The only reason we stopped in here was to see the bizarre collection of taxidermy. We love this kitschy roadside America stuff. The large fish are interesting but the true stars are the stuffed squirrels, chipmunks, etc playing cards, drinking beers, etc in the dioramas. We did get a couple of sodas and chips - not sure they had much in the way of hot foods. If we were here later in the day I could see spending more time in this classic " up north" Wisconsin bar. read more

This is a must-visit when you're in the Hayward area. Just a great bar. I do NOT recommend bringing children in here, even though many people do. It is a tavern, not a restaurant. The music is always going and is always incredibly LOUD. Like so loud, with the bass turned up so much that it's difficult to recognize the music. But that's part of the ambience they've created. If you don't like loud, don't go. But if you're okay with loud, stop in and experience this place! It's a true American classic. You'll love the taxidermied animal dioramas along with the World's Largest Muskie. Even when the place is packed with people, the service is spot on. read more

Moccasin Bar - The famous Moccasin Bar diorama - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

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Must stop please when in Hayward. Never tried any food there, but we always stop in and have bloody Mary's when we're in the area. read more

Moccasin Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

Love this bar. The ppl are welcoming. The beer is decent. Interesting decor. I highly recommend.

Most incredible ambience I've ever experienced at a bar. Service is incredible and the bloody Mary's are off the chain. read more

Moccasin Bar - Don't ask questions - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

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Great bloody marys! It's a neat place with all the taxidermy animals! The service was quick for how busy they were! read more

Moccasin Bar - Some of the taxidermy animals - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

Locals are rude. Drinks are strong. You choose what is important I guess. Side note- a friend of mine ran a Marathon there. Had some drinks (he barely ever drinks), for a little tipsy. Went outside for some fresh air and the local beat him up for no reason. Stole his keys and wallet. Maybe things are different, but not a place I would go out of my way to visit especially at night. read more

Stopped in after a long day in Duluth on Saturday night. It was my birthday and wanted a drink. Not a very friendly barkeeper.Disappointing

The last time I was this excited about a bar, I was 20 and had a fantastic fake ID; fast forward a few years, and I am in awe of the animal dioramas at the, um, "wildlife museum" (as it proudly says outside). Check your attitude at the door and venture on in, not only will you see poker playing animals, but there are two pool tables for humans. read more

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I was on vacation from California and decided this was a 'must see' location. It was well worth the stop. The atmosphere is casual and the bartender was great. I couldn't decide between the two IPAs (get the Lakefront!) and the bartender gave me a taste. The taxidermy animal displays are a hoot (and yes, of course they are gross). No food here so just stop on by for a drink. And kids are welcome to come in! read more

Moccasin Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

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If you're squeamish around taxidermy, this is not your bar. If you're looking for artisan cocktails, this is not your bar. If you only have a credit card, this is not your bar. But if you don't fall into any of these categories, have an open mind and give the Moccasin Bar a try when you're in Hayward. It will likely be a memorable experience. But let's go back to that taxidermy for a moment. The "wildlife museum" that this bar boasts is ... ummmmm ... creative ... to say the least -- like a-raccoon-playing-poker-with-a-bear creative or squirrel-sharing-a-PBR-with-a-chipmunk creative. (You can actually find scenes of these in this bar.) Moccasin Bar has taxidermied models of the record muskellunge fish that have come out of the nearby lakes. The musky fish look kind of like the fish from "Big Fish" but with stripes. They're giant, almost mythical. And they line Moccasin Bar's walls. When someone catches a musky and says it was "this big," they're probably telling the truth. But beyond the fish, there are also dioramas of local wildlife and even fictional scenes with the animals. My favorite is a scene of a wolf presiding over a "Kangaroo Court," in which a badger is accused of hunting woodcock out of a season. It's very involved. There's another diorama that shows one raccoon winning over another raccoon in a boxing match. PETA would probably frown upon these depictions. But there's something so strange and unique about these that make it hard to look away from them. When you do look away, though, you'll find friendly bartenders eager to give you a Spotted Cow (my beer of choice). And if you find yourself in Moccasin Bar after the Musky Fest Parade in June, you'll likely see the bar invaded by the Marty's Goldenaires marching band. It's a sight. Drums on the pool table. Horns blaring. It's fun to be sure! Moccasin Bar is memorable in so many ways. read more

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Worth a stop to see all the taxidermy. Regular bar - very clean and don't let the outside scare you. It's much nicer inside. Service was also great! read more

AKA the moc. AKA where the locals go to get wasted. Dive bar meets taxidermy museum. What could go wrong!? Listen, this is a local bar as much as a roadside novelty. Thus it's where a lot of different types of people meet for a cold one for better or for worse. Come for the ridiculous taxidermy, stay for cheap drinks and most of all enjoy the local flair! read more

The oldest building in Hayward, cheap beer, and the best f@#$in taxidermy museum ever. read more

Moccasin Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Hayward, Wisconsin

Great bar and nice atmosphere. Bartenders are nice and always great service. Great parking

This was an awesome dive bar that had great beers on tap. Would recommend this bar for a night out with friends to play some pool and have fun. It was cash only which was okay for us since a group of us were traveling for business. Recommend this for a different place to go and have a beer. read more

We stopped in to view the displays and have a Beer. Giant cockroach crawled up the tv screen. Didn't finish our beer. Place is gross. read more

Loved this place, cold beer in Ball jars. world record Musky mounts. What is there not to love read more

I seem to have a special talent when it comes to finding Dive Bars. I'm like a human divining rod that will seek out cheap drinks, dirty glasses, bad carpet, out-of-date jukeboxes, and overall ill-repute. I was called a "Dive Bar Savant" once, and I kind of take pride in that. *Puffs out chest* The Moccasin Bar is no exception to my finely honed ability. This bar sits in "Downtown" Hayward, WI.....the self-proclaimed "Muskie Capital of the World" and home of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. This place is so far North in the "Middle of Nowhere", Wisconsin, that I think people speak Canadian there. Once you get past all of the "Fisherman Parking Only", "Gun Rack Parking Only", and "Biggest, Rustiest, Loudest, Ugliest Truck in Town Parking Only" spots, you should have no problem finding a space to park your "He's DEFINITLY not from these parts" vehicle. It must have been an extremely busy Sunday here in "Where the Fuck Am I?", Wisconsin, because I had to park ALL THE WAY across town. So I got my bearings, found a landmark to guide me back, and walked two blocks back to the bar. I need to let you know that I was a litlle disgruntled, and I was not expecting to have a good time. The only reason I was going to this place was the fact that the only Strip Bar in town was closed on Sundays. What a wonderful surprise when I entered what I can only describe as "Disneyland for Rednecks". It is not only a bar, but a Wildlife and Taxidermy Museum! For those of you who have been to Hayward, WI..... *crickets*..... then you already know. For those of you who haven't, let me repeat it for you. It is not only a bar, but a Wildlife and Taxidermy Museum! Awful red patterned carpet that matches the barstools and chairs, dark paneling, popcorn ceilings, and Hamms & Schlitz lights complete the ambience. Open since 1900, it looks like they stopped changing it's appearance (and a lot of it's clientele) somwhere around 1973. There are fish mounted everywhere (including the World Record Muskie), there are various birds and animals everywhere, but best of all.....there are glass cases lining every wall that have small animals (chipmunks, squirrels, etc.) posed and dressed in dioramas depicting "everyday" life. Chipmunks playing dice while a cop hides behind a bush to bust them, chipmunks shooting pool and drinking beer, chipmunks fishing, doing laundry, and playing banjos.....just to name a few. They line the walls. They are everywhere. IT'S THE CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. And I like to think that I know crazy. The folks here are quick to fill you in on whatever it is you may want to know. Apparently some guy named "Red" was the local taxidermist and did the dioramas for fun on the side. I now know more about taxidermy and fish than I ever wanted. I could go on forever about this place, but i think you get the general idea. Here's the breakdown: 1 star for Dive-Bar status.....and every stereotype you could imagine in one. 1 star for the "Museum".....It made me forget about the Strip Bar being closed. 1 star for the locals.....even though I was "different", they welcomed me. 1 star for concept.....I learned something before I blacked out. 1 star for "Red".....R.I.P. my friend. I came, I saw, and I will never be the same. WARNING: THIS LINK MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES (of the locals) AND OVERALL OFFENSIVE MATERIALS (if you don't like stuffed animals)! http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/WIHAYmoccasin.html read more

Best dive bar ever. Friendly people at the bar drinking crazy cheap drinks. The stuffed animal scenes are hilarious and the bartender is always great. We don't get to Hayward often but when we do, we don't miss this iconic Wisconsin bar. read more

ALMOST 5 stars. Sometimes the bartenders aren't the most experienced when it gets crowded, but theyre pretty good. This place was scary when I was a kid but it's different now. They spruced it up and Now it's kinda a kitschy tourist attraction but I see some prestigious locals in here too sometimes. Hilarious taxidermy, 2 pool tables, good jukebox and nice cheap, Hayward priced drinks. If you can only stop in 1 place in town, gotta be this one. Ps-this is where the world record musky is mounted. read more

Forget about bars with paintings of dogs playing poker. This joint has stuffed forest critters enjoying a second life as boxers and card players. No, you're not hallucinating and the lovely bartender didn't put anything in your summit draft. This comfortable classic north woods bar, with a taxidermy twist is a must visit if you're in the 'hood. And it's family friendly, as long as your kids don't try to play pool. read more

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Awesome. Its a small bar with amazing taxidermy. My fave was the scene of a raccoon's(?) moonshine racket being busted up. Fantastic place, really funky fun mix of townie and tourist. I only had time for a beer, but would have loved to have been able to stay longer. Exceptional. read more

Hands down the best Bloody Mary's in town. So freakin' good, I WANT ONE NOW!! Have to love the stuffed animal museum (taxidermy, not cuddly)...and they have a dart machine. I'm hooked! That's all. read more

NOW I know why there is never a crowd at the Moccasin Bar,ask me about my 30 t shirt that I bought there.By the way this is my only one star review EVER My best advise to anyone would be do not leave any more cash on the bar than is necessary to pay the tab at hand.There are so many really great places around the block.This place is actually for sale so the owner could be asleep at the wheel.I will proudly wear my t shirt and share my amusing tale of how a 10 buck t cost me 30.... read more

Stopping in at this bar in December on my way back from Bayfield, WI, I tried my chances on the bar's "shake-a-day" and rolled the 5 dice. I ended up winning a free drink wooden token. I saved that wooden token and made sure to tuck it into my purse last week before leaving home, headed for Ashland/Bayfield, WI. Arriving in Hayward on Saturday afternoon, I ordered a Spotted Cow tap beer and paid with that wooden token. Given that my chance and that of my companion at "shake-a-day" produced a win for both of us (each of us winning 2 free drink tokens this time) our next round was covered and the last 2 tokens are tucked away in my purse for our next visit. A great way to spend an hour or so, sipping beer and shelling and eating dry roasted peanuts. read more

Cool bar for scenery and enjoyed the people who worked there. Everyone was really nice and friendly.

From out of town, came in with a group of 7 to a bar with only 5 other occupants on 4th of July weekend. Male bartender extremely rude upon us sitting down. Served us drinks, then demanded ID, no problem of course.. minus the attitude. Then we watched him make a Bloody Mary for himself, chug it, clean his mason jar and proceed to work... explains why he was such an ass for no reason. You only have one chance to make a good impression ... read more

Big J's review says it all, and better than I ever could. Please be assured that everything he wrote back in August 2007 is still accurate as of two days ago. I would say that no visit to Hayward can be considered complete until you have consumed at least one alcoholic beverage at this bar. read more

The place is in downtown Hayward, WI and is pretty unique because of all taxidermy and the record breaking fish mounted in the place. As always in these parts the beer and spirits are cold and cheap, you won't find any six dollar beers here. Been there many times and while a rough crowd is not out of the question, it is also not the norm and by no means is it a biker bar. It is after all a bar so if you fear meeting people who are not like you do not go out anywhere, much less alone. -1 star because the jukebox is first generation touch screen, and the owner will skip any song she doesn't like or has too much swearing. read more

Who doesn't love displays of taxidermied animals playing poker?

Stepped in on a Friday night, and the place was crowded. Two people were in there (two more than I thought would be). Fairly priced drinks with a couple empty pool tables made for a decent quick pit stop here before heading out to the rest of this bustling town. The decor made it worth the stop with the taxidermy animals scattered on the walls. read more

No other bar like it. You just have to check it out for a drink or two if in the area. Cabin country Kitsch galore!

When I visited. I thought it was dirty, it smelled like smoke, and would never go back.

My parents live outside of Hayward and I spend every Thanksgiving weekend there. It's a tradition for us to go to the Moccasin in the morning after a night of drinking for a bloody mary and beer chaser. It's the only bar I've walked into at 10-11am and it's already half full. read more