Bar (establishment)

A bar, also known as a saloon, a tavern or tippling house, or sometimes as a pub or club, is a retail business that serves alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and other beverages such as mineral water and soft drinks.

Bars often also sell snack foods, such as chips (crisps) or peanuts, for consumption on their premises.

In the colonial era of the United States, taverns were an important meeting place, as most other institutions were weak.

The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited in the first half of the 20th century in several countries.

Cities and towns usually have legal restrictions on where bars may be located and on the types of alcohol they may serve to their customers.

Many Islamic countries prohibit bars as well as the possession or sale of alcohol for religious reasons, while others, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, allow bars in some specific areas, but only permit non-Muslims to drink in them.

This counter typically stores a variety of beers, wines, liquors, and non-alcoholic ingredients, and is organized to facilitate the bartender's work.