A bar has been defined traditionally as a place where alcoholic beverages are served. A bar can be an independent business or a section of a restaurant or hotel. A bar is the counter where drinks are mixed by a bartender, mainly in hotels, taverns and pubs. It can also be defined as a counter where one can obtain food or drink.

A bar has a collection of kitchen tools used by bartenders and mixologists to prepare alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Almost all bar set kits include an ice bucket, tongs, stirrers, strainers, measuring jiggers, bottle openers and a bar knife. Additional equipment may include bottle stoppers, shakers and graduated mixing glasses. A professional bar set may also include a garnish tray, coasters and napkin holders.

A jigger consists of two small metal or glass measuring cups joined at their bases. Some mixed drinks must be stirred with a special stir stick included in the bar set, since certain liqueurs are difficult to blend with other ingredients because of their densities. Another essential bar set tool is a strainer that is made to fit the lip of a shaker and filter out unwanted ice and other ingredients just before serving. A basic bar set may also include bottle stoppers for resealing open bottles of liquor. Beer bars may be restricted to only serving beer. Some taverns are allowed to serve beer and wine and other low-proof beverages. Liquor bars can sell everything. Most bars no longer allow smoking particularly if they serve food.