Home World Influence

The Legendary MacLaren's Pub: 7 Untold Secrets Of The Bar That Defined A Generation

• minute read
Contents

For millions of fans, MacLaren's Pub is more than just a fictional New York City bar; it's the fifth main character of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). It's the sacred ground where Ted Mosby’s epic, decade-long story unfolds, where Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin’s love story blossomed, and where Barney Stinson delivered his most legendary plays. As of December 2025, the legacy of this legendary watering hole continues, not just in reruns, but in a very real, thriving New York City establishment that still welcomes fans from around the globe.

The infamous booth, the worn wooden bar, and the dimly-lit atmosphere were the backdrop for nearly every major life event of the gang—from engagements and breakups to the invention of the Slap Bet. While the on-screen bar was a Hollywood set, its real-world counterpart is a must-visit pilgrimage for any true fan, offering a tangible connection to the beloved CBS sitcom and its enduring story of friendship in the Big Apple.

The Real-Life MacLaren's: McGee's Pub and Its HIMYM Legacy

The fictional MacLaren's Pub is famously located beneath Ted Mosby, Marshall Eriksen, and Lily Aldrin’s apartment on the Upper West Side. However, the true inspiration—the bar where the show's co-creators spent countless hours—is located in Midtown Manhattan.

The Real-World Location and Its Current Status

The pub that served as the blueprint for MacLaren's is McGee's Pub. It is still open and thriving at 240 W. 55th Street in New York City. Co-creators Craig Thomas and Carter Bays were frequent patrons of McGee's during their time as writers for the *Late Show with David Letterman*, and the bar’s unique atmosphere, decor, and even its menu items were directly translated to the small screen.

Today, McGee's leans heavily into its pop culture fame, cementing its status as the unofficial *HIMYM* headquarters. It’s a place where fans can truly feel like they are sitting in the gang’s booth, surrounded by memorabilia and a dedicated atmosphere.

McGee's Pub Profile:

  • Inspiration For: MacLaren's Pub
  • Location: 240 W. 55th Street, New York, NY
  • Co-Creators: Craig Thomas & Carter Bays
  • Signature Feature: A large, colorful mural on the wall, which was replicated on the *HIMYM* set.
  • Fan Events: Regular *How I Met Your Mother* trivia nights and Monday night episode re-runs.

7 Legendary Secrets and Facts About MacLaren’s Pub

The bar's history is as rich as the nine seasons of the show itself. From its name origin to its subtle connection to the spin-off, these facts provide a deeper appreciation for the gang's favorite hangout.

1. The Bar’s Name is a Tribute to a Real Person

The name "MacLaren's Pub" is not a random choice. It is a direct nod to Carl MacLaren, who was the assistant to co-creator Carter Bays. In a meta twist, the bartender in the early seasons of the show is also named Carl, further honoring the real-life influence. This small detail highlights the personal nature of the bar's inspiration for the showrunners.

2. The Iconic Booth Was Never Real

While the bar itself is inspired by McGee's, the legendary booth where Ted, Marshall, Lily, Robin, and Barney spent thousands of hours was a completely original set design built on a soundstage in Los Angeles. The set designers perfectly captured the dark, cozy, and slightly worn-in look of a classic New York Irish pub, replicating the colorful mural found at McGee's.

3. You Can Order HIMYM-Inspired Cocktails at McGee's

The real-life McGee's Pub menu features several drinks named after iconic moments and characters from the show, allowing fans to truly immerse themselves in the experience. These specialty cocktails include:

  • The Naked Man: A reference to Barney’s infamous three-step move.
  • Don't Drink Tequila: A nod to one of the gang’s many bad decisions.
  • The Pineapple Incident: Named after the show's most enduring and mysterious running gag.

4. The Apartment Above MacLaren's Links to the Spin-off

The legacy of MacLaren’s extends into the spin-off series, *How I Met Your Father* (*HIMYF*). While the *HIMYF* group has a different main hangout, it is revealed that the character Sid, the new bar owner, lives in the same iconic apartment that Ted and Marshall shared—the one directly above MacLaren's Pub. This detail confirms the bar's continued existence within the show's universe, even if it's not the primary location for the new generation.

5. The Bar's Set Was Partially Reused for *HIMYF*

In a major Easter egg for fans, the original MacLaren's Pub set was not entirely dismantled after *HIMYM* ended. Portions of the set, including the familiar murals and framed photos on the walls, were reportedly used in the production design of *How I Met Your Father*. This subtle reuse connects the two series visually, suggesting that the spirit of the original bar lives on.

6. The Pub's Location is a Plot Point

The convenience of MacLaren's location—directly below the main characters' apartment—was a crucial plot device. It allowed the gang to constantly drop in, making the bar their default meeting place and ensuring that every major conversation could happen there. This proximity facilitated the spontaneous, everyday nature of their friendship, a key theme of the show, and is a perfect example of how the set design influenced the storytelling.

7. It Was the Setting for the Slap Bet and the Yellow Umbrella

MacLaren's is the birthplace of two of the show's most legendary elements. The first is the Slap Bet, the high-stakes wager between Marshall and Barney that resulted in Marshall being able to slap Barney five times over an indefinite period. The second is the Yellow Umbrella, which Ted first finds at the bar, an object that becomes the central, symbolic mystery of the entire series and a clue to the identity of The Mother, Tracy McConnell.

How to Visit the Real MacLaren's Pub Today

For fans planning a trip to New York City, a visit to McGee's Pub is an essential stop. The pub's dedication to its *HIMYM* heritage makes it more than just a regular bar; it's a living piece of television history.

The Fan Experience:

  • HIMYM Mondays: The pub frequently streams reruns of the show on Monday nights, creating a communal viewing experience for fans.
  • The Decor: The walls are covered with posters, photos, and memorabilia from the show, including cast autographs, making it feel like a dedicated museum.
  • The Vibe: The three-story Irish pub maintains the dark wood, cozy feel, and multiple bars that made the fictional MacLaren's so inviting.

Whether you're a Wesleyan alum like Ted and Marshall, a Canadian pop star like Robin Scherbatsky, a kindergarten teacher like Lily Aldrin, or a suit-wearing legend like Barney Stinson, McGee's Pub offers a chance to pull up a seat, order a beer, and feel like you're part of the gang. It's a testament to the show's enduring appeal that a simple New York bar could become a global cultural landmark, proving that sometimes, the best stories are told over a round of drinks with your best friends.

The Legendary MacLaren's Pub: 7 Untold Secrets of the Bar That Defined a Generation
bar from how i met your mother
bar from how i met your mother

Detail Author:

  • Name : Penelope O'Hara DDS
  • Username : adan.conroy
  • Email : pnolan@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1981-06-08
  • Address : 716 Bessie Harbor Laviniamouth, TN 41242-6244
  • Phone : 575.619.2557
  • Company : Rogahn Group
  • Job : Bridge Tender OR Lock Tender
  • Bio : Sit pariatur commodi et illo. Est fuga aliquid incidunt quidem rerum. Iusto velit illo expedita et repellat saepe facere ut.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/marques_dev
  • username : marques_dev
  • bio : Animi suscipit eum architecto consequatur. Et aut dolorum voluptas nemo laboriosam quasi minima. Quia ipsam nihil ex natus error.
  • followers : 1518
  • following : 2754

facebook:

linkedin:

tiktok:

Random Posts