Tavern scene are pretty bare bones. Apart from finding companions, there really isn't much else to do there. I don't believe players are rushing to taverns to play board games. Some ideas of the different activities that could available in a tavern:
1) Starting a bar fight
2) Seducing bar wenches (Perhaps in 9 months time you could get a letter about your illegitimate child being born)
3) Getting gossip about lords personalities, troop movements, bandit hideouts etc.
4) Gamble on upcoming tournaments
5) Make deals with the criminal elements in the settlement
6) Receive quests from the bartender to get gold and improve relations:
I) Deliver this mead to Town X in Y amount of time
II) A thief has been stealing supplies hang around at midnight and apprehend him
III) I need to find this special ingredient for a special ale for the king, find me 3 units of 'x'
IV) A rival is trying to shut me down, help me stop him before it's too late
ETC.
7) Receive quests from random bar patrons:
I) I'm drinking myself to death because my wife wants to leave me, help me win her back.
II) I want to you track Mr x at midnight and kill him.
III) My daughter has been kidnapped by bandits please rescue her!
ETC.
8 ) Getting drunk with your companions and getting to work around in a drunk state for a little while (a la GTA)
9) Learning poems (Don't know why this was removed)
10) Buy special items or resources that can only be found at taverns.
Etc. There's still more possibilities that could be explored but these are just a few ideas. Taverns are supposed to be given more importance and atm when I don't need a new companion, I have no need or urge to enter a tavern.
1) Starting a bar fight
2) Seducing bar wenches (Perhaps in 9 months time you could get a letter about your illegitimate child being born)
3) Getting gossip about lords personalities, troop movements, bandit hideouts etc.
4) Gamble on upcoming tournaments
5) Make deals with the criminal elements in the settlement
6) Receive quests from the bartender to get gold and improve relations:
I) Deliver this mead to Town X in Y amount of time
II) A thief has been stealing supplies hang around at midnight and apprehend him
III) I need to find this special ingredient for a special ale for the king, find me 3 units of 'x'
IV) A rival is trying to shut me down, help me stop him before it's too late
ETC.
7) Receive quests from random bar patrons:
I) I'm drinking myself to death because my wife wants to leave me, help me win her back.
II) I want to you track Mr x at midnight and kill him.
III) My daughter has been kidnapped by bandits please rescue her!
ETC.
8 ) Getting drunk with your companions and getting to work around in a drunk state for a little while (a la GTA)
9) Learning poems (Don't know why this was removed)
10) Buy special items or resources that can only be found at taverns.
Etc. There's still more possibilities that could be explored but these are just a few ideas. Taverns are supposed to be given more importance and atm when I don't need a new companion, I have no need or urge to enter a tavern.