Is Joe's Bar In Grey's Anatomy A Real Place?
Relaxing after a long (and often stressful) day at work; that's what the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital like to do on the long-running medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." And that's why Joe's Bar — also known as the Emerald City Bar — is the place that many hospital staff members go to after clocking out for the day. The show has been following the professional and personal lives of surgical interns and other doctors since first premiering on ABC in 2005. And Joe's Bar is the place where they can all catch up off the clock. The crew members in the spin-off series "Station 19" also frequent this watering hole, and they even come to the rescue when a car drives into the bar during "Grey's Anatomy," Season 16, Episode 9, "Let's All Go to the Bar."
The bar's namesake is Joe the bartender (Steven W. Bailey), who prepared drinks for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and others beginning in Season 2, Episode 1, "Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head." Joe hangs up his bar towel in Season 7, Episode 9, "Slow Night, So Long," when the hospital staff heads to the bar to celebrate Derek's (Patrick Dempsey) grant approval.
As fans sip their drinks while watching "Grey's Anatomy" at home, some may wonder if they can take a seat in the place that has welcomed some of their favorite characters.
Having a drink at Joe's Bar doesn't mean a trip to Seattle
Joe's Bar is not just a place that "Grey's Anatomy" fans can see on TV. It's a place they can actually visit — but it can't be found by searching for "Joe's Bar." According to Los Angeles Magazine, the space is called Der Wolfskopf and is located at 72 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, California. According to Der Wolfskopf's website, reservations and walk-ins are welcome.
However, fans won't spot any "Grey's Anatomy" cast members filming there. Bar scenes were filmed at this location during Season 2 when the space was called McMurphy's Restaurant & Tavern. After wrapping up the scenes at this location, though, the "Grey's Anatomy" crew built a bar replica on set. Some remodeling has taken place since McMurphy's became Der Wolfskopf. However, Los Angeles Magazine noted that the space will still be familiar to fans who are looking to take in a piece of their favorite show.
And while the characters of "Grey's Anatomy" still make time for a quick drink after work, some may be wondering what happened to Joe. In an interview with TV Guide, Steven W. Bailey said his departure was related to contract negotiations. "They didn't find enough value in my character to continue. It was amicable. It was just one of those things that, after I did that many episodes, I kind of hoped for a little bit more, and they didn't want to do that, and there you go. That's Hollywood," he said.