In colonial Massachusetts, as in many other American colonies in the 1760s and 1770s, taverns played a critical role in the development of popular resistance to British rule. However, the Puritan culture of New England created some resistance to these taverns, also known as public houses or pubs. There were strong efforts by reformers to regulate or close the taverns. They believed that it would reduce the problems caused by public drunkness and prevent anarchy. But as the commercial life of the colonies expanded, and as increasing numbers of people began living in towns and cities, taverns became a central institution in American social life, and eventually in its political life as well.1
Taverns were appealing to much of the public because they provided alcoholic drinks. The culture craved for alcohol, to the extent of complete drunkness, and it embraced these institutions. However, taverns had other attractions as well. In early colonies, there were few places where people could meet and talk openly in public. For many colonists, tavern culture began to seem like the most democratic experience available.2 Gradually, they saw the attacks on the taverns as efforts to increase the power of existing elites and suppress the freedom of ordinary people. Just as in politics, taverns were seen as institutions of mostly male concern. Through time, the fusion of male camaraderie and political discourse gave birth to the strong tavern culture.3
As the revolutionary crisis deepened, taverns and pubs became central meeting places for discussions of the ideas that fueled resistance to British policies. Educated and uneducated men joined in animated discussions of events together. Those who could not read could learn about the contents of revolutionary pamphlets from listening to tavern discussions. They could join the discussions of the new republican ideas that emerged in the Americas by participating in tavern celebrations.4 The tavern culture inspired elaborate toasts in public houses throughout the colonies. Such toasts were the equivalents of political speeches, and illiterate men could learn much from them about the political concepts that were circulating through the colonies.5
Taverns were important outlets for gathering information in an age before the wide distribution of newspapers. Tavern keepers were often trusted informants and confidants to the Sons of Liberty and other activists, and they were fountains of information about the political and social turmoil of the time.6 Taverns were also the setting for political events, and served as a public court. In 1770, for example, a report circulated through the taverns of Danvers, Massachusetts, about a local man who was continuing to sell tea despite the colonial boycott. The Sons of Liberty brought the seller to the Bell Tavern and persuaded him to sign a confession and apology before a crowd.7
Almost all politicians found it necessary to visit taverns in colonial Massachusetts if they wanted any real contact with the public. Samuel Adams spent considerable time in the public houses of Boston, where he sought to encourage resistance to British Rule. His cousin John Adams recognized taverns’ political value as well. In taverns, he once said, “bastards and legislators are frequently begotten.”8
Taverns were very important social institutions in the colonies. They started as an entertainment location where people could come together and socialize. However, through time taverns transformed into something much more powerful. They were at the core of the political life that started the strong camaraderie between colonists, which was formed in these taverns and eventually led to the expression of public, heated political speeches.
- Mark Lender, “In Public Houses: Drink and the Revolution of Authority in Colonial Massachusetts,” Journal of Social History 31, no. 1 (1997): 202. ↵
- Stephen Donlon, “The colonial tavern” (M.A. Thesis., St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX, 1946), 13. ↵
- Baylen Linnekin, “Tavern talk and the origins of the assembly clause,”Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly 39, no. 3 (2012): 593. ↵
- Mark Lender, “In Public Houses: Drink and the Revolution of Authority in Colonial Massachusetts,” Journal of Social History 31, no. 1 (1997): 202. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past Volume 2 since 1865 (New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2011), 186. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past Volume 2 since 1865 (New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2011), 186. ↵
- Mark Lender, “In Public Houses: Drink and the Revolution of Authority in Colonial Massachusetts,” Journal of Social History 31, no. 1 (1997): 202. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History: Connecting with the Past Volume 2 since 1865 (New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2011), 186. ↵
33 comments
Cameron Adelman
Great article. I really like how you were able to take a historical topic like the American Revolution and make it so relatable. Given that most modern Americans readily understand and identify with bar culture, it makes it a lot easier to picture, understand, and even empathize with what the colonials were going through in the 1760s and 1770s. Well done.
Bailey Rider
This was a great and informative article. I love learning about how the mixture of a social setting could also be a place for political discussions. I like how you included the information about how the attacks on taverns were seen as a way to help the elite maintain power. It’s cool that in taverns, the majority found a place to talk safely and express their opinions and concerns.
Yesenia Cardenas
Very informative article. Although I never thought of it, it makes sense why taverns were important for people to spread and receive information, especially if it was to remain discrete information.
Jacob Hall
Great article highlighting the importance of taverns and pubs in early American colonial life. It isn’t too surprising that their popularity as a social gathering place would transform into a forum for the voicing of public opinion and political ideas. Juxtaposed against the modern American political landscape, it seems rather appropriate that it would have all started in neighborhood bars.
Danielle Garza
It is amazing to think that as american culture beer and drinking with friends is already a huge part of society. This is the origin story of how this came to be. i always believed that pub’s and bars had really no importance, but i was wrong. it was a place to converse and share ideas that would shape the course of US history.
Salvador Rodriguez Gomez
I had no idea that taverns actually played a big in getting people on board with resisting Britain’s rule. This article does a fine job of explaining their importance as well as how they were used as places for politicians to spread their ideas and why it worked so well.
Christian Lozano
It is great to see how Taverns allowed for information to disseminate across Early Massachusetts, Great Article. Keep up the good work.
Nicolas McKay
This was a very interesting article. I had no idea taverns were so important in forming not only the culture of a nation, but even the politics behind it. I find it funny how what started as a place built only for heavy drinking could evolve into something so revolutionary and fundamental. Its probably safe to say that bars and pubs in modrn times do not hold the same significance.
George Manzanares
Well done! I never imagined that such a simple concept as taverns played such a crucial part in early American society. My first thought of taverns is similar to that of bars. I think of people getting drunk. I never realized that taverns were vital part if the social and political atmosphere of early American society. Awesome job on illustrating their importance!
Aaron Jaramillo
Good article. Its interesting how taverns were such important social institution back during in the colonial era and to a certain degree they are still a popular social meeting place today. The other interesting thing is that your article stated that the tavern keepers were trusted informants and confidants, I’m sure there are still many bar owners and bartenders that still are trusted informants and confidants to many of their patrons. Good writing.