Looking round, he noticed that he was standing close to a tavern which was entered by steps leading from the pavement to the basement.
At that instant two drunken men came out at the door, and abusing and supporting one another, they mounted the steps.

Without stopping to think, Raskolnikov went down the steps at once.

Till that moment he had never been into a tavern, but now he felt giddy and was tormented by a burning thirst.

He longed for a drink of cold beer, and attributed his sudden weakness to the want of food.

He sat down at a sticky little table in a dark and dirty corner; ordered some beer, and eagerly drank off the first glassful.