| Noun | 1. | public house - tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light mealsbar, barroom, ginmill, saloon, taproom - a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter; "he drowned his sorrows in whiskey at the bar" free house - a public house that is not controlled by a brewery and so is free to sell different brands of beer and ale tap house, tavern - a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks | |