About Us

Tale of the Tavern

Legends of The Tipsy Bard span back centuries and often contradict one another. Some speak of a drunken mage whose soul possessed the mundane pub upon his death. Others say the tavern was built atop a fallen star or carved from wood of an ancient tree. Whatever you choose to believe, this much is true... there is magic in this place; wild, mischievous magic.

The Tipsy Bard once stood in the heart of The Heartland, a world not unlike our own except for all of the magic and armor and Giants and Dragons and... okay, so it's not really that much like our world after all. Point is, it was a world full of people, just like you and me. From wandering minstrels to tough-as-nails adventurers, these people sought solace at the end of a hard day and wanted nothing more than to kick up their feet, have a drink, and let go of their troubles for a bit.

If the story is to be believed (and why wouldn't it be?), one day The Tipsy Bard up and vanished; leaving behind nothing more than a pint glass and puff of smoke. You see, whatever the source of its magic, whether it be fallen stars or ancient oaks, The Tipsy Bard was able to transport itself across time and space to wherever it was needed most. Well, apparently, Kansas City is in desperate need of some magic because The Tipsy Bard popped up here and seems to want to stay put.

Don't forget, when it left it's home world, it brought all of it's occupants with it. That's right, a whole taproom full of interesting characters have made it to our world and I bet they could use some friends. Rumor has it they have decided to throw a bunch of events at the tavern to remind them of home. Events like Epic D&D, Grand Tournaments, Royal Revelries, and more!

At the moment, the tavern is teleporting itself all over the metro area, possibly searching for a new permanent home (although I think it's just showing off). So, if you hear about it appearing in your neck-of-the-woods, don't be alarmed, it merely wants to invite you in for a bit of fun, friendship, and fantasy!

The Troupe

The staff of The Tipsy Bard have had a hard time adjusting to things like t-shirts, wi-fi, and Captain Crunch, so we've stepped in to help them out with the business.

The Party Bard

Justin Barron

he/him

With a background in theatre and a giant passion for tabletop roleplaying, Justin loves to lean into the performative and immersive aspects of gaming. A forever GM by choice, one of his favorite things is that moment when a new player just "gets it" for the first time. While playing TTRPGs, he emphasizes collaborative storytelling above all and seeks to create a safe space where everyone can live out their magical fantasies.

Justin's favorite games change constantly but currently are City of Mist and The Last Caravan.

The Forge Smith

Joe Burkard

he/him

Tipsy and Bard are two words that fit quite perfectly into the life of Joe Burkard. Never one to shy from the spotlight, Joe can make a friend in any room. Add to that a passion for roleplay and you've got the toughest looking nerd ever. Furthermore, his ability to turn whatever he can imagine into reality is next-level. As a craftsman, artist, and especially as an entertainer, Joe is a vital member of the Tipsy Bard team.

Joe mostly plays D&D 5e although he loves to learn new games.

Keeper of the Books

Deanna Barron

she/her

After a bit of trepidation, Deanna tried her first TTRPG about a year after her husband, Justin, became obsessed with them. Her only stipulation was to play a character that reflected who she was on the inside, a raging barbarian full of fury. Since then, she has played various games with a range of friends but one thing remains the same, no matter the game, Deanna's character will hit things. Hard. Also, she is great with accounting and organization and stuff.

Deanna plays whatever Justin forces her to.

The Crew

Like any good crew, we've got a sprawling network of allies; specialists that are worth their weight in gold, each of whom we could not do this without.