Cocktail

Fresh out of the Army, Brian Flanagan returns to Queens and takes a job behind a buzzing bar owned by the wry Doug Coughlin. Doug teaches him the craft of greeting patrons, mixing drinks with flash, and reading a room. Brian's showy style quickly makes him a crowd favorite, and he rides a streak of tips and attention. He adopts Doug’s sharp, cynical take on life and the grind for money, chasing big nights and bigger payoffs rather than quiet romance. As the two men spar and scheme, the bar becomes a proving ground for style, risk, and ambition. Over time he balances flirtations and friendships, learning the hard truths about respect, loyalty, and the costs of the glittering life.

Released in 1988, Cocktail was directed by Roger Donaldson with a screenplay by Heywood Gould based on his own story and crafted as a showcase for fast paced nightlife and style.

The film helped crystallize Tom Cruise's image as a charming quick on the draw party star, a vibe that lingered through late 80s cinema. Its nightclub visuals and flashy bartending routines became shorthand for glossy nightlife. The soundtrack also linked to the era, notably the Beach Boys hit Kokomo. Its pop culture footprint extended to parody and homage in other films and TV shows of the era.

Critics generally welcomed Cruise's energy while noting the film's breezy mood and surface storytelling. Core themes include mentorship and ambition, the lure of quick money, and the tension between showmanship and real connection, especially in the romance with Jordan Mooney. The result is a film that feels like a snapshot of a louder brighter city climate.

Box office data is not provided in the data here, but Cocktail released in 1988 was a high profile commercial film, drawing audiences with Cruise's star power and a stylish nightlife setting.