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American Tavern: The heart of the American Experience

American Cuisine, American History, American Travel

What is the American tavern, why should we care about them, and what good are they to us now?

Well, the American tavern is about as complicated as America herself which makes them super interesting places to visit. They are many times full of good food and drink and always full of stories. They are often referred to as the birthplace of the American Revolution but first, what is it and what is it not?

  • taverns of the american revolution
    This Family headed into a favorite tavern
  • hawks head tavern american tavern

What makes an American Tavern?

Boiled down and at its essence (like a lot in America) the early American tavern was a combination of the Inn and the Pub. Both the Inn and the Pub came from British traditions and since often a tavern was the only town public building, it’s natural that it would be built to serve more than one purpose.

  • Gadsby’s Tavern Exterior
  • Gadsby’s Tavern Interior

Was an American Tavern just a bar?

The short answer is no.

Early American taverns served as anything they needed to be including banks, barbershops, brothels, courts of law, dance hall, garrisons, hospitals, insurance office, libraries, jail, schools, stores, playhouse, post office, AND what they were intended… a pub and an inn.

  • taverns of the american revolution american tavern
    The Raleigh Tavern
  • taverns of the american revolution american tavern
    The Famous Raleigh Tavern undergoing preservation reconstruction

Why Visit an American Tavern?

More than a building that marked a specific event or time, these places are hallowed halls of our humble beginnings. These rooms hold echoes of conversations about politics and culture spanning over 250 years. When we brought our daughters to the tavern George Washington celebrated his birthday, their faces lit up in a new way. They were standing where George and Martha stood. They danced and ate where Alexander Hamilton did. WAY cooler than dining where the Kardashians do. There is meaning and a little sense of pride and wonder that wasn’t there before. And I’ve heard them both tell the story to others. It’s a trip that means something.

Also, many of them have freaking amazing hearty colonial food so there’s that too. 😉

  • taverns of the american revolution
    Red Fox Inn Tavern then
  • taverns of the american revolution
    and now

Other Names for the Tavern

Because they were used for so many different things, it’s no surprise they had so many aliases. Often, these reflected the main use of the particular tavern.

These included Ale House, Dram House, Exchange, Grog Shop, Pub, Tippling House, Public House, Ordinary and more. They ran the gamut from a polished establishment and place of business to gnarly shanty full of fleas and possibly spoiled food.

Hallmarks of a Tavern

Most early American taverns have quintessential benchmarks. These include the basics of colonial American architecture. In every tavern we’ve visited, we’ve found some commonalities. Low ceilings with exposed dark beams are the norm. Every room that is used for dining has a fireplace. There is always a distinct ‘bar’ in the corner where liquor could be locked up, and every single tavern has a unique and robust story (or 5) that will knock your socks off.

  • ‘Bar’ in the corner
  • Dark wood, exposed beams…very cozy
  • Fireplace
  • standing at Gadsby's Tavern
    A unique and really fun story

Many of the taverns that still exist as taverns today are passed down through family or has undergone minimal hand changes. There is a unique sense of pride and deep personal connection to the very roots of our nation. The proprietors serve as stewards of story and tradition and that is something totally unique and super cool to experience!

Cool Things That Happened in American Taverns

Birthplace of the Sons of Liberty and ‘Headquarters of the American Revolution’

Birth place of the US Marine Corps

First meetings and birthplace of the American Masons

Launch point and After party for The Boston Tea Party

First Continental Congress

First official President’s Day celebrations (then Washington’s birthday)

Washington’s official (and huge) Farewell party, therefore legitimizing Continental Congress (and making the government real…not just another King)

DISCOVER MORE AWESOME THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN AMERICA

What Happened to the American Tavern

The way of the American Tavern went the way of history. What once numbered in the thousands and was the centerpiece to every early American town is now less than 200. Over the 1800’s, they were gradually replaced by specialized restaurants and hotels. This type of industry catered to the new wealth in America and served urban needs.

  • little river inn stargazing package
  • women heroes of the american revolution
  • Riley's Farm: One of a Kind Historical Dinner Theater

Can you visit Taverns of the American Revolution?

The short answer here is YES!

What once numbered in the thousands are now down to a couple hundred. Thankfully there are some really great people out there preserving what we have left AND there are some other amazing folk who have built some replicas for us to enjoy!

Some are long since destroyed but that shouldn’t dissuade a visit. Many times there are markers to commemorate the going ons. Some of the originals exist as private homes today so only a drive by is appropriate.

BUT

There are a few taverns that serve as museums now and there are others remaining that are still functioning as their original tavern self.

AND THEY ARE A HOOT!

YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING ADVENTURES

Planning trips to Taverns

There are also a few that are replicas and are doing a tremendous job of bringing history to life in a really cool way for modern tavern goers.

There are also enterprising breweries looking into those original revolutionary spirits so are able to try some of those same ales.

Guidebooks to help you plan

A Visit to the Hawk’s Head Tavern

Obviously the original colonial American Taverns are located in the original 12 colonies. There are, however, a couple of great hidden gems on the west coast where you can experience all the charm and specialness of a proper tavern.

We visited the Hawk’s Head in Oak Glen California. It’s family owned and operated. The food is locally sourced, as is their ciders (both hard and non alcoholic). We even got to dress the part! I could go on and on about the local apples, the local honey and the local hard cider because they were delectable but I think it’s better you see with your own eyes. Take a look!!

I am SO glad my awesome colonial dress accommodated my very full tummy! So you can’t make it to Boston, Williamsburg or Philly? Don’t sweat it…the full Colonial American experience is waiting for you here at Riley’s and the Hawk’s Head Tavern in Oak Glen, California.

PLAN IT HERE

Bring the Tradition Home

There are some pretty great Colonial Cooking Cookbooks and there is even a pretty great TV show where you can learn and try your hand at some of our forefathers’ favorites!!

Colonial Cooking Cookbooks

I’ve put together a really fun list of a variety of cookbooks. Click on this photo and be magically transported to it.

why experience American History

Colonial Cooking TV

A Taste of History by Chef Staib specializes in just this! He is a chef at the famed City Tavern in Philly and he has dedicated his life to preserving and reproducing colonial American tavern faire.

You can order the DVDS HERE

or

Join Amazon Prime – Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime – INCLUDING A TASTE OF HISTORY Start Free Trial Now

Giveaway!

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with author M. Diane McCormick. She wrote Well Behaved Taverns Seldom Make History. It’s a literary pub crawl through 12 Pennsylvania taverns in early American History. It’s a ready made tour through Pennsylvania taverns complete with stories of rebellion and guide to the local faire. I loved it so much I decided to do a Rafflecopter giveaway!!! Running from Feb 4- 18. Two weeks and a great way to celebrate Presidents Day! After all, George celebrated many in a tavern.

ENTER NOW

Can’t wait? Want your copy now? Buy yours HERE.

Final Thoughts

America’s taverns were and are the original institutions of our independence. Taverns are where talks turned to treason to the crown, where soldiers were recruited, where victories were celebrated (and mourned) and where some even met their fate.

My favorite part of the American Tavern is the deep sense of community it provided and fostered. Our modern society doesn’t have a one stop shop where you can get a meal, get the news, and engage with people from all classes. Even at the local coffee shops people are buried in their laptops or phones, not engaging. So it isn’t a judgement call but rather a fact that our current world simply doesn’t have an equivalent to all that tavern had as an institution.

But we can…and we should…rub shoulders with history and experience our very cool and unique taverns. There aren’t a lot left but there are opportunities coast to coast. Where will you go? Which one will you discover? They all have stories just waiting to be rediscovered and shared. CHEERS!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Really really cool information. Thanks for the History lesson… I never knew all this… but now I do 🙂

  3. Not what I was expecting, but a very pleasant surprise.Your posts are always very educational. Thank you!

  7. What a neat idea!! It’s a twist on our brewery hopping. We both love history, so this would be so fun!

  8. I didn’t know there was history to taverns. Very interesting. I will check this out when we travel back through the area. Thanks for sharing!

  9. What a great place to visit and learn! I love traveling to and exploring places like this.

  11. I love this! My family always enjoy visiting historic places where they dress in the era clothing. I love immersion into history!

  12. I love how you find places to visit that were a part of our history! I never thought about taverns being one of them, but now I do!

  13. Interesting idea! I would never have thought about visiting taverns for history lessons!

  15. Loved this post and learning about how important taverns are in the history of our country.

    • I am so glad you enjoyed! I hope you’ll consider signing up for our newsletter and joining us on all our explorations!

  18. These look like such amazing places! I love when a place has history that goes back so far. You all looked adorable in your outfits!

    • Thank you! It was a hoot! And really made the visit very memorable. You know what’s awesome about colonial clothing? They expand!!! I’m seriously considering wearing a colonial outfit to Thanksgiving from now on.

  19. I’m all about history so found this post fascinating! I’m pinning for future reference as I would love to visit some of these historical taverns!

    • I know you are! I’m glad you enjoyed! I hope you will consider joining our newsletter. We bring lots of history right to your email!

    • Excellent! I hope you’ll consider joining our newsletter. You’ll get fun articles like this delivered right to your email box. 🙂

  23. I love taverns. I love the plaque that says they harvested ice from the river. I’m glad they don’t do that anymore. lol.

    • ha! It was pretty ingenious really. We got to go see where they stored it and it’s amazing how cool it is underground and under the hay. Lovely to have on those sweltering Virginia summers.

  24. We are totally kindred spirits! I’m a history teacher/history nerd and a travel addict… so this is my favorite post ever! 😀

    • Excellent! I hope you will consider joining our email newsletter. we sent stories like this and perks to go along with it 🙂

  25. Ah! We have been to a place nearby called Pelhams Pub. It is underneath the Inn at Kellys Ford! It has just the description that you are sharing with us here! So cool. I have a picture of the Tun Tavern sign in Philly too! We used to live by Quantico and have been to the Tun Tavern themed restaurant at the Marine Corps Museum!

  26. So cool! We’ve eaten at a tavern in Williamsburg, and I hope to visit another on our New England road trip this summer. Great guide!

    • OH yes! Which one did you eat at in Williamsburg? I have relatives that were heavily involved in the Raleigh tavern at the time 🙂

  27. I learned something today since I had no idea there was a distinction between tavern and bar! Great post!

  28. Very cool! I didn’t know the difference between a tavern and a pub. I love how cozy they look inside.

    This is a great resource for a historical road trip. 🙂

  29. What a great info here! When I hear about taverns I always thought about the UK. Its great to know that they have preserved the history over the years. Would love to visit one in the US.

  30. What a great info here! When I hear about taverns I always thought about the UK. Its great to know that they have preserved the history over the years.

  31. Wow, this is very interesting! Thanks for the history lesson. I will have to have my 11-year-old son read this too! Someday I need to take my kids out East to see all of the history in person.

  32. You guys looked so good in the period costumes. Way to make history fun…..This would be a great place for a field trip.

  33. I live outside of Boston and we did a tavern tour one time for my husband’s birthday. It was a lot of fun.

  34. I love a good history lesson and historic buildings. This was all that wrapped up nicely. Cannot wait to check a couple of the mentioned places out.

  38. I’ve learned so much about The American Tavern from this post. Love the way you explained in details. Thanks so much for sharing the history.

  39. I love learning more about American History and knowing where I can visit to learn more!

  42. Very interesting! I’m going to look for these old American Taverns as I travel..thanks!

  45. This is so cool! I love this part of history – and our country is so “young” by comparison to the rest of the world its great to read about it!

    • It’s very true…we are young in the grand scheme of things. Probably why I’m so passionate about loving it and keeping it in tact if I can in my small way 🙂

  46. Thank you for sharing this! I learned so much about the old taverns…I have been to a few but never really thought about the history behind them!

  47. So interesting, and I love that they still exist. I agree that we’ve lost that sense of community as we become more and more isolated within our devices, even when sitting in a coffee shop.

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