Tavern

Originally, a wine-shop; a house where liquor is sold in small quantities, to be drank there. It gi'adually became, when lodgings and meals came to be furnished at such places, nearly synonymous with inn; and, under legislation and usage relative to sale of intoxicating liquor, it has come to be used of a house of entertainment for travellers, irrespective of whether liquors are retailed or not. The phrase temperance tavern is not now deemed a contradiction in terms. " Tavern " and " house of entertainment " are synonymous expressions, and mean nothing different from an inn, as understood at common law. A statute requiring every keeper of a tavern or house of entertainment to take out a license does not extend beyond innkeepers. " Hotel " no more indicates the business of tavern-keeping than the words mansion or palace; it is descriptive of the house. Hotel has no definite legal meaning; it is derived from the Frencli^ and means in France the dwelling of persons of rank.

Bonner v. Welborn, 7 Ga. 296, 308.

The word tavern, in a charter provision authorizing municipal authorities to " license and regulate taverns," includes hotels. " Tavern," " hotel," and " public house " are, in this country, used synonymously; and, wliile they entertain the travelling public, and keep guests, and receive compensation therefor, tliey do not lose their character, though they may not have the Iirivilege of selling liquors. St. Louis i>.

Siegrist, 46 Mo. 593.

The mere fact of carrying on the business of selling spirituous liquors by small measure in one's building does not consti- Eafferty v. New Brunswick Fire Ins. Co., 18 N. J. L. 480.

Tavern-keeper.

Is clearly a housekeeper, in contemplation of Maryland statutes.

State V. Pearson, 2 Md. 310.

A person who makes it his business to keep a house of entertainment for travellers is a tavern-keeper, though he does not keep liquor.

Curtis v. State, 6 Ohio, 324.