Book I.G. Pryzhova is the only significant study of taverns and the Russian drinking industry in general. Talking about honey making and brewing, about vodka, state and tavern, about taverns, splints and circles, about kissers, farmers and pitukhs, the author was based on many documents and on rich personal experience: a regular in Moscow drinking houses, Pryzhov noticed and highlighted what is inaccessible to the understanding of an office researcher. The book is addressed to a wide range of readers.