A pub (also public house or boozer) is a place where people gather to have drinks, especially alcoholic ones. Many of them also serve food. A pub can be either a bar or a restaurant, but it usually has more tables than a bar and serves meals as well as drinks. Pubs can also be a place for entertainment such as live music or a play.
Pubs are usually owned and operated by a group of people who may have some shared interests or values. They are often decorated in a style that is comfortable to the eye and have a feel that makes one want to stay longer. They should have a comfortable environment that can encourage conversation, preferably without being too noisy. Some have pool tables and dart boards, while others have sports on television. Many are located in cities where there is a larger population to support them.
Historically, a pub was a community gathering place where people could meet to drink and talk. In some cases, they would debate issues and even have spirited fights. In the past, a pub’s menu tended towards homemade slow-cooked foods like stews and pies, while bars had more snacky fast-food offerings such as burgers and fries. Nowadays, there is more crossover between the two types of establishments and even some pubs that have a restaurant in addition to the bar.
There are rules of etiquette for ordering drinks at the bar counter, including an unspoken ritual procedure that has been described as a form of subtle pantomime, reminiscent of an Ingmar Bergman film in which the slightest twitch of an eyebrow can communicate a complex meaning. It is also important for patrons to know when the pub is closing, since many places will announce that “Last orders!” have been called at a specific time.
