Developer One More Time‘s debut title, Tavern Manager Simulator, has opened up shop on PlayStation 5! Originally released on Steam back in 2024, and in January 2026 for Xbox, this simulator is exactly what it says on the tin. Or… title, in this instance. Sitting at a “Very Positive” user review score on Steam, it seems like this could be a must-play for fans of the genre!
So, for anyone that’s ever dreamed of opening up a cosy little pub in the countryside, let’s get right into the review!
You Set ’em Up and I’ll Knock ’em Back
Tavern Manager Simulator opens with you taking control of a rundown tavern that is in dire need of renovation. Thus, it’s up to you to restore this place to its former glory and bring in the patrons. It starts off slow, with the opening missions including tasks such as “serve 3 customers” and “remove litter”. That said, it’s nice that the game eases players into its different mechanics. Much better than forcing them to spin several plates at once, as they’ll be doing later in the game!
Gameplay is exactly what you’d expect. Playing from a first-person viewpoint, you’ll have tasks to complete alongside the day-to-day running of the tavern. It can be quite a challenge early on to juggle all of this. The main focus here is to bring in as much gold as possible, but with you as the only employee, it can get very hectic!
There are plenty of things to do, many of which involve mini-games to keep things entertaining. For example, pouring a beer is as simple as holding a button until a gauge fills up. Once it hits the green sweet spot, release the button and you’ll have pulled a perfect pint! Pour too little or too much, and you’ll have an underfilled glass or a sticky floor to contend with. Another is dealing with the washing up. Cleaning dirty plates and glasses requires you to just drag them into a sink and wiggle the thumbstick until they’re clean. Easy!
These mini-games are simple, but help to break up the opening hours of your tavern and give the player some variety. If only cooking was this straightforward in real life, maybe I wouldn’t burn dinner as often…
Waiter, There’s a Fairy in my Ale!
Eventually, your tavern will start to expand. Bigger tables = more patrons, and more importantly, more profit! Unique NPCs will also begin to arrive, with various ways of dealing with them. Found a thief in your kitchen? Get the frying pan out and smack him upside the head! Perhaps you’ll get a few unwashed patrons coming through the door. Best keep your cleaning supplies handy! Some are a bit more special, such as a man dying of thirst or a rather grumpy wizard. These interactions, on top of the constant serving and cleaning, mean that you’ll quickly build up a list of things to do each day. Luckily, you won’t be alone forever…
Once you’ve reached the middle of the game, you’ll be constantly rushing around trying to fulfil orders whilst ensuring the tavern is kept clean. Thankfully, this is where the management side comes into play. That’s right, you get to hire fairies! They’ll take on all sorts of tasks, from cooking to serving the customers. They’ll even get better at their assigned duties the more they do them!
Having these little helpers gives you more room to breathe, so why not spruce up the place with the variety of decorations available? Aside from these cosmetics, there are plenty of other upgrades to unlock with your hard-earned gold. It makes Tavern Manager Simulator feel constantly rewarding, as you slowly unlock new items and mechanics.
That said, you are able to close your tavern at any point if things are getting too much. It’s all relatively stress-free, and whilst the gameplay isn’t widely varied, it was entertaining enough to keep me going until the end.
Graphics & Audio
Although not a technical marvel, Tavern Manager Simulator isn’t a bad looking game. There a real fairy tale aesthetic to it all that’s rather charming. Everything from the cartoonish character models to the mouth-watering, frothy beer gives the game its own unique style. Sure, it’s admittedly not an original style, but it certainly stands out against the sea of drab, uninspiring simulators on the market. If anything, I’d say it reminded me of World of Warcraft. Which, as someone who spent way too much time playing that in my youth, is a pretty big compliment!
The audio, whilst subtle, is still very fitting for the game’s environment. Soft, calming music is heard throughout, almost as if your tavern has its very own bard! I especially liked the rain and storm sound effects; crank that volume up and let’s get cosy!
Longevity
For a full playthrough, Tavern Manager Simulator took me around 20 hours to complete. By the end of the game, the majority of tasks around the tavern were automated, thanks to my army of fairies! Once you’ve finished every main goal, you’re still free to continue playing, which is great if you’re after that Platinum trophy!
Aside from that, though, there isn’t much replay value here. That shouldn’t be all too surprising; it is a simulator game after all! Admittedly, there are titles in the genre with more to do and with a longer playtime. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean this one isn’t worth a look!
Final Thoughts
Tavern Manager Simulator may not be as in-depth as others in the genre, but I still had fun playing. The early game can feel slow and dragged out, but once things pick up it remains engaging throughout. If you’re looking for something that can get quite hectic, but also allows you to chill and and take things at your own pace, then this is definitely worth a look!
Therefore, Tavern Manager Simulator gets the Thumb Culture Silver Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you’re in the mood for a mediaeval simulator with less drunks and more city planning, why not check out Charlie’s review of City Tales – Medieval Era?
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