Germany

Pubs and bars

(See also the article on Drink in the Food and Drink section).

Bars in Germany are typically quite small, often with only one or two members of staff. Most often they will be divided into two, with the area close to the bar filled with bar stools and standing customers. It is normal to order your drinks directly from the bar if you are in this area. The remainder of the bar will filled with normal tables, where table service is provided. If the service is slow, or you would like to look at the options at the bar, it is not considered particularly rude to order drinks from the bar if you are seated at a table. Drinks mats are commonly used to keep tabs on how much you owe, with different markings meaning different drinks, so take care not to doodle on them and increase your bill. Even if you just pop in for one drink it is usually easiest to just settle your bill when you leave.

On a weeknight it may be necessary to hunt around a little before you find a bar which is open particularly late, otherwise closing will quite likely be by midnight. You will have no such problems on a Friday or Saturday night.