Ligonier, Pennsylvania: Joe's Bar - Taxidermy Galore

Yes! The big game trophies are still there. Walk in the unassuming front door and you'll find a typical neighborhood bar, but walk to the back and the unique and extensive exhibit fills the back room -- two floors!

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.

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!

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.

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.