Emerald City Comic Con is always evolving, but there are staples it will bring back if it succeeds. One of those staples was ‘The Tavern,” a small spot carved out for ECCC attendees to sit and relax. This year, the Tavern is back – but bigger, better, and far more immersive than last year. How immersive? It feels like stepping into your very own Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
You can actually play D&D at the Tavern. The nonprofit Alexandria RPG has an entire collection of roleplaying games that fans could join: DC and Marvel heroes, Transformers, Avatar: The Last Airbender…and, of course, D&D were all available to play thanks to Alexandria. Whole blocks of time were carved out for sessions, which I think is smart: when you really get into one of these sessions, the hours can fly by.
There are also actual D&D sessions going on top of the main stage; one person was playing a session where he encountered a dragon…that mistook him for her long-lost son. Hilarity ensued. Other demonstrations are slated out for the day, including Jacques ze Whipper – so named for his deft skill with a whip – and actual music. Drums, lutes, guitars: if somebody had an instrument, they were going to play it. And they played it well.
It wouldn’t be a tavern without food. But while most Con food either tends to be overpriced or have long lines, the Tavern had the best selection: you could get clam or salmon chowder, mac and cheese with real cheese or topped with short rib, and a variety of fresh sandwiches and salads. It was also fairly cheap: a bowl of chowder, a drink, and a cookie rounded out to $20. Not bad! It was also fairly tasty too.
As if the food didn’t add to the comfy vibes, I’d say that the fantasy clothing and hair braiding added to it. Yes, you could get your hair braided – if it was long enough – or buy that costume you needed for a future Ren Faire extension. Everyone also seemed very relaxed. There wasn’t any of the hustle and bustle or crunching of humanity that tends to happen at most cons – people could sit down, relax, and have a good time. Considering this was a Friday, one of the busiest days of the con, that’s saying a lot.
If you’re attending Emerald City Comic Con this year, you’ve got to head to the Tavern. It’s a great place to sit down and relax, grab a bite, and witness some talented folks bring a fantasy realm to life. There’s also a giant Funko Pop of Astarion from Balder’s Gate 3, too, if you need a good photo op.
The Tavern will be open at Emerald City Comic Con from March 6-9.
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