Bloated Goat Saloon
Fowlerville, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Bloated Goat Saloon has to be one of the best bar names you'll come across on any road trip. Located in downtown Fowlerville, Michigan, it's the kind of place that makes you slow down for a second look. With a name like that, you just know there's going to be a story behind it. 02-08
The Bloated Goat has been a local favorite for more than 40 years and has become one of those places where regulars and first-time visitors feel equally at home. The theme carries inside as well, with a mounted goat head on the wall, a giant goat mural, and plenty of personality throughout the saloon.
If you're wondering about the menu, the signature Goatburger isn't made from goat at all. It's a classic beef burger that has become the house specialty over the years and keeps people coming back. Sometimes a memorable name is all it takes to get you through the front door, but it's the food and atmosphere that make you want to stay awhile.
Bloated Goat Saloon street scene
Fowlerville, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
UPDATE: The Bloated Goat Saloon is still serving customers today. In 2026, the business temporarily closed while the kitchen underwent upgrades, and a small fire caused minor smoke damage during the renovation. Fortunately, the damage was limited, the building was preserved, and the saloon reopened not long afterward. If you find yourself traveling through Fowlerville, it's still a fun place to stop for a burger, a cold drink, and one of Michigan's most unforgettable tavern names. 07-26
Frogtown Alley
Toledo, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here's a fun neon sign from Toledo, Ohio. Frogtown Alley featured a bright frog perched above the entrance, making it one of those signs that's hard to drive past without taking a second look. The sign isn't especially old, but it has plenty of personality and fits right in with Toledo's longtime "Frogtown" nickname. 08-08
Toledo picked up the Frogtown nickname back in its early days when much of the area was part of the Great Black Swamp. As you'd expect, frogs were everywhere, and the name has managed to stick around ever since. Over the years it has appeared on businesses, events, and even public art around town.
This sign is a good example of how a little creativity can go a long way. The neon frog gives the place some character, and it's the kind of roadside detail that makes exploring older commercial strips worthwhile. It may not be the biggest sign in town, but it's certainly one that's easy to remember.
Syd's Bar
Noblesville, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Here's a great looking neon sign from downtown Noblesville, Indiana. Syd's Bar features a classic projecting sign with full neon, making it one of those places that's hard to miss while walking around the courthouse square. Signs like this always add a little extra character to an old downtown. 09-08
The bar has been a fixture in Noblesville for generations. The building dates back to the late 1800s, and with the exception of the Prohibition years, there's been a tavern operating here ever since. Syd's got its name in 1945 when new owners took over, and it's been serving food and drinks under that name ever since.
Step inside and you'll find another longtime tradition. A shuffleboard table has been part of the bar since the 1940s, and regulars have been greeted with the familiar phrase "Howdy Bub" for decades. It's those little touches that give an old neighborhood bar its personality.
Of course, it's the sign that caught the camera's attention. The glowing neon and simple design fit the building perfectly and make this one well worth a look if you're exploring downtown Noblesville. Plus what a great name!
UPDATE: Syd's remains open and continues to serve customers from its historic downtown location. The vintage neon sign still welcomes visitors, and the bar recently expanded with the addition of the Howdy Bub Lounge upstairs. 07-26
Sky Ride Inn (Gone)
Quincy, IN Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Here's a fun old roadside sign from Sky Ride Inn in Quincy, Illinois. The colorful fish on the sign was hard to miss and let everyone know what the house specialty was before they even walked through the door. It was one of those signs that added a little personality to the riverfront. 09-08
The bar opened in 1966 and took its name from the Quincy Skyride, an aerial tram that once carried passengers across the Mississippi River to Quinsippi Island. The Sky Ride Inn became a favorite local stop for food and drinks, especially if you were in the mood for one of its well-known catfish or carp sandwiches.
The sign is what really caught the camera's attention. Between the hand-painted fish and the simple design, it had the kind of hometown charm that fit the place perfectly. It's always nice to find signs that advertise a business with a little creativity instead of just a logo.
UPDATE: The Sky Ride Inn has closed, and the original roadside sign is no longer believed to survive. The former building remains standing as part of Quincy's historic riverfront, where murals now decorate the side of the structure. 07-26
Johnny's Tap
Munster, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Check out the neon at Johnny's Tap in Munster, Indiana. The vintage sign has been catching the attention of passing motorists since the 1950s, and the glowing "Mr. Fun is Here" slogan gives it even more personality. It's the kind of neighborhood bar sign that's becoming harder to find these days. 10-08
Johnny's Tap first opened in 1956 and has been serving the local community ever since. While the bar has seen a few ownership changes over the years, it has managed to keep much of its old-school character. Step inside and you'll even find another piece of neon history—a restored 1950s Budweiser guitar sign that's just as impressive as the one outside.
The bar has been updated over the years with an expanded menu, outdoor seating, and other modern touches, but fortunately the vintage signs remain part of the experience. They're a nice reminder of an era when a little neon was all you needed to get someone's attention.
UPDATE: Johnny's Tap remains open under new ownership, and both the famous "Mr. Fun is Here" neon sign outside and the restored Budweiser guitar sign inside continue to welcome customers. 07-26
Derby Club (Closed)
East Chicago, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Check out this old parking sign from Derby Club in East Chicago, Indiana. Even though much of the neon appears to be gone, the outline of the derby hat is still easy to make out. It's a neat reminder of what must have been a much brighter sign years ago. 10-08
Sometimes an old sign doesn't need to be fully restored to catch your attention. A little faded paint, some missing neon, and a familiar shape can still tell the story. In this case, the derby hat gives away the name of the business before you even read the lettering.
The Derby Club occupied a building that dates back to the 1920s and served as a neighborhood tavern for many years. Like a lot of older bars, it eventually gave way to a new business, but it's always a shame when a sign with this much character starts to disappear.
UPDATE: The Derby Club has closed, and the building has since been repurposed as another neighborhood lounge. Not sure whether the old derby hat parking sign still survives. 07-26
Bloated Goat Saloon
Frogtown Alley
Derby Club (Closed)
