Ever wondered what it’s like to run a rowdy fantasy pub full of thirsty elves, sneaky goblins, and the occasional wizard who pays with IOUs? Well, neither did I, but when my friends dropped Taverna on the table, I knew I had to give it a go. This review spills the mead (and my feelings) on the art, gameplay, drama, and all those little quirks that make Taverna either the toast of board game night or that awkward party guest who never leaves. Grab your tankard—things are about to get foamy.
How It Plays
Setting up
First, lay out the Taverna board and hand out each player their own tavern and staff cards. Place the customer meeples and drink tokens within easy reach. Shuffle all the event and objective cards, even if you normally like to cut corners (don’t do it here—trust me). Pick a starting player—usually the person who can best pronounce ‘Taverna’ after a pint.
Gameplay
On your turn, you pick actions like hiring staff, serving colorful nobles, or sending sneaky customers to the competitors’ taverns (which is always more fun than it should be). You have to balance your money, staff abilities and those unpredictable event cards. Each action can help your own tavern or totally mess up someone else’s plans—so expect lots of playful backstabbing. Turns move fast, unless someone is overthinking and calculating like it’s rocket science (looking at you, Steve!).
Winning the game
After a set number of rounds, add up your points from happy customers, secret objectives, and any leftover coins. Whoever racked up the most points gets crowned Master Innkeeper and earns bragging rights. If you lost, console yourself with the knowledge that your tavern probably had better snacks anyway.
Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Taverna.
The Theme: Pulling Up a Chair at Taverna
Picture this: It’s Friday night, snacks in hand, and you’re about to become a medieval tavern keeper. That’s Taverna, folks—a game where your main goal is to run the hottest joint in town and make the fanciest clientele come knocking. Right away, you feel like you’re inside a cozy barrel of mead, surrounded by oddball regulars and clinking mugs. The game’s art does half the heavy lifting. The cards ooze personality, from noble elves to mischievous goblins (my mate Steve swears the goblins were modeled after him—he’s not wrong!)
The theme doesn’t just slap on medieval wallpaper and say, “Job done.” It’s in every card, every drink token, even the way you have to cater to different types of guests. I kept finding myself putting on a dodgy accent, muttering, “What’ll it be today, good sir?” while angling for more tips. If you want that immersive vibe where the table starts to feel like a raucous, rowdy night at the local pub, Taverna nails it. Just beware—if you actually start passing out real drinks during the game, things get silly fast. (Sorry again for knocking over the meeples, gang.)
It’s not all tankards and laughter, though—the best themed games blend in smart mechanics, which leads me to the next bit. Ready for some tough talk about fairness and gameplay balance? Grab your coaster and keep reading!
Is Taverna Fair or Did Someone Spike My Ale?
Let’s get one thing out of the way – I hate board games where randomness reigns and skill goes out the window faster than I can spill a pint. When it comes to Taverna, I got nervous at first. The idea of running your own fantasy bar, luring in nobles, and using secret societies sounds like chaos waiting to happen – the kind where a lucky draw can swing the night harder than a dwarf’s drinking contest.
But, after my friends and I played Taverna a few times (and yes, Dave still hasn’t forgiven me for outsmarting him with my goblin bartender), I can honestly say it does a pretty good job keeping things balanced. Luck exists, but you need brains to win. The actions you can take each round give you options and force you to plan ahead. Sure, someone might get a helpful card at just the right time, but nine times out of ten, your success depends on your choices, alliances, and how sneaky you can be when nudging nobles toward your barstools.
Now, I did spot a few things that could use a second pour. The scoring sometimes feels a bit tight, and if you’re new, there’s a good chance you’ll get smacked by a more experienced player – but isn’t that just the price of admission for any decent strategy game?
Overall, I salute Taverna’s gameplay balance. It rewards brainpower, not just lucky dice. Next up, though – let’s talk about player interaction and whether Taverna brings out the best (or the worst) in your game group. Are you ready for that drama?
How Much Fun is Taverna With Friends? Player Interaction & Replay Value
If you think Taverna is a calm night at the pub, think again! This game brings people together in wild and sneaky ways. Anyone at my table who thought they could just focus on their own little corner had a rude awakening. In Taverna, everyone’s moves end up affecting everyone else. You’re constantly changing allegiances, stealing patrons (gently, sometimes), and blocking your friends from their plans. I saw more side-eyes and fake apologies than I ever did at my local pub quiz.
This player interaction is the real star here. Each round, you have to watch what others are up to, and sometimes you have to mess up their plans if you want to win. I once watched my friend Vince plot for twenty minutes, only to see his master plan get ruined by a single sly move. He hasn’t forgiven us. Taverna rewards clever thinking and a bit of mischief. There’s even a bit of negotiation and social play, which will make every group’s experience unique.
Replay value? Let’s just say my group wanted to play again right after finishing the first game. There’s enough variety with the mix of factions, secret missions, and tavern setups to keep each session fresh. Nobody will win the same way twice—unless they’re some kind of wizard, in which case, I’d like to borrow their dice.
Next up, let’s pour another round and talk about the look and feel of Taverna’s components—does it feel like you’re running a real fantasy pub, or more like serving pints from a cardboard box?
The Components and Artwork: Taverna’s Visual Feast (But Watch for Spills)
Alright, let’s talk about what you actually touch and see on your table with Taverna. I don’t care how clever a game is—if the board looks like it was drawn by a caffeinated squirrel, it’s gonna ruin my night. Happily, Taverna shows up looking sharp. The artwork oozes charm and brings that warm, bustling fantasy tavern to life. It’s got so much detail that I once got distracted reading the menu on the wall and forgot my turn. True story. Even my friend Greg, who only notices the art when he spills beer on it, commented, “Hey, that barmaid looks like she means business.” High praise from Greg.
The cards and tokens feel sturdy, not those limp, soggy things that wilt at the sight of a sweat drop. They handled the abuse of our regular Friday group with only a few minor battle scars (seriously, sleeve your cards if you play with snackers). The wooden pieces really pop against the illustrated board, though I wish the coins felt a bit more like, well, coins and less like poker chips. Minor quibble, but if you like clinking and stacking, you’ll notice.
Setup is a breeze—no twenty-minute puzzle just to get started. The box insert even fits everything without a wrestling match. That felt like a small victory after years of games that turn their boxes into a cardboard jungle.
Bottom line: If you want a game that looks as good as it plays, Taverna delivers the goods. I wholeheartedly recommend it, unless you only play games with your eyes closed. In that case, buy a puzzle instead.
Conclusion
Well folks, that wraps up my boozy adventure in Taverna! The game nails its theme, serves up lovely art, and keeps the table lively with sneaky player moves. Skill takes the front seat, but there’s just enough unpredictability to keep everyone on their toes (or under the table, if you play like my cousin Pete). Minor flaws, like the fiddly coins, don’t sink the ship. If you like strategy and a bit of sass with your board games, Taverna’s worth a spot on your shelf. Just don’t let your friends steal all the nobles or you’ll be left serving drinks to goats. Thanks for reading my review—cheers and see you at the next game night!
