Euclid Tavern (Closed)
Cleveland, OH Photo courtesy Steve Felder
The Euclid Tavern was a very old bar near Case Western Reserve,
so it always had college business. The Euclid started to have live music
in the 70's, slowly got run down, and ended up as a club with obscure
punk bands, right up to 2001. The movie "Light of Day" was filmed
here. Many thanks to Steve Felder for photos and info.
The vertical neon Euclid Tavern sign has been a familiar sight on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland for generations. Even if you never stepped inside, the glowing "TAVERN" marquee was enough to let you know this was one of those places with plenty of stories to tell.
The Euclid Tavern first opened in 1909 and became one of Cleveland's best-known live music venues during the late 1970s through the 1990s. Countless local and touring bands played its small stage, earning the tavern a reputation as one of the city's legendary rock clubs. The building even appeared in the 1987 film Light of Day, starring Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett.
UPDATE: Although the tavern has been closed for several years, the building and its iconic vertical neon sign still survive. It's great to see one more classic piece of roadside neon hanging on, even if the music has long since faded. The Euclid Tavern remains closed and the building is currently vacant. Fortunately, the famous vertical neon "TAVERN" sign still survives as a reminder of one of Cleveland's legendary music venues. 07-26
Windy's Tavern (Closed)
Harvard, IL Photo courtesy Don Gardner
The oversized martini glass was the first thing to catch the eye at Windy's Tavern in Harvard, Illinois. Perched high above the sign, it was a fun piece of roadside advertising that let everyone know exactly what was waiting inside.
For years, Windy's Tavern was a neighborhood gathering place in downtown Harvard, serving the local crowd from its spot on North Ayer Street. Whether you called it Windy's Tavern, Wendy's Bar, or Wendy's Lounge, it was one of those familiar hometown places that became part of the community.
Today, the tavern is gone and the building has found a new life as a bakery. Unfortunately, the distinctive martini glass sign has disappeared as well, making photos like this an important reminder of another vintage roadside sign that's no longer around.
UPDATE: Windy's Tavern has closed, and the building has been repurposed as a bakery. The classic martini glass sign has been removed, and its whereabouts are unknown. 07-26
D-J's Lounge (Demolished)
Grand Rapids, MI Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The retro sign at D-J's Lounge was hard to miss when traveling through Grand Rapids, Michigan. With its collection of geometric shapes and bright neon, it was a great example of the eye-catching roadside signs that once lined highways across the country.
D-J's Lounge was a longtime neighborhood bar located along 28th Street and became a familiar landmark for both locals and passing motorists. The building even made a Hollywood appearance, serving as a filming location for scenes in the 2011 movie 30 Minutes or Less.
Unfortunately, both the lounge and its wonderful sign are now gone. The building was demolished after the business closed, and the property has since been redeveloped. Thankfully, photos like this help preserve the memory of another classic neon sign that's disappeared from the roadside.
UPDATE: D-J's Lounge has been demolished, and the vintage marquee no longer survives. The former site has since been redeveloped with a modern commercial building. 07-26
Barney's Bar (Gone)
Wyandotte, MI Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
If you were looking for a good lunch special in Wyandotte, Michigan, Barney's Bar was worth checking out. Like many neighborhood taverns, it was the kind of place where regulars gathered for good food, a cold drink, and familiar faces. 04-01
For years, Barney's was a fixture on Oak Street, serving the local community before eventually closing and changing hands. While the business is gone, the building lives on and has found a new purpose as another neighborhood gathering spot.
Unfortunately, the old Barney's sign didn't make the transition. It was removed when the building was remodeled, leaving only photos like this to remember one more classic local tavern and its vintage roadside sign.
UPDATE: Barney's Bar has closed, and the building now operates as the Dotte Pub. The original Barney's sign has been removed. 07-26
Mirage Bar (Demolished)
Lincoln Park, MI Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The unusual shape of the sign is what makes Mirage Bar stand out. With its sweeping, almost parabolic design, it was the kind of roadside marquee that was hard to miss, especially when the neon lit up after dark. 04-01
Located along Fort Street in Lincoln Park, Michigan, Mirage was a neighborhood cocktail lounge that welcomed customers for many years. Its distinctive sign gave the business plenty of personality and was a great example of the creative neon designs that once lined busy commercial strips.
Unfortunately, both the lounge and its eye-catching marquee are now gone. The building was demolished and the property has since been redeveloped, leaving photos like this to preserve another unique piece of roadside history.
UPDATE: The Mirage Bar has been demolished, and the distinctive roadside sign no longer survives. The former site is now occupied by a medical office building. 07-26
Gate House (Demolished)
Southgate, MI Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
The vintage sign at Gate House was simple, but it certainly knew how to grab your attention. Standing along Dix-Toledo Highway in Southgate, Michigan, it welcomed customers looking for a good meal, a cocktail, or an evening out. 04-01
Known formally as Barczak's Gatehouse, the restaurant and lounge was a popular gathering place for years. In addition to serving food and drinks, it hosted wedding receptions, banquets, community meetings, and plenty of nights of dancing. Local residents may also remember the sign for another reason. When sections of the neon stopped working later in its life, it famously appeared to read "Cat House" after dark.
Today, both the Gate House and its distinctive sign are gone. The building was demolished following its closure, making this another memorable piece of Michigan roadside history that's now preserved only in photographs.
UPDATE: Barczak's Gatehouse has been demolished, and the vintage neon sign no longer survives. 07-26
Evergreen Cocktails
Chicago, IL Photo courtesy Kelly Coalier
The vintage sign for Evergreen Cocktails is one of those Chicago signs that makes you wonder what stories it could tell. With its classic styling and neon, it must have looked especially good after dark, inviting customers inside for a drink at the Evergreen Cocktail Room.
UPDATE: Not sure whatever became of the Evergreen Cocktail Room and its cool blade sign. If anyone has additional information about this Chicago landmark, let us know. 07-26
Euclid Tavern (Closed)
Windy's Tavern (Closed)
D-J's Lounge (Demolished)
Barney's Bar (Gone)
Mirage Bar (Demolished)
Gate House (Demolished)
Evergreen Cocktails
