quick drink and snack at a bar
Casual term for stopping by a bar or izakaya for a short time to have a drink or two, often with a light snack. Implies a brief, unpretentious outing.
I went for a quick drink with a coworker after work.
この店はちょい飲みにぴったりだ。
This place is perfect for a quick drink and snack.
Standard kanji spelling using 飲 for drinking.
Variant using 呑, which can carry a more casual or hearty drinking nuance.
Compound of ちょい (casual prefix meaning 'a little' or 'quick') and 飲み (drinking). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged in casual speech to describe a short, informal drinking occasion.