What Were Medieval Taverns Actually Like?

Uncovering the truth about one of fantasy’s most enduring symbols

(OpenAI)

There is perhaps no image more enduring in modern fiction than that of a Medieval tavern. Taverns are portrayed as cozy places were adventurers share a pint near a roaring fire. They are usually tended to by a buxom and friendly bar maid. Coin and rumors flow freely. The air is typically warm and smokey. It is an appealing image. But is it real? What were Medieval taverns actually like?

Taverns were extremely common in the Medieval Period, so there is plenty of literature to pull from regarding what these institutions looked like and how they operated. On the one hand, they are in many ways similar to the idea of the fantasy tavern that appears in fiction. On the other hand, they were also incredibly mundane, taking up the same space as a motor lodge does today. (And indeed, motor lodges also get romanticized in modern fiction.)

Here is what Medieval taverns were actually like in their heyday.

The Outside

17th century tavern still standing (Public domain)

Taverns were often large buildings. Most taverns stood two to three stories tall. In…