From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpublic barˌpublic ˈbar noun [countable] DLin pubs in Britain, a room with plain furniture where you can buy drinks more cheaply than in the other rooms → lounge bar
Examples from the Corpus
public bar• The Harp Hotel Lounge bar with heavy atmospheric decor, restaurant, and public bar without distractions.• That evening, Connor was behind the counter in the saloon when he heard angry voices in the public bar.• Maxim stopped just inside the door to the public bar and looked around.• The public bar was already doing a brisk trade. 