The story of how the casual restaurant chain TGI Fridays has shifted in American culture

can, in some ways, be told through two movies.

First, the 1988 film Cocktail.

A young Tom Cruise at the height of his cool, starred as a college dropout who becomes a bartender.

You know how to make a red eye, Mr. What's your name?

Brian, Flannigan. No, I'm sorry I haven't had the pleasure as yet.

Tom Cruise's character learns how to mix drinks like a pro, doing flashy tricks as he makes

cocktails.

And some scenes were filmed at a Fridays, which at the time was considered a gold standard of

mixology.

The second film came out over a decade later.

Hey guys.

Office space.

What's up, gee?

Want to go to Chachkes?

Get some coffee?

Part of the movie takes place in a restaurant that's a lot like TGI Fridays, called Chachkes.

It sits in a nondescript strip mall and has a big wooden bar and antique Tiffany lampshades.

But there's never many customers, and the staff is totally annoying.

So can I get you, gentlemen, something more to drink, or maybe something to nibble on, some pizza

shooters, shrimp poppers, or extreme fajitas? Just coffee. Okay. Sounds like a case of the Mondays.

One of the characters, a server played by Jennifer Aniston, hates working there.

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