15 Weirdest Items People Forgot at Bars
Bars are magnets for misplaced jackets and scattered keys, but every now and then, something far stranger gets left behind. A wallet, maybe. A coat, sure. But sometimes, the items left behind raise more questions than answers. Here are 15 of the strangest things ever left behind in bars.
A Coffin Propped Against a Wall
Credit: iStockphoto
It wasn’t Halloween night, yet a full-sized coffin ended up leaning casually against a wall inside Alaska Bar in Brooklyn. No one seemed alarmed or even curious, and hours passed without anyone claiming it. Staff treated it like part of the furniture until the bar eventually closed months later.
Cash Stuffed in Underwear
Credit: iStockphoto
Placed discreetly under a bar stool in Nighthawk, Venice, California, was a pair of men’s underwear with a folded hundred-dollar bill inside the flap. The strange combination caught everyone off guard. Maybe it was a failed attempt at a secret stash, or perhaps an unusual form of tipping.
Wedding Rings Left in Plain Sight
Credit: iStockphoto
After a lively pre-wedding celebration at Crystal Springs Resort, New Jersey, two wedding rings were found glinting on the bar and went unnoticed for hours. By the time someone realized, panic had already set in. Luckily, bar personnel had secured them before closing. The rings were retrieved just in time, and the celebration went on.
A Wig Dripping on a Hook
Credit: iStockphoto
In the corner bathroom of Salazar in Los Angeles, a long dreadlocks wig hung soaking wet from a hook. Earlier that evening, it had been on someone’s head. Nobody knew why it ended up drenched and abandoned.
One Shoe Without a Match
Credit: pxhere
Closing time at Baldoria in Los Angeles revealed a single polished dress shoe sitting quietly under a high stool. There were no signs of its partner or a guest limping out the door with only one shoe. Others would have thrown the lost footwear, but the staff kept it in the lost and found section for weeks.
Only Half a Smile
Credit: iStockphoto
On a dimly lit table in a neighborhood tavern, staff discovered the upper half of a set of dentures. How anyone left without noticing is still a mystery. It stayed behind the counter for weeks.
A Mannequin Slumped in a Booth
Credit: iStockphoto
After a packed Halloween event at Copa d’Oro in Santa Monica, a lifelike mannequin sat slumped in a corner booth. When they realized it wasn’t alive, they left it in place for weeks. It eventually became a quirky fixture that patrons posed with.
A Bird Where No Bird Should Be
Credit: iStockphoto
Staff spotted a small, lifeless bird under one seat when stools were lifted after closing. It was not a toy or decoration, and no guest mentioned bringing it in. A dead bird indoors can be a health risk because bacteria and mites may spread from it. The team carefully removed it, disinfected the area, and carried on.
A Notebook Full of Stick Figures
Credit: iStockphoto
During cleanup at Copa d’Oro in Santa Monica, staff noticed a spiral notebook wedged between menus and napkins on the counter. Flipping through it revealed dozens of pages filled with stick figures, arrows pointing to nowhere, and sentences that cut off mid-thought. Staff often scan forgotten notebooks hoping to find a name or contact, but nothing inside identified the owner.
Medical Notes Ignored
Credit: iStockphoto
Under one empty pint glass was a sheet of post-colonoscopy instructions warning against alcohol and urging plenty of fluids. Ignoring such directions can delay healing or cause complications, yet the owner clearly disregarded them during a night of drinking. The staff placed the page in lost and found, but no one returned for it.
A Singing Santa Left Behind
Credit: iStockphoto
As the bar lights dimmed hours after a holiday party, carols suddenly echoed from a corner. A life-size Santa, equipped with a motion sensor, had been left behind. Large animatronic decorations like this can cost over a hundred dollars, so it’s puzzling how no one came to collect it.
Foam Swords Appearing Weekly
Credit: iStockphoto
One bar noticed foam swords showing up on different nights, often near the coat rack. Foam swords are popular at live-action role-playing events and kids’ parties, but no matching group was ever seen. Staff eventually mounted them on a wall.
A Crutch With No Owner
Credit: iStockphoto
Near the exit of a packed downtown bar, staff found a single crutch leaning against the wall. Medical equipment like crutches is essential for mobility, yet no one returned or called about it. Without proper support, an injured person could risk further strain or falls. After weeks with no claims, the crutch was donated.
A Superhero Outfit Without Its Hero
Credit: iStockphoto
One night after closing, staff noticed a bar bench sporting an odd bundle: a superhero cape, gloves, and boots arranged with care. No one could remember a guest arriving or leaving in costume, which made the find even stranger. As the days went by without an owner stepping forward, jokes about hidden alter egos filled the room.
An Accordion Tucked Away
Credit: iStockphoto
During the final cleanup of a busy night, staff scanning under tables spotted an unexpected find. Sitting there was a full-sized accordion, heavy and unmistakable, with no guest returning to retrieve it. Rather than store it out of sight, they set it on a visible shelf where it still works, though no one plays it.