During the 18th century there were forty taverns in the Virginia capital of Williamsburg.  Today there are seven, offering a variety of tavern experiences.  Lodging is available in the historic area at Brick House and Market Square Taverns.  Guided tours are given of Raleigh and Wetherburn's Taverns.  You can dine at King's Arm, Christiana Campbell's, Shields or Chowning's Tavern and take in evening "gambols" at the latter.

            Raleigh Tavern, which opened in 1932, was the first Williamsburg reconstruction.  The colonial capital was the focal spot of rebellion in Virginia, and a great deal of the action took place at the Raleigh Tavern.  When the Royal Governor dissolved the House of Burgesses, the members resumed their meetings at the Raleigh Tavern.  Often merchants and medical practitioners arranged their schedules so that they stayed at the Raleigh while the Burgesses met.

           The most expensive piece of tavern equipment was the billiard table in the gaming room, where ladies never ventured.  You will see one of these old playing tables with ivory balls and hand-carved cues.

             Ladies could attend the balls and formal functions given in the Apollo Room.  Thomas Jefferson, in his diary, notes that he danced here with Rebecca Burwell, his "fair Belinda."  The residents of Williamsburg gathered in the Apollo Room to celebrate the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolution.  Some years later in 1824, Lafayette attended a party at the Raleigh celebrating the American victory at Yorktown.  The tavern is open daily from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and is included on the Patriot's Pass and the Basic Williamsburg ticket. Behind Raleigh Tavern is the bake shop which still employs 200-year-old techniques to prepare gingerbread men and other delicacies for their customers.

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