Joe's Bar

Coming from my hometown west of Philly and moving toward the Pittsburgh area on the west side of Pennsylvania, I took a break from driving and settled in a beautiful and friendly community called Ligonier. I was awe struck by the sign Joe and Pittsburgh Steelers emblem. I walked into the bar, and I noticed that the room was dimly lit, which I liked. There were a few televisions that had sports on and I was greeted by the bar tender who greeted me. I had ordered a yeungling. I asked the bar tender about the taxidermy, which she explained to me with a smile about it about the owners' collection and a 2nd floor. I was amazed by the number of animals there were captured from around the world. It's a sight to see! I would totally recommend Joe's!

Such a cool bar. We were visiting from out of town and wanted to stop by a local bar. Beer was cheap and they had Yuenglings. The owner also had a museum of Taxidermy animals upstairs which were very interesting to see.

I do not even know what to say about this place lol! Its a place you need to visit for your self!! The bar its self is pretty good its self, but they only tale cash (hence the fours stars). Oh yeah the guy who owns this bar worked for National Geographic hunting animals for taxidermy. So what did he due with all of his taxidermy animals? Open up a bar and fill it with the animals of course, like everyone would do. It is so great, sad, and weird! Worth a visit for sure (it is free).

A must visit while in ligonier! Awesome place to grab a beer and take a look at the animals

You have to come to Joe. Joe is a legend , a master hunter who traveled Africa and brought home his animals. Go through the bar and you're greeted with Joes amazing collection. All just one mans collection. This hidden gem is right on the main street, don't miss it! The staff is amazing and the people are friendly. No cliques. You're a friend when you walk in!

Just came to see the taxidermy. And of course, the night we're there.The witches were running wild.

No-frills old-school watering hole that allows smoking. Make sure you check out the amazing taxidermy museum in the back and upstairs.

Great little dive bar and the heart of Ligonier. Upstairs they have what could best be described as a museum of taxidermy. Unbelievable the amount on display. Obviously this will not appeal to many. On that note, Joe's is also still smoking. So that is something to keep in mind. It is also cash only. Regardless, I think this place is worth checking out if you happen to be in the area. Prices are great and the people are very friendly. Follow for more...

This bar is a liminal space. Unassuming exterior. Regular smoking dive bar in the front. Super friendly bartender and really cheap drinks. Bathroom was ridiculously clean. Nothing I can write will prepare you for what you will experience when you continue to the back of the bar. I don't want to spoil it. I will say, if you have a problem with hunting and taxidermy, do not come here. It is a feast for the eyes. Enjoy.

Joe's is the classic smoky dive - bent barstools and all - and an incredible display of preserved animals from African and other hunts. Ya don't see that every day! Worth a drop in for sure - go upstairs.

Very cool place. Unique taxidermy museum. Just wish they had a better selection of vodka and we would've stayed longer.

Ok ... Joe's is well worth the stop. It is odd though (Ligonier is odd in general, quaint but a strange little town). The drinks are cheap, place is cash only, the oval bar is in classic dive form and there's not much to see. It feels like most midwestern neighborhood bars. Until you get to the back room and the upstairs. WOW! The collection of taxidermy is really astounding. The place is part grandpa's den, part natural history museum, and part art project. It is fully bizarre. I don't know why it exists but it does and it's one of few places open til 2am in the town. Worth the stop.

Absolutely awesome. If you are anywhere near this place you must go there now. Classic dive bar backed up by the most awesome collection of taxidermy on Earth. I am a progressive liberal who doesn't hunt and I loved it. Most animals were hunted 30, 40, 50 years ago before they were endangered. I can't believe NatGeo or the history channel hasn't done a special on this place. Nothing else like it

As a stand alone bar, it's a 1.5 star- being generous! It's bare open bar area with smoke caked into every aspect of the building. Beer is cheap- 2 beers off tap ran $5 and change! However this is not just a bar!!!! This place has more taxidermy than some museums!!! And not just typical animals... Many that are now endangered and probably would never see in real life. A rhino, giraffe, elephant, polar bear, lions, sea lion, snakes, bald eagle... On and on. Be sure you walk up the spiral staircase and see the THREE additional full rooms upstairs!!! The display is so magnificent that I felt in awe and horrified all at once. Eventually, I reasoned that these animals are already deceased, so my looking at them is actually honoring their sacrifice... maybe i just over thought it. but hey! it was 9pm on a Friday in nowhere PA and I did NOT expect to see this... If you happen to be nearby- GO and visit!!! Please thumb up/comment if you liked this review and I would count it a privilege if you chose to follow me as I review places I travel and visit. Thank you for taking the time to read! ~mp

So my Uncle Chris took me out for a western PA outskirts style bar crawl and this was one of the stops. We walk in. 75 cent beers, $1.50 glass of wine. Our total bill was the cost of a drink anywhere else. They had some old school bowling skee ball game, and then my uncle tell's me there's something i have to see in the back. So we step back to see all these huge stuffed (dead) animals. I'm not talking like deer heads and a set of antlers, maybe a courtesy nittany lion, seriously, he had a whole elephant. Not to mention zebra's, polar bears, and wild bucks from africa. I was astounded. Not to mention there is a whole 2nd floor that covers the whole span of the bar with more animals. I had seen extinct animals i've never even seen before. It was incredible, and creepy, and that show was free. incredible. if it's still open, you need to see it. I found this excerpt on Joe's: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/roger/QueryTips.php?offset=210&tip_State=PA Ligonier, Pennsylvania - Joe's Bar - Taxidermy Heaven At first, Joe's looks like any other small-town bar. But walk beyond the pool table, and you begin to realize there is something unusual at Joe's. Sealed in museum-like glass cases you will find amazing accomplishments of taxidermy -- a giraffe, an elephant's head, rhinocerous, ibex, skunks, tigers, lions, and almost every creature you could possibly shoot to kill. Joe's collection probably exceeds a hundred different species, and you can view them all; no admission or drink purchase necessary. [Carolyn Kegler, 10/22/2001] http://www.flickr.com/photos/eclectio/3169348/in/pool-wierd_pennsylvania/ nailed that one on the head.

Pros: cheap beer Cons: cheap beer. No selection outside of the swill consumed in mass quantities. The front bar is all wood paneling, and the back is a menagerie of taxidermy. It smelled like stale cheap beer and cigarette smoke. Very very hillbilly. The only thing missing was a rebel flag and Boss Hog. Sorry, but there was nothing I enjoyed about this place.

After a rough dinner, Joe's was the perfect place to unwind for a great few beers! I did not expect them to have anything craft beer wise, but was pleasantly surprised to see Troegs, Erie and Victory bottles available. The taxidermy is always great to see! This little dive bar is always a fun place to go for a few cheap beers! The bartender was funny and very personable! My wife and I will return to this establishment every trip here!

If you are out in the middle of nowhere PA this is the best place to be! You must stop in, play some tunes on the juke box and admire the taxidermy. Must admire the taxidermy!!

You gotta love Joes . Clean and safe .The place is filled with locals . The best reason to stop here is the animals . Must see to believe . It's better than anything you will see at a Cabelas .

Bar is dated and needs an update. Limited and poor beer choices. Smoke was so thick I could barely see across the bar. Animals are cool but could use a dusting. I wouldn't go back to drink but would take someone to see the animals.

Just back from 5 days in ligonier. Went here for a drink and to see the animals. The animals were cool. Beer and drink selection is very poor. Place was so smokey I couldn't see across the bar. If it wasn't for the animals I wouldn't bother.