what's the difference between a club and a bar?

[pcake]

i was reading a thread about there being less and less club goers, and someone brought up that people go to bars.

sometimes it's obvious that a place is a bar with a stage, but at what point does a bar become a club? some bars have stages and small dance floors, but they're still considered bars. some clubs are small, with bars, stages and smallish dance floors, but they're considered clubs.

so what's the difference between the two - or is there one?

 

[Optofonik]

The level of pretense.

 

[pickles]

Diameter and materials.

 

[zontar]

People will say, "It's not a gang, it's a club." But I'd be surprised to hear someone say, "It's not a gang, it's a bar."

I suppose all clubs are bars, but not all bars are clubs...

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

If the regulars are just alcoholics who come around to chat it's a bar. If the regulars are party kids who love to dance it's a club.

A cover charge is another solid indicator.

 

[bass12]

"Golf bar" just doesn't sound right...

 

[reddesert]

IMO: If the place always has loud music on (be it band, DJ, or something else), and that's its reason for being, it's a club. If you (or someone) might go there to hang out, have a drink at the bar or sit in a booth, even when a band/DJ isn't playing, it's a bar. There are other subtleties like the difference between a band-oriented club and a nightclub (nightclub = more likely to have lighted dance floors and sleazy guys, again imo).

 

[twinjet]

"Golf bar" just doesn't sound right...

This made me laugh too much.

Clubs r 4 kidz (excluding jazz clubs)
Bars are for adults.

 

[two fingers]

Clubs r 4 kidz (excluding jazz clubs)
Bars are for adults.

Honestly, I don't think there is an official difference. But I agree with the above statement. The other parents who are forty something around here never ever talk about going to " the club". The college kids around here never ever talk about going to "the bar".

 

[rtslinger]

Most clubs that I perform in have a separate lounge and restaurant. The bars are just that a bar with a couple tables and "bar food" nothing to separate the dining crowd from the bell up the bar people. imo

 

[Odinbass]

When I say club I'm usually referring to a dance club with thumping dance music, all sorts of lights, and $10 Miller Lites. A bar is any other drinking establishment. But that's just my interpretation.

 

[Jazz Ad]

You go to a bar to drink, while there you can also listen to music and dance.
You go to a club to listen to music and dance, while there you can also drink.
That's how I understand it.

 

[DWBass]

You go to a bar to drink, while there you can also listen to music and dance.
You go to a club to listen to music and dance, while there you can also drink.
That's how I understand it.

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Most clubs that I perform in have a separate lounge and restaurant. The bars are just that a bar with a couple tables and "bar food" nothing to separate the dining crowd from the bell up the bar people. imo

Is "lounge" another category? When does a bar become a lounge? If it's a bar that has sit-down dining and decent food, no dancing, and it's No Minors Allowed, that's not a club but it's more than a bar. It's a lounge!

 

[Tom Howland]

Clubs pay more than a Bar. That's the only difference I can tell.

 

[brianrost]

There are clubs that don't serve drinks or food. I was at one this weekend in fact.

For me, if the emphasis is on some form of entertainment, then it's a nightclub.

Maybe

 

[Arthur SX]

A " club" has a dress code, usually has people coming from further away to see a show. Usually a club will promote more as a bar is usually locals and just hangs a flyer on the board.
I know I make more playing at clubs so I guess I'm pretty close??? LOL

 

[Gaolee]

A lounge has chandeliers and people wearing too much garish jewelry. A club has people wearing a few clean clothes. A bar has people wearing more grubby clothes. There are more women in a club. Sometimes a place is a bar during the day and a club at night. There are even places that serve breakfast for a while, then turn into bars, then turn into clubs. They usually have a jackalope somewhere in the decor among the NASCAR posters. Sometimes a club isn't a bar, but is a restaurant most of the time. Get a scorecard and keep it straight!

 

[matante]

You go to a bar to drink. While there, you can also listen to music and dance.
You go to a club to listen to music and dance. While there, you can also drink.
That's how I understand it.

Sorry. I had to.

 

[Alkali Ike]

A lounge has chandeliers and people wearing too much garish jewelry... usually have a jackalope somewhere in the decor

Ok this is creepy. I'm sitting in the Invalid Link Removed in Eugene as I type this.

I assure you there are no chandeliers or garish jewelry here! Lol. Maybe the lights over the pool tables are "chandeliers". It's a working-class pub/lounge.