Aside from Firehouse 51, the characters inChicago Firespend most of their time at Molly’s Pub, which is technically a real bar that fans can visit — but it’s under a different name. The NBC procedural drama TV series, created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, follows the work and personal lives of the firefighters and paramedics assigned to Firehouse 51 in Chicago, Illinois. Over the course ofChicago Fire’s 13 seasonson the air,Molly’s has been around since the very beginning,and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Most interior scenes in Firehouse 51 are filmed on a set. However, theChicago Firecast and crew utilize the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 18 station in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood for the exterior scenes.
Most of the first responders who come andgo in Firehouse 51 inChicago Fireform close bonds, whether they are platonic or romantic in some cases. As a result, they like spending time together outside of work. Starting in season 1, the characters' go-to spot to hang out is obviously Molly’s.The bar is featured in nearly every episode ofChicago Fireand has become a staple location of the NBC TV show. If the firefighters and paramedics aren’t at Firehouse 51 or responding to a call, they’re typically at Molly’s, unwinding after a long day of work.
Molly’s History In Chicago Fire Explained
Herrmann, Mouch, & Platt Own Molly’s As Of Chicago Fire Season 13
As mentioned above,Molly’s has been around sinceChicago Fireseason 1.Gabby Dawson, Christopher Herrmann, and Brian “Otis” Zvonecek decided to buy the bar from Spiro Stephanidesin the middle of the procedural drama’s first season, and the rest is history. Over the years, ownership of Molly’s has changed. They even decided to expand and open Molly’s North at one point. Nevertheless, the original pub has remained the number one place for theOne Chicagofranchise’s characters (includingChicago PDandChicago Medcharacters) to interact outside work.
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WhenOtis heartbreakingly dies inChicago Fireseason 8, Randall “Mouch” McHolland and his wife,Chicago PD’s Trudy Platt, buy Otis' shares of Molly’s. Herrmann is also forced to close Molly’s North in the wake of Otis' death. So, as ofChicago Fireseason 13, Herrmann, Mouch, and Platt own Molly’s, whileStella Kidd is the bar’s manager and works as a bartender when off shift.
Chicago Fire’s Molly’s Is Actually A Real Bar In Chicago
Molly’s Is Inspired By Lottie’s Pub
It doesn’t go by Molly’s, but the bar featured inChicago Fireexists in real life, meaning fans can visit it. It’s calledLottie’s Pub and is located in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.However, the cast and crew oftheOne ChicagoTV showno longer use Lottie’s Pub to double as Molly’s while filming. According toOne Chicago Center, they shot exterior and interior scenes at the bar in season 1. However, it soon became too difficult and too expensive to close off the area as frequently as necessary. Consequently, the producers had to pivot.
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Kylie Estevez
Instead,theChicago Firecrew built a set inspired by Lottie’s Pub on a soundstage at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.So, starting in season 2, the NBC procedural drama utilized the soundstage for the scenes inside Molly’s. It simply made more sense to build a set that replicates Lottie’s Pub than to film on location, especially considering how many scenes are shot at Molly’s. Fans can still visitLottie’s Pub, which features a fewOne Chicago-themed items on its menu, including aChicago Fireburger, aChicago PDburger, and aChicago Medturkey burger.
Why Molly’s Is Such An Important Part Of Chicago Fire
The Bar Is A Safe Space For Firehouse 51
Molly’s is arguably the most important location inChicago Fire,excluding Firehouse 51. It has become a place wheretheOne Chicagouniversecharacters can go to hang out, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and even get married. Molly’s has essentially become many of the first responders' second homes. The bar is also important because it’s a chance forChicago Fireto develop characters and relationships outside their identities as firefighters/paramedics, proving that the show is more than just its action sequences.
