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
The neon frog at Frogtown Alley in Toledo, Ohio, gives this entrance plenty of personality. The sign may not be especially old, but the bright character makes it worth a second look. Sometimes a little imagination is all it takes to make a storefront memorable. 08-08
The name recalls Toledo’s longtime “Frogtown” nickname, associated with the frogs that inhabited the surrounding Great Black Swamp. That bit of local identity has appeared on businesses, community events, and public art, making the glowing frog a fitting advertisement.
UPDATE: The current status of Frogtown Alley and its neon sign has not been confirmed. This photograph captures a playful piece of Toledo advertising that puts the city’s nickname to good use. It’s the sort of detail that makes looking around town worthwhile.
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
Syd's Bar
Noblesville, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The projecting neon sign at Syd's Bar adds a bright welcome to downtown Noblesville’s courthouse square. Its simple lettering fits the historic storefront perfectly, making this a worthwhile stop for anyone looking for old downtown neon. Plus, what a great name! 09-08
The building dates to the late 1800s and has housed a tavern for much of its history, apart from Prohibition. The Syd’s name arrived in 1945. Inside, a shuffleboard tradition dating to the 1940s and the familiar greeting “Howdy Bub” give the bar its own personality.
UPDATE: Syd’s remains open, and its vintage neon sign still welcomes customers. The addition of the upstairs Howdy Bub Lounge has expanded the business while carrying a familiar expression into its latest chapter. It’s good to see this downtown favorite keeping its old character. 07-26
Johnny's Tap
Munster, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
The neon at Johnny's Tap in Munster, Indiana, has plenty to say, especially with its cheerful “Mr. Fun is Here” slogan. The vintage display gives this neighborhood bar a welcome splash of color and makes a good excuse to stop for a photograph after dark. 10-08
Opened in 1956, Johnny’s has kept much of its tavern character through ownership changes and updates. An expanded menu and outdoor seating brought newer conveniences, while a restored 1950s Budweiser guitar sign adds another neon attraction inside.
UPDATE: Johnny’s Tap remains open under new ownership. The “Mr. Fun is Here” neon and restored Budweiser guitar sign survive, keeping the old advertising part of the experience. Between the familiar lights and the neighborhood atmosphere, Johnny’s still offers plenty of character before you even order a drink. 07-26
Derby Club (Closed)
East Chicago, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
The derby hat on the Derby Club parking sign was still recognizable even with much of its neon missing. Faded paint and surviving outlines hinted at a brighter past, making this East Chicago, Indiana, sign worth a closer look. You could almost guess the business name before reading it. 10-08
The club occupied a building dating to the 1920s and served as a neighborhood tavern for years. Outside, the hat-shaped design gave an ordinary parking notice a little extra personality. Even weathered signs can have plenty to offer when the original idea is this clear.
UPDATE: Derby Club has closed, and another neighborhood lounge has occupied the building. Whether the old parking sign survives remains unconfirmed. This photograph records its distinctive hat from a time when the lettering and remaining neon still marked the spot. 07-26
Bloated Goat Saloon
Bloated Goat Saloon street scene
Frogtown Alley
Derby Club (Closed)
