A pub (or public house) is an establishment that serves drinks and sometimes food. It is a type of bar, although typically a pub offers a more limited food menu than a traditional bar. Pubs also tend to be quieter than bars. Often they feature games like darts or snooker and have a relaxed atmosphere. Some also have a live music scene. In the United Kingdom, pubs are commonly owned by PubCo’s or breweries and are licensed to sell alcohol. A tied pub is required to offer a range of beers brewed by the parent company. However, in the wake of the Beer Orders passed in 1989, many tied pubs now serve a selection of guest beers from other breweries as well.
There are a wide variety of pubs in Britain, many of which are named after characters or places in popular culture. For example, the Rovers Return is a famous pub in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, while the Queen Vic and the Woolpack are both pubs featured in the major BBC soap operas of EastEnders and Emmerdale.
Most pubs serve a limited range of wines, spirits and beer but some may have a full menu of food. Those that serve food are often referred to as gastro-pubs. The food served at a pub is usually comforting, such as fish and chips, chicken pot pie or a simple club sandwich. Typical pubs will have an ambient, relaxing atmosphere and usually have a friendly crowd that is looking for a good place to meet friends.
