Tips for an awesome tavern experience

[Quickleaf]

I'll be starting the party in a tavern for an upcoming game session. We haven't really seen taverns much for the past 5 levels, so I figure it's about time. Thing is, I want to go all out with props or other cool ideas you might have.

So far I'm thinking of having some nice medieval tavern music in the background, placing printed posters around the room with wanted signs and the like, and I've ordered a case of Jones D&D soda so the barkeep can serve them "dwarven draught."

What other tips or great ideas do you have?

 

[Scribble]

Turn the lights down.

If you have a fog machine haze the place up to simulate a "smoky" atmosphere.

Do you have access to a number of different beer steins?

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Drink beer and hire full-service wenches.

 

[Herobizkit]

Everyone loves food. You may be able to get a pre-cooked chicken from your local supermarket (saves you the time and effort) and serve it/them with some veggies and taters. Jones soda is a nice touch.

 

[The Hound]

Speaking of food. If you want to go all out, and have some cooking talent, google "medieval recipes" and go at it. For something less fancy but still medieval style, have separate plates in the middle of the table holding basic stuff like fesh cooked meat, a big round of cheese, a fresh baked loaf of bread, some nuts, some common fruits like apples, grapes, and dates, a mug of salt, and a tub of butter. Maybe some pudding or stew. Some sort of earthenware or pewter plates & mugs, and no forks. Just sharp knives and spoons - wooden spoons if possible.

 

[Kinneus]

Speaking of food. If you want to go all out, and have some cooking talent, google "medieval recipes" and go at it. For something less fancy but still medieval style, have separate plates in the middle of the table holding basic stuff like fesh cooked meat, a big round of cheese, a fresh baked loaf of bread, some nuts, some common fruits like apples, grapes, and dates, a mug of salt, and a tub of butter. Maybe some pudding or stew. Some sort of earthenware or pewter plates & mugs, and no forks. Just sharp knives and spoons - wooden spoons if possible.

Man, I'd love my DM forever if he fed me.

Also... have any actor friends? Community theater? Used to do theater in high school? Invite them over for the evening, and have them provide some of the 'local color' using their wackiest accents and character quirks.

 

[fba827]

some simple things ...

play on a table (or near a table) ? change the table cloth to something older you might already have in storage or remove it altoegther if your table itself looks 'rugged'

close curtains/blinds so that it is darker in the room from outside/natural sunlight

have a couple candles (preferably the thicker kind)? light a couple (just not near the spot where you play lest it get knocked over accidently by a book or hand grabbing dice, etc)

for the day, don't allow soda cans. everyone must drink directly from a glass bottle or from a mug, so have a couple mugs handy.

medieval tavern music in the background (set on repeat if need be) - but low enough volume that it isn't distracting to anyone talking, but loud enough to hear it faintly behind you... though i think you already said that.

 

[Thunderfoot]

If you really want to go all out... try making the room as spartan as possible. A fake fireplace (or if you have a real one) with a roaring fire is always a nice touch...even a fake rotating faux fire can give you the right feel. Hit the local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other second hand store and pick up some inexpensive accouterments like candle holders, mugs, wooden plates, etc. Really let your imagination roll.

I have just a little experience with this, I help build the sets for True Dungeon.

 

[Kzach]

There are three prime rules for taverns in D&D.

1) You can't trust skinny barkeeps, especially ones with hawk-like noses (he's part of the thieves' guild, duh!).

2) Never challenge the half-orc to a drinking or arm-wrestling contest (you're not going to win).

3) Chain the party halfling up outside (with a lock better than his lock-picking skill).

Follow these simple rules as a player and your tavern experience will be profitable and conducive to adventuring. As a DM, enforcing these fundamental tavern roleplaying rules is not only a time-honoured tradition, but also vitally important to the verisimilitude of taverns everywhere!

 

[Mark1733]

All wooden furniture.

If you have any friends who are musically inclined, have them be the evening's bard. Look for medieval mead at a local liquor store. Serve only ales and ciders. Cheese and breads.

Have some gambling going on (dice, bones, etc.). Wooden darts with a painted picture of the king and his nose at the bullseye.

Invite other friends over and seat them at another table and then have them start a fight for the finale.