black and tan
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A bar, nightclub etc. which had both black and white customers, especially one that featured black entertainers.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “black and tan” mean?
A bar, nightclub etc. which had both black and white customers, especially one that featured black entertainers.
Is “black and tan” formal or informal?
black and tan is generally slang.