Drinking establishment

A drinking establishment is a business whose primary function is the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.^[1] Some establishments may also serve food, or have entertainment, but their main purpose is to serve alcoholic beverages. There are different types of drinking establishment ranging from seedy bars or nightclubs, sometimes termed "dive bars", to 5,000 seat beer halls.

Bar

Main article: Bar (establishment)

Types of bars range from seedy bars or nightclubs, sometimes termed "dive bars",^[2] to elegant places of entertainment for the elite. Many bars have a happy hour to encourage off-peak patronage. Bars that fill to capacity sometimes implement a cover charge during their peak hours. Such bars often feature entertainment, which may be a live band or a popular disc jockey. Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go dancers, or strippers.

The term "bar" (a synecdoche) is derived from the specialized counter on which drinks are served. The "back bar" is a set of shelves of glasses and bottles behind that counter. In some establishments, the back bar is elaborately decorated with woodwork, etched glass, mirrors, and lights.

Pub

Main article: Public house

A public house, informally known as a "pub", is an establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises in countries and regions of British influence.^[3][4] Although the terms are increasingly used to refer to the same thing, there is a definite difference between pubs, bars, inns, taverns and lounges where alcohol is served commercially. A pub that offers lodging may be called an inn or (more recently) hotel in the United Kingdom. Today, many pubs in the UK, Canada and Australia with the word "inn" or "hotel" in their names no longer offer accommodation, and in some cases have never done so. Some pubs bear the name of "hotel" because they are in countries where stringent anti-drinking laws were once in force. In Scotland until 1976,^[5] only hotels could serve alcohol on Sundays. In Wales, an 1881 Act applied the same law until 1961 when local polls could lift such a ban in a district and in 1996 the last ban was lifted in Dwyfor. The need for such polls was removed by the Welsh Assembly in 2003.^[6][7]

There are approximately 53,500^[8] public houses in the United Kingdom. In many places, especially in villages, a pub can be the focal point of the community, so there is concern that more pubs are closing down than new ones opening.^[9]

The history of pubs can be traced back to Roman taverns,^[10] through the Anglo-Saxon alehouse, to the development of the modern generally prevailing tied house system.

Tavern

Main article: Tavern

A tavern or pot-house is, loosely, a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and, more than likely, also be served food, though not licensed to put up guests. The word derives from the Latin taberna and the Greek ταβέρνα/taverna, whose original meaning was a shed or workshop. The distinction of a tavern from an inn, bar or pub varies by location, in some places being identical and in others being distinguished by traditions or by legal license. In Renaissance England, a tavern was distinguished from a public ale house by dint of being run as a private enterprise, where drinkers were "guests" rather than members of the public.

Brewpub

Main article: Brewpub

A brewpub is a pub or restaurant that brews beer on the premises. Some brewpubs, such as those in Germany, have been brewing traditionally on the premises for hundreds of years. Others, such as the Les 3 Brasseurs chain in France,^[11] and the various chains in North America, are modern restaurants.

Beer hall

Main article: Beer hall

A beer hall (German: Bierpalast, Bierstube) is a large pub that specializes in beer. Bavaria's capital Munich is the city most associated with beer halls; almost every brewery in Munich operates a beer hall. The largest beer hall was the 5,000-seat Mathäser near the München Hauptbahnhof (Munich central train station) which has since been converted into a film theatre.

Izakaya

Main article: Izakaya

An izakaya (居酒屋^?) is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks. The food is usually more substantial than that offered in other types of drinking establishments in Japan such as bars or snack bars.

Beer garden

Main article: Beer garden

See also

• Tea house
• Coffeehouse
• Juice bar

References

1. ^ Cocktail Lounge definition from The Free Dictionary
2. ^ Todd Dayton, San Francisco's Best Dive Bars, page 4. Ig Publishing, 2009, ISBN 097031258X. http://books.google.com/books?id=LpUSVjBPHRwC&pg=PT7&dq=the+ideal+dive&hl=en&ei=HcZITNrrE4HNjAeu5IDDDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=the%20ideal%20dive&f=false. Retrieved 2010-07-22. 
3. ^ History of the pub Beer and Pub Association. Retrieved 03-07-08.
4. ^ Public House Britannica.com; Subscription Required. Retrieved 03-07-08.
5. ^ "Summary of Licensing Board Policies". http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/nr/rdonlyres/8F008889-0BB9-4954-A79B-63720F66333F/0/SummaryofLicensingBoardPolicies0606.doc. Retrieved 20 August 2007. 
6. ^ http://newydd.cymru.gov.uk/news/archivepress/localgovculpress/locgovpress2003/715292/?lang=en,
7. ^ "Major Reform Of The Licensing Laws Completed". http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/2689.aspx. Retrieved 1 September 2009. 
8. ^ "British Beer and Pub Association". Beerandpub.com. http://www.beerandpub.com/newsList_detail.aspx?newsId=289. Retrieved 22 July 2009. 
9. ^ "Pub closures: the spirit of change - Property, House & Home - The Independent". London: www.independent.co.uk. 9 July 2008. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/pub-closures-the-spirit-of-change-862640.html. Retrieved 21 July 2009. 
10. ^ "Great British Pub". http://www.historic-uk.com/cultureUk/greatBritishpub.htm. 
11. ^ 3 BRASSEURS