ale bench

plural ale benches

1. alternativeAlternative form of alebench.

   He found Will on the ale bench outside the Devereux Arms nursing a cup of canary wine, tracing patterns in the dust with the toe of his boot.

   2011, Jane Feather -, All the Queen's Players, page 353

   2 more examples

   As he spoke thus, they alighted under the great broad-branched oak tree, which served to canopy the ale bench, which, at an earlier hour, had groaned under the weight of a frequent conclave of rustic politicians.

   1824, Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak: In Five Volumes - Volume 3, page 72

   “And let us have no brawls on the ale bench,” said the old parson,—“let our Maypole be the rod of peace; so that none may rail at our sports and dances, but rather take note of us as merry folk and honest neighbours.”

   1836, Moyle Sherer, The Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War