What's a bar tab? How does it work?

Question

What's a bar tab? How does it work?

Answer 1

A bar tab is when the bartender serves you and collects the money for the drinks at a later date. Could be at the end of the evening, or it could be an arrangement where you pay up every week, month or whatever.

Answer 2

Bar tabs in big cities where the bartenders do not "know anyone", they keep track of your table bill & you pay when you leave.  Some may even hold your credit card till you pay up.

If it is a smaller bar that you frequent they may let you get by with not paying in full when you leave, but they usually expect you to come close to paying it off.