Counter service

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Counter service is a form of service in restaurants, pubs, and bars where food or drinks are ordered at the counter. Counter service is also called bar service in the case of pubs and bars where the counter is also called the bar. Counter service is compared with table service where service is provided at the table.

With counter service, the customer generally pays before consuming the food or drink.

Some fast food restaurants offers only counter service while table service is the common form in most restaurants. For pubs and bars, bar service is the norm in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland whereas table service is the norm in the United States and Continental Europe.