven plots to entertaining side stories involving recurring and guest characters. While the atmosphere at Cheers is generally friendly, the gang has had their fair share of conflicts with customers and neighbors, including the neighboring bar, Gary's Olde Towne Tavern. The eponymous owner, Gary, portrayed by Joel Polis and later Robert Desiderio, becomes a smirking rival to Sam, leading to hilarious and intense encounters between the two establishments throughout the series.

The 'Bar Wars' Series: Cheers vs. Gary's Olde Towne Tavern

The rivalry between Cheers and Gary's Olde Towne Tavern takes center stage in the 'Bar Wars' series, which kicks off in season 4, episode 9, titled 'From Beer to Eternity'. The spark for the rivalry ignites when Gary's bar triumphs over Cheers in a softball game. Seeking revenge, Sam and the crew challenge them to a bowling competition, hoping to secure a win with Woody as their ringer. However, when Woody gets injured, Diane (played by Shelley Long) steps up to secure victory for Cheers, setting the stage for a series-long battle between the two bars.

The 'Bar Wars' series unfolds across several episodes, with the Cheers gang and Gary's Olde Towne Tavern crew engaging in an escalating series of pranks and games. The rivalry reaches absurd levels, from showing a poetry reading on Gary's TV instead of a boxing match, to shaving Gary's name onto the heads of the Cheers crew, to the ultimate prank of tricking Gary into demolishing his own bar. The 'Bar Wars' episodes, with titles like 'Bar Wars II' and 'Bar Wars V', bring the Cheers cast together to take on their rivals, providing a delightful change as they unite against a common foe, even if their motivations are less than noble.

Sam's Multifaceted Rivalries: Beyond Gary's Olde Towne Tavern

In addition to the rivalry with Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, Sam Malone has another notable adversary in the series, John Allen Hill. John, portrayed by Keene Curtis, owns the upscale seafood restaurant 'Melville's', located above Cheers. The clash between the working-class Cheers crew and the upper-class John sets the stage for a classic conflict. The rivalry intensifies when John demands rent from Sam for using space that he claims belongs to him, leading to humorous and contentious interactions between the two establishments.

John Allen Hill (Keene Curtis) smirking at someone in Cheers.

The rivalry between Sam and John extends beyond business matters, with personal entanglements adding fuel to the fire. Sam's decision to date John's daughter as a form of retaliation, and John's romantic involvement with Carla, contribute to the ongoing tension between them. John's presence serves as a reminder that, despite the fun and camaraderie at Cheers, there will always be individuals with grievances against the beloved bar and its lively patrons.