The Tap Room has been a downtown Ypsilanti favorite for decades, and its bubbling martini glass sign is one of the city's best-known neon landmarks. Hanging proudly over the sidewalk, it's hard to miss if you're passing through town. 09-10
The Tap Room opened in 1941 and has been welcoming customers ever since. While the building itself dates back to the 1840s, the bar has built its own history with good food, cold drinks, and plenty of local character. The neon sign, installed in 1949, remains one of the highlights, complete with its distinctive bubbling martini glass that still catches the eye today.
Step inside and you'll find a classic neighborhood tavern that's become a favorite gathering place for generations. In the early 2000s the owners expanded into the building next door, giving the Tap Room a little more room while keeping the original atmosphere intact.
One of the building's quirks is its unusually low front door handle. Local legend says it was designed that way for workers headed to the nearby Willow Run bomber plant during World War II, although no one has ever been able to confirm the story. Whether it's true or not, it's just one more piece of the Tap Room's charm.
UPDATE: The Tap Room remains open and its iconic bubbling martini glass sign continues to light up downtown Ypsilanti. 07-26
Anchor Inn (Demolished)
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The Anchor Inn had definitely seen better days when this photo was taken. Sitting abandoned on Indianapolis' east side, it was easy to imagine the years when the parking lot was full and the neon was glowing. 09-10
For years, the Anchor Inn was a neighborhood gathering spot known for its barbecue, cocktails, and even a pony-keg carryout. It served the surrounding community for decades before eventually closing its doors and falling into disrepair.
By the time this photo was taken, the building stood empty, waiting for an uncertain future. Sadly, that future never came. The old restaurant was eventually demolished, and the property has since been absorbed into the neighboring healthcare campus.
It's always a little sad to come across places like this. Once full of life, they're eventually reduced to memories and old photographs. Thankfully, images like this one help preserve a little piece of what used to be.
UPDATE: The Anchor Inn has since been demolished, and the site has been redeveloped as part of the neighboring healthcare campus. 07-26
Hallway Club (Gone)
Boonville, MO Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans
The Hallway Club in Boonville, Missouri was the kind of neighborhood tavern that probably had a few regulars waiting for the doors to open each day. Its vintage sign proudly proclaimed it served the "best tap beer," making it hard for travelers to pass by without at least thinking about stopping in. 10-10
Located just off the main streets of Boonville, the Hallway Club spent many years serving cold beer, good food, and friendly conversation. The building itself dates back to the 1930s and is part of Boonville's historic downtown, giving it plenty of character even beyond the sign out front.
Like many old neighborhood taverns, time eventually caught up with it. The Hallway Club closed its doors, the familiar sign disappeared, and the building moved on to a different use.
It's another reminder of how quickly these old roadside places can disappear. Fortunately, photos like this help keep their memories alive long after the last round has been served.
UPDATE: The Hallway Club has closed, the vintage sign has been removed, and the historic building has been repurposed. 07-26
Worl's Cocktails (Gone)
Cambridge City, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The Worl's Cocktails sign was hard to miss along the old National Road in Cambridge City. With its sweeping arrow and neon lettering, it was the kind of sign that practically invited you inside. After a couple of drinks, that arrow might even start looking a little squiggly. 10-10
For many years, Worl's was a familiar stop in town, serving drinks and welcoming both locals and travelers passing through. The tavern was operated by the Worl family, who owned several well-known businesses in the area over the years.
The old building has managed to survive, but the tavern is long gone. It later became Cole's Dining & Spirits, where the owners wisely kept the beautiful antique wooden bar that had been part of Worl's for generations. Today, even that business has closed, and the neon arrow that once pointed the way has disappeared.
It's a shame the sign didn't survive. It was one of those eye-catching pieces of roadside Americana that gave a place its personality long before you ever walked through the front door.
UPDATE: Worl's Cocktails is gone, the neon sign has been removed, and the historic building remains standing. 07-26
Stein House Cafe (Demolished)
Boonville, MO Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans
The Stein House Cafe had one of those signs that was impossible to drive past without noticing. Topped with a giant neon beer stein, it was a familiar sight in downtown Boonville and a favorite subject for roadside photographers. 10-10
Housed in an 1880s brick building, the Stein House served the community for more than six decades. Whether you stopped in for a meal or just a cold drink, the cafe became a fixture along Main Street and one of Boonville's best-known landmarks.
Sadly, disaster struck in April 2011 when an early morning fire tore through the building. The blaze destroyed the Stein House and spread to neighboring buildings, leaving little that could be saved. After plans to preserve the site fell through, the remains were demolished, bringing an end to one of downtown's most recognizable landmarks.
It's hard not to wonder what became of that great neon beer stein. Whether it survived or not remains a mystery, but thankfully photos like this keep its memory alive.
UPDATE: The Stein House Cafe was destroyed by fire in 2011 and later demolished. The fate of its iconic beer stein sign remains unknown. 07-26
Marco's Lounge (Gone)
Indianapolis, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
The Marco's Lounge sign may not have been flashy, but there's something about an old "Dining Room" arrow that brings back memories of another era. It pointed the way to a neighborhood favorite that served Indianapolis for more than three decades. 09-10
Marco's was well known for its Italian-American food, steaks, and strong martinis. It was the kind of place where regulars gathered every week, and Tuesday's "Cheap Meat Night" became a local tradition for many Indianapolis diners.
Like so many longtime restaurants, Marco's eventually closed its doors after 36 years in business. The building has since been given new life as another restaurant and lounge, but the old signs that welcomed generations of customers have disappeared.
Sometimes it's the simple signs that become the most memorable. They don't need flashy animation or giant neon displays—they just remind us of all the meals, conversations, and familiar faces that once filled the place.
UPDATE: Marco's Lounge closed in 2021. The building has since reopened as a new restaurant, and the original signs have been removed. 07-26
Iaria Tavern
Indianapolis, IN Photo and info courtesy Emily Steele
The Iaria's Tavern has been serving up great Italian food in Indianapolis for generations. Originally opened as a neighborhood grocery in 1913, it wasn't long before homemade spaghetti became so popular that the family turned the business into a restaurant. After Prohibition, Iaria's also became a neighborhood tavern, and it's been a local favorite ever since. 09-10
One of my favorite things about Iaria's is that it still looks like a place from another era. The vintage neon sign out front, the glass block windows, and the classic brick building all help give it plenty of old-school charm. Step inside and you'll find much of that same atmosphere still intact.
Four generations of the Iaria family have kept the restaurant going, serving many of the same Italian recipes that have been enjoyed for decades. It's not hard to see why this place has become an Indianapolis institution. If you're passing through Indianapolis and looking for some great Italian food with a side of history, Iaria's is definitely worth a stop.
UPDATE: Iaria's Italian Restaurant remains open and continues to welcome customers more than a century after first opening its doors. 07-26
Tap Room
Anchor Inn (Demolished)
Hallway Club (Gone)
Worl's Cocktails (Gone)
Stein House Cafe (Demolished)
Marco's Lounge (Gone)
Iaria Tavern
