Shandygaff

I LOVE their drinkssss!! Great atmosphere as well! Lots of places to sit, and they have food!read more

Went here while attending a conference. The servers were nice the drink prices were just right and…read moreit was just a lot of fun. The food was just pub food but not bad and overall the vibes were vivid

Exemplary Bar

Jeff Chen usually lets folks in via LineLeap

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Dance floor behind DJ

Local Whiskey

3.5(180 reviews)

B I G Vibe Small Bar Bit Noisy…read more We stopped in Local Whiskey during our stay in lovely State College PA. Our local friends recommended the sister bar/restaurants (Local Whiskey and Central Reservation) and we were glad they did. We enjoyed delicious craft cocktails professionally made by the bar staff and enjoyed a delicious Strawberry salad. Bar had pos decor with great tile work - we felt like we were in NYC. We had a great happy hour at Local Whiskey because the staff was polite and professional. We did find the decibel level in the bar extreme. My wife's smart watch gave her (a first ever) decibel warning. Unfortunately it was so loud she and I could not have a conversation so we left.

A classic American lunch special that made me feel guilty for paying so little for such a good…read moremeal. Preface: This is only about the burger lunch special. I don't drink alcohol so I can't speak to their bar or other food. 5/5 Food: where to start with the burger- its thick patty has a great crisp outside and medium inside and is graced by nicely cooked bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a proper amount of sauce. The fries are classic, semi mush-semi crisp fries with coarse grained salt. The meal with a delicious burger that outdoes any other I've had in state college, even those that cost close to $20. Walking out the door, the meal (fries, burger, drink) cost 8.05, and I was happy to leave a larger than 20% tip to make it $10 even. I challenge you to find a better burger in state college, regardless of price. Honestly, my MBA-trained senses obsessed over what their business model might be and I'm hoping that it was providing enough for the owners and staff. 3.5/5 Service: Friendly. It was really busy when we were there and it was a tad slow, but we also had a group that came in at different times. 4/5 Ambiance: nice-ish college bar inside, clean bathrooms. Only complaint is that the booth table was too tall for the chairs, I felt like I would have been better suited to kneel to eat my burger than sit (I had one friend who did kneel to meet the height of the table) Tl;DR Excellent burger; confusingly great value.

Great Whiskey and Bourbon collection

Burger special

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Cold Craft beer

Bill Pickle's Tap Room

3.3(156 reviews)

Try the Pit Boss Platter and sit on the outside patio to enjoy a great culinary and people watching…read moreexperience. Bree provided us with awesome service and was constantly checking on us. We were super disappointed that they were out of bacon collards and would love to have tried them, but the coleslaw was good. Pet friendly and they offer a pup menu!

We've been to Pickles many times while in State College, but this time we came for barbecue and…read moretrivia which is on Wednesday nights. We loved The Pitt Boss Platter which had a 1/4 brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. Pickles and honey buttered cornbread accompanied the dish. Sides were inexpensive and delicious. I loved the green chili corn pudding, and their mac and cheese was creamy and delicious too. We wound up sharing the plate which we realized was not quite enough for two. We probably should have ordered another side. Service was efficient. Will say, though, the trivia was competitive especially as we were playing against PSU professors. However, it was still a good time. Our only critique was that it took slightly over two hours to play all 7 rounds. It was also difficult to hear and understand the MC in a somewhat loud environment.

Down South Caesar Salad

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Smokin'

Zeno's

3.7(142 reviews)

I'd never been to Zeno's on a weeknight early before. Very empty and brighter than usual, but still…read morefriendly service and a great beer selection. I wish there had been sour beers when I was in school. I would have had more options. I always liked the vibe at Zeno's and still do.

Amazing drinks, on the pricier side in the area but for a good reason! The cocktails are super…read moregood, we got a Paloma, Pink Starbust, and just regular vodka cran. The service was so kind and the atmosphere is great. We will be back more often!

Bar

Vodka cran

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Tables

Central Reservation

4.1(83 reviews)

F A B U L O U S Staff Cocktails and Cuisine…read more Do not miss Central Reservation if you are in State College PA. We had such a great experience our first HH Saturday night we stopped in again Sunday for dinner and drinks. Makalah made our visits so wonderful she gets a shout out Thank You. Makalah, and her fellow bar staff. all made superb handcrafted (took a minute or too and so worth it) cocktails for us each night such as; Sweater Weather bourbon, Mexican Firing Squad tequila, and Sangria. We also enjoyed a excellent crisp Caesar salad with flank steak with our red wine was a great dinner. The staff of Central Reservation was welcoming, professional, and friendly and we appreciated that. Next visit to State College we are dining at Central Reservation for sure. Cheers.

We had a great afternoon at Central Reservation. We were able to sit at the bar with all the garage…read moredoors open, and it was so much fun people watching! We just had drinks and appetizers but the bartenders were friendly and helpful throughout our time. The hummus and veggies were perfect and we loved the decor of the restaurant...especially the backs of the bar chairs...gotta love Miss Piggy!

Entrance at Beaver and Allen.

Broiled Oysters

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Phyrst Bar

2.8(111 reviews)

The Phyrst will always hold a special place in my heart. I grew up in State College, went to Penn…read moreState, and was lucky enough to bartend here back in the mid-'80s. These days I live in California, but every time I'm back home, I make it a point to stop in for a drink and a trip down memory lane. I met up with a few of my high school buddies on a Wednesday night while the students were away, so it wasn't packed but that actually made for a more relaxed night. The staff was upbeat and welcoming, and you could just tell everyone behind the bar was having a good time. There was a live acoustic band playing (though I didn't catch the name), which added a great vibe to the evening. The Phyrst is known for its nightly live music. The bar has been completely renovated since my time working there, and I have to say, the new layout is a huge improvement. It flows better and definitely handles a crowd more comfortably on busy nights. I even had the chance to chat with some of the bartenders and share a few stories from my time behind the bar. It's crazy how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. The Phyrst remains one of the most iconic bars in State College and has been a go-to spot for generations of Penn Staters. Whether you're a student, alum, or just passing through, it's a must-visit.

First and last bar in our trip to State College. We arrived Friday and our group was already…read morewaiting for us at Phyrst. Great beers, a restaurant downstairs, superb ambiance and plenty of room.

Bar menu

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Chumley's

3.8(39 reviews)

Great cocktails & very friendly vibe. I felt very welcomed by everyone there, including the other…read morepatrons!

Horrible. 2 men sitting at the bar saying they were going to punch each other. I tried to diffuse…read morethe situation. Bartender assumed I was the troublemaker. I get kicked out. Very poor way of handling the situation. I certainly think I was discriminated against! 2 idiots getting ready to punch each other and I get kicked out. Horrible management. You better be a friend of the bartender or your be discriminated against!!!

Vodka cran

Spring sangria. Basil vodka. Light and refreshing.

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Pretzel

Federal Taphouse

2.9(288 reviews)

0.2 mi

Overall not a bad first visit. We were seated immediately on a Thursday before graduation weekend…read moreso that was a plus. Very clean inside and loved the open layout with many table types. Our server Jonah was very attentive and even had others asking if we were good during our visit. Food overall was ok. The house made chips were great! Burger was tasty but needed something else (tomato/lettuce maybe?). The pretzel appetizer was huge and that was very tasty. Overall I'd def come back and try something else!

The hostess up front with a pink shirt on first home game 2026 was probably one of the rudest…read morepeople we ever encountered. First time on campus, met people her from all over, calm family of five meeting friends and there were one tables all around them and she refused to seat us anywhere near them, we simply asked why or if we could wait and she threatened us. I'm dumbfounded right now with how mean and unprofessional she was truly. We are both corporate professionals with 3 kids and she was OUT OF LINE. Do NOT give them business

Steak

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What's left of my Guinness

Doggie's Pub

2.0(38 reviews)

0.0 mi

Came over with a family and friends showing us the spots they used to frequent during their student…read moredays. Entered Doggies and we were taken aback by the huge outdoor space with a built-in pizza joint. Best about the place is that they allow dogs in the patio. Just awesome. Besides the outdoor space, they also have a covered outside area that suited many in our group as the sun was beating on us. The staff was quite nice and provided several large dog bowls with ice water for the pups For the non-furry lines, the beer flowed outside and inside quite well. And their counterpart to Long Island Ice Tea was superb. Everyone also ended up eating pizzas at different times. Service was superb. We were glad we weren't there during the school year, however.... I can just imagine how crowded that space can be.

In the warmer weather, my daughter who's a student loves Doggies's. They have a fun outdoor area…read morewhere you can order pizza and snacks as well play corn hole. There are also some tables out there as well as barrels to put your drink on. For drinks, you have to go inside. It's a festive atmosphere before a football game with a good mix of students and parents. Let's go PSU!

May 28, 2023 - Doggie's Pub, State College, PA

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Triplett's

4.2(17 reviews)

0.6 mi

Friday before a big game... we stopped in for a drink around lunch. Sat at the bar... sat...sat…read more.. sat ...others showed up, we all sat waiting to be served. They only had one bar tender, making the drinks for those at the tables and those sitting at the bar! Andy did the best he could, but Management did not have his back. There was a waitress trying to fetch bottles and other things for him. Andy did make a a great Margarita! With that being said, we will not be coming back until Management fixes their issues.

Triplet's was very busy, but service still seemed excessively slow even when standing at the bar…read more They had a lounge area outside where we were able to sit and relax with our drinks. No waitress there, but we went to the bar for drinks. The bar was very loud and had a fairly decent selection of beer. Even a delicious sour beer for me. They also have a full bar.

Things to do in State College

Entrance

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13 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Simon B.

Elite 18

120

521

329

17 years ago

There is ONLY one reason to go to this place: - foosball table. That is, if it isn't under the exclusive use of the Hawaian shirt wearing cigar smoking manager who plays there all night with his buddies. The drinks are cheap, but not that cheap. You get similar prices at the Den and other places in town. The dance floor is a roughly 10 X 10 area, right next to the very smelly bathrooms and a couple of small TVs showing sports replays, resulting in a bunch of creepy old guys fake-watching sports but instead staring at the young girls on the dance floor. Not sure why anybody would want to go dance there. My worst experience with this place (and the last time I went) was when a friend took us there for his bachelor party. I was taking pictures of some of party guests (7-8 guys) when the manager came up to me and told me I couldn't take pictures inside the bar, because I had a "professional" camera. It was your standard Canon entry level dSLR. I tried to explain to him why I was taking a couple pictures, showed him the groom, and told him I wasn't a professional, but no. It was either this or we left. This was especially stupid considering that I saw tons of "camera flashes" from drunk girls around us just as we were having that discussion. I guess he was afraid I was a reporter doing a piece on underage drinking, or something like that. All in all, if you're in the mood for foosball or if you need a buddy to wear an Hawaian shirt with, this is the place. Otherwise, stay away. read more

Scott D.

9

5

0

7 years ago

Really not my vibe but I won't completely knock it. If you need a place to go quick for a drink maybe don't stop in, there's usually a cover and if you're tall you feel trapped. Only go if you're a karaoke person and it's Wednesday. As far as drinks go, you're probably gonna end up ordering a beer. The drinks are cheap but unless you know the guy pouring or have double Ds, don't expect much bang for your buck. They never jipped me on liquor all together but they were never super generous either. The clientele here is... is... kinda let's call them, individuals. You're not coming here without a group of friends for sure, which is a plus, but if you're looking for a college time, keep on walkin cause you won't find it here. My biggest dislike of this place is the music. They guy playing music is playing all your favorite hits from 2012 and if you think you're gonna hear anything from the last 3 years that didn't come out on a CD that this guys has, don't expect much. I think I heard "Ridin Dirty" by Chamaellionaire 3 times one night. Another thing that sucks if you're a guy. Is there's no door on the porcelain throne. If you gotta go you either gotta leave or you can't be shy. Other than that the whole vibe is just kinda weird but you can't really hate it either. read more

Zachary L.

0

1

0

12 years ago

If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind waiting about a half hour plus on a line for about the 70% chance of being kicked out for no reason then this is the place for you. Been kicked out for simply ordering a drink at the bar while I was more sober than most of the people there. On nights the owner and bouncers aren't pieces of sh*t and let you actually have a good time, it is a place when you can have an awesome time. But otherwise on normal circumstances you will feel like there is always an eye on you because the slightest thing might get you kicked out. And the owner who always stands around smoking the cigar is a fugazy when it comes to running his business like a professional. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is going for a sure thing of a good time read more

Abbie w.

Elite 24

28

80

191

3 years ago

Shandygaff is a cute, divey establishment known for their $8-10 pitchers that are offered daily, but the best bang for your buck is during happy hour. The waitstaff is kind and so are the bouncers, and the ambience is good. Shandygaff is extremely low-key, so do not come expecting to be rowdy or have a crazy crowd. Their pitchers are strong and worth the money, but some are better than others. For example, I'd skip the orange crush pitcher and opt for the blue raspberry one instead. They also serve 814 Ciders which are always a fan favorite in the State College area. There's lots of seating and the lighting is warm and subtle which makes for a good photo op. Overall, I'd recommend Gaff to anyone! read more

Sara B.

0

1

0

12 years ago

This bar is a joke. The bouncers and bartenders think they are so entitled. They seem to be delusional and confused as they continuously kick people out that are sober and causing no problems. They feel all high and mighty like they are bouncers in NYC and Las Vegas. They act like they rule the world and are above everyone else when clearly they are narcissistic lowlifes that need to act like this to feel like they belong in the world. I dare you to go sober- you will be kicked out by 19 year olds who are disoriented where they are and what their job title is. read more

Drake V.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Worst bar to ever exist. They kick people out based on sexuality, they are extremely discriminatory. Yes I was tipsy and dancing to the music but an employee came up to me and called me the f-slur, grabbed me by the ear and told me to get the f*** out and threw me on the street and said your people don't deserve rights. Avoid this place at all costs. read more

Emma N.

0

5

1

9 years ago

Garbage employees. Soley there to take your money on over priced , flavor lacking sugary drinks. Obnoxious females dancing over themselves disregarding the presence of any one besides themselves. Insanely crowded over the weekends . Awful mainstream feminist empowering music . If you're a respectful human being , go anywhere else . Shit read more

Polly F.

0

3

0

7 years ago

Nothing like waiting in line for 45 minutes to get in, have your feet stick to the floor as you shuffle through a wall of people, get body-bumped by drunk sweaty people, and after waiting at the bar for an XL can of beer, getting kicked out for no reason before you can even finish your drink. PS. The bathrooms smell like cat pee!!!! read more

Reis H.

58

14

0

7 years ago

Their drinks made me sick, which is amazing since they were mostly ice and even on a $6 sale I feel like I overpaid. Crappy atmosphere, blockhead bouncers. Never again. read more

Ryan K.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Turned away my black friend for the reason of being under age. Had state college PD come to verify their id... still turned away. Racist bar. DO NOT GO!!! read more

D J.

2

65

1

13 years ago

If you like inhaling second hand smoke and being kicked out for just sitting with your friends, definitely spend all your money here.

Daniel R.

0

3

1

2 years ago

They kicked me out for waiting for a friend out side by the bathroom. They like an all white setting.

Evan B.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Shittiest bar in State College. You'll come out smelling like a chimney and chain smoking.

Shandygaff - bars - Updated September 2026

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Best bourbon selection within 100 miles. Big ol' fat ice and a great selection of bourbon whisky…read more They also have a great draft selection!! 100% recommend this bar!!

Went in expecting a dive bar...and we've liked plenty of dives. Still disappointed…read more House drinks looked beyond overloaded w mixes and extras. Non-smoking but still smelled like cigarettes. Two stars bc we didn't stay long enough to feel like it's fair to leave just one.

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Seems like you bother some of the staff. Lazy, rude, mostly the male staff, some of the younger…read morewomen are nice and dress and act appropriately.

Too good. New owners really hit the nail on the head with this place…read more Wishing them all the best of luck on the bar. Surprisingly satisfying bar food options and phenomenal service at the bar.

Bill Pickle's Tap Room

3.3

(156 reviews)

Try the Pit Boss Platter and sit on the outside patio to enjoy a great culinary and people watching…read moreexperience. Bree provided us with awesome service and was constantly checking on us. We were super disappointed that they were out of bacon collards and would love to have tried them, but the coleslaw was good. Pet friendly and they offer a pup menu!

We've been to Pickles many times while in State College, but this time we came for barbecue and…read moretrivia which is on Wednesday nights. We loved The Pitt Boss Platter which had a 1/4 brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. Pickles and honey buttered cornbread accompanied the dish. Sides were inexpensive and delicious. I loved the green chili corn pudding, and their mac and cheese was creamy and delicious too. We wound up sharing the plate which we realized was not quite enough for two. We probably should have ordered another side. Service was efficient. Will say, though, the trivia was competitive especially as we were playing against PSU professors. However, it was still a good time. Our only critique was that it took slightly over two hours to play all 7 rounds. It was also difficult to hear and understand the MC in a somewhat loud environment.

Local Whiskey

3.5

(180 reviews)

B I G Vibe Small Bar Bit Noisy…read more We stopped in Local Whiskey during our stay in lovely State College PA. Our local friends recommended the sister bar/restaurants (Local Whiskey and Central Reservation) and we were glad they did. We enjoyed delicious craft cocktails professionally made by the bar staff and enjoyed a delicious Strawberry salad. Bar had pos decor with great tile work - we felt like we were in NYC. We had a great happy hour at Local Whiskey because the staff was polite and professional. We did find the decibel level in the bar extreme. My wife's smart watch gave her (a first ever) decibel warning. Unfortunately it was so loud she and I could not have a conversation so we left.

A classic American lunch special that made me feel guilty for paying so little for such a good…read moremeal. Preface: This is only about the burger lunch special. I don't drink alcohol so I can't speak to their bar or other food. 5/5 Food: where to start with the burger- its thick patty has a great crisp outside and medium inside and is graced by nicely cooked bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a proper amount of sauce. The fries are classic, semi mush-semi crisp fries with coarse grained salt. The meal with a delicious burger that outdoes any other I've had in state college, even those that cost close to $20. Walking out the door, the meal (fries, burger, drink) cost 8.05, and I was happy to leave a larger than 20% tip to make it $10 even. I challenge you to find a better burger in state college, regardless of price. Honestly, my MBA-trained senses obsessed over what their business model might be and I'm hoping that it was providing enough for the owners and staff. 3.5/5 Service: Friendly. It was really busy when we were there and it was a tad slow, but we also had a group that came in at different times. 4/5 Ambiance: nice-ish college bar inside, clean bathrooms. Only complaint is that the booth table was too tall for the chairs, I felt like I would have been better suited to kneel to eat my burger than sit (I had one friend who did kneel to meet the height of the table) Tl;DR Excellent burger; confusingly great value.

Central Reservation

4.1

(83 reviews)

F A B U L O U S Staff Cocktails and Cuisine…read more Do not miss Central Reservation if you are in State College PA. We had such a great experience our first HH Saturday night we stopped in again Sunday for dinner and drinks. Makalah made our visits so wonderful she gets a shout out Thank You. Makalah, and her fellow bar staff. all made superb handcrafted (took a minute or too and so worth it) cocktails for us each night such as; Sweater Weather bourbon, Mexican Firing Squad tequila, and Sangria. We also enjoyed a excellent crisp Caesar salad with flank steak with our red wine was a great dinner. The staff of Central Reservation was welcoming, professional, and friendly and we appreciated that. Next visit to State College we are dining at Central Reservation for sure. Cheers.

We had a great afternoon at Central Reservation. We were able to sit at the bar with all the garage…read moredoors open, and it was so much fun people watching! We just had drinks and appetizers but the bartenders were friendly and helpful throughout our time. The hummus and veggies were perfect and we loved the decor of the restaurant...especially the backs of the bar chairs...gotta love Miss Piggy!

The Steelworker Tavern

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(4 reviews)

If you are in to shooting pool, throwing darts, and cold beer, this is the place for you. If your…read morelooking for a fancy dinner, maybe not. Friendly staff and locals make it worth a stop!

This is aTrue dive bar that is a little hard to find and less you are a local. Very limited menu…read more With 8 things total on the menu.(give or take)This a cash bar so no CC. And they don't run tabs. This is a good local bar. They have one beer on tab. If you want a fruity drink. Good luck.LOL the bartender holds her own . they have pickle shots here. They sold a ton of them while i was there. They a pool table and allow smoking. For true dive bars this is a place i would return to. I didn't spent a lot of money. This place gets it rating on dive bars in general. For the area it is really good

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Robin Hood Brewing

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Really great atmosphere with friendly wait staff and lots of space, it was great for a group! I had…read morea salad and it was so fresh and crunchy. The cocktails are very inexpensive. And were very good.

After being on the road all day and fairly heavy traffic, and nearing our destination, my wife…read morestarted looking for places to have dinner before you arrived at our hotel. After cruising several on Yelp, she decided on Robin Hood brewing. I'm so happy she did! We walked in and sat at the bar. Our bartender, I wish I could recall her name, did a terrific job welcoming us and getting us started for dinner. We ordered adult beverages and pretzel bites with the beer cheese to start. I ordered their American IPA while my wife ordered their cherry chill, a seasonal drink. I thought the beer was absolutely tasty and delicious! The pretzel bites came out relatively quickly and were amazingly delicious along with the beer cheese. For our main courses, I ordered the Southwest chicken salad with balsamic vinaigrette instead of their Sriracha ranch and my wife ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza. Again, our meals came out relatively quickly and my Southwest chicken salad was extremely well presented! All of the flavors came together and complemented each other in my salad! I really enjoyed it! My wife thought her slice of pepperoni was fairly good though the crust could've been a little bit more done. As for the cherry chill, it was a little too sweet. That said, it was a terrific visit and if we were in the area, we definitely would be back!

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