Your Ultimate State College Bar Guide: Beyond the Banana Bar Crawl
State College, Pennsylvania, home to Penn State University, is a vibrant hub with a bustling campus and a lively student population. The area is known for its diverse nightlife, attracting locals and visitors alike. Whether you're a student, alumni, or a first-time visitor, this guide will navigate you through the best bars State College has to offer, going beyond the novelty of a themed bar crawl to explore happy hour deals, game day hot spots, and iconic local haunts.
The Allure of the Banana Bar Crawl
The Banana Bar Crawl offers a unique and exciting way to experience the State College bar scene. This isn't just any pub crawl; it’s a themed event, encouraging participants to embrace a fun, tropical vibe with banana-inspired attire. Think yellow shirts, banana suits, and themed cocktails. The crawl takes you through a curated list of establishments, from historic watering holes to trendy venues. It's a social event, fostering connections among alumni, students, and visitors.
Featured Bars on the Banana Bar Crawl
The Banana Bar Crawl State College gives you access to some of the best bars in town.
The Tavern: A State College institution located in the heart of downtown. Known for its history, extensive beer selection, and food, it's a great place to start your crawl.
Champs Sports Bar: A sports fan's paradise with plenty of TVs, a lively atmosphere, and a menu with tasty bites and cocktails.
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Zeno’s Pub: A gem offering craft beers, cocktails, and a laid-back vibe.
The Beer Barrel: Known for its large beer selection and karaoke nights.
Local Whiskey: A trendy spot with expertly crafted whiskey cocktails.
The Saloon: A must-visit with a rich history and a great selection of drinks.
The Banana Bar Crawl State College offers drink specials at each participating bar, including discounted drafts and signature cocktails. There are also games and activities along the way, like drinking games and bar trivia. The crawl prioritizes safety, encouraging participants to pace themselves and stay hydrated.
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Beyond the Crawl: Happy Hour Havens
State College's nightlife extends far beyond organized events. The town boasts a variety of bars, each with its own unique happy hour deals. Many of these specials have evolved over time, making it essential to stay updated on the latest offerings.
The Den: Offers happy hour deals until midnight every day except Sunday, featuring half-priced mixed drinks and beers, as well as $2 dirty sprites on Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, The Den has a variety of $3 drink specials.
Brothers Bar and Grill: Located across from Champs, this bar is known for its sports-centric atmosphere and Long Island iced tea pitchers. Specials include $5 well pitchers on Fridays, $3 Long Islands on Wednesdays, $8 purple Gatorade pitchers on Thursdays, and half-off everything on Sundays.
The Gaff: Offers happy hour from Wednesday to Saturday until midnight, with daily specials of $5 24oz tall boys and $6 liquor pitchers.
Bill Pickle’s Tap Room: A popular spot with a variety of $3 shot options, including green tea, pink starburst, pine upside down, and twea shooter.
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The Basement Nightspot: A club-like venue offering $1 vodka drinks, $2 Big Basement Teas, $3 U-Call-It well drinks, and $4 Truly cans.
Doggie’s Pub: Features a wide selection of happy hours throughout the week, including $3 12oz well drinks, $3 24oz Michelob Ultras or Miller Lites, $3 green tea shots, and $4 Jager bombs.
Local Whiskey: Located on E. Beaver Ave., this bar offers 20% off all whiskey on Wednesdays, $5 Suntory Toki Highballs on Fridays and Saturdays, and $6 George Mickel Manhattans on Mondays and Tuesdays, with $6 margaritas on Thursdays. It also alternates nights of $2 Miller Lite (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and Yuengling (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) drafts throughout the week.
Primanti Brothers (Pman's): Offers $3 shots of Fireball, $10 domestic beer pitchers, and $2 slices of pizza on Fridays.
Cafe 210: A popular spot for conversations, Cafe 210 offers a variety of $3 shot options, including green tea, Jolly Rancher, and purple Gatorade, as well as daily specials like $7 Bacardi pitchers and $5 pork baskets on Bingo Night Wednesdays, or $7 Smirnoff pitchers on Karaoke Tuesdays.
Navigating the Weekend Scene
The State College bar scene is heavily influenced by Penn State events. Game day weekends, especially during events like White Out, transform the landscape. Popular spots like Primanti Bros and Champs Downtown become incredibly crowded.
Timing is Everything: On normal weekends, arriving at popular spots around 9:30 PM is advisable. Game day weekends require strategic planning due to increased crowds.
LineLeap Strategy: Monitoring LineLeap pricing can help determine the best time to visit without paying exorbitant fees. Prices surge when demand for skip-the-line passes increases.
Day Drinking Destinations: Doggie’s Pub and Cafe 210 are popular day-drinking spots, especially when the weather is warm.
Local Favorites: Beyond the Specials
While happy hour deals are enticing, several State College bars stand out for their atmosphere, traditions, and loyal followings.
The Tavern: A legendary spot oozing tradition, known for its Table Wars and live music.
Zeno's Pub: A quintessential dive bar with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying brews and conversation.
Bill Pickle's Tap Room: A town-and-gown bar bridging the gap between students, alumni, and locals, famous for its wings and lively atmosphere.
Local Whiskey: Rated as the best bar in State College for the over-30 crowd, offering a relaxed atmosphere, great food, and delicious cocktails.
Cafe 210: Known for its 55 Days Challenge and a menu of drinks, making it a place people want to return to.
The Shandygaff (The Gaff): One of the oldest bars in town, a destination for students and those looking to dance.
Tips for a Successful Bar Experience
Comfortable Footwear: State College has a vibrant nightlife scene, and you’ll be walking from bar to bar. So, while you may be tempted to rock a cute pair of shoes, comfort is key.
Hydration: It’s easy to get carried away with the fun, but be sure to drink plenty of water along the way.
Bring Friends: The Banana Bar Crawl in State College is best enjoyed with friends, so gather a group to make the night even more exciting.
Embrace the Theme: While it’s not mandatory, we highly encourage participants to embrace the banana theme and dress up in banana-inspired attire.
Plan Transportation: It’s important to plan ahead for transportation.
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