Phyrst Bar

I absolutely love this bar.

My band played here every Sunday for a year (a school year that is) and you really can't beat this place.

Tiny, divey, basement bar that smells of past regrets and spilt Coors Light pitchers, but still... everyday there is live music, a 2 hour long happy hour (which usually consists of half priced EVERYTHING) and now, they've added food which includes cheesesteaks, fries, wings, eggrolls and now grilled cheese, burgers, sandwiches, soups, and more.

They serve you on your 21st, bar tours can come in, and it's really just a great place to come and hang out.

get here.

I have been to the Phryst a couple of times.  It is a dingy basement bar.  That said, the selection of beer is good, and the prices during happy hour (7-9 PM every day) are as cheap as one will find in State College.  For instance, a pitcher of Yuengling can be had for $2.75.  The cover charge is usually $2.  Often, on Friday and Saturday nights, there is live music, which is definitely better than the DJs heard at most other places and usually better than the live music heard elsewhere.  For me, the most disconcerting aspect of the Phyrst is the clientele, which is comprised mainly of frat-boy types, and this is why it gets only three stars rather than four.   This leads to some people who do not fit that pedigree not being admitted by the door bouncers into the place, with the excuse that they are "visibly intoxicated" used.  Unfortunately, this is a common tactic in State College.

Classic state college basement bar. I preferred when they allowed smoking, as I prefer stale cig smoke to stale beer and cave. Great place to hear a live band and do some drinking. Great happy hour and decent beer selection. They have great fries, wings and eggrolls for late night snaking.