I'd never been to Zeno's on a weeknight early before. Very empty and brighter than usual, but still friendly 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. read more

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Amazing drinks, on the pricier side in the area but for a good reason! The cocktails are super good, 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! read more

Zeno's - vodka cran - Dive Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

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On our second ever visit to State College, we decided to give Zeno's a try. (Our first visit to SC was very meh). Zeno's changed that. The atmosphere is College Underground - Very Low Key. They have an excellent beer list. Super knowledgeable staff and nice customers in general. Though we didn't eat here, one of the locals we met thought the burgers were pretty good. Guess I'll have to check it out next time!!!! read more

Zeno's - Love the beer menu. Go cheap or be adventurous! - Dive Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

I've now been to Zeno's a few times. Once for a monthly concert (a Tuesday night) and a couple times for Monday night trivia. You don't get much of a welcome- all the bouncers have been pretty unpleasant. They don't smile, seem unhappy if you ask questions, and just generally don't seem to like you or themselves. A little weird. You pick your own seats in the small area which is usually fine but it can get crowded. They have a few really excellent drink deals but unfortunately not much besides beer. They have a full bar but the discounts are usually only the beer and food, cocktails don't count which sucks if you're gluten intolerant. The bathrooms are weird and freak me out, tiny stalls that you can see over and extremely cramped. It's all very divey so if that's what you enjoy, this is a great spot! The live music we saw is a local band that brings out of town bands in and they do a show. It was surprisingly good BUT extremely loud because the bar is so small and cramped. Not a huge issue but don't expect to have a conversation. Trivia nights are a lot of fun but can get crowded. There's usually a $5 fee per team of up to 6 people. The servers at the restaurant are nice but often seem overwhelmed by the number of people, even when it's not full. Not a huge deal, just part of being a dive bar I guess. It's not a bad place, I will likely be back for trivia and occasional concerts. The food is a little expensive but decent. Beer is cheap, cocktails not usually. Don't let the bouncer or the bathroom scare you away! It's one of the better bars in downtown. read more

We were in town for a concert and stopped here for a few beers and some food. The grungy atmosphere was great and fun. The staff was friendly and we would definitely stop here again if we are back in town for a few. read more

For any other city Zenos would likely get 1 or 2 stars, but for State College where the alternatives are being surrounded by horrible frat bros or spending $15 per beer at the classy establishments, Zeno's is a breath of fresh air. Every once in a while you really just want to find a small place where you stick to every surface and are surrounded by locals. Zeno's is absolutely that place. They have a descent deal on PBRs, which is good because I can't imagine thinking about ordering something other than a PBR at a place like this. Although I have tried their cocktails, they are not good - stick to beer! Food is pretty good bar food to satisfy that craving for hot, greasy food. Bathrooms are scary but also pretty fun because I think I learn a new profanity every time I go in there. If you go regularly, it is neat to see the evolution of their graffiti. One big plus is trivia! They have a devoted trivia following that is definitely worth getting into. $5 per team and pretty good awards. read more

Worth a stop for sure. Neat vibe here, and rather unique to the area. A must visit for state college dive fans.

Concrete steps lead you to a dark ratskeller type underground room surprisingly cool on this balmy August night. Clusters of round, dark wood tables, reminiscent of a cozy Belgium pub. Obligatory Pool table and darts. Acoustic trio that was easy to watch. Somehow at 10:15 pm on a Thursday it was Happy Hour and Lee's IPA pours from Maine, abv ho wrong at 9% were each, in fact, a mere 2.50 You could easily get used to a place like this !!! Here in State College you need to be 21 to even enter an establishment that serves liquor, so we had to leave out 16 and 18 year olds out on a bench or else i'm sure we could have stayed all night read more

This is the worst bar in State College. I am writing this review in the Uber in the drive home from which I was apparently 'over served' I simply walked up to the bar to order a beer and was denied for no reason other than I had 'had too much' the bald bartender with the name tag of 'Dr. Somthingoranother' was very rude in denying me and had no actual reason. The server at our table also agreed with the entire table in the fact that I was fine to be served more. I would have loved to spend more time and money here, however the atmosphere was not welcoming at all. I would highly suggest to avoid at all costs, as this is not a fun place to hang out. PS. There's no TVs. Besides the one 24" behind the bar read more

I would LOVE to give Zeno's a great review, but that is actually impossible. So five friends and I went out to the Penn State game (along with about 50,000 other alumni and older fans) and decided to hit the college bars on Friday night. After two drinks in another bar we decided to try Zeno's...now it's important to remember - TWO drinks and two beers (a little earlier) over about three hours. We walk up to Zeno's...NO LINE! Cool, except here's the problem...the two douchebags checking IDs told two of my friends that they were "noticeably intoxicated". Now, the two guys who they were referring to wouldn't have been noticeably intoxicated if they drank ten beers in three hours so this was nothing more than two assholes keeping six 40ish guys out of their bar. Good thing we WERE 40ish year old guys, because 20 years ago I might have ended up being dragged away with at least ONE of them bleeding. Hope your bartenders enjoyed the tips... After reading the reviews I really wish I could have tried some of the great beers on tap-it really sounds like a great bar, but instead I got nothing but pissed off at the jackasses checking IDs. Luckily, Bill Pickle's Tap Room was right around the corner...they happily took us in, accepted our cash, and allowed us to drink to our hearts' content! Next year, when I once again have a pocketful of cash, guess which bar I WON'T be giving my money? read more

Literally a hole in the wall, this place probably has enormous profit margins. They have three coolers full of beer, but I was told that this was the best place in the area to get imported Belgian and German beers, and while I didn't find anything too exotic, it did not disappoint. I found all four of the weiss beers that I had hoped to see--Paulaner, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, and Hacker-Pshorr. I walked out with a six-pack of 12-oz bottles, plus five 500-ml bottles, all for $27.00. Where I come from, that is a hell of a deal. I could have picked up pub cans of Boddington's or Belhaven Scottish Ale, which I love, but it's summer and I wanted weiss beer. They also had some big-brewery selections and a bunch of American microbrews which I didn't take the time to peruse. Something about the explosion of jagged lettering and cartoony label art makes my eyes slide right past those rows. I even found a Samuel Smith organic cider, which was too intriguing to pass up. read more

I came here because of all of the great reviews I read and heard about this place. Besides having to wait outside on a Friday night when the temperature was 27 degrees. I had a great time here, the atmosphere is your typical dive bar with a fairly small bar that's crowded, roughly about 20 tables with waiter service and a game room with darts and a pool table. What I love about this place is their beer menu. I would have to say they have over 50 different types of beer at a reasonable price. $4.00 a pint for one of their home brewed beers, that's unheard of (probably cuz I come from NY and beer is expensive). If it wasnt for a few drinks I dont think I would have like the live country band that was performing. But hey live music is better than no music, sometimes. Overall I like this place and will come back next time I'm around State College. read more

Zeno's - Dive Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Enjoyed their rye whiskey and beer combo for a special deal. We were visiting the town for graduation ceremony of a loved one, got into Zeno's on recommendation & didn't regret. The ambience is cool with loud music ( I would turn it down a notch). The attitude of servers at 12AM was as great as one could expect at start of shift. Love to visit again ! read more

This is the type of bar that you go down into to watch a game by yourself and to not be bothered for awhile and emerge hours later like Robin Williams in Jumanji screaming "WHAT YEAR IS IT?" read more

Came here on a Friday night during a big football weekend and I can definitely say this place is a PENN STATE DAD bar. Definitely an older crowd, nothing wrong with that. There was a good band playing and some tables that were open we could sit. There is another room in the bar where there was some pool and games but it was really hot in there, no ventilation at all. read more

If I lived in State College, I could easily see myself being a regular at Zeno's. The atmosphere was dark, laid back and they had a killer beer selection. My husband and I ended up at Zeno's twice during our super short visit to State College. Both visits had live music playing, which made for the perfect background for imbibing. We sat at the bar both times where we had easy access to the drink list and bartender. At the time of our visit they had Stone Enjoy by 12.26.14 (YAY!). We also tried the Gus IPA (Cask) and Zeno's Rye. All three beers were new to me and awesome. The crowd was fairly mixed, but in a good way. I was expecting to be out with 21 years, but there were people of all ages at Zeno's. I had to chuckle when the college kids came up and ordered PBRs, but they were by no means the typical rowdy college crowd (at least not during our two visits). During our second visit, we got a little hungry and it was a little disappointing that they were out of soft pretzels. We had enough beer at that point, so we went on our way to stake out some grub. I would absolutely frequent Zeno's more if I could and recommend it to any beer lover visiting State College. read more

Zeno's - Zeno's draft menu 12/5/14 - Dive Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

On Tuesday's Zeno's offers Brew Fest, where they feature a different brewery and offer all sorts of unique and specialty beers from the chosen company. An all around solid place, will be back when I'm in town. Not too much of a bar area so it was a great place to chill at a seat right up at the bar and enjoy great beer. I highly recommend this location on Tuesday's for the beer flight. It didn't hurt that the featured brewery was one of my favorites Dogfish Head! read more

Zeno's - Brew Fest! - Dive Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

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I went here for a beer after dinner with my wife and ordered a dogfish head 120 minute IPA, the bartender tells me that he thinks it's too much for me(?) and that I should order something else, then turns to my wife and tells her that he can't serve her. I wish I could share a video or some other proof of how completely coherent and not hammered my wife was. It seemed like the bartender was on some weird power trip or something because when he walked over to the cooler to get the bottle I ordered he stood there for a second before he told me I should order a different beer and that he wouldn't serve my wife. I honestly wonder if he saw that i had ordered the last bottle of 120 minute and decided to try to get us to leave so he could take it home with him. Whatever the reason this was a horrible experience and I won't be back. read more

My favorite bar in the world directly above the center of the earth. My name is on the wall due to drinking 80 different beers over the course of my last year in school. Am on my second passport and close to 80 beers again! Best bar in state college and by far the best beer list in center county. WE ARE! read more

If you're visiting Penn State don't come here. We had a terrible experience. It was so bizarre that I suspected it might be their MO. Sure enough, I found similar reviews here and elsewhere. Pickles next door is also under same ownership and both places have the same pattern of poor service, rude bouncers/bartenders, and subpar food. Especially if you're in a group, they WILL target someone and tell them they won't serve them or they have to leave. Spend your money elsewhere for good customer service and an enjoyable experience with friends. read more

This place is unique. To get to in you have to go down some steps. It's a basement hideaway but has a cozy feel to it. The establishment is a long skinny room with a bar on one side and a stage on the other and tables all between. We were lucky enough to get a table. There was a band playing that was really good. Not music that I've heard before so I don't think they were a cover band. I really enjoyed the music but it was super loud so if you want to talk to the people you're with this isn't the spot for you. I had 3 drinks and paid $20 with tip. One of the cheaper places I've been in SC. read more

I have to say that this is my second favorite bar in State College! They have the best beer selection and some of the kindest staff in town. If you catch one of the bartenders during slow hours, they will go into depth about each beer on the menu and even some not on the menu. These guys really know their stuff. This bar has some family history for me. My father knew the original owner when he attended PSU. This happen to be his college dive too! On a recent visit my father was able to relive some of his golden years with me over a few pints of beer down at Zenos. read more

At least it admits that it IS a dive... wobbly tables... my drink served with no napkin...loud, nothing relaxing about it ; could not wait to leave... read more

Two years of drinking and eating in bars in State College and I still find myself constantly gravitating to Zeno's. Every single time. But why? Maybe it's the fact that even if I haven't been there in a month or two, the barbacks and bartender still recognize me and the fact I always order the daily special beer no matter what it is. Along with the occassional whiskey. Maybe because I lost my job, came immediately over to Zeno's, and had both bartenders and fellow drinkers next to me buy me a pint and offer places that they heard are hiring. (I ended up landing a job 3 days later.) Maybe the one time I watched a barback making waffles for Free Waffle Night for the first time, doing horribly, and having barbacks and patrons coming over to both help teach him. Subsequentially, they publicly wrote that he was terrible at making waffles with pool chalk on the wall. He took it in stride. Maybe from the fact that I can bring in my bag with outside food I picked up earlier and not find myself on the receiving end of a bitching out from a bouncer. And on top of that, sharing it with the staff and other people there without staff up in arms about ruining their food cost percentage. It's also the only bar I've seen someone play World of Warcraft in. I've also seen a professor grading papers with a massive pint of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale next to him. Coming in to the bar and seeing X-Men on the TV behind the bar so you can drink and watch a decent movie is also a nice one. All I know is that either way, I've never had a bad experience at Zeno's. Ever. For two years of going to a place, that's tough to do. I've brought and met everyone here at some point: professors, musicians, grad students, military guys enjoying their two weeks or finally using their GI Bill, wannabe pinball/arcade wizards, babyfaced undergrads, chefs, stock brokers, burned out townies, senior citizens laughing and talking about the "co-eds", and even my fiancee. As the one other reviewer notes a lack of "interesting" clientele, it's that she probably didn't speak to them since they're "old folks" or "alcoholics" . Sure you'll see the same faces, but that's because Zeno's is the friendliest, least demanding place to relax and drink. Want to just chill after class and get nachos? Fine. Shoot pool and throw back fruity beer drinks (Apple Pie)? Cool. Roll cigarettes like the one regular does? Go for it. Grab a quick pint instead of being in the freezing cold or sweltering heat waiting for a CATAbus that may or may not come? There's a clock behind the bar for that (somehow a luxury in bars around here). All I know is that either way, I still have 25 beers to go on my passport. The ratty looking pamphlet is crumpled and creased to death. Poor thing has been forgotten, remembered, lost, found, recounted for completeness an innumerable amount of times and has somehow still survived since its initial dating of October 2, 2008 by Mia. It's about time I finish it before I find myself leaving State College without having done so. And I'm going to love every damn minute of it. read more

Dive bar. I had had 2 beers and asked for 2 pitchers of yuengling and 1 pitcher of water at the request of the sober drivers of the group. The bartender gave me the pitcher of water and 3 glasses and said "lets just have water". Seriously condescending. 9 of is were there and we just left. We had already waited in line for 10 minutes and been " interviewed" by the doorman. I've never been to a bar that treats ALL of the their customers like wasted hobos. No respect. As an out of towner, fuck this place. We came here for the good reviews. Here's a bad one. read more

Best bar in State College. Everyone on staff here is so welcoming, fun, and great at their jobs. Great selection of beers on tap - my favorite is the Zeno's Rye IPA. The live music at Zeno's is unmatched to any other bar. There's always a mix of genres depending on the night and each band is so talented. My favorite band that plays here is a rock/alternative band called Spider Kelly and they play at Zeno's almost every Friday. This is a great place to go dancing or to sit at a table and enjoy the music. Love this place. read more

This is a bar that has been a home away from home to me for some time. This is a bar that you can hole yourself away in a corner and read or write or just watch the people flow in and out like a tide. This is a bar to plot taking over the world or overthrowing the local government or regaling the time you tripped acid with Joe Paterno (that never happened). It's that perfect dark pocket where you can be you. If there's one thing you've heard about Zeno's it's that the beer selection is a treasure. It is. What you might not know is that the staff here is family (not like literally though, that would be weird). This is their place too, and more than anything they want you to have the best of times. You want a bartender to throw you around a little bit, maybe spill some beer on you, or better yet make you wait twenty minutes for their attention? Go somewhere else -- anywhere else. This isn't the place to order your "purple trash cans" or "strong islands," you should know that, so don't be a jackass when you get your bill and it's not $2.50. It's called discretionary pricing and if you're too drunk to figure that out, that's your problem. Meanwhile, I'm drinking my totally reasonably priced Zeno's Rye (which is probably the best rye ale I've ever had, not even trying to be biased here) and it's even cheaper than usual because it's happy hour (which for this beer in particular is all day, and the happy hour beer of choice changes each day). So, if you feel like there's no place for you in this town. If you feel you're lost. If you're tired of the same old, unoriginal cover bands and shuffling shoulder to shoulder through a crowd to order your drink. If you're tired of losing your voice at the end of the night because the music is too loud and you have shout talk for hours at your friends who are literally standing several inches away, then Zeno's might be the place for you. Here, the bathroom graffiti is unrivaled (I hear they hire someone from the Philosophy Department, pay them in beer, and hand them a Sharpie). Here, the $2.50 soft pretzels will save your life at the end of the night. Here, all things make sense -- at the bar located directly above the center of the Earth. read more

To me, Zeno's sort of epidomizes "grad student/postdoc bar". Why, you ask? Let me break it down for you.... a. Atmosphere is what I call "dive nouveau". Subterranean location, lots of taps, well-worn decor. If the bar was a dude, it would totally have a three-day scruff. b. Beer selection goes above and beyond (they even have gluten-free beer here!), but everyone already knows that. c. Liquor is cheap (I know, I know....no one besides me comes to Zeno's for drinks that aren't beer, but SOMEone has to do it). d. Music never includes anything that is currently being played on B94.5. e. Average age of the clientele hovers around 26, which is a true feat here in State College. Overall, very "i'm a poor grad student who is old enough to see the value in spending my stipend on craft beer, but not above $2 well drinks"-esque. It's a nice alternative to some of the other white hat bars in town. Like most other bars, however, there is an annoying weekend cover charge, and as many have previously mentioned, the live music is L-O-U-D. read more

Visited Zenos postgame, surprised after the experience that its rated as high as it is. Server was reaching right in front of companions's faces as we talked, to pull empty glasses and dishes from table, chicken cheese steak was mehhh and fries served cold. Beer was somewhat more pricey by pitcher for brands served from tap. Saw where they put 2 charges on debit card for same meal with my bank account. After getting back home and checking account, nasty surprise I have to take additional time to straighten out. Had better chicken cheese steak at Rathskellar, fries served hot and beer $2 less per pitcher. Should've gone back there, but companions' wanted to tour another bar. read more

Let's admit it, Zeno's might be the only decent place to have a beer in State College. I appreciate that they employ people with brains who actually know their product(s) well, which probably has something to do with the fact that they make some bit of money and don't totally hate their lives. Recently I went and they had three bellydancers who were amazing, except for the fact that you couldn't stand anywhere because the men gawking from the bar stools would scream at you if you blocked their view. Our bartender/beer runner introduced me into the world of "Old Chub" which is fancy beer in a can with a high alcohol % ...it was so good and I might not ever drink anything else again when I go there. But that's why I like Zenos, you can learn something new every time you go as long as you use the invaluable resources who work there. read more

This is my favorite place in downtown State College. It's a great, laid-back dive bar. They have an amazing selection of beers (hundreds) and if you're feeling ambitious you can get a "passport" and record which beers you get. When you drink 80, you get a T-shirt and your name immortalized on the back wall. They often have really good bluegrass/folk music, and their bathrooms have some of the most interesting graffiti you'll likely ever see. But the main thing I love about Zeno's is the staff. Most of them are really friendly and knowledgeable and they just make you feel really welcome. If you like beer and you're looking for a Cheers-type place where "everybody knows your name," I would definitely recommend checking out Zeno's. read more

I've lived here for years and I have a love hate relationship with this bar. Here's the facts: Zeno's is hands down the best dive bar in town. The atmosphere, the people (customers and servers), the beer, and the music are all spot on. However, the door bouncers and the bartenders are terrible.Their terribleness negates the 4 extra stars I would have given Zeno's. If you go to the bar you WILL feel like it's a chore to get you a beer, especially from the red-headed bartender: the most incompetent and arrogant bartender in State College. If you have a buzz prior to coming to Zeno's you will not get in. Although this may be waived depending on who you are, what you look like, how good you can act sober, or a combination of these. If you miraculously get in, order from the servers who actually have some sort of human decency. read more

Great beer selection and a very knowledgeable staff. It gets loud in there when a band is playing and there's not a lot of room for standing or sitting. I paid a cover both times - $1 the first and I think $3 the second. It was cheaper on the Saturday than the Wednesday, though. There was a surprising amount of men in Crocs the second time I visited. Not sure what to make of that but I wanted to throw it out there. read more

For awhile this was my second home. The kind of place even a girl would feel comfortable sitting alone at the bar with a beer. Although you will probably make a friend or find a friend quickly if you want, but just as easily could be left alone to enjoy your delicious beer. If you like great beer selection, good live music, friendly staff, laid-back atmosphere, and an eclectic mix of people...GO HERE If you like light domestic beers, dancing/DJ type bars/nightclubs, trendy decor, and people always dressed to impress...you may not like it here. Although you probably won't dislike it here. Staff is knowledgeable and always willing to offer a suggestion. They also do serve food (from the kitchen upstairs at the Corner Room...burgers, fries, etc.) They support local musicians and Otto's Brewery. I love this place! read more

Is it the best beer bar ever? No. Is it the best bar in State College? No doubt. Does sentimentality play a huge part in giving it five stars? Bet your ass. About 30 taps and countless bottles fill this dark, basement, wooden-walled bar. It's the type of place that you go into at 2 pm, get lost in beer and conversation, only to realize that the world is going on outside, up the stairs. Who cares though, right? You are at Zenos. The uneven chairs, crowded, tables, and loud acoustics are no bother when you are drinking fantastic Belgians, incredible American micros, and avoiding the typical bar crowd that permeates State College. It's been said many times (including by Playboy) that the bathrooms are littered with the most literate bar-graffiti anywhere. Prove it otherwise. The food is decent enough when you are several beers in, though definitely not a reason to go there. Enjoy the conversation, great staff, and awesome beer. Zeno's will always hold a special place in my heart. read more

Tried to check the bar out after the PSU and App game. We were turned away rudely for wearing App colors. Talk about hospitality! Would not recommend this place. read more

A foosball table. Sparked a lifelong love affair. Olympic sport soon? read more

Five stars for having the one and only one beer in existence that can be consumed on passover!! Hooray sorghum beer! I wasn't a huge fan, but the fact that they had it predisposed me quite positively towards this place. Odd pool table (with that who Jim Beam ad on it, a little confusing, but then again I may just be looking for a scapegoat for my piss poor pool playing propensity - say that ten times in a row!). The beer menu is a sight to behold, and the staff is warm and friendly and never lets your cup go dry. Add free internet and plenty of space to sit, and I could easily see myself wasting my college years away in here, except they are already long gone. Pity. Very cool graffiti going on in the bathroom, always fun to read the wondrous intelligence of drunken college students! Oh, and for those of you complaining about the smoke, it's going smoke free very soon, so quit yer bitchin. read more

I've had a bar that I can call home for a long time, as the by product of tending bar there. When I came to State College, I knew that I needed to find that bar that I could call home to keep me sane over the next few (or 5) years. Well, thank the Lord for Zeno's! As stated over and over, they have an amazing beer selection here. It's a little more expensive than what I'm used to (I know everyone on the East Coast will kill me for that,) but it's worth every cent. I have an extensive knowledge of microbrews, and this place has things I haven't heard of. One note, is that a bartender questioned my ability to drink beer. It's not like I was standing there in Uggs/leggings drinking a Lambic, then ordered a HopDevil. I was finishing it, said "I'm drinking hopdevil, can you recommend something else like it?" and he proceeded to then tell me that I wanted a sweet beer, not a pale ale. It wasn't until my guy friend vouched that I could "handle real beer" that he gave me one, stating it was a joke and he didn't think I would be able to finish it. He did the same thing to my friend who is also a girl, and we found it a tad condescending. The overall environment and selection, however, far outweighs one person acting rudely. read more

Came here for a few brews while visiting some friends. The pitcher specials were pretty good ($9 for Stoudt's Scarlet Lady) and the atmosphere was relaxing. The overall beer selection was quite good and I was pleased with the quick service. The food however was so-so. Chicken tenders and fries were done well, but the nachos were soggy and that's a deal-breaker for nachos. The place also has a pool table and arcade area, which was nice. It was nice to find a place like this that wasn't completely packed and that drew a crowd interested in good beer. Overall, I would definitely recommend it for the good beer selection and relaxing atmosphere. read more