The Cobweb Palace

The Cobweb Palace was a popular saloon and restaurant at Meiggs Wharf in San Francisco, California during and after the Gold Rush.

It was run by eccentric "Old Abe" Warner, who traded drinks for exotic pets, curios, and pieces of scrimshaw as well as money.

Old Abe's menu included free chowder, seafood, alcohol, and local French bread, but not straight whisky, which he thought of as a lesser drink.

Warner's collection included live bears, kangaroos, parrots, cats, dogs, bats, and monkeys, among other animals.

[5] He also collected weapons, scrimshaw, totem poles, old coins, quartz, taxidermy, Noh masks, thousands of paintings, and other treasures.