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んで長居した。
I ordered the drink bar at the family restaurant and stayed for a long time.
ドリンクバーは何杯でもおかわり自由です。
The drink bar offers unlimited refills.
ORIGIN:
和製英語 (Japanese-made English) from "drink" + "bar"
In English, this concept would be called "self-service drinks" or "unlimited soft drinks."
TYPICAL OFFERINGS:
- ソフトドリンク (soft drinks)
- ジュース (juice)
- コーヒー/紅茶 (coffee/tea)
- スープ (soup - sometimes)
WHERE FOUND:
- 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/ネットカフェ (manga/internet cafés)
PRICING:
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.