A bar's owners and managers choose the bar's name, décor, drink menu, lighting, and other elements which they think will attract a certain kind of patron. However, they have only limited influence over who patronizes their establishment. Thus, a bar originally intended for one demographic profile can become popular with another. For example, a gay or lesbian bar with a dance or disco floor might, over time, attract an increasingly heterosexual clientele, or a blues bar may become a biker bar if most its patrons are bikers. Bars can also be an integral part of larger venues. For example, hotels, casinos and nightclubs are usually home to one or several bars. Other types of bar include:
A cocktail lounge is an upscale bar that is typically located within a hotel, restaurant or airport.
A full bar serves liquor, cocktails, wine, and beer.
A wine bar is a bar that focuses on wine rather than on beer or liquor. Patrons of these bars may taste wines before deciding to buy them. Some wine bars also serve small plates of food or other snacks.
A beer bar focuses on beer, particularly craft beer, rather than on wine or liquor. A brew pub has an on-site brewery and serves craft beers.
"Fern bar" is an American slang term for an upscale or preppy (or yuppie) bar.
A music bar is a bar that presents live music as an attraction, such as a piano bar.
A dive bar, often referred to simply as a "dive", is a very informal bar which may be considered by some to be disreputable.
A non-alcoholic bar is a bar that does not serve alcoholic beverages.
A strip club is a bar with nude entertainers.
A bar and grill is also a restaurant.
Some persons may designate either a room or an area of a room as a home bar. Arrangements can vary from being simple, with bottles of alcohol, cups, and perhaps basic bar supplies, to full bars.