Probably doesn't hold elsewhere. But in this one little town, pub usually means restaurant that also serves alcohol and is fairly nice, and bar means...dive.
So I've grown up thinking of bars as being smoky, noisy holes. Which I know isn't true, but...just sayin'.
And speaking of such...it's time to head home so I can get as much sorting and packing as possible done before I head to O'Shea's for the session!
Are the "pubs" you speak of open to minors? or are they primarily a 'bar' that also serves food and has music?