Victory Bar (Gone)
South Bend, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The old sign at Victory Bar looked like it had been hanging over Michigan Street for decades. Just south of downtown South Bend, Indiana, it was the kind of vintage roadside sign that caught your eye with its simple design and glowing neon. 05-09
Victory Bar was one of those neighborhood taverns that seemed right at home in an older part of town. While it wasn't flashy, its classic marquee gave the place plenty of character and made it stand out among the surrounding buildings.
Unfortunately, Victory Bar is no longer around. The business has closed, and the vintage sign that once welcomed customers has been removed. Thankfully, photos like this preserve another piece of roadside history that's quietly disappeared over the years.
UPDATE: Victory Bar has permanently closed, and the classic roadside sign has been removed. 07-26
Savoy Bar & Grill
Saginaw, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Art Deco marquee and colorful mural make Savoy Bar & Grill one of those places that's hard to overlook. Located in downtown Saginaw, Michigan, the vintage sign hanging over the sidewalk gives the building plenty of character and is a great reminder of the days when every neighborhood seemed to have a corner tavern like this. 06-09
The Savoy has been a downtown landmark for generations and became well known not only as a neighborhood gathering place, but also for its annual Thanksgiving dinners that welcomed hundreds of people each year. After closing during the pandemic, the historic building sat vacant before new owners stepped in to give it a second chance.
Thankfully, the beautiful Art Deco marquee was preserved during the restoration, and the Savoy once again welcomes customers. It's always nice to see an old neighborhood landmark get a new lease on life instead of disappearing altogether. Many times the old signs from yesterday are the first to go.
UPDATE: The Savoy Bar & Grill has reopened under new ownership in downtown Saginaw. The classic Art Deco marquee and colorful mural have been preserved, allowing another generation to enjoy this longtime Michigan landmark. 07-26
(Near right) A look at the Savoy from across the street in Saginaw, MI
Stumblin' Inn (Gone)
Flint, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The old Stumblin' Inn looked right at home among the surrounding buildings in Flint, Michigan. It wasn't a flashy place, but the vintage sign and well-worn exterior gave it the kind of character that only comes with age. 06-09
For years, the Stumblin' Inn served as a neighborhood tavern along Fenton Road, welcoming locals looking for a cold drink and good company. Like so many corner bars, it became part of the neighborhood before eventually closing its doors. The building later reopened for a time under a different name, but that chapter has also come to an end.
The old Stumblin' Inn sign is gone today, but the building still stands as a reminder of another neighborhood tavern that's become part of the past. Sometimes it's the simple places like this that leave the biggest impression.
UPDATE: The Stumblin' Inn is long gone, and the original sign has been removed. Although the building still stands, it is no longer operating as a neighborhood tavern. 07-26
Club Tap
Milwaukee, WI Photo courtesy Tammy Terwelp
It's hard to miss the vintage Schlitz sign hanging outside Club Tap. Located along North Avenue in the Milwaukee area, this neighborhood tavern has all the character you'd hope to find in an old Wisconsin bar, right down to the classic neon welcoming customers inside. 09-10
Club Tap has been serving the neighborhood since 1939 and is recognized as the oldest active bar in Wauwatosa. While ownership has changed over the years, the tavern has managed to keep much of its historic charm. Step inside and you'll find an old-school neighborhood bar where the atmosphere is every bit as inviting as the sign out front.
The vintage Schlitz "On Tap" sign is the real star here and is a great reminder of Milwaukee's brewing heritage. It's always nice to see an old tavern like this still going strong while so many others have disappeared over the years.
UPDATE: Club Tap remains open and continues to serve customers from its longtime home on North Avenue. The classic Schlitz neon sign still hangs proudly out front. 07-26
88 Tavern (Demolished)
Beloit, WI Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan
The 88 Tavern in Beloit, Wisconsin, featured one of those roadside signs that was hard to miss. With its glowing blue neon "88," it was the kind of sign that caught your attention whether you were looking for a place to stop or just passing through town. 09-10
Located along Highway 81, the tavern served the Beloit community for nearly 30 years as a classic Wisconsin neighborhood bar. It was the kind of place where locals gathered to watch the game, enjoy a cold drink, and catch up with friends. The sign itself was built by Beloit's own General Neon Products Company, making it a hometown landmark in more ways than one.
When the tavern closed in 2022, there was good news for sign lovers. The iconic neon marquee was auctioned off and purchased by a local resident who planned to keep it in the Beloit area. Although the tavern building has since been demolished, the sign lives on in a private collection.
UPDATE: The 88 Tavern has been demolished, but its vintage neon sign was preserved after being sold at auction to a local collector.
Old Style Inn (Closed)
Logansport,
IN Photo and info courtesy Richard Weiss
From the outside, Old Style Inn looked like a pretty ordinary neighborhood tavern. But hanging out front was one of the best vintage beer signs around—a beautiful neon Old Style Beer sign that was enough to make any roadside enthusiast hit the brakes. Signs like this are becoming harder and harder to find. 10-10
Located in downtown Logansport, the tavern served as a neighborhood gathering place for many years before later expanding into a bar and restaurant. The original Old Style Beer sign over the entrance was eventually removed, but another vintage neon sign on the back of the building was preserved. A replica of the original front sign was also installed, helping maintain the building's classic look.
The tavern briefly reopened under new ownership in 2021 following an extensive renovation, but the revival was short-lived and the business has since closed once again.
UPDATE: The Old Style Inn is now closed. The original front neon sign was removed years ago, but the rear vintage sign survived, and a replica of the original facade sign was later installed to preserve the building's nostalgic appearance.
Victory Bar (Gone)
Savoy Bar & Grill
Stumblin' Inn (Gone)
Club Tap
88 Tavern (Demolished)
Old Style Inn (Closed)
