The tavern (or the inn) is literally a commonplace in a fantasy medieval setting. This is where heroes meet. It is there that a more or less mysterious sponsor give them their quest. It's here than the adventure begins, before the dungeon, its traps, its monsters and its treasures.

And if in fact what was happening at the tavern was the real adventure?

"You are in a tavern" is a short GMless tabletop roleplaying games about adventurers gathering in a tavern and preparing for the dangers ahead.