Ligonier, Pennsylvania -
Joe's Bar - Taxidermy Galore

Stopped by twice.

The information I got was that Joe owned the place for 48 years. Joe died last year and all of the trophies are his. It's up in the air what will happen to the collection, but Joe's grandson was on some (many?) of the safaris, so he will obviously have a say.

The manager lady counted over 220 specimens. [Richard Trible, 07/24/2009]

If you can make it to Joe's during Ligonier's "Fort Days" you will find war re-enacters pounding beers in the back among the animals. One of the most amazing bar experiences in this country! [JEn, 10/19/2008]

[RA: Fort Ligonier Days are held on a weekend annually around Oct. 10-12.]

This may be the greatest bar on earth. There are stools made out of elephant's feet. There's even a jackalope.

The displays are awesome, the beer comes in jars. [Maeve Sullivan, 01/26/2008]

[RA: And what's that along the front of the polar bear display -- a row of primate skulls?!]

At first, Joe's looks like any other small-town bar. But walk beyond the pool table, and you begin to realize there is something unusual at Joe's. Sealed in museum-like glass cases you will find amazing accomplishments of taxidermy -- a giraffe, an elephant's head, rhinocerous, ibex, skunks, tigers, lions, and almost every creature you could possibly shoot to kill. Joe's collection probably exceeds a hundred different species, and you can view them all; no admission or drink purchase necessary. [Carolyn Kegler, 10/22/2001]

Completely faceless bar hides a treasure trove of exotic (dead) animals. It seems that Joe is a big game hunter and his wife won't let him keep his trophies in the house. Beyond the main bar, there is a two story area with a gigantic elephant head and elephant foot stools. Both floors are lined with glass cases of taxidermied animals. Don't miss all of the dead and costumed squirrels in funny vignettes (like Robin Hood and his Merry Men). Definitely one of the strangest drinking experiences I have ever had in my life. [Kathleen Kotcher, 04/08/2001]