[polishgenius]

Have you noticed that? The Phoenix Inn (and others), Milliways, that place in aSoIaF where so much seems to happen, the Mended Drum, the Leaky Cauldron... the best fantasy always has a good bar.
Top tip for all budding writers there I suppose.
Discuss.
>_>

[pat5150]

Tell that to the creators of Cheers!

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[caladanbrood]

Well of course. Realism is a vital part of any story:D

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

I have mixed feelings about the standard fantasy tavern. On one hand, it's historically accurate that a lot of social interaction would happen in such a place, on the other it's become a little cliched. One thing that annoys me is that some authors feel like every story based on a medieval world must have no alcoholic beverages besides ale. There should be more variety, and it seems a little cheesy at this point that every time a sword wielding hero goes into a bar he MUST order an ale.

[Shryval]

Raymond Luxury Yacht;116072 said:

One thing that annoys me is that some authors feel like every story based on a medieval world must have no alcoholic beverages besides ale. There should be more variety, and it seems a little cheesy at this point that every time a sword wielding hero goes into a bar he MUST order an ale.

His body latticed with scars, many still bleeding, the warrior kicked open the door of the tavern. Scowling, the seven foot giant shouldered his way through the now silent mass, the twin hilts of his oversized swords strapped to his back scraping across ceiling beams as he strode to the bar. Grabbing the barman by his hair, he lifted the man off his feet, leaning down to growl in a face gone white with terror.

"A glass of the house white, please. And perhaps some canap?s?"

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Shryval;116087 said:

His body latticed with scars, many still bleeding, the warrior kicked open the door of the tavern. Scowling, the seven foot giant shouldered his way through the now silent mass, the twin hilts of his oversized swords strapped to his back scraping across ceiling beams as he strode to the bar. Grabbing the barman by his hair, he lifted the man off his feet, leaning down to growl in a face gone white with terror.

"A glass of the house white, please. And perhaps some canap?s?"

That made me laugh. That would be silly, of course, but why not beer, hard liquor, mead, grog, or something made up by the author? It is fantasy, let's see some imagination.

[Shryval]

And how about Cider? Rural areas of England all have a rich tradition for scrumpy, and I imagine it's similar through europe because it was so easy and cheap to make (and Apples are one of the few things that grow almost anywhere). They'd definitely have had cider and wines made from things like pears, blackberry and gooseberries.

[polishgenius]

Every fantasy tavern needs Scumble. It's made from apples. Well, mostly apples.

[Shiara]

Shryval;116087 said:

His body latticed with scars, many still bleeding, the warrior kicked open the door of the tavern. Scowling, the seven foot giant shouldered his way through the now silent mass, the twin hilts of his oversized swords strapped to his back scraping across ceiling beams as he strode to the bar. Grabbing the barman by his hair, he lifted the man off his feet, leaning down to growl in a face gone white with terror.

"A glass of the house white, please. And perhaps some canap?s?"

Lol, brilliant - you should elaborate on that, write a whole novel - I'd sure read it

[Darkwatch]

Raymond Luxury Yacht;116088 said:

That made me laugh. That would be silly, of course, but why not beer, hard liquor, mead, grog, or something made up by the author? It is fantasy, let's see some imagination.

I do Recall Kay coming up with his own drinks, as well as making them drink other things then ale. Also many people confuse ale for an old word for beer so the ambiguity on that might explain the cliche. Also I'd like to point out that in many books the heros drink a lot of wine.

[ObsoleteResolve]

I always liked the Vulgar Unicorn.

That was a sweet bar.

One-thumb pouring your drinks while Hanse eyes you up from the corner while Tempus Thales ponders new things to do...

[Dagger]

Conan always drank wine, copious amounts of wine. I remember once him hollering for wine after a battle because "killing is thirsty work." Witness that Karsa, you big 4-lunged prig.