The infamous I Bar on Naval Air Station North Island featured in Top Gun Maverick

If you’ve ever been to the infamous I Bar on Naval Air Station North Island, you’ll notice a few familiar objects in the new movie, Top Gun Maverick.
“When you watch the movie, you're in the bar,” Said Capt. Brian Ferguson. “You're in the Navy.” Capt. Ferguson served as the Navy's technical advisor for the film. His job was to make everything as realistic as possible. His nearly 30 years as a Navy pilot made these flying scenes better, but Capt. Ferguson also knew incorporating the camaraderie of the I Bar was an important part of the experience. “We'll all pile in here - we'll all tell stories, be laughing and joking and beer spilling and lies being told and it's great!”
Capt. Ferguson brought the movie's director and producers here, including Tom Cruise, and they immediately fell in love.
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[@knightu1642]

I loved Top Gun Maverick! Every human being should see this in the theaters and preferably IMAX! Masterpiece!

[@user_16309]

So say we all! Solid 12/10!

[@martinweit9783]

@@user_16309 7

[@EricCarminati]

4DX was an experience

[@strikerbowls791]

@@EricCarminati do the seat move the whole time or during the action scenes?

[@EricCarminati]

@@strikerbowls791 during action scenes. You feel the wind, and everything it's pretty awesome. Don't recommend to watch jurassic park 😅

[@tylerheath161]

I’m going to find this bar, purposely make sure it’s full then slam my phone down on the table. Our airmen and seamen deserve the best

[@LoneWolf-km7rg]

Actually Steve Price, the Penny Benjamin character was created and referenced in the original Top Gun film if you want to flip to the Great Balls of Fire piano scene and Meg Ryan's dialogue. She just so happens to be the bartender in Top Gun: Maverick.

[@DerekEvans1013]

She was mentioned well before that. After Cougar turned in his wings and Maverick and Goose were getting their asses chewed out by Stinger..."and one admirals daughter!" Then Goose whispers "Penny Benjamin?"

[@LoneWolf-km7rg]

Ah yeah I thought she may have been before that, but I didn't realize until the piano scene. I'll take a look, thanks.

[@DerekEvans1013]

@@LoneWolf-km7rg two really good movies

[@AJR-zg2py]

omg I just LOVE that plaques with the callsigns on them. Petrie's callsign is "Dish" I love it LOL

[@dahawk8574]

To say nothing of the most fitting callsign of all when it comes to connection with this movie: Lt Hubbard!

[@YodatheHobbit]

My grandfather worked at North Island as a riveter and engineer from the 1930's to the 1970's. As far as I know he mostly worked on helicopters. He was sent to Burma in WWII, almost died from dysentery and was sent home to recover in a hospital in LA. I'd love to find a way to find any evidence of his work there, or any trace of him possibly left at that bar, but I don't think it's possible. I have a jacket just like Brian's which was his that has a unique patch on the back I haven't seen anywhere else online.

[@chrisrawls3746]

Very cool story

[@matthewjsparks]

I'm sure N.I. has a civilian or public relations dept. Call them...couldn't hurt.

[@jameshisself9324]

That would have been 'depot level maintenance' most likely, its a sort of very deep level refurbishment and upgrade center for many aircraft types. From your description it is hard to say exactly which location on the base he worked. Helicopters would have been Korean war era more than WWII though. He probably worked on fixed wing aircraft WWII period then helos after. I worked at NASNI for many years and there are hangers and buildings all over the base for this sort of work.

[@christopherzarycki]

Been there - such an awesome bar - I did get super hammered - pitchers were 5$ during happy hour

[@brushstroke3733]

My guess is Jennifer Connelly (or Monica Barbaro if it was her) intentionally put her cell phone on the bar as a tongue in cheek gesture to show appreciation for the bar and the people. She wanted to buy them all a round and made it fun for everyone. Why not, she just had a blast and made good money doing it! That's livin', baby!

[@fastdak25]

intentional rule breaking to get a bell ring happens a lot, seen it myself. Sometimes a person just wants to buy a round for w/e reason.

[@fastdak25]

didn't go in but i drove by the I Bar. It sits at the northwest corner of the base right before the flight line, from outside you can watch all the aircraft come and go...and a nice sunset in the evening.

[@robertsole9970]

The Naval Aviation bar in Subic Bay in the Philippines was also great. I was at North Island once and the Line Shak right near the flight line was the best place ever for breakfast.

[@jameshisself9324]

My squadron hanger was close by the Line Shack and we ate there many times. As I recall they were open late too.

[@rexringtail471]

Subic is the place of legends

[@gusm2752]

My kind of bar. Would love to hang out there. 🍺🍺🇺🇸

[@mountainbiker7737]

Love it !

[@TacoStacks]

Such a great movie!

[@lutomson3496]

I sat in the same booth when the original top gun came out as I was in the usn

[@QueenRoseFlower]

Oh YEAH!!!! I SAW THE MOVIE TOP GUN MAVERICK ! AND! IT WAS AWESOME !!!!! I COULD WATCH OVER & OVER AGAIN !!!! I LOVE TOM CRUISE !!!!!! 😊🌹❤⚓✈🇺🇸🎥🍺❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Ritzylamma]

Dont forget about NAS Lemoore, NAS Oceana, or the other NAS's they utilized for the making of this film.

[@DerekEvans1013]

Funny truth, PENNY was mentioned in the first Top Gun, the Admiral's daughter Maverick got caught with. So no, Deb was NOT in the movie and they did NOT change her name to Penny.

[@mwalker.81]

They’re talking about top gun maverick, not top gun.

[@DerekEvans1013]

@@mwalker.81 so am I...Deb was not in Top Gun Maverick. That was an existing character mentioned in the first Top Gun.

[@SidewaysEightSix]

@@mwalker.81 yes. Penny in Top Gun: Maverick was mentioned twice in Top Gun as the ‘Admirals Daughter’ by both Goose, and his Wife Carol. “The Admirals Daughter.., Goose told me all about the time you went ballistic with Penny Benjamin.” Then in Top Gun: Maverick Penny says “It always ends the same with us, so let’s not start.” Hinting that they have a rocky and lengthy past. It’s confirmed later when Penny’s daughter tells Maverick not to break her heart again. It’s a really neat little touch to the movie

[@Cous1nJack]

We fuckun know. We’re here because we like the films.

[@DerekEvans1013]

@@Cous1nJack apparently the news folks didn't know...which is who I was informing, not that they care enough to read this. But still...they were wrong.

[@normlang1994]

Enlisted weren't allowed in the bar in the early 80's, when I was stationed at NAS NI as an AW/SAR/Aircrewman in HS-12.

[@michaeljohnson4258]

You could only go in if you were with an officer. I was also an AW and went there for training meetings and other squadron events like change of command.

[@johnspensieri4332]

I love that bar! The I Bar is cool. Don’t touch the planes hanging, don’t put your phone on the bar, no hats on!

[@jrhamp]

The I Bar is between the runway and beachside. Yes, you can see the aircraft land and turn west to watch the waves. Combine the I Bar with down the beach the infamous Hotel Coronado.

[@Trazynn]

Awesome. I was curious whether this bar existed in real life.

[@l_catrin6395]

30 years? Just a Captain? He should have been a two star admiral.

[@macc2379]

I love when the screen behind the anchor says Too Gun Maverick they are showing an F-16. Just throw any plane back there it’s cool.

[@simontmn]

LOL!

[@johnharris6655]

Just one problem with the movie, Top Gun is now in Fallon NAS in Nevada. Has been since the 90's.

[@WiseGuy02]

An actress plays Deb in the movie? It's Jennifer Connelly. It's not like she's unknown.

[@abrahamrivera1991]

Right 😂 she’s like 3rd billing

[@Gunner40Five]

US Army Ov-1 Mohawk model hanging in a Navy bar..................cool. I wonder if there is a story behind that.

[@karlstriepe8050]

Internet says Jennifer Connelly is worth $50 million, I think she can afford to buy a round. Tom Cruise certain can (net worth of $600 million).

[@scoochman82]

Tom's money goes to his cult. They then treat him like royalty and gets whatever he wants.

[@jameshisself9324]

What is your net worth? Nobody cares about the numbers friend.

[@dennisatkinson22]

Shouldn't that be no "cover"....come on son, tighten up. Us Marines can't keep taking care of ya!😜

[@rafael82x]

that is cool

[@scottmcdonald5237]

Didn't know existed. Sounds like fun.

[@juanloza3451]

I like the cellphone tule.

[@albiariza]

Captain Ferguson looks like Bob

[@TeddyCavachon]

There is an even better bar at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL which was moved from the Cubi Naval Air Station in the Philippines when it and the adjacent Subic Naval Base were closed in 1992 after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and Philippine politics resulted in the US pulling out. I was there working at the US Embassy in Manila from 1990-1995 as Admin. Officer of the US Information Regional Service (Printing) Center and spend weeks up at Subic salvaging materials like machine tools and electrical transformers as the Navy was pulling out. While there I stayed at the Cubi BOQ and frequented the downstairs bar where the walls and ceiling where covered with elaborate plaques the visiting squadrons of naval aviators would buy in Olongapo to commemorate their visits, each trying to outdo the previous ones with something bigger and more elaborate. My mother was raised north of Pensacola and my parents retired there. My jaw dropped when I visited the museum during a visit in the late 90s when we walked into the restaurant to eat lunch at it was filled with all the decor from the Cubi O’Club downstairs bar. Not only that our waitress was an older Filipina woman who told us she had worked at Cubi. It is definitely worth seeing if you visit the Florida Panhandle.

[@jameshisself9324]

I've been to both the Cubi O bar and the NI I bar, both were great places to experience. I hadn't heard about the Pensacola version, that sounds pretty cool. Subic and Cubi were both great bases for the Navy, it was a shame to lose them. I heard Olongapo was buried in ash and not a pretty site. With no Navy patrons that might be deserted now.

[@TeddyCavachon]

@@jameshisself9324 What happened at Subic after Pintatubo was pretty amazing. After the US pulled out the Philippine Govt. turned it into a duty-free commerce zone and the mayor of Olongapo, Gordon, was put in charge of it. He convinced the former base workers to return and assist in the clean-up effort for free and within a year or so you wouldn’t have known it had been covered with feet of volcanic ash. Clark AFB faired far worse because all US personnel were evacuated to Subic and it became wide open for looting. But it also got converted into a duty free processing zone and now apparently is a thriving tourist attraction. I served in Manila from 1983-87, 90-95 and 99-01 and would go to either Clark or Subic/Cubi once a month to shop at the commissary and PX. Just before Pinatubo blew I had spent a week vacationing at Subic in one of the rental cottages on Fortune Is. and while there got power and sail licenses from MWR so I could rent boats there. But other than my test sail in a Catalina 22 to get my sailing permit I never got the chance to use them.

[@charlesjohnsjr.5809]

Maybe the naval air museum in Pensacola will reopen to non military personnel. After the attack they closed the base. The lighthouse and museum are now off limits. No more watching the Blue Angels practice.

[@TeddyCavachon]

@@charlesjohnsjr.5809 Did not know about an attack or it being closed to public. Sorry to hear that.

[@bluesv1k]

Much more fun doing carrier landings at Cubi Point NAS O-club.

[@z06king]

They need to make a SEALs special mission starting in San Diego, and feature Danny's Palm Bar and grill, and McP's, both SEAL bars, both on Coronado. There, screen writers, I have given you your intro's. You're welcome. LOL

[@Reconseal4050]

Beers are on you!!! 🍺🍺🍺😅0:24

[@Davidsavage8008]

Been there done that 🌪 😎

[@cleberbarbosa8441]

Is the bar open for visitation?

[@DerekEvans1013]

Clearly if you have permission to be on base. Other than that...no

[@Riverplacedad1]

Subic Bay was the best and the replica at the NAS Pensacola Air Museum is pretty cool also. AF Officers clubs are nice but way to PC

[@electroniccheeks]

No hats=No cover.

[@morefiction3264]

I am glad that such a place exists.

[@CP-28]

The next best thing to replicating a full sized Hornet I guess....

[@gurugulab1414]

That cellphone rule should be at every bar.

[@SuccessforLifester]

Why is it infamous?

[@YodatheHobbit]

Likely because of the buy everyone a round of beer rule, I assume.

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@YodatheHobbit Yes you got a point!

[@jameshisself9324]

@@YodatheHobbit That is common in many Navy bars, I doubt that is it. It's 'famous' the world over in Naval Aviation circles, I don't think it is 'infamous' anywhere.

[@lincthomas7178]

the I bar eh?

[@puremontana5010]

I’m broke

[@radicalrick9587]

*I'm sure they have a payment plan. Just don't plunk your phone on the bar.*

[@heidiengellenner9651]

We have a couple extremeely fine coffee establishments in Isadore, alwasy busy. We have two lines, service (needed within 45 seconds) and Leasure, people not in a hurry, there to enjoy the atmosphere, requesting help of our people to meet the need. Then the Gods added on some spectacular amenities for service staff, open only to staff of the coffee service. We do that all the time in Isadore, we request help of our people to meet the needs for service.

[@heidiengellenner9651]

Also- we do have self service, people that have learned, hands are clear, they can go in and make there own coffee, no wait. Also- dream contrubution, they are different, they run their own way- the dream contrubutors are in charge of their own standards.

[@caliprince12]

I freaking love this bar everything was so cheap I bought rounds for everyone

[@crumdoggy]

“Infamous” is not a correct usage in the title of this video. Infamous implies evil or bad qualities. “the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed.”

[@mentosmuncher]

Yeah! You got to buy drinks for everyone if you still have your cover on!? Can't hide baldness, that's infamous in my book

[@jakeboss2653]

infamous sounds about right, stealing and robbing a customer to get them to pay for drinks for the entire bar, for breaking a rule, They try to leave, are they going to stop them from leaving? That's kidnapping/unlawful imprisonment

[@fanboy1398]

Why “infamous”?

[@donaldclark8692]

Far out Man.

[@jakeboss2653]

They make you pay if you break their rules? Sounds like stealing/robbery, let's say you try and leave the bar after breaking a rule and try to make you pay, are they going to stop you from leaving? That sounds like kidnapping/unlawful imprisonment

[@davewalkden9978]

"Deb doesn't appear in the movie; an actress played her. And they changed her name." Deb's not in the movie then, is she..?

[@christianhardwick6530]

So much dusty !

[@_baller]

I hated the scene when he gets thrown on the sand.....stupid

[@fdfac]

2:01 "I just feel so gifted to be here so many years." Gifted? Wow, gifted is not correct. No wonder she been tending bar for 20 years.

[@px5ix4pz6j]

Why is it infamous? Don't they mean famous?

[@DerekEvans1013]

No

[@px5ix4pz6j]

@@DerekEvans1013 Why is it infamous though

[@radicalrick9587]

*It means a kind of famous to the TOP GUN moviegoers(heard about among moviegoers, etc...) but not outside the TOP GUN community. Whereas the MOVIE TOP GUN is famous because it is pretty much known to just about everyone on earth that has a TV set or Internet connection whether they saw the movie or not. Thus making the Movie TOP GUN world-famous*

[@px5ix4pz6j]

@@radicalrick9587 Yeah infamous means famous in a bad way. I think they meant famous lol Famous in a good way

[@stevemiddleton5278]

No cell phone on the counter haha. It's definitely not traditional. Smartphones have only been a social problem since 10 years ago

[@jameshisself9324]

Well, at least 20, but whos counting I guess. 🙃

[@franccamaj488]

Id rather get thrown out then pay for a bar full of strangers simply for putting my phone on the bar.

[@keithhoss4990]

You’ve obviously never been in the military.

[@franccamaj488]

@@keithhoss4990-no, but if I did I still wouldn’t pay a $500 bar bill for something so stupid. I work hard for a living, you guys make that much money you can afford to throw money away like that?

[@mentosmuncher]

@@franccamaj488 commissioned officers in the navy make bank

[@franccamaj488]

@@mentosmuncher-the % of navy personnel that make over $100k is not high.. let’s not used the small handful of ppl and act like it’s everyone’s situation..

[@mentosmuncher]

@@franccamaj488where in my statement does it say the whole military or even the navy? I used a specific group, probably naval aviation officers that make money with all the different hazard bonuses and other bonuses. Those would be the people who go to the bar. Don't put words in my mouth buddy

[@theview3714]

They can't even show the clips of the movie as they would have to pay big money$$$. I meant a legit news story about movie and promotion but nope....this world is such crapt!

[@tinabelair5693]

Just set not real bar just set ok mean set bar is not there now

[@judsonkr]

How many Aviator loads you reckon that woman has taken over the years?

[@mentosmuncher]

Don't be that guy bro

[@andretea262]

san deigo, get a life

[@JB-mo8rs]

It’s famous, not infamous. Infamous would be The Berlin War, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Che, Pearl Harbor, and Hillary Clinton.

[@missyb9438]

Bit pathetic to say that you have to pay a round of drinks if you put your phone on the bar, “it’s our tradition” I’d just walk out, what are they gonna do?💁

[@nvmm166]

What a dumb tradition