Terminal Bar
Terminal Bar

Movie spotlight

Terminal Bar

2003
Movie
23 min
English

A fascinating pictorial history of a New York City bar whose customers, from the hard-drinking working class Irish to the coiffed African American gay male, continually transform its focus during its 10-year reign.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Stefano La CollaGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

Terminal Bar is a documentary film that delves into the lives of the patrons and owners of a legendary New York City bar that served as a gathering place for a colorful cast of characters. Situated near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the bar became a nexus for hustlers, mobsters, and ordinary people seeking solace and community. The film captures the raw, unfiltered atmosphere of the bar, offering a unique glimpse into a bygone era of New York City.

Critical Reception

Terminal Bar received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often highlighting its authenticity and the compelling, albeit often unsavory, characters it presented. Some praised its raw, unvarnished look at a specific subculture, while others found it to be somewhat bleak or repetitive. The documentary was noted for its ethnographic value, capturing a slice of New York life that was rapidly disappearing.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unflinching portrayal of a unique New York City subculture.

  • The film effectively captures the gritty reality and characters of the Terminal Bar.

  • Some found the subject matter bleak and lacking a strong narrative arc.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews and ratings for 'Terminal Bar' is not readily available or consistently reported.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The bar featured in the documentary, Terminal Bar, was a real establishment located near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, known for its eclectic clientele.

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