Cheeseburger Club Sandwich.
Really, that's all you need to know. Awesomeness.
If you need any other reasons: super-friendly staff, good music, great beer selection. I do wish they'd change their band line-up more often, but whaddya gonna do.
Oh, and....cheeseburger club sandwich. Hell yeah.
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!
Review Source:EASILY the best bar in State College! And although I frequented it in my undergrad days, I appreciate it even more now that I'm older. It's superbly divey, not in a fake wannabe hipster way, and the beer list is unmatched by any other bar in Happy Valley (sidenote: okay, maybe the Z-Bar, I haven't tallied them all up. But can you trust the Z-Bar bartenders with beer recommendations? Not like you can at Zenos!). The crowd is a nice mix of townies, grad students, less broish undergrads, and even professors. They have waiter service for the tables, and not only that, but the servers are super friendly, helpful, and fast, even when it gets crowded. And they will cut you off or even kick you out if you start getting too ridiculous, which is exactly how they avoid becoming a frat boy paradise like most other State College bars.
The only thing I don't like about Zeno's is that the live music is extremely loud due to the bar's tiny size. Although I appreciate the fact that they have a band almost every night of the week, the bands are mostly all cover bands, as is typical for State College, so they aren't that exciting to watch. It can be near impossible to have a conversation while the band is playing because of the acoustics in here. It's still worth it for the crowd, service, and beer selection, but if you really want to have a deep conversation it's not the right place unless you can snag one of the three small tables in the side room.
Zeno's is the perfect chill bar in State College IF, and I will over-emphasize IF - you're looking for the following awesomenesses:
Live music - right in your grill and enjoyable to hear
Quality beer - at affordable prices (beer specials throughout the night)
Smooth Ambiance - a unique, small town feel without compromising on authenticity
Simply put, you need to go here. Try to go in with an open mind. I'm serious. Most people will tell you they tried this place but "didnt like how dark it was" or "thought my feet looked funny on the stairs". Psh. Of course your feet looked funny. That's not Zeno's fault. Zeno's didn't do that, you did. Well, you or your genes.
On Tuesday's Zeno's offers Brew Fest, where they feature a different brewery and offer all sorts of unique and specialty beers from the chosen company. Â An all around solid place, will be back when I'm in town. Not too much of a bar area so it was a great place to chill at a seat right up at the bar and enjoy great beer. Â
I highly recommend this location on Tuesday's for the beer flight. It didn't hurt that the featured brewery was one of my favorites Dogfish Head!
I would LOVE to give Zeno's a great review, but that is actually impossible. Â So five friends and I went out to the Penn State game (along with about 50,000 other alumni and older fans) and decided to hit the college bars on Friday night. Â After two drinks in another bar we decided to try Zeno's...now it's important to remember - TWO drinks and two beers (a little earlier) over about three hours. Â
We walk up to Zeno's...NO LINE! Â Cool, except here's the problem...the two douchebags checking IDs told two of my friends that they were "noticeably intoxicated". Â Now, the two guys who they were referring to wouldn't have been noticeably intoxicated if they drank ten beers in three hours so this was nothing more than two assholes keeping six 40ish guys out of their bar. Â Good thing we WERE 40ish year old guys, because 20 years ago I might have ended up being dragged away with at least ONE of them bleeding. Hope your bartenders enjoyed the tips...
After reading the reviews I really wish I could have tried some of the great beers on tap-it really sounds like a great bar, but instead I got nothing but pissed off at the jackasses checking IDs. Â Luckily, Bill Pickle's Tap Room was right around the corner...they happily took us in, accepted our cash, and allowed us to drink to our hearts' content! Â Next year, when I once again have a pocketful of cash, guess which bar I WON'T be giving my money?
This is my favorite place in downtown State College. It's a great, laid-back dive bar. They have an amazing selection of beers (hundreds) and if you're feeling ambitious you can get a "passport" and record which beers you get. When you drink 80, you get a T-shirt and your name immortalized on the back wall. They often have really good bluegrass/folk music, and their bathrooms have some of the most interesting graffiti you'll likely ever see.
But the main thing I love about Zeno's is the staff. Most of them are really friendly and knowledgeable and they just make you feel really welcome. If you like beer and you're looking for a Cheers-type place where "everybody knows your name," I would definitely recommend checking out Zeno's.
This has been a favorite since I have turned 21 (4 yrs ago). Though The Z bar has more beers on tap, their waiters aren't able to help you with selecting any beer. Zenos on the other hand has a HUGE Bottle selection and a good amount of beers on tap which their waiters are able to help you choose the best/closest to your liking or your flavor pallet.
Definitely if you're a beer lover, Zenos is THE best place to come. Plus their environment weeds out the annoying A-typical college douche bag which is a plus for me! Their food selection during the day is the same as the corner room and Allen St. Grill which is great and they have late night food/snacks on the cheap. Overall this has been a consistent place with great employees, great food, and possibly the best beer selections in town.
Great beer selection and a very knowledgeable staff. It gets loud in there when a band is playing and there's not a lot of room for standing or sitting.
I paid a cover both times - $1 the first and I think $3 the second. It was cheaper on the Saturday than the Wednesday, though.
There was a surprising amount of men in Crocs the second time I visited. Not sure what to make of that but I wanted to throw it out there.
Definitely my favorite bar in the United States.
Great beer selection. Wonderful, knowledgeable, warm staff.
I like to go in the late afternoon when it's quiet and just hang out with a few friends. Somehow, even when it's overrun with students, there's still a kind of pride-of-place for more adult/townie clientele. An interesting dynamic, for sure. Love it!
Came here for a few brews while visiting some friends. The pitcher specials were pretty good ($9 for Stoudt's Scarlet Lady) and the atmosphere was relaxing. The overall beer selection was quite good and I was pleased with the quick service. The food however was so-so. Chicken tenders and fries were done well, but the nachos were soggy and that's a deal-breaker for nachos. The place also has a pool table and arcade area, which was nice. It was nice to find a place like this that wasn't completely packed and that drew a crowd interested in good beer. Overall, I would definitely recommend it for the good beer selection and relaxing atmosphere.
Review Source:Zeno's is one of the only bars I still go to in State College. Large and excellent beer selection, good service, and occasional good music. Decent townie hangout. Pool and darts in the back.
What's average elsewhere gets 4 Stars in State College just because there are so few places to go out here.
It's down in the basement under the Corner Room. I have seen the bouncers get shirty about letting guys in who they think appear to be intoxicated. But generally, a chill and pleasant atmosphere.
Really liked Zeno's. It's the kinda of cool/hip/fun/interesting place you always hope you can find. I'm not a fan of cover charges, but the atmosphere and live music is worth it. I don't remember the band that was there when I visited but it was a nice mix of music and good company. It's a very small and crowded place so get a seat early or be cool with standing. The best part about Zeno's is the beer selection. Oh my the beer. So many great beers. Also, you have to try the shot space herpes. It taste greats and "works". Also, the food here is simple, but tasty. It's exactly what you need. I had the shepard's pie. It was very authentic and very good.
Review Source:Zeno's is the go-to for Beer lovers in State College. Â An excellent beer selection is paired with fast service and good quality food. Â Pricing is comparable on the regular beers to other downtown locations, and the specialty beers are priced fairly based on how unique or rare they are.
On my most recent visit as an Alumnus I had a chance to catch up with some of the staff who raved about some of their new selection. Â I was half-tempted at getting another Zeno's Passport, however that would require quite a bit of drinking on the weekends, which doesn't really align with weight-loss goals.
While it definitely qualifies as dive-y ... it is clean and cozy. Â For small groups it was definitely my go-to and will continue to be when in the company of beer loving friends.
During my recent visit to State College I was happy to see that not only has Zeno's not changed, but its actually improved. The beer selection has definitely gotten a lot better. Its unrivaled in State College, and would be a destination in any major city as well.
The staff is friendly and helpful. There are usually good bands, especially AAA on Friday's. Its really the only bar downtown worth going to if you like good beer.
Two years of drinking and eating in bars in State College and I still find myself constantly gravitating to Zeno's. Every single time.
But why?
Maybe it's the fact that even if I haven't been there in a month or two, the barbacks and bartender still recognize me and the fact I always order the daily special beer no matter what it is. Along with the occassional whiskey.
Maybe because I lost my job, came immediately over to Zeno's, and had both bartenders and fellow drinkers next to me buy me a pint and offer places that they heard are hiring. (I ended up landing a job 3 days later.)
Maybe the one time I watched a barback making waffles for Free Waffle Night for the first time, doing horribly, and having barbacks and patrons coming over to both help teach him. Subsequentially, they publicly wrote that he was terrible at making waffles with pool chalk on the wall. He took it in stride.
Maybe from the fact that I can bring in my bag with outside food I picked up earlier and not find myself on the receiving end of a bitching out from a bouncer. And on top of that, sharing it with the staff and other people there without staff up in arms about ruining their food cost percentage.
It's also the only bar I've seen someone play World of Warcraft in. I've also seen a professor grading papers with a massive pint of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale next to him. Coming in to the bar and seeing X-Men on the TV behind the bar so you can drink and watch a decent movie is also a nice one.
All I know is that either way, I've never had a bad experience at Zeno's. Ever. For two years of going to a place, that's tough to do. I've brought and met everyone here at some point: professors, musicians, grad students, military guys enjoying their two weeks or finally using their GI Bill, wannabe pinball/arcade wizards, babyfaced undergrads, chefs, stock brokers, burned out townies, senior citizens laughing and talking about the "co-eds", and even my fiancee. As the one other reviewer notes a lack of "interesting" clientele, it's that she probably didn't speak to them since they're "old folks" or "alcoholics" . Sure you'll see the same faces, but that's because Zeno's is the friendliest, least demanding place to relax and drink.
Want to just chill after class and get nachos? Fine. Shoot pool and throw back fruity beer drinks (Apple Pie)? Cool. Roll cigarettes like the one regular does? Go for it. Grab a quick pint instead of being in the freezing cold or sweltering heat waiting for a CATAbus that may or may not come? There's a clock behind the bar for that (somehow a luxury in bars around here).
All I know is that either way, I still have 25 beers to go on my passport. The ratty looking pamphlet is crumpled and creased to death. Poor thing has been forgotten, remembered, lost, found, recounted for completeness an innumerable amount of times and has somehow still survived since its initial dating of October 2, 2008 by Mia.
It's about time I finish it before I find myself leaving State College without having done so.
And I'm going to love every damn minute of it.
I have very mixed feelings on Zeno's. I love the underground location, the good selection of beers on tap and the bathroom graffiti. Everything else is mediocre. It irritates me that, unless you know they don't have table service, they'll let you go and sit down like a dumb ass until you figure it out on your own. The bartenders often seem like they're too busy hanging out with each other to actually take your order.
Plus there is a serious shortage of interesting clientele - at lot of older folks, regulars (read "alcoholics") and the occasional Bukowski-wannabe. I'll take The Rathskeller over Zeno's any day of the week.
Let's admit it, Zeno's might be the only decent place to have a beer in  State College. I appreciate that they employ people with brains who actually know their product(s) well, which probably has something to do with the fact that they make some bit of money and don't totally hate their lives.
Recently I went and they had three bellydancers who were amazing, except for the fact that you couldn't stand anywhere because the men gawking from the bar stools would scream at you if you blocked their view. Â Our bartender/beer runner introduced me into the world of "Old Chub" which is fancy beer in a can with a high alcohol % ...it was so good and I might not ever drink anything else again when I go there. Â But that's why I like Zenos, you can learn something new every time you go as long as you use the invaluable resources who work there.
To me, Zeno's sort of epidomizes "grad student/postdoc bar". Â Why, you ask? Let me break it down for you....
a. Atmosphere is what I call "dive nouveau". Subterranean location, lots of taps, well-worn decor. If the bar was a dude, it would totally have a three-day scruff.
b. Beer selection goes above and beyond (they even have gluten-free beer here!), but everyone already knows that.
c. Liquor is cheap (I know, I know....no one besides me comes to Zeno's for drinks that aren't beer, but SOMEone has to do it).
d. Music never includes anything that is currently being played on B94.5.
e. Average age of the clientele hovers around 26, which is a true feat here in State College.
Overall, very "i'm a poor grad student who is old enough to see the value in spending my stipend on craft beer, but not above $2 well drinks"-esque. It's a nice alternative to some of the other white hat bars in town. Like most other bars, however, there is an annoying weekend cover charge, and as many have previously mentioned, the live music is L-O-U-D.
If you live in State College, you have to grade on a curve. There are limits to this town. Certain things will not be found on an evening out. Neither a tasteful DJ nor a craft cocktail is ever attainable.
What is? Zeno's. For one kind of evening, it is perfect. The rustic interior is unpretentious without being divey. The pool table is often free, with a high turnover. The music on the stereo is pleasant and unobtrusive. All that is fine.
The beer list is more than fine. This is the only place in State College run by people who are serious about drinking. Who believe drinking has culinary value. Rotating drafts are, at best, unusual and delicious, while bottles offer an even wider selection. If the vastness of this world of beer seems intimidating, the staff can help--particularly the owner, a non-punk skinhead with a goatee, perpetually clad in his Zeno's bowling shirt. Occasionally, you'll spot an unusual bottle of an appealing spirit on the top shelf in the corner. But you go to Zeno's to drink beer.
Indeed, for craft beer and conversation, Zeno's is everything you could want. Unfortunately, its perfection is slightly compromised by all-too-frequent cover charges for small-town bar bands that make you feel like you are not in a bar, but a satire. Those seeking the best experience will have to avoid peak time. For that kind of evening, Zeno's is a five-star operation.
And that's the only kind of evening you'll want to have in this town.
Is it the best beer bar ever? Â No. Â Is it the best bar in State College? Â No doubt. Â Does sentimentality play a huge part in giving it five stars? Â Bet your ass.
About 30 taps and countless bottles fill this dark, basement, wooden-walled bar. Â It's the type of place that you go into at 2 pm, get lost in beer and conversation, only to realize that the world is going on outside, up the stairs. Â Who cares though, right? Â You are at Zenos. Â
The uneven chairs, crowded, tables, and loud acoustics  are no bother when you are drinking fantastic Belgians, incredible American micros, and avoiding the typical bar crowd that permeates State College.  Â
It's been said many times (including by Playboy) that the bathrooms are littered with the most literate bar-graffiti anywhere. Â Prove it otherwise. Â
The food is decent enough when you are several beers in, though definitely not a reason to go there. Â Enjoy the conversation, great staff, and awesome beer. Â Zeno's will always hold a special place in my heart.
As many have pointed out, this is the best place for beer lovers with a selection out of this world.
A couple observations: The place is small and always feels crowded, regardless of the number of patrons. The bands playing some nights (Fridays and Saturdays I believe) are mostly disappointing and so loud you can't really have a conversation (remember the place is TINY). Given that they charge a significant cover for those nights, I prefer M-Th evenings to avoid the bands.
Tip: Monday evening is the "Belgian Beer" special, with roughly half off on Belgian style beers. This not only includes the Belgian beers, but also others like the Quebec Unibroue beers such as La Fin du Monde and La Maudite.
I came here because of all of the great reviews I read and heard about this place. Besides having to wait outside on a Friday night when the temperature was 27 degrees. I had a great time here, the atmosphere is your typical dive bar with a fairly small bar that's crowded, roughly about 20 tables with waiter service and a game room with darts and a pool table.
What I love about this place is their beer menu. I would have to say they have over 50 different types of beer at a reasonable price. $4.00 a pint for one of their home brewed beers, that's unheard of (probably cuz I come from NY and beer is expensive).
If it wasnt for a few drinks I dont think I would have like the live country band that was performing. But hey live music is better than no music, sometimes.
Overall I like this place and will come back next time I'm around State College.
Just an addition: the food choices aren't bad either! They have a menu with selected choices from both the Allen St. Grill and the Corner Room--think burgers, soups, and wings from the Corner Room and some more "gourmet"-ish food from Allen St. (like things with ahi and things with mango...). I had a bison burger, which was totally standard, but standard goes well with a $5 Yuengling pitcher.
Review Source:I've had a bar that I can call home for a long time, as the by product of tending bar there. Â When I came to State College, I knew that I needed to find that bar that I could call home to keep me sane over the next few (or 5) years. Â Well, thank the Lord for Zeno's!
As stated over and over, they have an amazing beer selection here. Â It's a little more expensive than what I'm used to (I know everyone on the East Coast will kill me for that,) but it's worth every cent. Â I have an extensive knowledge of microbrews, and this place has things I haven't heard of. Â
One note, is that a bartender questioned my ability to drink beer. Â It's not like I was standing there in Uggs/leggings drinking a Lambic, then ordered a HopDevil. Â I was finishing it, said "I'm drinking hopdevil, can you recommend something else like it?" and he proceeded to then tell me that I wanted a sweet beer, not a pale ale. Â It wasn't until my guy friend vouched that I could "handle real beer" that he gave me one, stating it was a joke and he didn't think I would be able to finish it. Â He did the same thing to my friend who is also a girl, and we found it a tad condescending. Â The overall environment and selection, however, far outweighs one person acting rudely.
For awhile this was my second home. Â The kind of place even a girl would feel comfortable sitting alone at the bar with a beer. Â Although you will probably make a friend or find a friend quickly if you want, but just as easily could be left alone to enjoy your delicious beer. Â
If you like great beer selection, good live music, friendly staff, laid-back atmosphere, and an eclectic mix of people...GO HERE
If you like light domestic beers, dancing/DJ type bars/nightclubs, trendy decor, and people always dressed to impress...you may not like it here. Â Although you probably won't dislike it here. Â
Staff is knowledgeable and always willing to offer a suggestion. Â They also do serve food (from the kitchen upstairs at the Corner Room...burgers, fries, etc.) They support local musicians and Otto's Brewery. Â I love this place!
There's a reason zeno's is considered one of the best places to drink on the east coast. The selection is second to none, the bar itself is certainly large enough with enough entertainment (pool, darts, music) to keep people happy. The "around the world in 80 beers" is a real neat thing (you get your name and a quote on a plaque in the back, along with some swag I believe) if you're around long enough to do it. Much more of a "thinking person's bar" than the phyrst or the saloon.
Review Source:I think it's sufficient to say that I loved this place, as I was there at least 5 nights a week during my final year at Penn State. 5 nights a week might sound a bit excessive, and sure, I drank excessively from time to time, but my reasons for going there were not to get sloshed. My reasons for making this my bar of choice during my time at Penn State:
1) Cheers. Sometimes you wanna go where everyone knows your name. At least a few years ago, they had the best bar staff in town.
2) Excellent selection of beers.
3) Good entertainment
4) Relaxed atmosphere. I could go in to Zeno's throw back a beer or two, play a game or six of darts, and then head home without having to deal with the bullshit or drama that seemed to inhabit other SC bars.
All in all, I miss Zeno's, and hope that the Penn Staters of today are enjoying it as I once did.
Five stars for having the one and only one beer in existence that can be consumed on passover!! Hooray sorghum beer! I wasn't a huge fan, but the fact that they had it predisposed me quite positively towards this place. Odd pool table (with that who Jim Beam ad on it, a little confusing, but then again I may just be looking for a scapegoat for my piss poor pool playing propensity - say that ten times in a row!).
The beer menu is a sight to behold, and the staff is warm and friendly and never lets your cup go dry. Add free internet and plenty of space to sit, and I could easily see myself wasting my college years away in here, except they are already long gone. Pity.
Very cool graffiti going on in the bathroom, always fun to read the wondrous intelligence of drunken college students!
Oh, and for those of you complaining about the smoke, it's going smoke free very soon, so quit yer bitchin.
By the end of my stint at Penn State, I couldn't stomach any more of the local lousy, half-ass cover bands and/or cookie-cutter "hippie" jam rock any longer. I can deal with bland, horrible music at least if the vibe of the bar is fun. I've been to all the bars and clubs in State College, and most of them are all so "college." Yet, even though the Penn State "bar scene" is supposed to be thriving and diverse, as a Bostonian it gets tired pretty quick. I need a little variety, like some drunk Irishman singing in the corner. It's the little things that make a specific bar feel naturally "real" in some capacity.
Unfortunately, you're going to find chicks wearing high heels trying too hard in zero degree weather, and steakheads screaming and spilling beer all over you. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about a good time, but I've seen some pretty ridiculous behavior over the years at Penn State. I mean, a fucking steak head bouncer beat this Asian kid TO DEATH because he was taking a piss in the back alley or parking lot, or whatever. I forget which bar this happened at. Regardless, I had a photography course with this kid, and he was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. Some huge-ass bouncer beat this skinny little dude to his grave over a PISS? It was really sad. He worked at Sunglasses Hut and I used to shoot the shit with him all the time. There was a trial and stuff, but I forget all the details. I think this was in 2003, if I'm not mistaken. This horrific shit stands as a testament to the outrageously immature and stupid behavior that exists up and down College Ave.
Gladly there are a few places that stand out, and Zeno's is one of them. I've been there maybe 20-25 times over the course of a few years, and I've enjoyed nothing but good music and fairly priced pitchers. They are known for their selection of fine beers. I never drank cheap beer at Zeno's, and in some way that is a crucial element of why people come there. They have a wide variety of crafts and ales without being snobby about it. You're not going to find many hammered frat boys drinking Natty Ice at this place. Instead, it's more of a crowd who likes a GOOD beer, and a good time at that.
The live music I've seen here has always been way more open/creative/diverse/inspired than at any of the other bars in SC. I used to go see a band called The Red Light at Zeno's once in a while, and they were fantastic. They were not the standard "college" band in any sense, and they drew in a better crowd of like-minded individuals who were sick and tired of karaoke and cover songs. Most of the live music performances were like that. The stage is pretty small, and it's an intimate atmosphere. I remember some jazz and blues acts, folk, and alternative-type rock acts performing at Zeno's also. I think there's something for everybody at this place, and you can call it your own.
The downsides are the usual: it gets cramped, it's kind of dark, and it's hard to get to the bar. It's nothing intolerable and it comes with the territory, so deal with it.
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