Just had dinner here after getting our daughter settled for Penn State - what an awesome place! Got a table no problem (reservations on their website) and had an excellent server (Alexus). We started with a flight of whisky's for me, a cab sav for my wife and a cocktail for my daughter. All good! We had some maple bacon Brussels to kick things off and they were legit! I got the coconut curry salmon - DANG. So good! Crispy skin, perfect rice and the snow peas! My wife got the Delmonico (I had to help her, oh darn!) and it was perfectly cooked and very nicely seasoned. Daughter got the short rib and oxtail over noodles and they were perfect. Everything was exactly prepared and delicious! After dinner we went to their distillery tasting room and tried a few more of their distilled offerings, bought several bottles but the star of the show was the Limoncello! This was not your Italian, tastes like Pine-Sol limoncello - this was perfectly balanced and exceptional! Definitely put this place on your list if you're in the State College area. We are! read more

I stopped in here every time I am out here in state college, they have amazing mixed drinks and fantastic food pairings.

Good food, beverages and Solid service. They treated us very well on my father's birthday. Staff went above and beyond. read more

Stopped in for a bite to eat before heading to Beaver Stadium for a concert. Online reservations said "come on it, there is currently no wait". Got there and there was an hour wait. Ended up waiting 20 minutes then sitting in the bar area, 40 minutes later they called saying my table was ready! I ordered the Cherry Apple Cider, which was good (and cheap - only $4). Hubs and I both ordered the Barrel Burger (ribeye cheeseburger with brown sugar balsamic onions, and bacon). I honestly don't remember the bacon being on my burger but I'm sure it was there. The burger was super dry and lacked flavor. I also got a side of truffle fries for $1 upgrade - they were good and worth the extra $1 The food was dropped off by what seemed to be a manager, who was nice - hubs was suppose to get French fries and they brought a salad by mistake and he offered to get fries for him (the salad looked good, so he kept the salad and said the dressing was delicious). Our server NEVER returned to our table except to bring our bill but he was super nice when he was taking our order......so I'm not sure how to tip. Bathrooms were super clean and the place was decorated nicely. read more

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Me and my husband went for dinner there and we are thinking we're weren't served well because we didn't get no alcoholic drinks with our meals and my husband got a steak and it was cook right on one side and over on the other side, he ordered mushrooms and onions on it and came burnt, my short rib meal wasn't too good either. Over cooked pasta, watered down sauce, and our waitress barely waited on us. read more

Barrel 21 Distillery is a gem nestled in the heart of Happy Valley (State College). From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with the rich aroma of carefully crafted spirits and the warmth of genuine hospitality. Sidney was our waitress and she was simply amazing. We had something in common as we are both from the Pittsburgh region. She attends Law school at Penn State, which is terrific. She was outstanding and super knowledgeable of the whiskey and if she didn't know the answer, she'd get us an answer. The Rye grain is a danko grain sourced from only the best supplier in the state of Pennsylvania by Robert McDonald from Dancing Star Farms. First and foremost, the quality of their spirits is unparalleled. Each sip tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication to the art of distillation. Whether you're indulging in their smooth bourbon, their crisp gin, or their flavorful vodka, you can taste the passion and expertise that goes into every bottle. The distillery Rye was my favorite for certain and sets Barrel 21 apart. Overall, Barrel 21 Distillery is a must-visit destination for spirits enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. With its exceptional spirits, inviting atmosphere, and commitment to quality, it's no wonder that Barrel 21 has quickly become a beloved fixture in the community. Raise a glass to Barrel 21 - here's to many more years of excellence! This was an incredible stop. Happy we made it to the area and would like to stop again. Next time, I need to have more spirits to sample. read more

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We came for dinner with a group of 16 while in town for a swim meet. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Some restaurants struggle with large groups but not this place![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waitress was absolutely fantastic at making sure everyone had what they needed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was perfect for a group.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The main takeaway from the entire group was that the FOOD WAS INCREDIBLE! Two of the chefs, Alec and Quinn, came out to the table to make sure everything was ok and even answered questions about some of the dishes. The adults were loving the crafted cocktails and the kids loved the desserts! If you're looking for a farm to table style restaurant that provides great service and pays attention to all the details-this is it! read more

The aesthetic of the place was beautiful. Very well lit inside with comfortable and modern decor and feel. The service was great, our waiter was training another waitress and the two of them knocked it out the park. Filling out waters constantly, making sure we were good on our yummy cocktails we ordered. The drink and food menu is small but has a good amount of options! Seasonal flavors, rotation of alcohol/food items. The meal was well executed my partner loved her pasta and the wasabi mashed potatoes was delicious for me. The duck wasn't fully rendered and the fat was chewy. Yet it was delicious nonetheless and we had a wonderful time. read more

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So this place is more of an upscale if you will type of destination. Not my style at all but it was very nice, clean and professional. It was next to the hotel so it was convenient and thought we'd give it a try. The service was also very nice and professional as well. The entire plate of food that I order all paired very well with one other and it was really enjoyable. Some of the menu items are on the expensive side but 2 of us had the Tuesday special and was able to eat for under $50. I would go back but it wouldn't be my pick. Once again, really nice place. It's just not somewhere that I personally feel the most comfortable in. I'm simple and easy to please. read more

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Was visiting area and restaurant was recommended. Fun cocktails and mocktails. Service was great, staff friendly and accommodating. Large portions of well seasoned food. Really enjoyed it. read more

Waited for more than an hour for food. Don't come here. After waiting 45 minutes and we asked if we could cancel but they said that the food was on the way. 15 minutes later still no food. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very enjoyable restaurant for an evening out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Decent whiskeys great food. Service was excellent. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Pleasant setting for casual dining.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Beef patty melt is the greatest thing I've ever eaten. I'm from out of town and this food is elite!

They were out of multiple dinner options (and they only have a few to start with) which put a bummer on the evening. The charcuterie board was nice but very stingy with the amounts. We ordered multiple drinks and flights and were disappointed with all. Couldn't even get a mojito that tasted good. I honestly would give their staff an A+. and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was nice but not worth the price.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I was staying the night locally and wanted a good happy hour and dinner before hitting my hotel for the night. This place was on point. The cocktail menu and happy hour specials are fantastic! Madison, the bartender, provided excellent service - attentive but not overbearing. The cocktails are on point and the salmon tartar was great. Fun menu and great ambiance. I will be returning. read more

Barrel 21 Distillery And Dining - Salmon Tartar and Ketel One dirty vodka martini with bleu cheese olives - Cocktail Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Went here again for brunch this past Sunday. Once again -- outstanding! Olivia was a great server, and the food options on the buffet were fantastic! Smoked chicken Mac and Cheese? Yes please! Thinly sliced home fries were a hit! Fresh fruit was lovely. And the Bloody Mary was outstanding! read more

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Our first trip to Barrel 21 although we are locals and go to Otto's regularly. We have transitioned from beer to bourbon. Our dinner was delicious and our Old Fashioned's were superb. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We also liked the vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Madison's service was spot on. We will be back!!! read more

This place is awesome. Staff is so friendly. Food is so good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dog friendly plus.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It was a fantastic stop. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Felt so welcomed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Emily, Trevor and the rest of the staff are WONDERFUL. Can't say enough about this place. read more

Back for my son's graduation and food was substantially improved. Several in our group had cornmeal catfish and absolutely loved their meals. Hubby had Barrel Burger and said it was awesome. I was wanting something small so I ordered the Simple Salad. It was huge and the maple balsamic dressing was very good. We appreciated that they sat us without a reservation (it was early for dinner hour) and were very accommodating. Our server was friendly and attentive. All in all, an excellent experience. read more

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Here are the pluses: -The ambience was very nice here. -Our waitress was attentive. Esp. for a busy football weekend, she did her best to attend to all her tables. -The salmon was cooked nicely (5 stars). Perfectly seasoned and skin was crunchy. -The scallops were also seasoned and cooked perfectly as well. Chef Ramsey would definitely say, "Nicely cooked!" Here are the minuses: -But the sauce was very spicy for both the salmon and scallop dishes. For the salmon, I understand they said "habanero" sauce, but I didn't expect that they'd pair such a spicy sauce with salmon. -Same with scallops with udon noodles in Thai chili sauce, it was also very spicy. I have Thai food all the time and like it very spicy, but don't expect this level of spiciness at an American restaurant. -We didn't have the duck, but it also mentioned wasabi sauce. This means, 3 out of the 5 main entrees were spicy. -The burger was underwhelming. Asked for medium rare and came to be almost well done. Under-seasoned. Summary: If it weren't for the too-spicy sauces and under-seasoned burger, this place can definitely be 5 stars. Overall, though, having a place like this in State College is definitely a plus. read more

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The good: the ambience was nice and the restaurant was clean. The not so good- the sevice was awful. We visited and it was not overly busy. We only saw our waiter thrice- once when he brought water, once when he took our order, and when he dropped off the bill. He never came for our drink order, he never checked to see if the food was okay. Never checked in period. I ordered the burger medium and it was very rare. I didn't eat 10% of my food and he never asked why when he dropped of the check. So he got a 15% tip, which I never leave(I always leave at least 20%). You're leaving money on the table if you don't take care of your guests. read more

Great food, amazing drinks and the best service in a long, long time. The difficult thing about growing up in the restaurant business and working at better establishments is the standard I expect when dining out. This is the tenth time in four days (4 states) that I've dined out and most of the places were uninspiring. So, my expectations weren't too high. Barrel 21 has blown me away. From being greeted right away, to having cold water on our table, to getting drinks within minutes, everything that is expected of a great restaurant was met. Then appetizers arrived a few minutes later and the table was buzzing over the quality of the food and drink. Then dinner came. The presentation was superb. The portions were more than enough. And the flavor was out-of-this world! I can't say enough about Barrel 21. It has given this cynical diner hope that there are still great places to eat and drink! read more

Surprisingly delicious food at this hidden gem in State College. We were moving our son in for graduate school and staying at the Fairfield Inn which has both this and its sister restaurant, Otto's, conveniently in the parking lot. Service was incredible and these could have been the best poutine ever! Such a delicious steak we shared and there were still leftovers (see picture how large this was!) Also - the cocktails were top notch, we definitely plan on returning for a distillery tasting next time! read more

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** I considered giving this place 4 stars because compared to places I've eaten and drank around the US, it's more of a 4 star place. HOWEVER, based on the local options in State College, this is as good as it gets, as far as I can tell. So it's a slightly relative 5 star rating but 4 stars for a city more into the food scene. We moved to State College about 3 months ago but already had family visiting and didn't know any good spots to take them! We resorted to Yelp and were disappointed that most places have 2-3.5 star ratings. Not great. Ultimately we decided to try Barrel21 because our group loves distilleries and craft cocktails, and it seemed like a cool place to go. I'm so glad we went there! It was a Sunday evening and a bit quiet and slow, but there was a pianist (not too loud) and plenty of seating. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and they have a nice clean bathroom. It was a bit fancier than we expected in our jeans and flannels but I think we fit in just fine and the formality is only what you want it to be. Their menu changes somewhat frequently (perhaps once a month or once every few months- I don't know for sure), so menu photos you see on yelp may not be what they currently offer. For cocktails, our table had a Green Point (very liquor forward but delicious), a Gin-Ger (extremely smoky w/ scotch), a blackberry bourbon smash, and a blueberry horseradish mule (made with their own infused vodka). I think everyone enjoyed the cocktails they got. I had the mule and really appreciate when a bar can take the basic mule and make it their own. The horseradish wasn't overpowering and added great depth to a normally syrupy cocktail. The blackberry bourbon smash was my second favorite! All of their cocktails really sounded delicious so I hope to be back soon and slowly work my way through the menu. For appetizers, we had the jalapeno/andouille deviled eggs as well as the vodka soaked olives. The deviled eggs were my favorite. They also served us complimentary bread with a herb butter. For dinner, 3/4 of the table got the culotte steak and all enjoyed it. I ordered their special salad (mixed greens, apple slices, cucumber, tomatoes) and had their aged gin vinaigrette with it. The vinaigrette was, in my opinion, the star of the show with the salad. It was delicious and not as sweet as many vinaigrettes. I highly recommend it. I added chicken to my salad and it was also very good- well seasoned and a larger portion. The large salad is HUGE, just FYI, so if you want to go light, get the half salad. I also ordered the truffle fries and was impressed. Overall the food was very good and they don't skimp on portions. A few other quick notes- they have some really good looking happy hour deals, as well as a cocktail of the day that is discounted. It's very difficult for me to figure out happy hour deals in town so I've added a photo to this yelp page that will hopefully be a help to some of you. The service we received was very friendly but i know some at the table thought our server was too chatty and stayed awkwardly long at the tables. She also seemed to come by at odd times. It didn't bother me too much but I know my husband thought it was a little weird. Anyway- this is a gem for state college and I highly recommend it! The prices are a little high for dinner but you get what you pay for. Excellent cocktails and a cool vibe. read more

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Earlier this week, I had to travel to State College for work and I went to Barrel 21 with some friends. I have been here multiple times, but never wrote a review. We went there for dinner, and I had their burger and fries without the bun. You can tell by the photo that it did not disappoint. The aioli sauce was phenomenal and I tore the whole plate up. Not a crumb left. The burger was filled with so much flavor and the bacon that was on top was everything. If you are looking for something simple and good, head to Barrel 21. Now you may find some wait times during the weekend, but during the week you can catch them a good time to get right in. I also had an old fashioned because that is my go to drink. I was pleased with the outcome of the old fashioned. Our sever was great and attentive. The ambiance is quite pretty, but can be laid back as well. This would be a great place for a first date. read more

Barrel 21 Distillery And Dining - Cocktail Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great food, service and ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely worth it. A unique menu that has delicious food.

We went for my husband's birthday. A tenderloin salad came out with a no tenderloin, we had to ask where the tenderloin was, server didn't know. Then sent a bowl of tenderloin out, never asked how to cook. Then manager asked me to explain to her what happened. Server never came to get bill we had to take to the bar. we've really enjoyed in the past, will not go back. read more

I went here for brunch on a Sunday. The selection was mediocre at best and highly overpriced for what they offer. There's also very little to choose from for vegetarians. Their French toast offering did not look appetizing so I had pastries, broccoli and cheese soup, and yogurt. Not worth the money for me. read more

Excellent! I've been to their partner restaurant - Otto's Pub - about a dozen times. It's very good. I chose Barrel 21 simply because it's one of the few places in State College that take reservations. This is convenient on a football weekend. The food was excellent, the service very good, and the prices are completely reasonable. They have a great selection of their own beer too. read more

The service was fine. The food was overpriced for how terrible it was. The grits with smoked pork tasted like straight salt. The French toast was dry. The orange juice tasted like minute made. The home fries, while they were covered, were cold. Which tells me that they weren't REHEATED properly. Sadly to say, the best thing there was the cut fruit that was starting to get soft from how long it was sitting at room temperature. It's safe to say that my family will never be going back there to spend 22 dollars a person for their terrible brunch buffet. read more

Great vibe ... great food ... great service ... what more can I say. Ok, I know you want more, so here it is. We decided to dine here for two reasons: 1) We had lunch at their affiliated restaurant Otto's Pub and Brewery the day before and had a great experience; and, 2) it was a short walk across the parking lot from our hotel after a long day at the Penn State Arts Festival and we were tired. Whatever the reason, lucky us. This is a nice restaurant with a great vibe. The hostess, our server, the manager and the staff in general were all fun and professional. Even more notable given that the place was full on a Saturday evening and a group of about 25 came in within minutes of our arrival. I had the catfish entree as I like catfish and so few places serve it; it was great. My wife had a chicken dish with a fabulous sauce (she asked for more sauce). So, the chef's great performance matched the service at the front of the house. Thanks for a great and fun evening out! (Sorry, forgot to take pictures.) read more

I'm giving them 4 stars for State College, as it's great to see restaurants that try to do things the right way start pop up in town. Was the Saturday for dinner after a football game, so keeping that in mind as well. Restaurant itself has a very nice somewhat upscale yet casual atmosphere. Waitress was a little overwhelmed and not very attentive, but again understandable with a football crowd. In terms of the food, everything had potential but missed in some element of execution. All the components of the burger were good, yet it was under seasoned and over cooked (well done vs medium ordered). Would have been a lot better with a little more salt. Truffle fries excellent. Scallops were very good and cooked perfectly, yet Thai chili sauce served with them was overly spicy and noodles were clumped together and over cooked. Salmon again cooked and seasoned perfectly, but pasty sauce which was again very spicy. Glad I was able to try Barrel 21, which has tons of potential with a little better execution. Maybe they're sharper on non-football weekends. Certainly understandable. Even as it was, better than the vast majority of restaurants in town. Note that they take reservations via Resy, even on football weekends, a major plus. read more

Good espresso martinis and Ottos beers. Like the cheesesteak egg rolls. Only open on weekends ?

This is a fine choice for a cocktail and bite and is right across from the Fairfield that I stayed at. It is a partnership with Otto's Brew Pub and serves their beers. The inside is upscale and has great bartenders. I had two of the cocktails - Ancho Daiquiri and Bourbon Sour. Both were great. The daiquiri was served room temp, which was interesting. I had the poutine. Surprisingly - a little too much bacon which made it taste too salty. The beef bites and gravy were tasty. Pricing was reasonable. There is a tasting room in the back and spirits for purchase by the bottle. read more

Super great atmosphere! The brunch was amazing and super reasonable in price! Definitely going back! read more

Barrel 21 Distillery And Dining - Lemon drop martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Server was vey nice and attentive. My chicken sandwich and side salad was excellent. 10/10. Crispy and flavorful. The salad with the sesame vinaigrette was excellent. Roasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds onions, carrots. Excellent. My son's chicken sandwich was 3/10. Overcooked and too much char. Truffle fries were good. A little inconsistency but I will give it another try. read more

Very, very good place for a meal and drinks in the State College area. Our group of 5 had a few drinks (which are very strong, but smooth...you are getting your $$$ worth). Person who ordered the Gimlet really enjoyed it....person who got the UN THAI D thought is was VERY strong...I tasted and there was no mistake that there was alcohol in it....but it does say "Navy Strength Rum" in the description. Had a meals and apps (smoked thighs, poutine, burgers, pistrami sand, chuck roast entree, etc). Salads that came on side were tremendous, and dressings were home made. The poutine is a pretty good representation of what good poutine is (I felt) and not just some fries with gravy and cheese curds thrown on them. Prices I thought were as expected (not outlandish) for this type of restaurant. If I have any regrets, I should have gotten a steak...it looked excellent. If you're in town for an event or want to take someone from the university out for a nice dinner, stop searching and try this place. It will fit what you are looking for. NOTE: Make sure to call or make a reservation. It can get busy. read more

This started out as a martini, but the gin was so terrible it was undrinkable. I asked the Baman to add lime juice and simple syrup and tried to turn it into a Gimlet. It was still bad. The duck was tough and chewy, like it had been pre cooked and microwaved. I won't go back. read more

Barrel 21 Distillery And Dining - A martini that became a gimlet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Loved the brunch service. The food was cooked perfectly and the apple french toast was to die for! My grandson ate two plates of food without the normal fighting! Will go back again. The ambiance was perfect! read more

I haven't been here in a while, but it is a stop on the Central PA tasting trail, so we took our passports and off we went. I've read good and bad reviews, so in fact I made us some prime rib at home, and we ate before we came. We sat at the bar, and it did take 10 minutes before we were acknowledged. Wednesday night, place was about 40% occupied, 3,4 servers. Once we were waited on, service was nice. Bartender (Veronica?) was friendly, talkative, made a good Sazerac without seeming stressed on how to make it. Noted groups coming in. A group of 4, no hostess, they waited about 4 minutes then turned and left. Another group of 5, waited 5 minutes, but then were warmly greeted. Saw food passing by, salads, chicken tenders or something, looked tasty. Was afraid to see what they were charging for food though. As for the tasting trail, the "gift" is that you get a 3 pour sampler of their spirits, such as Gin, lemon cello, navy strength rum, bourbon, etc. nearby Ottos was on the tasting trail too, but when we visited there, they said you don't get anything, so we bought 2 small beers, stamped the passports and ate down the street. I think that Barrel has worked on their service, and their culinary is up to par for most, but they could in my opinion work on the hostess stand, and perhaps offer more reasonable prices. In the past, their was some arrogance as if they were the only bar in town, but I saw some improvement this visit, if not humbleness. I think there will always be fussy eaters, not enough vegan choices or some such thing, small portion size, etc. it seems like, if the prices were a bit lower, some of those complaints might fall by the wayside. read more