Circus Liquor is a liquor store at 5600 Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood, on the corner of Vineland Avenue and Burbank Boulevard. Opened in 1959, it is one of the San Fernando Valley’s best-known examples of roadside commercial design, largely because of the giant clown sign in the parking lot, which made the site instantly recognisable on screen.
Circus Liquor appears in Clueless (1995), Blue Thunder (1983), and Alpha Dog (2006). It has also turned up in other productions, but these are among the clearest documented examples tied directly to the North Hollywood location.
In Clueless (1995), Circus Liquor is used in the scene where Elton leaves Cher stranded after she rejects him in the car. She is then confronted by a mugger outside the store, making the clown sign and liquor-store setting part of one of the film’s most famous Los Angeles moments.
In Blue Thunder (1983), Circus Liquor appears in the opening robbery scene. The store is used directly as a real-world location rather than just a passing background landmark.
In Alpha Dog (2006), Circus Liquor appears in the scene where Johnny Truelove drops a duffle bag of drugs into the boot of his car. Here the location is used as part of the film’s everyday Los Angeles street setting rather than as a major destination in itself.
Alpha Dog
Alpha Dog was filmed across Southern California, with Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and Palm Springs standing in for the world around Johnny Truelove.
Blue Thunder
Blue Thunder was filmed around Los Angeles, using the city’s rooftops, streets, freeways, river channels and skyline as part of the action.
Clueless
Clueless was shot across Southern California, with several Los Angeles-area locations used to create Cher’s Beverly Hills world.
7 Days Liquor Store
In Superbad (2007), 7 Days Liquor Store is used for the scene in which Fogell, using his fake McLovin ID, goes into the liquor store to buy alcohol.
The Pink Motel & Cadillac Jack’s Diner
The Pink Motel & Cadillac Jack’s Diner has appeared in many films and television productions, including The Rockford Files, Grease 2, Mischief, and many more.
Brand Library & Art Center
Brand Library & Art Center has appeared in The Other Side of Midnight, The Naked Gun, and the Mission: Impossible episode "Underground".
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory appears in Rebel Without a Cause, The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, La La Land, Transformers, and many more.
The Viper Room
The Viper Room appears in Valley Girl (1983), The Doors (1991), Be Cool (2005), Daisy Jones & the Six (2023), and Walking the Edge (1985).
Beverly Hills City Hall
Beverly Hills City Hall in Beverly Hills was used in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, where it appears as part of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
O’Neill House
The O’Neill House is best known as a filming location in two feature films: Breathless (1983) and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986).
Family Arcade LA
In Dexter: Original Sin, Family Arcade LA appears in episode 9, Blood Drive. Dexter lures Captain Spencer to the arcade, transforming it into a kill room.
Foster’s Freeze Atwater Village
Foster’s Freeze in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, has appeared in both "Pulp Fiction" (1994) and "GLOW" (2017–2019).
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