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.

Refer to catalog of bars for more discussion.