Bat Bar in Lost Canyon Cave, Ridgedale, Missouri
If there’s another drive-through golf-cart bar in a bat-filled cave on top of a mountain, we don’t know about it.
IN THE MISSOURI OZARKS, THE Bat Bar gives new meaning to the term “watering hole.” It’s next to a waterfall within a mountaintop cave. The good thing is it’s never all that crowded, unless you count the bats.
Visitors park at the Top of the Rock welcome center and take golf carts through a 2.5-mile woodland path over streams and bridges, stopping at both a butterfly garden and a scenic overlook calledEagle Pass. Shortly into the trip, the trail dips into the Lost Canyon Cave, wherein lies the one-of-a-kind bar. Tipplers remain in their carts as they park next to the wood-built bar constructed in 2014. “Better Settle Your Nerves,” reads a paint-splashed board below the counter. They can choose from a number of cocktails, from John L’s Hoop-de-Hoo (vodka, tonic, and grapefruit), the Cannonball (amaretto, bourbon, and pineapple juice), or Bat’s Blood (vodka with strawberry and peach lemonade). Bottled beer and wine by the glass are also available.
Take your time rolling through the Lost Canyon Cave: It’s home to a natural waterfall, a live bat colony, and the skeletons of both a saber-tooth tiger and a short-faced bear. Visitors aren’t allowed to walk around the cave itself, but a railed pathway snakes around the waterfall pool at the heart of the lantern-lit cave.
If the bar does get the best of you, Big Cedar Lodge always has overnight housing available.
Carts are available for rentals from 8:00 a.m. until 45 minutes before sunset. Drivers are permitted alcohol, but not before signing a liability waiver.
“come on, robin, to the bat cave! there’s not a moment to lose!”
-batman
—
credits: atlas obscura, trip advisor
Now, tell me the bartender’s name is Alfred and I am sold!
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could you give up the bat mobile for a golf cart?
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Not for just any golf cart, but for the “bat cart” I would.
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right!
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Caves are fascinating. I’ve explored several on Vancouver Island. Thank you for your fine work.
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Ozarks is an interesting name. Voyageurs named this place “at the arches,” aux arcs. It became Ozark. I wonder if they saw bats.💕
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Brilliant idea!
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it is!
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😂
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I would have to try that, as long as no bat droppings fell into the drinks! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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an excellent point )
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Interesting …
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people are so creative
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I like the way you’ve gone to bat for this bar, Beth …
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perfect answer )
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So,um, bat guano? I don’t think that’s a spice I would like. Cool idea though.
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I’m guessing they have those details worked out, hopefully )
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I suspect I would need to be well “fortified” with alcohol before I would even consider getting into a vehicle that wants to take me into a cave with live bats.
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ha, it does take a bit of thought )
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Genius!
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it so is!
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This is close to me and I love it! It’s such a pleasure to visit Top of the Rock, Dogwood Canyon, and so many places Johnny Morris has built here! To the caves! Sip sip hooray!
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lucky!
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It’s such a blessing! And a treat when I can go as nothing is cheap anymore. Living near a tourist area is so great. And like a tourist, I really have to save,…but the trails and parks are free! I think you’d love this area, Beth. 💛
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it sounds wonderful
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Bats and booze! Onward!
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I mean….)
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That Cannonball sounds amazing!
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get there soon!
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Exactly
Sent from my iPhone
>
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)))
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I love this, and I love both Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura – exploring our world and sharing cool stories – thanks for sharing this!
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yes, both are amazing
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This sounds pretty awesome! Nice of the bats to share their cave:)
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very kind of them
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I would stay as far away as possible from any place that harbors bats. Just sayin…
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I actually became a fan when I went to a bat rescue center and learned a lot about them, but I know they do creep people out )
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Estupendo texto.
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Sounds like fun, especially the not-having-to-walk part.
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right!
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I just sent this link to my husband. Who knows, if the bar serves plain lemonade….it might be go 🙂
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great!
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Not sure if I wanted to be there….. with the bats. 🙂
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I actually like bats, but wonder how fun they are?)
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What a stunning idea! Awesome all over!
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yes, yes!
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Now THAT is cool!
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Isn’t it?!
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Wow! I want to visit…
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it looks pretty cool
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What a fun idea. I would totally do it. 😁
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I can picture you there –
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🙂 But what t-shirt would I be wearing?…. 😉
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the folded bat
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Of course! 🙂
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This story is the best! I’ll bet Batman and Robin never thought of this in The Bat Cave. I’m in.
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if they did, it was a well kept secret
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Sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing this with us.
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it does sound really fun
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Very innovative of someone. I’d pop by for a visit. I like bats too. Thanks for sharing this.
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I think it would be fun –
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Very Interesting
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isn’t it?
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Okay…that’s just silly. LOLOLOLOL
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)))
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Never in a million years. Yes, I know it’s a golf thing and safe…but no. I will happily play with snakes and spiders (really), but not bats. My bat Jennie Story sys it all.
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yes, I get that ))
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😀
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Amazing looks fun!
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it does -)
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Wow
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Wow. I need to take my family to see caves! Thanks for sharing
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