Boston taverns are described by John Josselyn.

Writing in 1663 of his visit to Boston this year, the English naturalist writes, “In 1637 there were not many houses in the Town of Boston, amongst which were two houses of entertainment called ordinaries in which if a stranger went, he was presently followed by one appointed to that office, who would thrust himself into his company uninvited, and if he called for more drink than the officer thought in his judgement he could soberly bear away, he would presently countermand it, and appoint the proportion, beyond which he could not get one drop.”