Bar (establishment)

This article refers to an establishment selling drinks. If you were looking for the dance equipment, see barre. See also bar (disambiguation).

A bar is a place of business where drinks, especially alcoholic beverages, are sold. A bar is also the name of the counter (or bench, in Commonwealth English), from which drinks are sold or disbursed in a private home, hotel, or restaurant.

Types of bars

• The Public House, or pub, is the term used in Australia. In the UK and Ireland, bars and pubs co-exist; the former are usually wine bars, upscale drinking establishments associated with the middle classes and city traders, while the latter cater to a wider range of the community. Each is generally associated with a particular area or group of people (e.g. a gay pub).
• The Bar and Grill is an American bar where steaks and hamburger and often fish and sandwiches are served.
• An upscale bar, (particularly one in a larger establishment, such as a hotel) is often referred to as a cocktail lounge. Specialized cocktail lounges featuring a piano (especially a grand piano, or a baby grand) where music is played acoustically is known as a piano bar.
• Sports bars are bars that feature large, wide television screens where sports events are broadcast live.
• Some bars cater for special categories of clientele, such as singles bars and gay bars.
• A "dive bar" is one which offers no frills and usually serves drinks of very low quality and selection, but is frequented by residents of the neighborhood of occupation.
• A "Piano Bar" is one which usually features one or more piano players who sing tawdry songs and consume alcohol along with the audience. The "musicians" often place an emphasis on receiving tips throughout the night for accomplishing various feats or playing requests.

Refer to catalog of bars for more discussion.