The Hanged Man

“The Hanged Man - sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name.” ―Isabela

The Hanged Man is a tavern located in Lowtown, in the lower parts of Kirkwall north of the docks. It serves as the home base of both Varric Tethras and Isabela.

Background[]

The Hanged Man is a major tavern in Kirkwall and the only one accessible to Hawke; it is a popular destination for all people, strangers or residents. The interior consists of one main room and four bedrooms, with an opulent suite currently occupied by Varric. The inhabitants of the tavern will vary, depending on what quests are active and progress through the main plot. Varric seems very interested in owning the tavern.

The tavern got its name because people used to be hanged by their feet at the spot, as Varric explains to Fenris in a party dialogue.

Characters[]

A Friend – appears at night

Alistair – only appears if he was exiled from Ferelden and Anora placed on the throne in Dragon Age: Origins

Corff – a Bartender and peddler of rumors

Isabela – when she is not in the group

Nella – appears after Emile de Launcet escapes the Gallows

Maraas – appears in Act 3

Martin – former raider and friend of Isabela, involved in the quest Finders Keepers

Norah – the waitress

Patron/Drunk Patron

Ser Roderick

Suspicious Lady – initiates the side quest Secret Rendezvous

Talkative man – a character who breaks the fourth wall

Varric Tethras – appears if he is not in the active party

Quests[]

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1 (Act 1)

Codex entry: Maleficarum (Act 1)

Codex entry: Rivain (Act 1 or 2)

Trivia[]

Drinks can be ordered here for a low price of 3 bronze coins per drink. However, it is unknown as to what beverage Hawke actually drinks.
If you order 30 (doesn't have to be in same visit) drinks at the bar, whenever you enter the bar after that, the patrons will all shout "HAWKE!" This is a reference to the television series Cheers, in which all the patrons would shout "NORM!" whenever he would enter the pub.
- Additionally, Isabela comments, when passing the tavern, that "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." This is a reference to Cheers's theme song.
Varric also likes the Hanged Man, and comments that "everybody here knows your name".
Fenris comments that the tavern smells of sour ale, vomit, and desperation.^[1]
The tarot card "The Hanged Man" is often depicted in a motif similar to the tavern's signage in front of and behind the building, as well as the loading screen fresco.
When talking to the patron closest to the exit, he will mention that Varric told a story of you escaping the Blight on the back of a giant turtle. This is a reference to Pirates of the Caribbean movies, whenever a character escapes off-screen such as The Guard Dog, Jack, Will and others will say it was "Sea Turtles."
On the wall next to where Isabela stands a hanging picture can be seen of concept art for Oghren.
According to a loading screen, the tavern's feature dish is stew, made from a different mystery meat every morning. A recipe for the - apparently famous - dish "The Hanged Man's Mystery Meat Stew" is given in Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas. The narrator mentions that they suspect the stew they were served was pork, but they decided not to inquire further on hearing the waitress claim customers who ask get hung from the ceiling.^[2]
The Pig Oat Mash, also called the Hanged Mash, is always served there and is allegedly a hangover cure when accompanied by brandy-spiked-cider.^[3]
One of the rumors the bartender gives describes a massive drop in the pigeon population in Ferelden. This is a reference to Shale.
Although Hawke can order drinks at the bar, it is not possible for them to rent a room here. Varric's room also cannot be used for that purpose.
The music that plays here at night is slightly different from the music that plays during the day.

Bugs[]

pc There is a graphics bug which causes the party to be superpositioned over each other when they first enter the bar (see gallery). Moving the characters forward independently (using "hold position" for the others) fixes it.