There is, however, no longer a formal distinction between an inn and other kinds of establishment. Inns tend to be older and grander establishments: historically they provided not only food and lodging, but also stabling and fodder for the traveller's horse(s) and on some roads fresh horses for the mail coach.įamous London inns include The George, Southwark and The Tabard. The latter tend to provide alcohol (and, in the UK, soft drinks and often food), but less commonly accommodation. In Europe, it is the provision of accommodation, if anything, that now distinguishes inns from taverns, alehouses and pubs.

In addition to providing for the needs of travellers, inns traditionally acted as community gathering places. Some inns in Europe are several centuries old. In Europe, they possibly first sprang up when the Romans built a system of roads two millennia ago. They are typically located in the country or along a highway. Inns are buildings where travellers can seek lodging and, usually, food and drink.

Peasants before an Inn by Dutch artist Jan Steen c. The pub quiz was established in the UK in the 1970s. Pubs often screen sporting events, such as rugby and football. Often colloquially referred to as their 'local' by regular customers, pubs are typically chosen for their proximity to home or work, good food, social atmosphere, the presence of friends and acquaintances, and the availability of pub games such as darts or snooker. Many pubs offer meals and snacks, and so-called gastro-pubs serve food in a manner akin to a restaurant.Ī licence is required to operate a pub and the licensee is known as the landlord or landlady, or the publican. Īlthough the drinks traditionally served include draught beer and cider, most also sell wine, spirits, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. In his 17th-century diary, Samuel Pepys described the pub as 'the heart of England'. In many places, especially in villages, pubs are the focal point of local communities. The model also became popular in countries and regions of British influence, where pubs are often still considered to be an important aspect of their culture. The history of pubs can be traced to Roman taverns in Britain, and through Anglo-Saxon alehouses, but it was not until the early 19th century that pubs, as they are today, first began to appear. allows drinks to be bought at a bar (i.e., not only table service).has at least one indoor area not laid out for meals.serves draught beer or cider without requiring food be consumed.is open to the public without membership or residency.Today, there is no strict definition, but CAMRA states a pub has four characteristics: By Georgian times, the term had become common parlance, although taverns, as a distinct establishment, had largely ceased to exist by the beginning of the 19th century. The term public house first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and was used to differentiate private houses from those which were, quite literally, open to the public as 'alehouses', ' taverns' and ' inns'. 1790 by Henry Singleton)Ī pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises.

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