Bar vs Club: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. Focus: Bars are centred around drinking alcoholic beverages in a casual social setting. Clubs emphasize dancing and lively music as the prime activity.
2. Hours: Bars are open late at night but close earlier than clubs. Clubs operate late night to early morning hours.
3. Atmosphere: Bars have a laidback, chilled-out vibe for conversation. Clubs cultivate a high-energy environment with loud music and dancing.

What is a Bar?

A bar is a place where people sit and consume alcohol. People can choose a bar to relax, hang out with friends, or even be alone to enjoy their drink of choice.

Bars also have various set-ups. It can be a pub, lounge or cocktail bar. They all have different experiences to offer, and their environment and vibe depend on the theme they wish to follow.

A bar is the best option if one wants to drink in a quiet environment. Background music can be found in a bar but never gets too loud.

The options for alcoholic beverages in a bar are vast. One can find beer to wine, cocktails to spirits. The customer can also get specialized cocktails from a bar.

However, a bar is not only a place for beverages but also serves food. Even though the options may be limited, some items, such as snacks or light meals, can be available. 

What is a Club?

A club is a recreational place for drinking, dancing and socializing. Its atmosphere is vibrant and loud. Clubs are for entertainment purposes, and it includes DJs and dancing floors.

The music here is louder than in other places, and the main genres focused here are peppy ones such as hip-hop, rock and other pop music. It can be a great place to meet new people and make new friends.

As the club is a place with different crowds, it does not allow people under the age of 21. The age may vary in different countries as the legal age for drinking is different in different countries. 

As mentioned before, clubs have their own vibrant atmosphere, they have a set dress code, and no one can enter if they do not follow it. A club can be open the whole night and even till early morning. 

Some clubs may mandate membership for exclusive access and other perks. The individuals who do not have a membership need to pay the entrance fee. Some clubs also provide their members with invitations and special offers.

Difference Between Bar and Club

1. Bar is a space that offers alcohol to people, while a club is much more than that. A club is a space to enhance the mood with DJ and dance.
2. Most bars do not have a dedicated dance floor, but a dance floor is a must for a club.
3. People of different ages come to bars, but in the case of clubs, the young crowd is primarily attracted to it.
4. Background music is typical in bars, while a DJ navigates the music of a club.
5. A bar can be open till midnight, but a club goes on till early morning.
6. Bar is a relaxed place, while a club is an energetic place.

Comparison Between Bar and Club

Parameter of Comparison	Bar	Club
Atmosphere	Bar offers a casual, relaxing place.	A club is an energetic place where loud music is common.
Size	The size of a bar may vary. It is cozy.	A club is big in size to accommodate a vast dance floor.
Goal	The aim of a bar is to serve alcohol.	The club offers a place to socialize and party.
Live music	While background music is common in a bar, live music is subject to vary.	Live music and DJ to accompany the dancing is an essential trait of a club.
Entry fee	There is no entry fee in a bar.	Most clubs charge an entry fee.

References

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09687637.2013.806432
2. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/03090560010321974/full/html

Last Updated : 09 September, 2023