Noise level is loud, making it difficult to carry on conversations unless you step into the pool/dart room (which is a good option). Live music "livens" things up and makes Zeno's stand out from other pubs in town. There is a beer passport you should make sure to start if you are staying in the area for a long time --- you win a t-shirt if you drink a beer representing each country. Definitely a beer joint but the wine is drinkable. Huge selection of beers. Prices are reasonable but sometimes there is an unexpected cover if certain bands are playing. Not sure if this is typical but soft drinks are free. read more

This is hands down THE place to go if you're thirsty for a nice cold water. Who really cares if you have the biggest, best selection of beers in town if you never get served? read more

Easily the most laid back bar in State College. Ton's of beer to choose from, a lot of great music, and just an all around good atmosphere. You're not going to find the typical college "bro" crowd here either, which is an incredibly good thing considering most of the bars in State College are packed with them. Cover usually ranges from cheap to nothing, so that never really seems to be an issue either. I highly recommend Zeno's. read more

I don't drink anymore but when I did I'd go to Zeno's. They have a massive beer selection and the crowd there was just my type. The only thing keeping back a star, and something I'd say all bar's in State College are guilty of, is trying to pack the place to the ceiling at any cost and for me that ruins the atmosphere a bit. Anyway the staff are all really cool people. They'll treat you like a long time friend and are always in good spirits. read more

I first came to Zeno's in 1976 when I was a junior at Penn State. Friends hung out there because they had cheap beer and food (turkey club), and the atmosphere was laid back. Hendrix was frequently heard on the stereo. Since returning to Happy Valley in 2000, I've made Zeno's my favorite place. Did the Passport, love the beers and the people. And it still looks almost exactly like it did in 1976. You'll know me there by the French fries and gravy. The dude abides. read more

Best bar bathroom to have sex in, hands down. Plus, there is funny stuff written on all the walls!

As an alumni of PSU and State College High I was excited to come back to State College for my brother's wedding. On the night before we wanted to go out to a location we both frequented and have a drink before heading home for the evening. Arriving at Zeno's a little after ten we were greeted by two degenerate looking doormen who checked our IDs and ushered half our party through the doors. The other half of our party was left outside. After several minutes of waiting I asked what the problem was, the doorman claimed they were at capacity and were not letting anyone else in. I asked what the capacity was and he could not answer me. We bought a couple beers, were waiting for a few more people to leave so the rest could come in and when a group of 4 left they still denied them access. The doorman claimed the group was going to smoke cigarettes and would be back so they were technically not leaving. I can understand that reasoning so I didn't push on the topic until I saw them allow another group of people in without a problem. That's when I decided to say something. The degenerates at the door had the nerve to say that these were some friends of theirs and that is why they let them in. I explained to them that this was an important occasion for us being that it is the night before my brother gets married and that we wanted to come in for one drink, half of our party of 13 was already inside and it would be appreciated if they let in the rest. He said no of course with a smug look on his face, obviously now trying to create a disturbance. I decided to be the bigger man and asked that our party be reimbursed for the cover charge they had charged us so we could go somewhere that we were welcomed. He agreed to give me my money back but would not give anyone else their money back. I went to the bar and asked for a manager. I was surprised when the guy behind the bar sporting the "Thing 1" nametag (what an idiot) turned out to be the manager. I explained to him the situation and he had the nerve to tell me I did not understand the situation and that he told the doormen not to let anyone else in. I asked about the group of "friends" that were allowed in and he said he never saw that happen. So I ask... What is a manager doing working behind a bar instead of managing his degenerate staff like he should be? Where are the standards and where if the respect for your paying customers? Having just bought beers we could not drink because half our party was waiting outside I demanded a refund for those and the all of the covers we had to pay. After some back and forth with the manager and one of the doormen trying to get out of refunding all of our covers we finally walk out of the establishment. Walking away I had the manager at my back yelling about how I was making something out of nothing... I think not. It was embarrassing to myself, my family and my friends being treated like this. You are in the business of hospitality, be hospitable. I am a professional in the hospitality industry, I've been working in it for 15+ years and have NEVER treated a customer like the staff here treated us. I will NEVER go back to Zeno's or any of the groups other establishments. The best part of this all is that the owners of the group are neighbors to my family so I will make sure this review gets to them and they know how their employees are treating their customers. So to Thing 1, Josh (I think that was you from high school; nice job with your life by the way) and the other degenerate doorman, take it from a professional in the industry; this is not how you treat customers. If you would like some training I would be happy to come by and consult for your establishment and do some training sessions which are obviously needed. We ended us spending our evening and about a grand on a bar tab over at the new area above the Phyrst and enjoyed our evening to the max. Cheers to you for assisting us in finding a great new spot! read more

One of my favorite State College bars for over 40 years. It never fails to deliver - from great bartenders to great servers, and good food from upstairs. Kathlyn was fabulous as our server - very patient as we worked through some custom drink options - and she floated around the tables like a ballet dancer. Hope this bar will be around forever! read more

I'm not a huge college bar fan, but this place is alright in my book. Their prices are reasonable for downtown, and they have a good selection. They offer entertainment regularly in the main room, and the side room is good if you just want to sit and talk in a (slightly) quieter area. read more

I love the atmosphere and the staff is very friendly. I would definitely go there more if it was less expensive. There is a ton of beers to choose from but it can be a bit on the pricey side and their happy hour selection could be better. read more

Great beer selection but.... My waiter was the rudest human being I have ever met. He tried to be buddy buddy with my guys friends but treated my girlfriends and I like dirt. When my boyfriend politely confronted him about his rude attitude the waiter told me I was oversensitive and he had nothing to apologize for and that I should have a drink and lighten up. Afterwards when he thought we weren't listening we overheard him telling a bartender about us and how "that couple over there are a bunch of pussies" Some of the other waiters may have been very nice but if you go avoid this guy. read more

Ok, so I used to like Zenos. It used to be one of the chill bars I enjoyed going to in State College. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience there. I walked in STONE SOBER and my boyfriend tried to order drinks for the two of us. There was a band playing so it was loud. The bartender refused to serve me because my cheeks were red (it was cold out) and I was talking loudly (re: band playing, so I had to talk loudly to be heard). I was so embarrassed that a bar "cut me off" when I hadn't had a drink that day. The bartender went so far to tell my boyfriend that I needed water. Thanks, do I look dehydrated? I will never go back here. It's unfortunate because I used to really like the place. read more

Visiting a friend for the first time for grad week and we decided to cruise inside last night while sober. Big mistake. After trying to order some drinks, while completely sober, some tool named Ted decided to cut me off and hand me an ice water. Worst tap water I've ever had, with random floating particles not to mention the field mouse that scattered across the floor. After getting a drink from a more hospitable tender, Ted threw a stink and tried to throw me out despite that being my first drink ANYWHERE that night. Needless to say, I won't be back. Save your money and hit the liquor store instead. Bad cleanliness, worse service. read more

This is considered a "dive bar" but it's just not very laid back for my liking. I DO love the graffiti in the bathroom! Music is too loud to talk to your friends which is a complaint I have for many bars so I won't single this one out in particular for that. I guess I'm really looking for a real gritty no nonsense hole in the wall and this place was too primped poodle pretentious for me. food did look fantastic though! read more

Best Beer selection in State College, the hold "beer fests" which you pay a flat fee and get dinner and 10 samples of beer that you might not try otherwise. It is a basement bar and divey, but they embrace it. The bartenders can be rough sometimes when it is busier, but you don't have to deal with them if it is slower and there is a waiter. They have live bands and wide variety of music that comes in. This is a must visit if you are in to craft beer and want to find beer you wont be able to find anywhere else. read more

Zeno's a fabulous 'hole in the wall' bar. It's dark and has a very low ceiling, but the beer and atmosphere are great.

Extremely disappointed with the customer service at this location every time I go here. I have never had a problem with service at other locations related to this franchise (Allen Street Grill, Pickles, The Corner Room, etc) so I'm not sure why this location exhibits such poor customer service. It seems as though the staff is intolerant of the college student community which has caused an overall lack of drive to put the customer first. While the group I attended the bar with did not experience a direct problem, I saw several groups of student get into a heated argument with the manger on duty, Dave. I'm sure it is challenging to work in a college town, but the language and treatment of college students was downright upsetting. If you're looking for good beer and good customer service, save yourself the effort of being disappointed and head to the Z-bar instead. I guarantee you'll have a much better overall experience! read more

The (older) bartenders make you feel like you're bothering them. Perhaps it's because they're having conversations with their friends at the bar. However, the waiters are very friendly and sociable--I gladly tip them. Their late-night food is pretty good. Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats on Sundays--awesome! read more

Large selection of craft beer is available. Atmosphere is dingy; it is a basement bar. Live music can be decent here. A little on the pricey side, but that also keeps the clientele more 'cultured' -- many grad students and the like. Service is usually pretty good -- attentive and very knowledgeable. read more

Even though many other establishments have started to bring in many different beers to their tap lists, ZENOS is still the king of great beer. The knowledgeable staff sets this place apart as a true beer-geek bar, and not just another bar trying to cash in on the craft-beer craze. Wish the corner room food was better though. read more

While in State College my apt was right in between Zeno's and the Skellar. I loved them both, but I didn't have to put on a pair of old, trashed out shoes to go to Zeno's. Beer selection was great but under appreciated as an undergrad. Certainly make it a point to stop by when I am staying in State College. read more

Awesome beer selection. If they serve you. My husband and I used to love this bar but will never be returning again. We walked in to watch the game and have some drinks with a group of about 10. Penn state scored a touchdown and I cheered...the bartender actually shushed me. It was embarrassing. We are penn state, come on!? That's what we do. The fun continued. My friend ordered a drink, took a sip, at which time the bartender grabbed it out of her hand and said "you aren't functioning right". What??? She wasn't doing anything wrong. Then our other friends ordered some water and said they were still looking at the beer menu. The bartender rudely suggested that they "will just be sticking with water". Again, they were just sitting at a table minding their own business. I would understand if we were being obnoxious and out of control, that the bartenders would need to take care of the situation for their business, but the way we were approached was embarrassing and flat out rude. Nice knowing you zenos. read more