Porter's Tap
Hammond, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Here's another neighborhood tavern with a sign that's easy to spot from the road. Porter's Tap in Hammond, Indiana features a vintage projecting sign that hangs out over the sidewalk, making it a familiar sight along Kennedy Avenue. It's a simple design, but signs like this have a way of catching your eye as you drive by. 10-08
The building has been part of the neighborhood for a long time. Before becoming Porter's Tap, the space was home to a small food shop during the 1950s before making the transition to a neighborhood bar. It has remained a local gathering place ever since.
While the sign doesn't rely on flashy neon or elaborate artwork, it's exactly the kind of everyday roadside piece that's becoming harder to find. It's nice to see businesses that still have their original character instead of replacing everything with modern plastic signs.
UPDATE: Porter's Tap remains open and continues to serve the Hessville neighborhood. The vintage projecting sign is still in place along Kennedy Avenue. 07-26
Walt"s Lounge (Gone)
Gary, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Here's a great example of a sign that takes you back a few decades. Walt's Lounge in Gary, Indiana featured a roadside sign with the bold shapes, colors, and styling that were once common outside neighborhood lounges and supper clubs. Even with changing tastes over the years, it was the kind of sign that still managed to catch your eye. 10-08
Walt's Lounge operated for many years as a neighborhood supper club, serving food and drinks in a classic mid-century setting. It remained in business long after many similar places had disappeared, becoming a familiar stop on the west side of Gary.
The sign is what really stands out here. It doesn't rely on fancy graphics or oversized lettering. Instead, it's a good reminder of a time when simple geometric designs and bright colors were enough to get motorists' attention. It's always nice to see signs that still reflect the era in which they were built.
UPDATE: Walt's Lounge is no longer in business, and the building now sits vacant. 07-26
George Michel's Bar (Closed)
East Chicago, IN Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Here's an old sign that's still doing its job even after losing most of its original lighting. George Michel's Bar in East Chicago, Indiana featured a colorful roadside sign with a large arrow pointing customers toward the entrance. The neon and bulbs may have been stripped away, but the bright paint and classic design still made it hard to miss. 10-08
The bar was a longtime neighborhood fixture in East Chicago's historic Marktown district. George Michels operated the business for more than 60 years, making it a familiar stop for generations of local customers.
It's easy to imagine how this sign looked when it was fully lit. Even in its faded condition, the arrow gives it plenty of character and serves as a reminder of a time when roadside signs were designed to grab the attention of passing motorists both day and night.
UPDATE: George Michel's Bar has closed. Not sure whether the vintage arrow sign still survives. 07-26
Durnell's Food & Spirits (Closed)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here's a classic neighborhood tavern that had been serving Fort Wayne for generations. Durnell's Food & Spirits featured an old roadside sign that let you know you'd found one of the city's longtime local favorites. It's always nice to see a business that keeps its original sign instead of replacing it with something modern. 12-08
The Durnell family opened the restaurant in 1950 and operated it for the next 70 years. It became well known for its fish dinners, fish sandwiches, homemade potato soup, and generous portions. It was also one of those places that never strayed far from its roots, remaining cash only and welcoming guests 21 and older.
The roadside sign was a perfect fit for the building and reflected the restaurant's old-school personality. It wasn't flashy, but it had the kind of character that's becoming harder to find as older neighborhood businesses disappear.
UPDATE: Durnell's Food & Spirits permanently closed in 2020 after the family decided to retire during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not sure what happened to the roadside sign. 07-26
Elco Tap (Closed)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
Here's one that had already reached the end of the road when this photo was taken. Elco Tap in Fort Wayne was closed and up for sale, but its old roadside sign was still standing as a reminder of busier days. A large factory across the street had also shut down, leaving far fewer workers looking for a place to stop after their shift. 12-08
Elco Tap opened in 1952 and spent decades serving the surrounding industrial neighborhood. It was the kind of corner tavern where many of the regulars worked at nearby factories before stopping in for a drink at the end of the day.
UPDATE: Looks like the Elco Tap sign may be doomed. It is in front of a bar that looked completely updated and modernized... but closed. According to a few people on site, the place is about to open as a soul food restaurant and a guy was supposed to come by and make them a new sign. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for update. 09-10
Even after the business closed, the vintage sign remained a familiar sight along Pontiac Street. It's often the signs that outlast the businesses, giving a small glimpse into what the neighborhood once looked like.
UPDATE: The Elco Tap building still stands but has been repurposed and is now home to another restaurant. The original roadside sign has been removed. 07-26
Broadway Joe's Tavern (Closed)
Fort Wayne, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Here's another great neighborhood tavern sign from Fort Wayne. Broadway Joe's Tavern featured a classic neon sign with a large arrow pointing customers right to the front door. Better yet, the neon was still glowing nicely when this photo was taken. 12-08
Broadway Joe's had been a longtime neighborhood gathering place, serving customers for decades under owner Joe Lebrato. The building itself dates back to the early 1900s, and the vintage sign fit the old storefront perfectly.
The arrow is what really makes this one stand out. There was a time when signs like this lined busy commercial streets, using bright neon to guide motorists inside. Fortunately, this one was still doing exactly that when Alan stopped by with his camera.
UPDATE: Broadway Joe's Tavern has since closed. Not sure if the sign is still around today. 07-26
Alpha Bar
Sault Ste Marie, MI Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
The Alpha Bar is located on Portage Avenue near the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The vintage roadside sign was still standing when this photo was taken, although it wasn't lighting up at night anymore. Even so, it's the kind of old sign that's worth slowing down for. 12-08
The bar is connected to Zorba's Restaurant next door, so you can enjoy a drink while ordering from Zorba's menu. If you're in the mood for Greek food, it's a pretty good place to stop for a gyro, pizza, or one of their other specialties.
The sign is what makes this place stand out. It has the look of an earlier era and fits right in with the older commercial buildings along Portage Avenue. It's always nice to find an old sign that's still hanging around, even if the neon has gone dark.
UPDATE: The Alpha Bar remains open and is still connected to Zorba's Restaurant. Not sure if the old sign lights up these days, but it's still there welcoming customers. 07-26
Porter's Tap
Walt"s Lounge (Gone)
George Michel's Bar (Closed)
Durnell's Food & Spirits (Closed)
Alpha Bar
