Coming back for a visit and looking to rekindle the memories of that great little gay bar you loved when you lived here? Save your time this isn't the Chums you used to know.
The manager Ellen has become lazy about her job and bitter towards the gay male clientele. The only reason to go there was Brian the bartender and he's no longer there. Don't even get me started in his "replacement" who is rude and can't make anything more complicated than a rum and coke.
If you are looking for a fun place with cute boys check out Duo, Inferno, or the new bar above the Phyrst. They might not be "gay bars" but with Ellen at the helm there are more gays at other bars than Chums anyway. It's not uncommon to walk in Chums on a weekend night at midnight and see barely 10 customer. What a shame!
Ahh, I've had some good times here. The cramped space makes the joint feel lively even with only a handful of patrons, and the fact is that Karaoke here is the most fun in town.
Chumley's is that little place tucked in between the the Corner room and Indigo that it seems like no one's noticed. I've alluded to it before to friends who've been in State College for months, only to find they'd never heard that it existed ("There's a gay bar in State College?!") And when I say it's a little place, I mean it. We're talking feel-like-a-sardine-packed-in-a-can-from-the-Âmoment-you-walk-in-the-door small here. The space between the bar and back wall is probably skirting the line with fire code, since you can barely get through if someone's sitting at the bar and there's someone standing behind them. Yet, for some reason, I think that adds something to the charm. It feels really intimate, and you just have this feeling like you're friends with everyone in the room from the moment you walk in.
The bar is great, Ellen mixes a good drink, and is one of the few people who takes cocktails seriously. As a bit of a cocktail snob, I appreciate not having to explain every drink I order to her, but she's visibly happy to learn when I do order something that's just a little off her radar. The bar is well stocked, ready to handle anything from a classic cocktail to a sweet party drink to a modern mixology creation.
Overall, I like Chumley's a lot. I wish I had more opportunities to go there, and I kind of wish it was a little bigger, so you'd have room to move around. I won't complain about the lack of a dance floor, since I don't think it really fits Chumley's vibe (though there ought to be room for a place like that in town someday). Besides, how can I not give it something good when the times I've had here have all been fun and memorable? A solid 4 stars.
Chumley's is a decent little place.  Nice bartenders and good drinks,  Honestly, the only thing I don't like about the place is a lot of the guys who go there, but I moved here from a city (Atlanta) with a  legitimate gay scene...and legitimate gays.  In fact, one of my favorite bars in Atlanta is Burkhart's, which is like a (much!) larger version of Chumley's.  Go on a night when most of the local wannabes are posing somewhere else, and you'll probably have a good time.
Review Source:Ahh, Chums, the one and only little gay bar in SC. Â Great drink specials, chill atmosphere, reliable friendly bartenders. Â The space itself definitely has a little bit of a "trapped in the closet" type of feel with its lack of windows and small size (it gets crowded super fast and seating can be hard to snag during busy hours), but the crowd, the rainbow flag right on college ave, great drinks, and cozy atmosphere make it sooo worthwhile.
Review Source:I love Chumley's. Ellen is the best bartender ever, so friendly, makes a strong drink, and always remembers your face. Definitely more laid back than other gay bars I've been to in my life, no dancy-ness or anything like that. But a great place to spend a few hours having great conversation with friends or strangers :)
Review Source:A great little bar, Chumley's has catered to the gay community since the late 80's, when me and some friends started going in every evening for happy hour!
Now they have a rainbow flag out front, and a great welcoming environment inside.
Good local beers on tap, and a great bartender; enjoy this home away from home while visiting Penn State!
I love Chumley's.
I've been going for about 5 years now, and any time I walk in I either see people I know or get to talk to new folks. Patrons are friendly, and often regulars. I've only rarely encountered unfriendly folks there; the few I have met have taken themselves elsewhere soon enough. It's a rather low key atmosphere, even on football weekends.
The crowd changes by time of evening, so if Jeopardy at 7 (the only TV program besides Penn State football for which the sound is on) isn't your speed, perhaps the 11p party which sometimes includes the drag community (when we can be bothered to dress up) might be. There's not really room to dance, but we manage.
The faux-windows on the walls help it feel less small, and I love the art hanging on the walls. For those who look closely, there are a few "Easter eggs" that speak to the name of the place and Central PA. Â Personally, I love it, but I have been told I lack taste.
The bartenders, Ellen and Brian, are great both in making new beverages and helping you select something you like even when you only sort of know what that is. They remember a) who you are, and b) what sorts of things you like.
It does get crowded & loud when they host special events, most recently drag karaoke, usually to benefit the AIDS Project or State College Food Bank.
Expect you will need to show ID at the door. Because of State College rules, the fact they are on a shared liquor license with 5 other Hotel State College bars, and PA LCB targeting of gay-oriented businesses, Chumley's keeps everything unquestionably above board. Trust me, it's nothing personal.
First off, I should state that I am straight. I go here when town is jammed full of drunken fools after a football game or other event that makes town packed. This place is never packed.
Normally, Â the mixed drinks are good and you can always get a good, well poured Guinness. Also they normally have a decent beer or two on tap.
Fair warning, you will get the evil eye from many of the other patrons if you don't fit into the "gay bar" look. I don't know if they don't like me because I am not a regular, because I look like a frat boy, because they think I am in there to try and find two lesbians to have a 3-some with or they think I am straight with an 8 and think I am looking for someone to exploit. I don't know.
Anyway, I normally have a good time and the bartenders are friendly and I have had some fun conversations over the years.
If you prefer frequent conversation and community - consider this four stars... if you are hoping for a modern, gay dance venue - look elsewhere. (And good luck in this town!)
Undeniably small, this is the only bar in State College that caters to a gay crowd 7 nights a week. Â (Although some would argue that Mezzanine, Tony's Big Easy, and Indigo Nightclub attract the "closeted" gay crowd 7 days a week.)
Chumley's has an enjoyable neighborhood-feel for those who identify with the LGBTQ and allied communities. Â If you like to get involved - the manager loves to host events, so bring ideas for socials or trendy happenings and talk to Ellen!
Happy hours and community events make this bar a popular stop - especially during busy football weekends, when the rest of the bars in town have lines down the block! Â (You should also know that this place is often the "token gay place" on bar tours. Â Happily, unruly homophobes are usually booted by the bartenders.) Â
They card everyone once, maybe twice - rarely do the bartenders forget a face! Â
Happy Hours are Monday thru Thursday:
All drinks are half-price until Midnight - so come enjoy some top-shelf!
Friday Special:
If you enjoy Clem's BBQ, you should visit on Friday evenings around 7pm. Â With the purchase of a drink or two, you can get some free Clem's, free Pizza, and watch Jeopardy with the crowd!
(And yes, there are "rainbow nights" at both Indigo Nightclub and Mezzanine, but they aren't gay-friendly every night.)
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