bar tab

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bar tab" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a running total of drinks or food ordered at a bar that a customer pays for at the end of their visit. Example: "After a long night out, I was surprised to see my bar tab was much higher than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No bar tab, either.

The New York Times - Food

A bar tab?

The New Yorker

That's a bar tab of $48.

The New York Times

A £100 bar tab at Dandelyan, London.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was pay for a bar tab," Mr. O'Neal said.

The New York Times

The tab, he added, "was a minimal bar tab".

The Guardian - Sport

The winner gets a thousand-dollar bar tab.

The New Yorker

At stake was a first-place prize of a $25 bar tab, as well as a $15 bar tab (second prize) or "a tasty sandwich" (third).

The New York Times

They don't starve but she raises a glass to the end-of-year-drinks bar tab.

The Guardian - Opinion

So you can safely assume your bar tab will be one of your smaller expenses.

The New York Times - Travel

"The only thing left," Mr. Certa said, "was an old Runyon's bar tab".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing a "bar tab", clarify whether you are discussing a specific amount, who is responsible for paying it, or the circumstances surrounding it.

Common error

Avoid using "bar tab" to refer to the overall cost of an evening, including food, transportation, or other entertainment. It specifically covers the expenses incurred at the bar.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bar tab" is that of a noun phrase. It commonly functions as a direct object (e.g., "settle the bar tab") or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "on the bar tab"). Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bar tab" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the accumulated expenses for drinks and food at a bar. Ludwig AI confirms it is frequently used in news, lifestyle, and sports contexts, as derived from reliable sources. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards informality and has various semantically related alternatives such as "drinks bill" or "running tab". When using "bar tab", ensure it specifically refers to expenses at the bar, and consider the context to choose a more formal alternative if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drinks bill

Focuses specifically on the cost of beverages consumed.

pub bill

Similar to "bar tab", but specifically refers to a bill at a pub.

tavern bill

Like "bar tab", but specifies a bill at a tavern.

drinks account

Implies a record of drinks consumed that needs to be settled.

running tab

Emphasizes the accumulation of charges over time.

open tab

Highlights the state of an ongoing account at a bar.

beverage bill

More formal way of referring to the cost of beverages.

cumulative charges at the bar

A more descriptive alternative to refer to expenses in a drinking establishment.

total expenditure on drinks

A formal alternative referring to all costs related to beverages.

cost of drinks

Refers to the overall expenses in consuming beverages at a bar.

FAQs

How to use "bar tab" in a sentence?

You can use "bar tab" in sentences like "The company offered a generous "bar tab" for the holiday party" or "He ran up a significant "bar tab" celebrating his promotion".

What can I say instead of "bar tab"?

Alternatives include "drinks bill", "pub bill", or "running tab" depending on the specific context and type of establishment.

Is it appropriate to use "bar tab" in formal writing?

While "bar tab" is commonly understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal or business contexts, consider using "beverage bill" or "drinks account" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "bar tab" and "open tab"?

"Bar tab" refers to the total amount owed at a bar. "Open tab" signifies that an account is active and accruing charges, implying that the final bill is yet to be determined. You might say, "Let's put this on my "open tab" and settle the "bar tab" at the end of the night".