The Stag

* Exterior
* Interior

**The Stag** is a men's only bar on the outskirts of early 20th-century Echo that appears in The Smoke Room. Located in a converted barn, it functions as a meeting place for the town's miners, especially those involved in union organizing.

In addition to a bar and large dancing space, it contains an upper loft area where clandestine discussions are often held by the union. Notably, The Stag seems to be a relatively safe place for the men of Echo to fraternize romantically with one another, and holds dances where men take the roles of women. According to Nikolai, the bar's name intentionally refers to a male deer in rutting season who will not associate with females.

Located nearby in a second barn is a gym and workout space that the miners collectively maintain.

## Frequent Patrons

* Nikolai Krol
* Chang Fulin
* Feng Yaolin
* Dimitri Popov
* Paul Frackson
* Felipe
* Kane
* Jebediah Coles
* Murdoch Byrnes also occasionally performs music at The Stag.

## Story

### Nikolai's Route

The miners' union features prominently in Nik's route, and so The Stag becomes a major setting.

After becoming a miner himself, Sam is invited to the bar one evening by Yao, who brings him up to the loft and introduces him to Dimitri, Felipe, and Paul. They discuss union matters until the arrival of disgruntled miner named Ben, who begins heckling Dimitri. Paul punches him, which kicks off a scuffle, and so Nik escorts Sam, Yao, and Chang safely outside. Afterward, Dimitri reports that Ben was banned from The Stag for a week for his behavior. Murdoch also later tells Sam that he was in the bar that night, and caught a glimpse of him.

A few days later, a general strike breaks out and Dimitri invites Sam, Nik, and the others to the Stag to unwind. They find the bar crowded with miners who are enjoying their rare time off from work. Sam follows Yao into a gym located in a smaller barn behind the Stag where the miners work out. Two men are having a weightlifting competition in front of a raucous crowd, and Sam and Nik quickly get into one of their own.

Shortly afterward, on the shore of Lake Emma, Sam and Nik find Murdoch badly disoriented after a seemingly supernatural encounter in the mines. They bring him back to The Stag to recover, and the miners give him food and drink and share their own stories about strange experiences they have had underground. Once Murdoch feels recovered, he performs a musical number and many of the men dance along.

### William's Route

Murdoch invites Samuel and William to visit the Stag. Nikolai cautions Will against coming as a representative of the law, since his presence could put some of the union's members on edge, but says he may come as a friend if he does not wear his badge.

During his investigation into the machinations of mine owner James Hendricks III, William does indeed visit The Stag to gather information. He speaks with Chang about James' treatment of the miners, and may also be introduced by Nik to Dimitri, Felipe, and Paul if he visits in the evening. A stranger named Kane, who is not a miner, also flirts with Will near the bar.

### Cliff's Route

Offscreen, Cliff accompanies Murdoch to The Stag and makes the acquaintance of Jebediah. The two drink and dance together, and Cliff ultimately hires Jeb as a wilderness guide for his upcoming expedition. Cliff characterizes The Stag as less judgmental and stiff than Saguaro's Hip.

## Trivia

* Despite it being a favorite meeting spot for his fellow miners, Nikolai used to be so shy about The Stag's randy reputation that he refused to set foot inside.
* There is also an establishment called The Stag in Payton, another Western town not far from Echo, that seems to cater to the same type of clientele.
* The Stag brews its own whiskey.

## Gallery

The large and lively crowd at The Stag during Murdoch's performance in Nik's route.