Note: I was only able to attend one tavern party, so I only have one report to post. Sorry!
On the February 7th, 2018 at 10:00pm PST, I attended the Black Rat Tavern grand opening party. It was a fun party that lasted for hours with a lot of drinking and dancing, so much that I nearly forgot to document the event.
As advertised, the tavern was conveniently located right next to the general merchants. The path to the tavern was adorned with rose bushes, so it was easy to find the entrance.
As I approached the building, I took a close look at the yard. The area around the tavern was decorated with various flowers and medicinal herbs. Directly under the staircase leading into the first floor, there was what appeared to be a lotus pillar surrounded by the same colorful vegetation. Although seemingly insignificant, this small attention to detail made the tavern feel more complete compared to other decorated buildings.
Once inside the establishment, I was impressed by the interior decor. There was ample seating next to the fireplace and at the bar counter. The second floor displayed a creative use of housing decor that made the room pop. The colors fit well with each other and with the logo of the tavern. The interior made the establishment felt homey, but professional. It definitely felt like a place where I could go to unwind with some friends.
I was a bit skeptical of the establishment at the beginning, as there were only a handful of people in attendance and an attempted robbery. But once more people started to show up, my worries were washed away with an ice, cold bottle of honey liquor. There were plenty of drinks to go around, served by the tavern hosts themselves. Although there was a decent range of prices for liquor, I would have liked to see a non-alcoholic option on the menu. I was a little disappointed at the small selection of food options and would recommend that the tavern owners include one or two more food items, even if they are on the pricier side.
At this point, my memory is a little hazy. All I can remember is that there was plenty of singing, dancing, and fireworks in the V.I.P. area on the second floor. The hosts mingled with the guests the entire time to ensure our time at the tavern was enjoyable. I was so drunk that I might have ended up following someone home. Anyways, I enjoyed my time at the Black Rat Tavern so much that I ended up becoming a Black Rat member myself, and now I'm able to enjoy this tavern's fine facilities at any time.
Interior/Exterior Decor: 5/5
The interior of the tavern had a creative use of decor items and exerted a "homey, but professional" feel. The exterior had great attention to detail on the yard that made the tavern feel complete.
Atmosphere/Service: 4/5
The hosts personally served food and drinks and mingled with all the attendees to ensure they had an enjoyable time at the tavern. Although some of the guests were a bit unruly, there was a lot of music and dancing that made the night fun.
Food/Beverages: 4/5
There was a good selection of alcoholic drinks with a decent range of prices. Although there was a food menu, I would have liked to see one or two more food options available, even if they were more pricey.
Overall: 4/5
With good hospitality and an adequate menu, this tavern is a fun spot to have a few drinks with friends. I would recommend this place to anyone who needs a place to unwind!
