After a hard day in the drill field or slaving over a hot cook fire, most soldiers and camp followers find the friendly confines of the Old Dutch Fisherman tavern to be a welcome retreat. Good ale, tobacco, song and a friendly game of chance are the perfect way to banish your woes, and fortify one’s ability to cope with what Captain Syler has in store for you on the morrow!

The Tavern is a large marquee which acts as a communal gathering area, open to all participants. It is designated as the central location for dining, gaming and other social activities. It will be located a sufficient distance from the rest of camp to insure that revelers do not disturb the slumber of more prudent participants. The Tavern will be managed by Tavern Keeper Will Foster and his staff. Please follow any instructions or orders that they may issue.

• All Tavern patrons must be in costume.
• Only period eating, drinking and gaming accessories are allowed.

Alcoholic beverages: The Tavern Keeper may “distribute” a pre-provided beverage of choice to patrons. The SRS will not provide or sell alcoholic beverages, but patrons may designate the Tavern Keeper as the custodian of their beverage, and be served it upon request. Non-period drinking vessels or modern beverage containers will not be allowed in the Tavern. Modern beverage containers must be entrusted to the Tavern Keeper for later dispersal upon request, into a period drinking vessel.

Trash and recycling: There will be two garbage containers located near the Tavern, one for recyclable bottles and cans, one for trash. Please do not comingle your refuse.

Gambling coinage: The standard gaming currency for non-tournament gambling will be the silver half groat (2 pence, 1/4 of your daily pay). Nickels are just the right size, so pack a few rolls (the Tavern Keeper will have a limited supply on hand to make change should you run low). Gold Angels (dollar coins) might be wagered for some high stakes games, but remember each coin is worth 10 shillings, nearly two week’s pay! (Soldiers were paid 4 shillings, 8 pence per week.)

Gambling Tournament: This year's participants may engage in a tournament of period gambling games.  There is a limited number of seats so please sign up at registration.  Games such as Hazard and Gluckshaus will be played in four rounds to determine who has the lion's share of the true skill of any soldier or camp follower on campaign.  House gambling tokens will be provided for each gambler and counted at the end of the last round.  Only house rules will be permitted with all those of low character finding themselves ejected from the tavern and confined to quarters.

Tobacco: Smoking the “Ninian weed” from period clay pipes will be allowed in the Tavern, but those partaking must be willing to step outside to drink the smoke of their tobacco if it should offend other patrons. Clay pipes and tobacco will be available for purchase from the Tavern Keeper at the event ($10.00 for a pipe and tobacco for the weekend, cash only please). The smoking of non-period pipes, cigarettes and cigars or any “non-tobacco” products is not allowed.

Furniture: The Tavern will be equipped with six, six foot long tables and a variety of stools and benches. This period campaign furniture is designed to be lightweight and portable, but will not stand up to brawling and table dancing. Please treat it with care. You are also welcome to bring your own furniture into the Tavern. We strongly encourage participants to supply at least their own stool or chair, and many do. Therefore, do not be surprised if someone says to you "Fie upon it, my swag-bellied fellow, thou sitteth upon my stool” (hey dude, you’re sitting in my chair).” That could very well literally be the case!