I built my tavern and placed the bar, and very quickly got 3 patrons sitting at the bar. I enlisted Isscar and he took his seat, but I haven’t had any others come to the tavern. I placed 4 tables and 8 benches, and they remain completely empty. I relogged to see if that helped, but no change.
Not sure what happened, but I do have 2 guys now sitting at tables. One of them is naked (I guess I should have hung up a sign "no shoes, no shirt, no pants, no service), and I can’t interact with either of them at all, but that’s fine. I don’t really care much about being able to hire them, I just like the life being added to my castle.
Edit: I can hire some of them now that I have a few more. I wasn’t aware that not all patrons will be able to be hired. Just fyi for anyone else as ignorant as me.
Take care where you place any seating near your bar. I’ve had tavern patrons pop up in seating that they weren’t supposed to use, like the throne in my throne room, my character’s bedroom, the war room. All not in the damned tavern.