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Central Perk, Cheers, Luke’s Diner—there’s a good reason restaurants and bars often play prominent supporting roles in iconic shows. When you’re a regular, your go-to neighborhood hang is more than just a place to take a load off or grab a bite/drink. It provides consistency and comfort, an extension of home and the foundation of friendships that transcend its hallowed halls.
According to a recent OpenTable survey, 60% of respondents considered themselves a regular at a restaurant or bar. Even with wiggle room for response bias, that’s still a steep stat. But in all of its findings, OpenTable never actually defines the term. So what actually makes a regular?
“A regular is anyone who has built a relationship with the bar through repetition,” maintains Sean Marlin, Sous Terre + Person Street Bar mixologist and RM’s 2025 People’s Choice ’tender. “Like any relationship, there are varying degrees of regulars—but if I remember your name or your drink, you’re in.”
In short, becoming a regular is less about frequency and more about familiarizing yourself with the bar and staff—exchanging job titles, vacations plans, parenting troubles, heartbreaks and personal wins. “Hell, I’ve got one regular who’ll change hand towels when I run out because they know I’m busy,” notes Marlin.
Stella’s owner Lena Ali further emphasizes what makes bar culture so special is its sense of intimacy. “The beauty of the bar is getting to know everyone on such a deep level,” she tells RM.
On the same note, a Wolfe & Porter ride-or-die says she started going to the cocktail bar for the weekly karaoke seshes, but kept coming back for the social scene. “It’s like a shared moment in time,” she says. “All social groups have common ground if they stick around long enough.” In the end, sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere everybody knows your name—and where you know everyone else’s.
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