Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Frasier reboot episode 4.

Summary

• Frasier's new bar in the reboot, called Mahoney's, is a tribute to John Mahoney, the actor who played Martin Crane and ed away in 2018.
• The new bar holds more significance for Frasier's character development than returning to Cheers, as it represents his growth as a father and his reconciliation with his son.
• While honoring Martin is a priority in the reboot, there is still room for nods to Cheers by referencing Frasier's past hangout spot and potentially reconnecting with old bar mates.

The Frasier reboot's new bar establishes why its new bar is a better hangout place for Frasier Crane instead of returning to Cheers. Kelsey Grammer's elitist therapist has returned to Boston 30 years after he left for his hometown of Seattle. Having lived in Beantown for 15 years, Frasier had some great memories in the city, including the start of his private practice that allowed him to build his wealth and the birth of his son, Freddy. Many of his nights, however, were spent drinking beer at Sam's pub. Given this, there is an expectation that Frasier will revisit the watering hole, which hasn't happened in the Frasier reboot yet.

Instead, the Frasier reboot introduced a brand-new bar that has become the new hangout place for Frasier and Freddy. Supposedly located near Harvard, the place's interior is a mix of Cheers and Cafe Nervosa in Seattle. The establishment has been the setting for so many memorable revival moments thus far. That includes the contest in Frasier reboot episode 4, "Trivial Pursuits," where Freddy best his dad in a quiz show. Despite already being a familiar backdrop in the Paramount+ project, there's still hope that Frasier will return to Cheers. That said, the new bar's hidden meaning argues why it's a better go-to place for Frasier.

Frasier Reboot’s New Bar Is Dedicated To Martin Actor, John Mahoney

Unlike Cheers' eponymous bar and the original Frasier series' Cafe Nervosa, the name of the Frasier reboot's new bar hasn't been established until episode 4. After Freddy has an intense argument with his father in the firehouse about the importance of his job, the therapist-turned-lecturer at Harvard returns to the pub, which is apparently called Mahoney's and has been around season 1940. This is actually one of the many tributes that the Paramount+ project has for the late Martin Crane actor, John Mahoney, who ed away in 2018, effectively robbing the new show of the chance to see Frasier and his dad again.

Aside from its name, the date that Mahoney's was established is also a reference to the beloved original Frasier actor. It refers to John Mahoney's birth year, 1940. He was born on June 20, 1940, and was 77 years old when he died. Considering how central Martin was to the original Frasier series, it only made sense that the revival found ways to honor his legacy. The Frasier reboot pilot straightforwardly did that with a tag scene of Mahoney's Martin from the Frasier series finale, but naming the bar after him is also a great creative way to do that.

Why It's More Important For Frasier Reboot To Honor Martin Than Cheers

Billed as the character's third and potentially final act, it is expected to wrap up his overall storyline, which included his eight years in Cheers. While he was a standout player in the acclaimed NBC series, he was just an ancillary character in it. Because of this, its events have a lesser impact in his next arc than his experience in Seattle, which was centered on his reconciliation with his dad. Despite Martin's physical absence in the Frasier reboot, his presence looms large in it as Frasier steps into the shoes of a father who is in the process of reconnecting with his son.

Inspired by the original show, Frasier's core storyline in the Frasier reboot has some parallels to his relationship with Martin. While Freddy boasts the same level of intellect that his parents have, he is more like his grandfather in every other way. Frasier endeavors to follow in his dad's footsteps in of wanting to be a good father, and that becomes his barometer as he reforges his ties with his own son. The Frasier reboot's central story automatically makes Martin and his legacy an important narrative piece in the revival, so honoring it precedes paying homage to Cheers.

How The Frasier Reboot Can Honor Cheers

Just because Martin's impact on Frasier is a core theme in the reboot, it doesn't mean that the show has to totally disregard the character's origins. The new Frasier referencing Frasier's time in Cheers is also important, especially in light of his return to Boston. In the pilot, he already talked about his days hanging out at a certain pub the last time he was in Beantown. Beyond that, however, he hasn't brought back Sam's pub again. Aside from possibly revisiting the iconic bar, seeing him reconnecting with his old bar mates is another way to celebrate Cheers.

The Frasier reboot airs new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.