Metal hoops on bar counters?

If you are talking about the one or two large hoops about 4 feet apart, it is a cocktail / food server station where they place and pick up their drink order. If you are going to the bar and you don't want to be bothered with foot traffic and some talk between the waitress and the bartender, you might want to steer clear of it. If you want to watch the scenery, um waitresses or watch some different drinks being made or want to have a better chance of catching the bartender,, it is a good spot to park yourself. Typically more people prefer the former and relegate the area as being similar to having your dinner table next to the kitchen door.

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This is an area for the waitress to get her orders. If there is a waitress on duty, no one may sit in that space. The bartender will mix the drinks for her there.

to hang a purse on

for waiter