Learn conversational English phrases that you'll actually use and hear for bars and restaurants.
Even if you don’t drink, these phrases will boost your small talk, invitations, ordering, paying, and polite conversation skills. Stick around to the end for UK–US differences and useful idioms.
How to learn these words and phrases:
ALL PHRASES FROM THE LESSON
• Fancy going for a drink? – friendly UK invite
• Do you wanna grab a drink? – casual US invite
• Do you want to grab a drink? – neutral variant
• Fancy going to the bar? – UK invite variant
• Fancy going to the pub? – UK invite variant
• Let’s go for a pint. – suggest getting a beer
• Do you know anywhere good? – ask for recommendations
• Do you know anywhere good around here? – local variant
• There’s a great place just around the corner. – close by
• There’s a great place just round the corner. – UK spelling
• It’s got a good vibe. – nice atmosphere
• Happy hour. – time with cheaper drinks
• I could use a drink. – need to relax
• I could really use a drink. – stronger emphasis
• We haven’t been out in ages. – it’s been a long time
• Let’s invite a few friends. – suggest a small group
• I’ll meet you there around eight. – plan the time
• I’ll meet you there round eight. – UK variant
• I’m running a little bit late. – polite late notice
• It’s packed tonight. – very crowded
• Shall we grab a table? – polite suggestion
• Let’s grab a table. – direct suggestion
• Do you wanna sit inside or outside? – seating choice
• Let’s sit at the bar. – sit at the counter
• Do we order at the bar or at the table? – clarify ordering
• What you having? – very casual offer to buy
• What are you having? – neutral version
• It’s my round. – I’ll pay for this round
• What do you want? – follow-up to buying
• Can I help you? – what you’ll hear at a busy bar
• What can I get you? – what you’ll hear from staff
• Can I have a pint of lager, please? – ordering
• Can I get a pint of lager, please? – US-style ordering
• Can I get a Diet Coke? – soft drink
• Can I get a lemonade? – soft drink (note UK/US lemonade differs)
• I’ll have a gin and tonic, please. – ordering with “I’ll have…”
• Could I get a soft drink? – polite request
• Could I get another beer? – another of the same type
• What’s on tap? – ask about draft beer
• What’s on tap tonight? – “tonight” variant
• Do you have any non-alcoholic options? – alcohol-free choices
• Can I see the drinks menu, please? – ask for menu
• Do you have a menu? – shorter variant
• Do you serve food? – ask about food service
• Are you serving food at the moment? – kitchen open?
• Can I get another one of these? – repeat same drink
• Could I get another one of these? – more polite variant
• Same again? – staff offer to repeat your drink
• Cheers! – toast before drinking
• So, how’s work been? – easy conversation starter
• How’s your trip been? – traveler version
• So, how have you been? – general check-in
• I’ve been good. – common reply
• I’ve been busy, but I’ve been good. – nuanced reply
• It’s been amazing. – present perfect trip reply
• I can’t believe how expensive drinks are now. – friendly complaint
• $10 for a pint—that’s ridiculous. – stronger complaint
• It’s a bit loud in here. – noise comment
• It’s a bit bright in here. – lighting comment
• Do you wanna go somewhere quieter? – suggest moving
• Do you wanna sit somewhere quieter? – seating variant
• I’ll finish my drink and then we’ll head out. – plan to leave
• Let’s head back soon. It’s getting a bit late. – suggest leaving
• Can I close my tab, please? – pay and finish (US)
• Is this on one check or separate? – split payment question (US)
• Can we pay separately, please? – ask to split the bill
• That was such a good night. – positive wrap-up
• It’s on me. – I’ll pay
• Let’s call it a night. – finish the evening
• Hair of the dog. – a drink the next day for a hangover
• A bit tipsy. – slightly drunk
• I’m feeling a little bit tipsy. – variant
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Pub and Bar Phrases
00:53 Inviting Someone for a Drink
02:01 Finding and Describing a Good Place
05:09 Ordering Drinks and Snacks
11:01 Common Conversations at the Bar
13:00 Paying and Leaving the Bar
14:12 Idioms and Fun Phrases
15:21 Cultural Differences: UK vs USA