This really is not what anyone will be thinking when they walk into a joint, but it is well worth the discussion anyway. Whether you are off or on the pint, its a good time to talk about pubs and restaurants, and their differences.
No one will stand thirsty at the door and think, ‘Is this a pub or restaurant?’ then think hard and long before making a decision to go in or not. Still, the topic would make for good banter which could stretch for hours in any of the two establishments.
In case you find yourself in such a discussion, you’ll be glad you read this article. You will be well versed, and won’t need to go online like you would go to https://www.livi.co.uk if in search of advice from a general practitioner.
Meaning
Yes, it starts from as close to the surface as the definition. ‘Pub’ is short for ‘public house,’ a place where people come to hang out and offer drinks. A restaurant, on the other hand, is a place built to sell food and beverages to customers. Pretty much the same thing, huh? Yes, people drink in both establishments, but a restaurant is not a public house!
Set Up
The setup of a pub is much more informal compared to that of a restaurant. While restaurants will have prior seating arrangements usually prepared for guests who have reserved and meant to communicate particular messages, pubs are more about drawing up chairs and sitting wherever you feel like. You could sit at a table with friends (which will usually not have any kind of decoration), or you could just draw up your chair to give you the best view of the pub’s television.
Restaurants often undergo regular upgrades, while a pub can remain the same for years. Simply put, the appeal of a pub lies squarely in its location and a familiar crowd.
Location
This is quite defining. Pubs are often found in your local area, while most restaurants are located in town. This is not a written rule, but rather an occurrence that takes place almost by default. Pubs will thus be often referred to as ‘locals,’ a place where people hang out with other individuals from their neighbourhood.
Service
Again, restaurants are more formal in their service. They will have people waiting on customers at their tables, while pubs will have one or two tenders often working from the counter. At pubs, revellers usually consume all their drinks on the premises as they chat, while some restaurants offer take-outs and deliveries.
So, there you have it. A pub is your local where you hang out with familiar faces and get all loud; a restaurant is where you go when you are trying to be formal, probably on a date or something.
