Canadian drinker downs pickled toe

A bar patron in Canada left his follow drinkers stunned after he downed a pickled human toe last week.

The Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Yukon, used the toe in its “Sourtoe Cocktail”, as part of a tradition that dates back to the 1970s. Those who are brave enough can have the toe dropped into their drink, in order to become a member of the “Sourtoe cocktail Club”. More than 50,000 people have already joined the club.

There is a CA$500 fine for swallowing the toe, but that did not stop the unidentified man from indulging in the rather gross bar snack.

Terry Lee, who has worked as “toe captain” since June, told the Canada Star: “I’d never, ever expected something like that to happen.

“This guy popped it in his mouth . . . takes $500 out of his pocket and slams it on the table and starts walking away.

“I said, ‘Where’s the toe?’ and he said, ‘I swallowed it’ . . . I was shocked.”

Lee said the toe, which is “a dark brown colour, completely wrinkled”, was downed along with a Yukon Jack whisky. He added that after downing the toe the man “quickly grabbed his pint of beer and chugged.”

Now, with no toe on show, Lee is on the look out for a new one. He said that previously the toes have been donated to the bar, one was given to him after it was cut off by a lawn mower. Lee added that once he gets hold of a new toe the deterrent fine will be put up to $2,500.