Table of Contents
“An Alewife In Kish” by Benjamin Tate
Condemned by the gods to spend her life serving others, the alewife Kubaba tricks Gilgamesh into taking her place as the undying guardian of the Ur-Bar.
“Why the Vikings Had No Bars” by S.C. Butler
When the Ur-Bar appears outside Hedeby, Odin can’t resist “helping” introduce the bar to the locals . . . with a typical Viking brawl answering the question of why the Vikings had no bars.
“The Emperor’s New God” by Jennifer Dunne
The Holy Roman Emperor Otto secretly visits the Ur-Bar in order to pledge his allegiance to Mars, the God of War, but when Otto breaks the bargain he pays the ultimate price.
“The Tale That Wagged the Dog” by Barbara Ashford
Transformed into a dog by the Queen of Faery’s curse, Tam Lin finds the cure he seeks in the Ur-Bar, but discovers there’s more to becoming a man than changing his shape.
“Sake and Other Spirits” by Maria V. Snyder
In feudal Japan, a young woman in hiding from the samurai finds work at the local bar only to be forced to face her past when a supernatural kappa—a water vampire—takes up residence in the local lake.
“The Fortune-Teller Makes Her Will” by Kari Sperring
Personal maid to the king’s favorite mistress by day, and secret satirist by night, Thais will sacrifice everything to save a friend who has been accused of witchcraft.
“The Tavern Fire” by D.B. Jackson
In eighteenth century Boston, a desperate woman comes to the Ur-Bar seeking a love potion but brings more to the casting than she expected as her own bitterness fuels a fire that threatens to destroy the city.
“Last Call” by Patricia Bray
George Harker hunts demons in eighteenth century Europe, but when he discovers an immortal bartender he finds he has finally met his match.
“The Alchemy of Alcohol” by Seanan McGuire
In 1899 San Francisco, a young alchemist is forced to wake the Winter Queen weeks ahead of time in order to save her from death.
“The Grand Tour” by Juliet McKenna
In the years before the Great War, two young travelers find themselves stranded in an Austrian village, where they encounter both hatred and kindness . . . and a lesson that will change the course of their lives forever.
“Paris 24” by Laura Anne Gilman
A team of fencers arrives in Paris for the 1924 Olympics and during a night out on the town one of the athletes discovers there’s more to life than fame and glory.
“Steady Hands and a Heart of Oak” by Ian Tregillis
In World War II’s London, a young sapper with the Sight finds redemption and glory in the heart of an unexploded bomb.
“Forbidden” by Avery Shade
A traveler from a dying future is sent back to 1985 in search of the genetic samples that will save her people, but instead finds herself seduced by the uncivilized past.
“Where We Are Is Hell” by Jackie Kessler
Condemned to purgatory—a hallway full of closed doors—a young woman’s ghost stumbles into the Ur-Bar where she finds the courage to open one final door . . . and face her own Judgment.
“Izdu-Bar” by Anton Strout
In a future world terrorized by zombies, one bouncer discovers that letting someone in after hours may be the worst mistake of his life.