Thieves World is a shared world edited by Robert Asprin, started in 1978, there's twelve anthologies. Centers around a port city that's fallen on hard times when after the empire captures a much closer port city on the other side of the range, and now all trade runs through them. It proves, however, a very convenient location to stash the younger brother of the emperor, well away from the bulk of the court intrigue.

There's a tavern, the Vulgar Unicorn. Bartender is an assassin. Best be nice to him.