Drinker Guzzles Bar's Prized Toe

Rule No. 1 of a Yukon Territory bar's infamous "Sourtoe Cocktail" challenge is "The lips have gotta touch the toe" placed in the drink. But another, equally important rule is "Don't swallow the toe." An American who swallowed the pickled human toe in his drink—apparently deliberately—had to cough up a $500 fine to Dawson City’s Downtown Hotel and the establishment is now looking for a backup toe, the CBC reports. It says donations are welcome.

The bar's official "toe captain" says the toe-guzzler was clearly after "bragging rights"—the man slapped the $500 fine on the bar as soon as he swallowed the toe and vanished before discussions on its return could be opened, he tells the National Post. The toe-swallowing fine has now been hiked to $2,500. Up to 15 previous toes have been lost, stolen, or swallowed but the bar may soon have plenty of spares: The riverboat captain who started the tradition after finding a pickled toe in an abandoned cabin 40 years ago says that he plans to donate all ten of his to the bar when he dies. (More strange stuff stories.)