Elfsong Tavern The Elfsong Tavern was a well - known tavern in the city of Baldur ' s Gate . Geography . The tavern was located just inside the gate to Wyrm ' s Crossing on the eastern side of the lower city . Structure . The two - story building was large and elegantly built , albeit somewhat dilapidated . The ground floor was the taproom featuring the bar and a large number of tables and dark , anonymous booths . One of the more notable decorations was a stuffed baby beholder mounted over the bar . The only lighting was provided by many blue driftglobe s , which floated about near the ceiling . The furniture was stout wood marked by any number of nicks and slashes from swords and knives . Individual tables were cordoned off with hanging tapestries that provided visual ( but not vocal ) privacy . The upper floor was filled with private meeting rooms , which could be rented either by the candle — the time it took a short taper to burn down — or by the evening . Atmosphere . The name derived from an unusual haunting : a ghostly female elven voice heard periodically throughout the establishment . The singing was quiet , but could be heard quite clearly . It was most often described as both beautiful and mournful . The identity of the singer was unknown , but it was clear that her song was a lament for a lover lost at sea . No other music was permitted inside the Elfsong . Provender . The establishment served virtually every kind of alcohol known . It was also known for its melted cheese sandwiches ( spicing optional ) , pickles , and fist - sized twists of dried herring . All food was heavily salted to make patrons drink more . The tavern was also famed for a thick stew beloved by many sick or cold sailors . This stew consisted of all leavings from the rest of the cooking , soured ale , wine dregs , etc . It was thrown into a huge cauldron that was constantly kept at a simmer . A number of folk in Baldur ' s Gate were quite fond of the stew , and some very reputable folk would come to the Elfsong for the sole purpose of eating it . Staff . A half - elven woman known as " Lady " Alyth Elendara purchased the tavern for 50 , 000 gp from an elderly warrior who placed a single condition on the sale : that he be allowed to sit in the tavern at all hours in order to hear the song as often as he desired . Elendara was also known to operate an unofficial bank , mostly used by those with large amounts of coin and no good reason to possess it . There was much speculation as to where she stored this money and how it was guarded , but only she knew for sure . At a point , some decades prior to 1484 DR , ownership of the tavern passed from Lady Alyth to her son , Alan Alyth . Alan maintained all the traditions associated with the establishment ' s ghostly entertainer , and he also continued to offer his mother ' s informal banking service . Patronage . The Elfsong catered to persons on the wrong side of the law , but it was more popular with adventurer s and independent operators than with the established organizations of the underworld , who tended to frequent the Blushing Mermaid . The city watch had an arrangement with the management and could be expected to maintain a comfortable distance unless a full - scale war erupted inside . People came to the Elfsong to do business of all sorts , most of it illicit . Fences , smugglers , assassins - for - hire , and many adventurers with hard - earned coin and tall tales to tell would drink at the establishment . Pirates and miscellaneous outlaws from up and down the Sword Coast were often found within as well . Patrons were expected to go armed and were completely responsible for their own safety . Murders were not unheard of , especially upon the dim and winding staircases . History . The Elfsong Tavern was one of the city ' s most popular taverns arounbd 1368 DR to 1376 DR and was visited by the Western Heartlands ' most famous adventurers . For example , during the Iron Crisis , the hero , Abdel Adrian , drank at this establishment . In 1374 DR , when the Dark Alliance first began to threaten Baldur ' s Gate , the Elfsong Tavern was where the fight began . Vahn , Kromlech , and Adrianna were attacked by thieves working for the Dark Alliance and were nurtured to safety in the Elfsong Tavern . From the Elfsong Tavern they eventually came to the Onyx Tower where they learned the secrets of the Elfsong . The ghostly elven woman who sang in the tavern sang for her husband , who had worked for the Company of the Crescent Blade . Her husband had left to defend Baldur ' s Gate and promised one day to return but never did . She continued to sing because she was still waiting for him to come home . In the Onyx Tower , the three adventurers met a ghost who revealed himself to be the husband of the elf woman . The destruction of the Onyx Tower freed the ghost and brought the elf woman to peace . In 1437 DR , Baldur ' s Gate suffered a major undead crisis . Although this brought all the dead back to life , it did not bring the Elfsong Ghost back to life , but instead brought its song back , as the ghost had been brought peace . The song continued to play regularly under the administration of the aged bartender .