World’s Most Dangerous Bars – Vol. 1

It is an unwritten rule of action movies… when an action hero steps into a bar, that action hero will end up in a fight. And while there are always exceptions to rules, I believe the unwritten bar fight rule is adhered to more often than not.

To prove my point, I will now share with you some of the World’s Most Dangerous Bars…

10. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

We begin in Nepal, where it is closing time at a bar owned by Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen). After an uneasy reunion with her former beau, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) that included Indy asking if Marion has a piece from her archeologist father’s collection, a bronze medallion. Indy offered Marion $3,000 for the medallion, Marion told him to come back tomorrow…. despite the fact that she had the very medallion he was looking for on her person.

After Indy leaves, Marion gets another unwelcome guest in the form of Toht (Ronald Lacey). The terrifying Toht, representing the Nazi party, has brought some henchmen with him and like Dr. Jones, he is interested in acquiring the bronze medallion! Marion is even more uncooperative to Toht than she was to Indy. But Toht has ways of getting what he wants, for example grabbing the red hot poker from the fireplace and threatening Marion with it. The poker inches closer and closer to Marion’s face, when suddenly Indy and his trusty bullwhip, yanks the red hot poker out of Toht’s hands and it lands near some curtains… some extremely flammable curtains!

The only thing faster than than the spreading fire are the speeding bullets, which are flying from every direction! One of Toht’s men ends up on fire and Indy shoots him out of his misery. A hulking figure then busts through the bar door and immediately beings to manhandle Indy. Meanwhile, Marion takes out another henchmen courtesy of a flaming log. Seconds later, Indy finds himself thrown head first against the front side of the bar, before being pressed up against the top of the bar… a bar that is about to be on fire courtesy of Toht and a bottle of alcohol. Indy then asks Marion for a bottle of whiskey, which he uses to smash against the head of his much larger foe, narrowly avoiding the fire heading his way, proving Homer Simpson’s belief that alcohol is in fact, the cause and solution to all of life’s problems.

Indy continues to find himself in a life and death struggle with the big brute, while the treacherous Toht spots the medallion on the floor. Not realizing the medallion is red hot, Toht grabs it and ends up with a souvenir that will come in handy in Egypt. Meanwhile, just as Indy has finally vanquished the big brute, another goon pops up from from behind the bar and he’s about to shoot Indy… fortunately Marion shoots the goon first! And Indiana Jones now has a GD partner in his search for the Lost Ark of the Covenant.

9. Fists of Iron (1995)

Mechanic, Dale Hartwell (Michael Worth) pops into his local watering hole, hoping to forget the long, hard day of work he had which included a disgruntled and jacked up customer going all “Karen” on Dale, leading to a some parking lot pugilism.

Unbeknownst to Dale he finds himself sitting at the bar next to two fight game legends who have decided to visit their old stomping grounds… former professional fighter, Daniel Lee (Eric Lee), and his longtime trainer, Tyler Green (Sam J. Jones). Daniel is enjoying a beer and making eyes at a woman across the bar, when the woman’s jealous boyfriend (Stefanos Miltsakakis) notices. The boyfriend and his buddies make their way over to Daniel to confront him. Unfortunately for Dale, his proximity puts him in the danger zone and he becomes the bar room bullies’ proxy punching bag.

Dale’s bare knuckle brawling skills are critiqued by Daniel and Tyler as they sit back and watch the action unfold. The uneven fight ends quickly for pretty boy Dale when he is thrown over the bar, landing at the feet of Barry the bartender. This is about the time that Daniel’s beer is spilt. That gets Daniel off his barstool and he proves why he was one of the best fighters to ever step into a ring.

8. Snake Eater (1989)

Nobody can make an entrance like Jack “Soldier” Kelly. One moment Soldier is riding his motorcycle on the open road, the next he’s swerving to avoid hitting a kid that ran out in the road, which causes Soldier to lose control of the bike and he drives straight into a dirt pile outside a bar known as The Cage. The sudden stop propels Soldier into the air and through a table at The Cage. A waitress helps Soldier up to his feet and seats him at a table before taking his order.

One of the bikers, known as The Dentist, who was sitting at the now totaled table takes umbrage with Soldier. The Dentist, sporting a necklace made out of the teeth of the various men he has defeated over the years, heads over to Soldier’s table and dumps a pitcher of beer on Soldier’s lap. After a smart ass quip by Soldier, The Dentist pours a second pitcher of beer on Soldier’s lap. Soldier stands up and smashes a beer bottle on The Dentist’s thick skull, who is completely unphased by the blow. A second beer bottle bashing is equally ineffective. The Dentist then responds by picking Soldier up and slamming him through a table!

Soldier on his back, looks up at The Dentist standing over him and goes for the always effective testicular claw… a move that does register with The Dentist! But The Dentist delivers a series of haymakers to Soldier, the last one puts Soldier in a seated position on the bar! The onlookers back off, fearing for their own safety as The Dentist glares in their direction. That momentary distraction for The Dentist, allows Soldier a chance to grab an empty pizza pan off the bar and nail The Dentist with it, ringing his bell and allowing Soldier to start throwing some haymakers of his own!

A discombobulated Dentist is now swinging wildly at the air, Soldier uses The Dentist’s own momentum against him and a third table is destroyed! Soldier helps a still defiant Dentist up to his feet, before Soldier pushes him back down and gives The Dentist a taste of his own amateur dentistry much to the delight of the onlookers.

But wait there’s more… another tough hombre, well versed in the martial arts looks to be the next to challenge Soldier. The martial arts maniac taunts Soldier, who responds by throwing a beer bottle in his direction, but the maniac chops it right out of the air. Soldier tries another bottle, same result. Then Soldier grabs two bottles, lobbing the first one in the air and while the maniac is watching the flying bottle, Solder takes the second beer bottle and nails the maniac right in the balls! As he is bent over in pain, the first beer bottle lands on the back of the maniac’s head knocking him out, proving nobody can make an exit like Jack “Soldier” Kelly either.

7. Firewalker (1986)

Max Donigan (Chuck Norris) and Leo Porter (Louis Gossett Jr.) are a couple of world traveling, treasure hunting adventurers who are no strangers to danger. So it’s really no surprise when the two (along with the woman who hired them for their latest expedition, Patricia Goodwin (Melody Anderson), find themselves in trouble in a Central American bar.

It starts when Max starts waving money around hoping some of the locals will provide them with information. An Englishman named Boggs (Ian Abercrombie) takes the offer and points them in the direction of a village and a guide.

When Max goes to leave, he is stopped by the imposing Big Man (Miguel Fuentes). Big Man insults Max’s parents and even spits on his Max’s shoes. Big Man then says Max has sexual relations with goats, which prompts Leo to step in to try to smooth things over. But the Big Man spits on Leo’s shoes too, so Leo punches Big Man right in the face to no effect! Big Man grabs Leo and heaves him over the bar. When Leo gets back up, Big Man continues to toss him around as Max and Patricia watch on. Big Man then slaps a chokehold on Leo, which prompts Max to intervene, turning the tables on the big man and putting him in a chokehold of his own, putting the giant to sleep.

That’s when Max notices some of the other locals messing with Patricia… Max hands his gum to Leo, and gets to work!. Max is kicking and punching guys through doors, windows and tables… he kicks one guy so hard he bounces off the wall! Soon it is Max against the entire bar and when it is all said and done, the bar is trashed, there are patrons out cold all over the place and Max, Patricia and Leo walk arm in arm out of the bar to continue their adventure…

6. Kickboxer (1989)

When Kurt Sloane (Jean-Claude Van Damme) went to Xian (Dennis Chan) in hopes of being trained in the art of kickboxing, he could not have possibly known he’d end up at a bar as part of his training.

Xian looking to get Kurt an opportunity to put what he has learned thus far to the test, gets Kurt drunk at a bar frequented by the infamous fight promoter, Freddie Li and his stable of fighters. Once Kurt is feeling really good, Xian asks Kurt if he’s a good dancer. When Kurt questions why, Xian tells him he would like to see Kurt dance so he can observe his balance. Xian then heads over to the jukebox, selects some Beau Williams, grabs Kurt a dance partner and Kurt proceeds to get jiggy with it as only he can.

Xian then goes to the next phase of his unorthodox training plan as he stirs the pot with some of Freddie Li’s guys at the bar, who are seeing the spectacle that is Kurt Sloane dancing right before their very eyes. One by one, the men Xian spoke to confront Kurt. And one by one Kurt drops them, including kicking one guy right into the drink and another two guys into the jukebox after a fantastic splits kick!

Freddie Li is intrigued by what he sees and he and Xian step outside to talk. Kurt takes out some innocent shot glasses and vanquishes one more foe before stumbling out of the bar, looking for Xian. It’s there Kurt finds out that Xian told the guys who attacked him that Kurt said their mothers have sex with mules!

5. Riot (1996)

It’s Christmas Eve in Los Angeles and there are riots on the streets. Shane Alcott (Gary Daniels) gets a call from his buddy, Williams (Sugar Ray Leonard), inviting him to shoot some pool and have a few beers. While Shane is keeping an eye on the news coverage of the riots. Williams is accidentally bumping into a white supremacist softball team, who are none too happy that their Tuesday night softball tradition has been canceled thanks to the riots.

When Shane and Williams opt to walk away instead of engaging, the racist ring leader directs a homophobic joke in their direction. And that’s about all Williams is going to take… Shane suggests they “close the place” first and the two tip over a pool table on its side, blocking the entrance as a hip hop version of “Joy to the World” begins to play!

Shane immediately delivers a kick that knocks down the entire team like bowling pins. Despite having a numbers advantage, the softballers strike out time and time again, thanks to the martial arts skills of Shane and the fisticuffs of Williams. At one point, Shane delivers a foul ball shot and Williams turns one of the hate filled players into a human punching bag. Some of the softballers even get beer bottles to the head for Christmas, courtesy of Shane and Williams… at least someone was in the holiday spirit of giving!

Shane and Williams cap off their season’s beatings by ejecting four of the naughty softballers through a window!

4. Out for Justice (1991)

Detective Gino Felino (Steven Seagal) is looking for some answers at a local bar. Gino wants to know if anybody has seen Richie Madano and/or if they know why Richie did Bobby Lupo. The patrons at the bar, coincidentally operated by Richie’s brother Vinnie, are not cooperative.

The bartender gets in Gino’s face and despite his boxing background, quickly ends up on the floor thanks to one well placed elbow from Gino. Sammy, a loudmouth sitting at the bar, theorizes that Gino wouldn’t be talking so tough if he didn’t have his gun and his badge. Gino then takes the clip out of his gun and announces to the bar that his badge can be their trophy… Sammy ups the ante by offering $5,000 to anyone who can get Gino’s badge.

The first taker steps in and is quickly taken out. Gino who grabbed the bar towel after his altercation with the bartender, places a cue ball in the towel. That’s about the time Tattoos steps up and threatens to cut Gino’s head off… instead he ends up spitting out his teeth on the pool table, while Gino tosses around some of Tattoos’ buddies with ease. Not knowing when to call it quits, Tattoos steps up again and Gino knocks him out just like his teeth.

Then it is time to call in the heavy artillery… Sticks (Dan Inosanto)! Sticks got his nickname due to the Escrima sticks he carries and his proficiency with using them. Gino grabs a pool cue and a good old fashioned stick fight breaks out. Sticks proves to be Gino’s toughest challenger, but he is no more successful than his friends. After tossing around a few more foolish souls, Gino takes his leave… no closer to getting the answers to his burning questions.

3. Drive (1997)

It’s been a wild ride for the unlikely duo of Toby Wong (Mark Dacascos) and Malik Brody (Kadeem Hardison). But it’s seemingly the end of the road for the two when they arrive at the Apollo 14 bar to meet up with representatives from Continental Technologies (ConTech for those in the know)… the company that has offered to pay Toby handsomely for the “bio-engine” that was installed in Toby’s chest by the nefarious Leung Corporation in Hong Kong.

After some beers and a little karaoke, the good times come to abrupt halt when the Leung Corporation’s Advanced Model (Masaya Katô) makes a dramatic entrance into the bar and locks eyes with Toby Wong in a real mic drop moment. The ConTech guys pull out their guns, before dirt bikes come crashing through every window of the bar… it’s the Leung Corporation calvary! The bullets start flying, innocent people are caught in the crossfire as they desperately try to escape. It becomes clear that the ConTech guys are seriously outgunned and it isn’t long before Toby and Malik find themselves on their own with the odds stacked against them, once again.

Toby still has the “bio-engine” inside him that gives him super human abilities and they allow Toby to eliminate the first wave of Leung baddies, and that’s when the Advanced Model reappears and it’s almost time for “bio-engine” vs. “bio-engine”! Toby realizing how dangerous the Advance Model is, tells Malik it’s time for him to go home to his wife and daughter… and then the fight begins with the Advanced Model getting the upper hand early on Toby!

As the reluctant Malik is making his way to the exit, he runs into the thorn that has been in his side since this whole adventure began… Leung Corporation heavy, Vic Madison (John Pyper-Ferguson). At Vic’s side is his stooge, Hedgehog (Tracey Walter). Vic and Hedgehog both pull guns on Malik, but Malik is just a little quicker and he manages to grab their arms and send them tumbling down the stairs! When Malik tries to grab Hedgehog’s gun, Vic trips up Malik and delivers a couple of fists while Malik is down on the ground! When both men get back up to their feet… Vic pulls out a bullwhip!

Meanwhile, Toby does not let his frustration get the better of him and he mounts the comeback of all comebacks, delivering some damage to the Advanced Model in the process. Back in Hong Kong, the Advanced Model’s vitals are being monitored, and when Leung Corporation head, Mr. Lau, hears of the damage sustained by the Advanced Model, he orders his technician to boost all of the Advanced Model’s implants! This seems like a smart move at first… the Advanced Model is back on his feet, showing no signs of damage and delivering a “bio-engine” beatdown to Toby… but a major system overload and a dirt bike riding Toby put an end to the Advanced Model!

While all that was going on Malik was being choked out by Vic and his bullwhip, but after playing a little possum, Malik is able to surprise Vic with a bullet to his knee cap, before he pistol whips him!

With both of the main baddies seemingly vanquished, it looks like Toby and Malik are finally in the clear… unfortunately for them, Vic didn’t get the memo. Vic comes up behind them, with detonators in hand, looking to add suicide bombing to his list of atrocities. Toby and Malik quickly grab the detonators from Vic. Then a pair of kicks sends Vic and the explosives he is wearing across the bar room floor and then it’s TIME TO BLOW!

Toby and Malik make it out alive, but the Apollo 14 bar will not be open for business anytime soon.

2. American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987)

The daughter of a renowned scientist, Alicia Sanborn, is forcibly removed from a reception being held at the Governor’s mansion after she accuses one of the guests, Leo Burke, of being a drug dealing criminal and a bastard! Army Rangers, Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff) and Curtis Jackson (Steve James), who were at the reception posing as Marines, are immediately called into action.

With their buddy (and actual Marine) Charlie (Larry Poindexter) as the wheel man, Armstrong and Jackson follow the Cadillac that Alicia was taken away in to one of the roughest places in town… The Blind Beggar Bar!

Armstrong, Jackson and Charlie head inside, where they don’t receive a warm welcome from the Blind Beggar regulars. The trio find themselves surrounded, when from up on the second floor balcony, Alicia Sanborn cries for help… Armstrong makes his move to get up to Alicia, leaving Jackson and Charlie to deal with the first floor toughs! A bevy of Blind Beggar bullies immediately pile on Jackson… but Jackson powers out and they all fall like bowling pins! Meanwhile, Charlie is doing his best to go toe to toe with the toughs, but they use their numbers advantage to send him flying across a table and into the wall.

Joe continues to fight his way up the stairs, while Jackson continues to manhandle meathead after meathead! …Charlie recovers from hitting the wall and soon has one of the female patrons tossing a beer bottle at him… then we get to see Jackson go hand to hand with the head hooligan and he proves he can take a punch as well as delivering them! …Armstrong tosses a guy off the balcony who just misses crashing through a table below. Then Joe gets tackled and he the tackler go crashing through the balcony rail and through the table the other guy just missed!

Charlie has managed to make his way behind the bar, while Jackson continues to have the time of his life fighting off more attackers… Charlie takes a timeout to ask a beautiful blonde at the bar out to lunch, and she smashes a beer bottle over his head… It’s now getting down to the nitty gritty, with Joe knocking fools out and Jackson and Charlie teaming up to do some damage… Alicia manages to get away just as Leo Burke’s heavy, Tojo Ken (Mike Stone) shows up to tease the inevitable Joe Armstrong vs. Tojo Ken battle!

1. Road House (1989)

The Double Deuce was a bar with a bad reputation, but after owner Frank Tilghman (Kevin Tighe), went out and hired the best cooler in the business, Dalton (Patrick Swayze), things have started to turn around for the road house. But there’s still one major problem, Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara). Wesley is the most powerful man in town and thanks to guys like his right hand man, Jimmy (Marshall Teague), he is able to maintain his power through sheer intimidation!

One night, while the Double Deuce is packed with people enjoying some live music and libations… one of Dalton’s bouncers comes in with horrible news, the auto parts store just across the way is on fire! The bar empties out as everyone wants to see the carnage first hand. Then before the fire department can do anything about it, the store explodes!

Meanwhile, Brad Wesley has made his way inside the Double Deuce along with all of his henchmen in tow. The bombastic Wesley shit talks Red, the owner of the auto parts store, tells someone to invite the firefighters in for a drink and then demands the band start playing again… which prompts Wesley’s lady, Denise, to go on stage and perform for everyone. When Dalton shuts down Denise’s impromptu striptease and escorts her back to Wesley, Dalton tells him to keep his pet on a leash. This prompts Wesley to summon Jimmy, who was shooting some pool.

Armed with a pool cue, Jimmy (a former ex-con, who we later learn gave some of his fellow inmates the full prison experience), heads to the dance floor and shows off his staff fighting skills before challenging the bouncers to do something about it… Dalton gives them the go ahead and Jimmy swiftly takes them down, pummeling them with the pool cue.

Then Wesley’s other goons start tearing up the place and the fists start flying! In the midst of the total pandemonium Jimmy challenges Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott), Dalton’s friend and mentor. It’s a real battle of the tough guys, but Jimmy has youth on his side and some deadly kicks. Before Jimmy can deliver the knockout blow, Dalton steps in to save his friend. But Wesley fires a pistol in the air and calls off his dogs, robbing us of a Dalton vs. Jimmy fight… for now.