Ordering at the bar
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What it really means
In a traditional British pub there's no table service: you go to the bar, order, pay immediately, and carry the drinks back yourself. Waiting at a table for a server can mean waiting forever. For food, note your table number and order at the bar or by the pub's app. Some modern bars and pub-restaurants do serve tables — if in doubt, watch what others do.
Chinese explanation
传统英国酒吧没有桌边服务：自己去吧台点单、当场付钱、自己把酒端回桌。坐在桌边等服务员，可能永远等不到。点餐要记下桌号，到吧台或用酒吧的App下单。一些新式酒吧和酒吧餐厅有桌边服务——拿不准就看看别人怎么做。
Example conversation
A: We've been sat here ten minutes and no one's come over.
B: No one's coming! It's a pub — you order at the bar. What are you having?
A：我们都坐十分钟了，没人过来招呼。
B：不会有人来的！这是酒吧——得自己去吧台点。你喝什么？
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake