Tavern and Inn - what´s the difference?

[Asmo]

Tavern and Inn - what´s the difference?

What´s the difference between an Inn and a Tavern?
Under "Food and Lodging" in "The Speaker in Dreams" adventure it says"Seven inns and seven taverns are in the Eastgate neighborhood."
According to my dictionary it´s the same thing.

Asmo

 

[Walter_J]

What´s the difference between an Inn and a Tavern?
Under "Food and Lodging" in "The Speaker in Dreams" adventure it says"Seven inns and seven taverns are in the Eastgate neighborhood."
According to my dictionary it´s the same thing.

Asmo

I'm guessing that an Inn includes lodging, where a tavern doesn't. But that's just a guess.

 

[Aaron2]

What´s the difference between an Inn and a Tavern?
Under "Food and Lodging" in "The Speaker in Dreams" adventure it says"Seven inns and seven taverns are in the Eastgate neighborhood."
According to my dictionary it´s the same thing.

A Tavern is more like a restaurant while an Inn is more like a hotel. In fact, I was in Greece last summer and they still call all there restaurants "Taverna".


Aaron

 

[4everdm]

Tavern = Restaurant; Inn = "Hotel/Motel"; Tavern/Inn = Has Both

 

[Hand of Evil]

Taverns you fight in.
Inns you sleep in.

 

[Piratecat]

But I'm pretty sure that you accidentally burn down both of them.

 

[Ant]

Taverns you fight in.
Inns you sleep in.

Until the assassin friends of the guys you fought in the tavern make a house call.

That'll learn ya.

 

[Dogbrain]

Consulting the OED, "inn" comes from the Old English "inn", which means any sort of "habitation". It currently refers to a commercial establishment where one might lodge. It has been used in the modern sense since AD1400.

"Tavern" comes from the Latin "taberna"--a shed made of boards, a booth, a shop. Around AD1286, it referred to a place that sold wine (but had no lodgings). The term "public house" didn't appear until AD1669. "Alehouse" is at least as old as AD1000.

So, if you want a "high feudal" flavor or ealier, "tavern" should be restricted to upper-class establishments that serve wine. "Alehouse" to the common establishments, and "inn" possibly used for any place for lodging.

"Bar" is from the 1500s.

 

[Hand of Evil]

But I'm pretty sure that you accidentally burn down both of them.

Accidentally, like hell!

 

[HellHound]

The tavern has less lighting and more smoke.

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Taverns were important for the beer, because most people couldn't have beer in their homes (after all, you have to buy it by the keg or the bucket), so they would go to the tavern to entertain their guests and offer them a beer.

But then you go home for dinner in order to show off what fine food your servants can cook. (And maybe have a servant pick up a bucket of beer at the tavern).