Like you, I’m not a big consumer of alcoholic beverages. I have, however, come to learn what legally distinguishes a “tavern” from other facilities for on-premises alcohol consumption, at least here in Washington state. Namely, a tavern is limited to beer and wines sales; spirits may not be sold in a tavern. A “Public House” may sell spirits if properly licensed.
Moley:
May 27th, 2015 at 8:18 am
Probably more beer than water aboard the Mayflower because the water would have been pretty much undrinkable (especially towards the tail end of the journey) and potentially illness-inducing, whereas the beer probably wasn’t that strong – “small beer” used to be weak enough even for children to drink freely.
As a Brit by birth, now Australian, and fond of a pint or three, I remember as a child in the UK, that Pubs typically had two bars … One was labelled “Public Bar” and one “Saloon”.
The Public Bar tended to be noisier, full of smoke, working people, mainly male. Clientele of the Saloon where typically older, better dressed, often couples, and the ambience was more refined with armchairs etc vs the hard wooden chairs in the public area. Bit ironic that the public area would be crowded while the quieter and more comfortable saloon was often much emptier.
In those days ID was not asked for, so younger drinkers, would oft times frequent the saloon bar where you were unlikely to encounter neighbours, teachers etc.
Raphael Adams:
June 10th, 2015 at 11:20 am
You mentioned that in the US, ‘tavern’ has a somewhat more refined connotation than ‘bar’.
As an ex-Montrealer,this comment raised my eye-brow a centimetre or two. Thirty years ago, a tavern was a testoserone-intense establishment that the word ‘refined’ has never been applied to. I don’t know what it’s like now, but back then women were not allowed, but smoking and burping and swearing was. The decor was spartan (small round wooden tables and four wooden chairs) and the ‘food’ even more so. It was all about the beer.The waiters, who were all called Red, wore leather aprons and could serve 20 glasses of Molson (or Labatt’s) at a time. When the Canadiens were playing, the TV was on, but that’s the closest it came to being a sports bar. It was wonderful. I miss it.
V Inman:
May 8th, 2016 at 11:43 pm
I purchased a drinking establishment one year ago which was called an “inn”. In my research for a name for the business, I read that, to be a tavern, the establishment had to have accomodations for the men and their horses. I like that distinction. However, my question is, what is the difference between a saloon & a tavern? In my mind, a saloon has a piano player, female entertainers and normally rooms upstairs. The most defining aspect of a saloon, to me, are the swinging doors. I would like to hear other’s ideas about the difference.
Keith Theakston:
November 16th, 2019 at 12:20 am
Oh I just love it being stated a Saloon is thought of as a rowdy joint with people throwing chairs? THANKS HOLLYWOOD! But the clarification of Pub and Tavern are just great places to eat!
jordan fraser:
July 16th, 2020 at 11:30 am
I enjoyed this. Wondering where I can get a sarsaparilla?
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Jeff Coleman:
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:30 am
Like you, I’m not a big consumer of alcoholic beverages. I have, however, come to learn what legally distinguishes a “tavern” from other facilities for on-premises alcohol consumption, at least here in Washington state. Namely, a tavern is limited to beer and wines sales; spirits may not be sold in a tavern. A “Public House” may sell spirits if properly licensed.
Moley:
May 27th, 2015 at 8:18 am
Probably more beer than water aboard the Mayflower because the water would have been pretty much undrinkable (especially towards the tail end of the journey) and potentially illness-inducing, whereas the beer probably wasn’t that strong – “small beer” used to be weak enough even for children to drink freely.
Iain:
June 2nd, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Very interesting article, thank you!
As a Brit by birth, now Australian, and fond of a pint or three, I remember as a child in the UK, that Pubs typically had two bars … One was labelled “Public Bar” and one “Saloon”.
The Public Bar tended to be noisier, full of smoke, working people, mainly male. Clientele of the Saloon where typically older, better dressed, often couples, and the ambience was more refined with armchairs etc vs the hard wooden chairs in the public area. Bit ironic that the public area would be crowded while the quieter and more comfortable saloon was often much emptier.
In those days ID was not asked for, so younger drinkers, would oft times frequent the saloon bar where you were unlikely to encounter neighbours, teachers etc.
Raphael Adams:
June 10th, 2015 at 11:20 am
You mentioned that in the US, ‘tavern’ has a somewhat more refined connotation than ‘bar’.
As an ex-Montrealer,this comment raised my eye-brow a centimetre or two. Thirty years ago, a tavern was a testoserone-intense establishment that the word ‘refined’ has never been applied to. I don’t know what it’s like now, but back then women were not allowed, but smoking and burping and swearing was. The decor was spartan (small round wooden tables and four wooden chairs) and the ‘food’ even more so. It was all about the beer.The waiters, who were all called Red, wore leather aprons and could serve 20 glasses of Molson (or Labatt’s) at a time. When the Canadiens were playing, the TV was on, but that’s the closest it came to being a sports bar. It was wonderful. I miss it.
V Inman:
May 8th, 2016 at 11:43 pm
I purchased a drinking establishment one year ago which was called an “inn”. In my research for a name for the business, I read that, to be a tavern, the establishment had to have accomodations for the men and their horses. I like that distinction. However, my question is, what is the difference between a saloon & a tavern? In my mind, a saloon has a piano player, female entertainers and normally rooms upstairs. The most defining aspect of a saloon, to me, are the swinging doors. I would like to hear other’s ideas about the difference.
Keith Theakston:
November 16th, 2019 at 12:20 am
Oh I just love it being stated a Saloon is thought of as a rowdy joint with people throwing chairs? THANKS HOLLYWOOD! But the clarification of Pub and Tavern are just great places to eat!
jordan fraser:
July 16th, 2020 at 11:30 am
I enjoyed this. Wondering where I can get a sarsaparilla?