What is the name of the inn in Bree in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

The inn in Bree in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is called The Prancing Pony. It is operated by Barliman Butterbur and stands at the crossroads town where the Shire meets the lands farther east.

Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin stay at the inn during their journey from Hobbiton. Their arrival draws attention because Frodo uses the name Underhill, and the inn’s atmosphere is unsettled by the presence of the Black Riders. The hobbits also meet the mysterious ranger later revealed as Aragorn.

The Prancing Pony is not the only inn named by Tolkien. The Green Dragon is a famous gathering place in Hobbiton, while The Ivy Bush and The Bywater Pool are associated with the Shire. These similar names can cause mix-ups, but only The Prancing Pony is the Bree inn where the hobbits encounter Aragorn.