An izakaya (居酒屋) (Japanese: [izakaja])[1] is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks. Izakaya are casual places for after-work drinking, similar to a pub, a Spanish tapas bar, or an American saloon or tavern.[2]

Etymology

The word izakaya entered the English language by 1987.[3] It is a compound word consisting of iru (“to stay”) and sakaya (“sake shop”), indicating that izakaya originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises to drink.[4] Izakaya are sometimes called akachōchin (‘red lantern‘) in daily conversation, as such paper lanternsare traditionally found in front of them.