Stopped in the bar for a couple of drinks during blue and white weekend. Â Place wasn't packed and was well worth not waiting in long lines to get in like the rest of the bars in state college.
The place had a good mix of 'signature drinks' and different types of beer. Â Definitely will go back to avoid the crowds.
I remember when this place was PA Pizza (which had delicious cheap pizza)
Finally had a chance for a good review of this place. Â
I had been here once before and the charbroiled my "medium rare" burger to the point of charcoal, but I was with my parents so we tried it again. Â We ordered the Guinness stew and Jameson glazed wings. The stew was good, but really nothing better than I could make at home, although I understand improving a stew is difficult. Â The wings were good, but once again nothing really better than I could do at home. Â The beer selection is nice, but once again nothing special.
Had lunch here for the first time yesterday and we'll definitely be back. Â Food was incredible (highly recommend Chicken Boxty). Â Drink menu was amazing (even had some nice fruity selections for us non-beer drinkers). Â Wait staff could not be nicer and also efficient but never rushed us. Â Again...it was our first time but certainly won't be our last.
Review Source:We arrived in State College late on a Wednesday night and most of the restaurants were closed, but Kildare's was open and the Irish-influenced menu looked interesting...Cinching the deal was the Yelp "Check-In" coupon for free "Irish Nachos".
As we walked along College Ave. most of the other open establishments were fairly empty...When we walked into Kildare's it was packed with what looked like both students and professor-types. It was a very energized and animated gathering.
A short-kilt clad waitress took us to the back sports pub section to a small, bar-height table in the corner. Over the room length bar there was a huge 8-wide projection screen with a basketball game in progress. Three or four other flat screen TV showed other sports in progress.
Kildare's aims to recreate the Irish pub experience. Part the the Kildare's experience is their gigantic beer list of beers from around the world. (Even though we aren't beer drinkers we did notice Red Stripe Beer from Jamaica!)
Our very friendly kilted waitress gave us some of the history of Kildare's  and took us on sightseeing tour of the pub...Kildare's has sections that are designed to represent different types of pubs in Ireland using architectural flourishes and antiques imported from Ireland. Each one is fun and interesting: the Old Victorian Pub, the Brewery Pub, the Rural Shop Pub, the historical Gaelic Pub, the Cottage Pub, and the Sports Pub.
After this interesting historic/cultural tour we decided to try some ethic Irish fare. We started with the free "Irish Nachos". (For a small extra charge we could have had beef, chicken or pork added to them.) We were glad to didn't add anything extra, because the serving was huge--a pile of house-made potato chips drenched in melted cheese and salsa, with topped with a scoop of spicy guacamole and sour cream and served in a big bowl!
We had ordered their Guinness Stew to share. (After the "Irish Nachos" we were glad we were sharing!) The stew was terrific! It was served in the same big bowl as the "nachos". The thick, rich stew had big chunks of meat, potatoes, carrots and onions in a delicious Guinness sauce, served over a large dollop of mashed potatoes in the middle of the bowl and garnished with two thin pieces of an interesting and tasty cracker bread. A great meal on a cold night!
There are currently seven Kildare's, mostly in PA, but also by the colleges in Columbus, OH and Chapel HIll, NC. Even if you are not a beer drinker, come for the Irish food! We look forward to a next visit to a Kildare's.
And I leave you with this Irish blessing:
"Here's to you and yours, And to mine and ours, And if mine and ours ever come across you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours and mine and ours have done for you and yours!"
I love the beer selection at this place but the food is hit or miss.
All I had on this particular visit was a Guinness, very indecisive at the moment and I figure you can't go wrong with a Guinness. Ordered a side of their Nachos, which I knew that they were regular potato chips but I just can't get into them. In my opinion they need to do something else to them.
The bartender was really good though, she tolerated my indecisiveness and made some suggestions all for me to just settle on a Guinness. The service was fast and friendly and I thought the value was also good. If I were you I would go check it out.
As far as Pub's go, they have just about everything I look for. Â
They have good beer selection  a great menu with a variety of options, including some things you would expect an Irish pub to serve and some things that you wouldn't.  So far I haven't had a bad meal, and the Baked, Fried, Grilled wings are at the top of my list in town.  They are constantly running specials so you can plan your visit around those if you know what you are looking for.  They have lots of seating options, and lots of TV's so you can go to watch a game from the bar or a table, or ask to be seated in the room with no TV's.  It's the kind of place you can bring parents or friends or both.  They even have live music on certain nights.  The staff is always friendly and provide good service.  The atmosphere and decor are also very inviting, and the woodwork is unique to say the least.
Worst fish and chips have ever eaten in my life. Â Ratio 3:1 batter to fish. Â And fish was weird: hard and chewy on edges - not sure if because cooked wrong or was just old fish. Â Clearly was not battered fresh. Â
Service was quite poor too. Â Bartender slow to refill beers and it wasn't even busy. Â He left twice for extended periods and didn't ask if needed another drink first.
Avoid!
First time i went there, i got a chickn sandwich- A+.. and the fries.. yummy for my tummy.
Last time i went there, nachos- C-. Grilled chicken and shrimp= C-.
Insipid chicken, shrimp and nachos felt like they were made a while ago, just warmed up.
Service is pretty good, and its usually very loud, so definitely not a first date spot. Maybe its better for lunch. They have bar inside, so its definitely bigger than it seems. They also have outdoor seating, Our server was very nice both times and were very helpful when we were trying to figure out what drinks to order. Oh i almost forgot, we went on wed night ( i think?) and their special was half off drinks and food! Also, since we checked in on yelp with our phones, we got the nachos for free! So my friend and i ended up spending- 15$ for = 2 mai tais, grilled chicken and shrimp entree and 1 glass of red wine :)
DEF find out when their half off food and drink special is.. it will be worth it just for the cheapness :) Otherwise, i still recommend this place when its not so busy :)
My g/f and I were ready for a girl's night out and the service at Kildare's set the pace! Â The server was understanding when we said we were going to be a while-he was patient, yet there when we needed him. Â The decor was flooded with Celtic crosses, vintage advertisements, and some very intriguing tables and chair sets. Â The Irish Craic Nachos were YUMMY- thick potato 'nachos' topped with the usual, instead of the nachos...quite frankly, I'd prefer these over "Mexican" nachos. Â We dined on Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips, both of which were rather close to their origins...despite the fact that they are English and UK, respectively...as opposed to Irish...regardless...The food was smashing and the cocktails AMAZING! Â As we left the building looking for our taxi, we were generously greeted by several young men who apparently worked there, asking us if we needed any assistance, to which we stated we were just waiting for our cab. Â They thanked us for our business and we thanks them, as well. Â We felt very welcomed, appreciated and safe. Â We were very dressed up and in our late 40s, yet everyone made us feel comfortable every second of our visit...Next time, I'd lose the heels, don the jeans, and order more Boxtys...can't wait!!! And more upside down drunken Irishmen, or whatever that cool drink was...Slainte~
Review Source:Recently I've been to Kildare's at least once a week. Monday night wings, Wednesday night burgers. They are often out of Guinness, which doesn't seem to bother me, surprisingly. Food service isn't incredible fast, but the staff is very friendly and very attentive.
I ordered 10 wings to try them out first, they were very good and I ordered 20 more.
I like coming here Friday night right after a hard week at work, I't puts me back on track.
I was craving a burger one night and texted all my friends to see who wanted to join. Needless to say, I got 4 of them to come out with me on a Sunday evening to stuff our faces.
I've been here twice now and am very pleased. It's a fairly new restaurant in State College - used to be formerly Hooters location.
There was no wait and we were seated at the high top tables near the bar. The prices for cocktails are a little high but nothing out of the ordinary from other bars in town.
I ordered the Pepperjack-Guac (Pepperjack Cheese, Salsa, Guacamole, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion) burger. They even had whole wheat buns to accomodate my diet.
I found a coupon online via google for free Irish Craic nachos and BOY, was that a great find. They're usually around $7-8. They're not just tortilla chips but homemade potato chips smothered in guac, sour cream, cheese and tomatoes. Super yummy!! (Definitely not good for my diet, but oh wellz).
This place is one of the best places around Penn State to grab a good turkey burger. I would recommend checking out the BBQ Bacon Burger, it is delicious and on some days they have $5 burger deals. Also they have a good selection of beers and drinks, it is an Irish pub after all!
I have only ever had a problem with this place once before, there was lipstick on a glass we were given. The manager quickly came over and apologized and gave us 20% off. Good move on his part.
1) $6.50 for a Guinness. Even the Phyrst has a cheaper one. And they're run like a pirate ship.
2) Burger tasted extremely bland, especially on a day when it's supposed to be on special for a fiver. Extremely overcooked. Darkhorse does burger specials so much better.
3) The meatloaf dish was small for the price and ended up making the fiancee rather ill shortly after we left.
3 strikes and you're out. I'm giving a star since the loaded fries are decent and if you hit specials constantly, it goes from overpriced to just okay.
Kildare's embodies those annoying as all get out Irish stereotypes of drinking, a faux pub style (that you can take a "tour" on, and no not all Irishmen grab a pint while picking up stamps you twits), THAT PERFECT PINT O' GUINNESS, Dropkick Murphys blasting, bagpipe squeezing, leprechaun slapping, State Patty's Day antics to an unhealthy limit.
I mean that sincerely as an Irish guy.
Cut that shit out.
Surprisingly Kildare's is a small Irish pub chain. I'm not a fan of Irish pub chains, but this place seems to pull it off. They have good food, great tap selection from over the pond, and the atmosphere reminds me of the real pubs I visited in Ireland.
If you are familiar with Penn State, then you remember Hooters has been there for years and years. Well this summer the Hooters is gone and Kildare's took over the large location. What's great is this is one of the few bars at Penn State with their own free parking lot. Like your typical college bar, there are tools, girls wearing revealing outfits, cover charges, long lines, loud music, and a good time.
My bartender was cool and knew her beer and our waitress was hot in her green plaid skirt. The food was decent for a busy homecoming weekend and the beer was outstanding. They actually had a beer on tap I never heard of before, and it mixed well with Guinness. This is a place I would check out next time I come here for the weekend.
This place took over for the old, overrated Hooter's restaurant. Â Kildare's is a MUCH better option, in my opinion. Â I've had a burger there, and that and the fries were a pretty good meal.
But who wants to talk about food when talking about an Irish Pub? Â Drinking there can get a bit pricey if you don't follow the specials. Â $6 for a shot? Â Really? Then, we come to the "Perfect Pint of Guinness". Â It is very good, although pretty pricey at $6.50. Â
If you stick to the Happy Hours, this is definitely becoming one of the "go-to" places in Happy Valley.
UPDATE: Â I just keep coming back to this place. Â I have decided that Kildare's has the best burger in State College. Â When you come on a Tuesday night, it is just 5 bucks for a burger meal. Â You really can't beat that deal.
This place is just grand. Â Yes, it is a chain, but if you did not know this beforehand, you could never tell. Â Studying abroad in Dublin, this restaurant/bar brings a little piece of my trip home! It is conveniently located downtown and their food is great. Â I have tried the Deluxe Burger, Pepper Jack Guac burger, and the veggie wrap -- all great choices at very affordable prices. And their fries are delish as well! They also have an array of "irish" options. Their drinks are a bit overprices, but the atmosphere is quite authentic. Â They offer specials every night -- like $5 burgers on Tuesday nights or $2 Miller Lite pints on Thursday nights. They also offer bands playing on the weekend, as well as many TVs as a sports bar would. Â I have been there a handful of times, and always enjoy myself!
Review Source:It's a chain. Â Need I say more? Â The only thing Irish about the place is a decently poured pint, and it's over-priced. Â $6.50 for a pint of Guinness? Â Please.
The interior is a joke. Â it's like any other sports bar in town, with the same tired food offerings (burgers & sandwiches) save for a better beer selection. Â If this is your idea of an "Irish Pub", you have never left this state.
Newest addition to the State College bar scene, Kildare's is the  stereotypical Irish Pub that the Phyrst probably wished it were. You clearly "get it" as soon as you walk in, and it's not very surprising given that State College's Kildare's is the  last (of 10) locations for the chain.
Given that Kildare's took over the old Hooters (with a large kitchen), it offers decent food options. I haven't tried anything yet, but it's really a pub in the broadest sense (not just a bar) which offers traditional pub foods (sandwiches, fries, soups, burgers, etc.) and some Irish influenced dishes (e.g. Boxtys: stuffed potato pancakes). I look forward to trying those out.
The drinks were cheap enough when we went. $2 got you a pint of Yeungling, and if we had stayed a little longer we could have had a pint of Victory for $3 I believe.
My only complaint at this point is about their chairs: what on earth were they thinking. Their table stools don't have any back, which is an inconvenience when you're having a meal. But even worst is that their bar stools have a very short back that hits you right in the middle of your back, and there's no padding. I spent the hour I was at the bar moving around the chair trying to get comfortable, and I never managed. Other than that, I liked Kildare's and I plan to go back soon.
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