What's Izakaya?

(Sake and whisky bar at Ippuku Berkeley)

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​居酒屋 -Izakaya-
i•za•ka•ya
noun
noun: izakaya; plural noun: izakayas

1. a Japanese bar/tavern in which a variety of small dishes are served to accompany the alcoholic drinks such as beer, sake, and cocktails made with shochu or Japanese whisky. Often a casual and local establishment with decor ranging from traditional Japanese to modern quirky with sports or pop culture memorabilia. 
   
   "After work I like to have a nice cold mug of beer with some yakitori at my my neighborhood izakaya."

Origin:
居 - I- iru ‘to be in a place’
酒 - Zaka - sake ‘liquor’
屋 - Ya ‘shop or house’