ドリンクバー

どりんくばー

noun

drink bar; self-service drink station (all-you-can-drink)

1. drink bar; self-service drink station

A self-service beverage station at restaurants where customers can help themselves to unlimited drinks for a fixed price. Common at family restaurants, fast food chains, and karaoke establishments in Japan.

ドリンクバーを付(つ)けますか。

Would you like to add the drink bar?

ファミレスでドリンクバーを頼(たの)んで長居(ながい)した。

I ordered the drink bar at the family restaurant and stayed for a long time.

ドリンクバーは何杯(なんばい)でもおかわり自由(じゆう)です。

The drink bar offers unlimited refills.

Etymology

和製英語(わせいえいご) (Japanese-made English) from "drink" + "bar"
In English, this concept would be called "self-service drinks" or "unlimited soft drinks."

RELATED WORDS (typical drinks):

ソフトドリンク (soft drinks)
ジュース (juice)
コーヒー/紅茶(こうちゃ) (coffee/tea)
スープ (soup - sometimes)

Usage

ファミレス (family restaurants) - Denny's, Gusto, Saizeriya, etc.
ファストフード (fast food)
カラオケ (karaoke establishments)
漫画喫茶(まんがきっさ)/ネットカフェ (manga/internet cafés)

CULTURAL NOTE (price):
Typically charged as an add-on to meals, usually around ¥200-400.

Cultural note

ドリンクバー is popular for students studying or friends meeting to chat, as it allows extended stays with unlimited drinks.

Related Words

Related: 飲(の)み放題(ほうだい) (all-you-can-drink)

Related: コワーキング (coworking)

Related: ソフトドリンク (soft drinks)

Related: ジュース (juice)

Related: コーヒー (coffee/tea)

Related: 紅茶(こうちゃ) (coffee/tea)

Related: スープ (soup)

general

Added 2026.1.18 13:29 · Revised 2026.10.11 10:37

06500/06698_dorinkubaa