Is "Tavern" a New England thing? (Boston: restaurant, bars)

[Natnasci]

Originally Posted by johngolf

I believe in olden days it meant food and drink. In some parts of the country (Pittsburgh) it meant drink but probably no food. In MA years back if drink was served, you had to serve food. I know for a fact, some places kept some cans of soup and a hot plate (hidden away) to "skirt" the law. The old "Stewart Infra Red Sandwich Machines" served as food in many places. I remember years back in Canada. they had/would serve you a plate of French Fries as "the food". One plate of fries, drink as much as you wanted.

Weird liquor laws existed like that here in BC. No food, no liquor in some places. They referred to the food as a
"rubber sandwich ".

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Natnasci

Do you say pub then?

Never. I had pints in a pub in London a couple of weeks ago. Hand pumped English Ale out of a keg in the cellar. I never use that term in the US. Irish Pub is as close as I come.

[johngolf]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Never. I had pints in a pub in London a couple of weeks ago. Hand pumped English Ale out of a keg in the cellar. I never use that term in the US. Irish Pub is as close as I come.

I think PUB came from PUBlic, a place, where the PUBlic was invited versus a Private Club especially in England.
I do not think it came from PUBic whatever.

[CaseyB]

Public House.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Natnasci

Depends where.

In Vancouver it is very rare, I could find only 3 places that use the term. People do not use the term here in everyday language, as in "I'm going to the tavern ". We say "pub".

I first encountered the word when I was young and fairly untravelled, in Seattle. A quick Google shows than in Seattle proper, there are 20 places that use the word Tavern. So to me, it was an American thing, until I learned the actual history of the term.

As for the rest of Canada, Tavern, quick Googles do show that it is fairly common in parts of the country, just not really popular here on the west coast of Canada.

Yeah I was referring to the Maritimes, not sure about anywhere else.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

You will find that in NYC as well like Gramercy Tavern. A lot of greek restaurants have "taverna" as a suffix.

[LookinForMayberry]

Originally Posted by MtPleasantDream

I see many restaurants/pubs named "XX Tavern" here, not so much in other parts of the country.
A relative of mine also asked me what a tavern is.

Taverns are a thing that has existed throughout the country's history. They are typically road side bars where locals go after work to chat with their fellow community neighbors before heading home. Some will have local entertainment. A few with have food and happy hours.

[robr2]

IMHO, "tavern" is a marketing term now. Tavern in the Square is a now a biggish chain around Boston and John Taffer of Bar Rescue is opening "Taffer's Tavern" with locations in DC, Alpharetta, GA, and Watertown.

As to what one says, it you're an old school imbiber in around here it would be "I'm goin down to da bah."

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

It seems to be an east coast thing, not limited to New England. I've seen several "taverns" in the south.

Yes--famous restaurant in Central Park in NYC--Tavern on the Green. Featured in a lot of movies and TV shows.

https://www.tavernonthegreen.com/menu/

We had a restaurant for a long time in NJ called The Town Tavern. So no, not limited to New England.

Interesting, I never knew the word Tavern wasn't used elsewhere.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

You will find that in NYC as well like Gramercy Tavern. A lot of greek restaurants have "taverna" as a suffix.

Oh, yes, I used to work near the Gramercy Tavern. Supposedly a lot of famous Gramercy Park residents went there, but I never noticed any.

And yes, that's true about Greek Restaurants often having Taverna in their name.