Here's a British perspective: A pub - short for 'public house'- is a business establishment in a building that has often been in same location for many, many years. This is particularly the case with pubs in the countryside. In the majority of villages in Britain, the pub is often the second oldest building in the village : the church is the oldest (anything up to thousand years or more years old), while the 'public house' will usually be a building which is several hundred years old. So, what can you find in a pub? Well, there's always a bar** (see below for definition), or sometimes more than one, and maybe a separate room for eating meals. Upstairs, there might be a function room which you can hire for private parties. There may also be a games room, and there's nearly always an outside area. Many pubs have gardens where you can drink and eat in good weather, and pubs which want to attract families might also have a children's play area outside. The publican or 'landlord' (who might be the owner, tenant or licence-holder) and family usually live on the premises, so there'll be living accommodation there, too. Some pubs, especially in the countryside, might also have overnight accommodation for guests, dating back to the old tradition of coaching inns. So what's a bar, then? It can be one of two things: 1. *A bar is a long counter on which drinks are served. The staff usually serve from behind the bar, while the customers sit or stand on the other side of the bar. 2. * *A bar is also a room containing one of these long counters, plus chairs and tables where customers sit to drink and socialise. You can find bars in many places: pubs always have a bar, and hotels nearly all have bars. You'll also find bars on university campuses, in clubs (such as golf clubs and sailing clubs) and on board cruise ships, for example. I hope that helps to answer your question.

As far as I know, the main difference (maybe the only difference) is that in the US, we say "bar," and in the UK, they say "pub." (In the US, we often use the word "pub" specifically to refer to an Irish bar, where you can buy Irish beer and hear Irish music.)

Hi Amir, This looks like a vocabulary question, but as the other answers hint at, it's really a culture question! :) You see, "pubs" and "bars" are different types of places, culturally speaking. In the general sense that they are both types of businesses where someone can buy alcohol and sit down to drink it, they are similar, but the social importance and atmospheres of the two are different. As Su.Ki notes, for British and Irish people, "pubs" are centers of the community. You can bring children into pubs, you have community events in pubs. Pubs are central to the culture because they are where everyone gathers. In the US, "bars" are not like that. Historically and still today, bars are the opposite of being friendly to families with kids. They had and have a reputation as places where men drink with other men, without their wives and families. They are not the place where the whole community gathers and socializes -- that's what churches and other places of worship are in American culture.

Hi Amir, In the UK (and Ireland and some other countries) a 'pub' is a place where alcohol is served, but often also food (pub grub), and families go for Sunday dinner, etc. You can get a lot of soft drinks (lemonade, mineral water, coke, juice, etc.) too. There are often quizzes and speciality evenings held there. It's for everyone. A 'bar' in the UK is just for alcoholic drinks. You can get cocktails, wine, hard drinks (like gin or whiskey) and, while they also sell soft drinks, people generally go there for alcohol. No-one under 18 is legally allowed in a bar.

A "pub" is seldom commonly heard in the US, unless it is specifically an English, Irish, Scottish, or Australian pub. In the US people frequently use the word "bar."