Cheers Bar Door Sells for $162K at Julien’s
Where Everybody Knows This Door: Cheers Prop Sells Big.
*Editor's Note: On May 20, 2025, the world bid farewell to George Wendt, the beloved actor who brought Norm Peterson to life on Cheers. Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 76. His portrayal of Norm, the affable bar regular known for his witty one-liners and unwavering presence, earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations and endeared him to audiences over the 11-season run. Norm's iconic entrances met with the resounding chorus of "Norm!" from fellow patrons, became a hallmark of the series. Wendt's performance captured the essence of camaraderie and the comfort of familiar faces in a neighborhood bar. As the "Cheers" bar door recently came to auction, it is a poignant reminder of the show's enduring legacy and the indelible mark Wendt left on television history.
Image courtesy of Julien's Auctions.
Norm would be proud. The familiar front door to the bar “where everybody knows your name” took the top spot at a sale of TV memorabilia by Julien’s Auctions.
Some classic sitcom sets are as memorable as the characters who inhabited them, and the eponymous bar from Cheers is one of the best examples. The door to the Boston bar, acquired directly from CBS, just sold for $162,500 at Julien’s Auctions, making it the top lot in their Channel Surfing auction held on May 7 and 8.
This was the original door that appeared in all 275 episodes of the hit series, which ran from 1982 to 1993. Eagle-eyed viewers could recognize it even if it didn’t have the logo painted on its acrylic window. The auction house states, “The vertical woodgrain is hand-painted by studio artists and its unique pattern—like a fingerprint—is noticeable from episode to episode.” It even has its original closer, locking hardware, and attached hinges. The only change is the door handle; the original had been removed for post-production storage.
Even so, there’s no mistaking the door that beloved characters like Sam Malone, Cliff Clavin, Carla Tortelli, and, of course, Norm walked through each episode. After all, it was the way into a place “where everybody knows your name.”
Other top lots included furniture from Cheers spinoff Frasier, like a neoclassic-style coffee table that sold for $78,000. Several superhero (and villain) costumes were also on offer, including a bodysuit worn by Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, which sold for $130,000. But the Cheers door soared past them all, setting its place in television history.
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