Arab Bartender's Bottle of Expensive Bourbon (Cairo bar scene)

A single expensive bottle of bourbon slid across the Cairo bar counter by the Arab bartender to Indy as a refill. The bottle is gripped by a drunken Indy during his confrontation with Belloq — German henchmen loom nearby and Arab patrons murmur — and functions as a visual and narrative cue that fuels Indy's haze prior to Sallah's children bursting in.

3 appearances

Purpose

Refill for Indy's drink and visual cue for Belloq's invitation

Significance

Escalates the personal standoff into ritualized rivalry; its arrival prompts Indy to stay and hear Belloq's revelation about the Ark, delaying violence until the children's diversion enables escape

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Cornered by Belloq: The Transmitter Revealed

The Arab Bartender places a fresh, expensive bottle in front of Indy on Belloq's order—an act that both refills Indy's stupor and signals Belloq's reach and hospitality as a manipulative gesture.

Before: In bartender's possession behind the counter; unopened and pristine.

After: Set on the bar in front of Indy; opened by Indy during the scene and contributes to his continued drinking.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Belloq's Transmitter and the Children's Escape

The Arab Bartender’s fresh bottle of expensive bourbon is placed before Indy at Belloq's request, functioning as a social lubricant and a baiting device to draw Indy to a private conversation, facilitating the confrontation.

Before: In bartender’s possession behind the counter until slid to Indy's place at the bar.

After: Sits on the bar as a refill while the meeting takes place; remains untouched beyond its role as prop during the scene.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Belloq's Revelation and a Child-Crowd Escape

The Arab Bartender places a fresh, expensive bottle before Indy at Belloq's request — a social gesture that facilitates the meeting and underscores Belloq's influence and patronage in the bar.

Before: In bartender's possession behind the bar, unopened.

After: Set on the bar in front of Indy; not emptied in this scene but marks Belloq's manipulative courtesy.

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