Definition

1. Noun:
   • The owner or manager of a tavern: A "tavern keeper" is a person who owns, manages, or is in charge of running a tavern, which is a public house or establishment licensed to sell alcoholic drinks and often providing food and lodging.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The tavern keeper refused to serve the rowdy patron.
  • The old tavern keeper knew every story and secret in the village.
  • He worked for years as a tavern keeper before buying his own establishment.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: In historical contexts, the tavern keeper was often a central figure in a community, responsible for providing news, hospitality, and a gathering place.
  • In the 18th century, the tavern keeper was as important as the town mayor.

Variants and Related Words

• Publican (noun): A chiefly British term for a person who owns or manages a pub (public house). It is a close synonym.
  • The publican called for last orders.
• Innkeeper (noun): A person who manages an inn, which typically provides lodging in addition to food and drink.
  • The innkeeper showed the travelers to their rooms.
• Barkeeper or Barman/Barmaid (noun): These terms usually refer to a person who serves drinks from behind the bar, rather than the owner or overall manager.
  • The barkeeper mixed the cocktail with skill.

Synonyms

• Publican
• Innkeeper (when the establishment provides lodging)
• Licensee (holder of the license to sell alcohol)
• Proprietor of a pub/tavern

Related Phrases

• To keep a tavern: An older phrase meaning to own or run a tavern.
  • His family has kept a tavern in this town for generations.

Noun

1. the keeper of a public house