<P> A drinking establishment is a business whose primary function is the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises . 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 and elegant places of entertainment for the elite . 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 . Although the terms are increasingly used to refer to the same thing, there is a difference between pubs, bars, inns, taverns and lounges where alcohol is served commercially . 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 . </P> <P> A brewpub is a pub or restaurant that brews beer on the premises . A beer hall (German: Bierpalast, Bierstube) is a large pub that specializes in beer . An Izakaya is a type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks . A speakeasy is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages . </P>

Is a pub the same as a bar