A pub, short for public house, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term first appeared in the late 17th century and was used to differentiate private houses from those which were open to the public as alehouses, taverns, and inns. Today, there is no strict definition, but CAMRA states that a pub has four characteristics:
- is open to the public without membership or residency
- serves draught beer or cider without requiring food be consumed
- has at least one indoor area not laid out for meals
- allows drinks to be bought at a bar (i.e., not only table service)
The history of pubs can be traced to taverns in Roman Britain and through Anglo-Saxon alehouses, but it was not until the early 19th century that pubs, as they are today, first began to appear. The model also became popular in countries and regions of British influence, where pubs are often still considered to be an important aspect of their culture.
It is important to note that "pub" can also refer to a file format used by Microsoft Publisher.
