We’re back behind the bar, but this isn’t your neighborhood pub — it’s the world of Cocktail (1988), where neon lights, flair bartending, and lofty dreams collide.
The story follows Bryan Flanagan (Tom Cruise), an ambitious young man fresh out of the military who’s convinced he’s destined for greatness. His plan? Take New York by storm, but first, get a job slinging drinks while finishing business school. Enter Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown), a charismatic bartender with sharp life advice, most of it cynical and all of it quotable.
Their partnership is a whirlwind of bottle flips, choreographed bar-top routines, and endless banter until personal ambition and temptation pull them apart. Bryan trades the city for the beaches of Jamaica, where he meets Jordan (Elisabeth Shue), a grounded artist who sees through his charm. But old habits die hard, and Bryan’s struggle between love and ambition plays out against a backdrop of tropical sunsets and rum-heavy cocktails.
We talk about the movie’s glossy style, unforgettable soundtrack (The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” still gets stuck in your head), and its mix of drama, romance, and absurdly theatrical bartending. We also ask the big questions: Was Bryan a romantic lead, a cautionary tale, or just a guy who got really lucky with his job perks?
Like many 80s films, Cocktail is a strange but irresistible blend — part romance, part melodrama, part music video. It might not be perfect, but it’s a time capsule of ambition, excess, and a good pour.
Listen now and relive the flair-filled chaos with us — and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation on Discord.
Music:
Intro: Romantic Synthsound by Playsound
Outro: Retro Energy by Universfield
Sound Effects: Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
