Definition

Noun: A cocktail lounge is a barroom, typically found within a hotel or restaurant, that is designed for the service and consumption of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. It often implies a more sophisticated, comfortable, or upscale atmosphere than a standard bar.

Usage

A "cocktail lounge" is used as a singular noun to refer to the specific establishment itself. It is a compound noun where "cocktail" specifies the type of "lounge."

Examples

• Noun:
  • We met for drinks in the hotel's elegant cocktail lounge.
  • The restaurant features a separate cocktail lounge with live piano music.
  • He waited for her in the dimly lit cocktail lounge.

Advanced Usage

• The term can imply a specific ambiance, often one that is quieter, more intimate, or more formal than a pub or sports bar.
• It is often associated with mid-20th century style and decor.

Variants and Related Words

• Lounge (noun): A more general term for a public room in a hotel, theater, or airport for waiting or relaxing. A cocktail lounge is a specific type of lounge.
• Bar (noun): A broader term for any establishment that serves alcoholic drinks. A cocktail lounge is a type of bar.
• Saloon (noun): An old-fashioned term for a bar or tavern, sometimes used synonymously with cocktail lounge in certain contexts.

Synonyms

• Bar
• Lounge bar
• Saloon (dated/formal)

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym, but contrasting establishments could include a dry county (an area where alcohol sales are prohibited), a temperance hall, or a juice bar.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Lounge lizard (idiom, dated): A disparaging term for a man who spends much time in cocktail lounges or similar social venues, often trying to impress or attract women.

Noun

1. a barroom in a hotel or restaurant where cocktails are served