Entertainment in Colonial Taverns
Local News
Taverns were the best place to go to learn the local news. Newspapers were delivered to taverns and were available to read. For those who couldn't read, the literate would read the newspapers aloud. Taverns were also the best place to hear the local gossip. They were places for people to stop and rest along their travels, and news would be spread throughout the colonies with each guest. People would gather to discuss and debate what is going on at the time, such as the recent taxes by the British with the Stamp or Tea Acts. Fighting was not condoned by the owners of taverns, and people who engaged in this behavior would be kicked out of the tavern - much like bar fighting today.
Taverns were the best place to go to learn the local news. Newspapers were delivered to taverns and were available to read. For those who couldn't read, the literate would read the newspapers aloud. Taverns were also the best place to hear the local gossip. They were places for people to stop and rest along their travels, and news would be spread throughout the colonies with each guest. People would gather to discuss and debate what is going on at the time, such as the recent taxes by the British with the Stamp or Tea Acts. Fighting was not condoned by the owners of taverns, and people who engaged in this behavior would be kicked out of the tavern - much like bar fighting today.
Stores
Colonial taverns were where new items would be introduced to the colonies. Taverns are where the fork was first introduced. People would meet in colonial taverns to discuss business. For example, people would discuss how much their goods would sell for.
Photo credit:http://www.goodoletom.com/assets/images/1332872681_wallace-sterling-silver-cocktailseafood-fork-1942-grand-colonial-pattern-5.jpg
Shows
Traveling shows, such as carnivals would be hosted at colonial taverns. These would star actors, magicians, or people with deformities. Unlike today, these performers would not be hired or paid.
Traveling shows, such as carnivals would be hosted at colonial taverns. These would star actors, magicians, or people with deformities. Unlike today, these performers would not be hired or paid.
Games
People would gather in taverns for many different forms of entertainment, including games. Some of these games included shuffleboard, quoits (which is throwing metal, rope or a rubber ring over a distance to land on an object such as a spike), dice (which often led to gambling), cards, and ninepins (similar to what we know as bowling).
Photo credit: http://www.history.org/Foundation/journal/Autumn08/images/Gamble06A.jpg
People would gather in taverns for many different forms of entertainment, including games. Some of these games included shuffleboard, quoits (which is throwing metal, rope or a rubber ring over a distance to land on an object such as a spike), dice (which often led to gambling), cards, and ninepins (similar to what we know as bowling).
Photo credit: http://www.history.org/Foundation/journal/Autumn08/images/Gamble06A.jpg
Drinking Songs
Drinking songs were a very common form of entertainment in colonial taverns. The lyrics and tunes of songs were changed and recycled from other songs. During the American Revolution, English songs would be turned into patriotic songs - such as "God Save the King" was changed to "Tis of Thee".
Drinking songs were a very common form of entertainment in colonial taverns. The lyrics and tunes of songs were changed and recycled from other songs. During the American Revolution, English songs would be turned into patriotic songs - such as "God Save the King" was changed to "Tis of Thee".