Look, this place is by far not high end. We would describe it as a dive bar and we had fun. We went as the big metal door was opening and was immediately hit with the smell of floor cleaner. We liked that the place had just gotten cleaned. We ordered two whiskey sours and they were pretty good for the price. We like coming here to have a cheap drink and people watch. read more

DJ only plays country. Won't respond to requests even when they are Carrie underwood (country queen).

Don't clean bathrooms. Toilets overflowing with sewage and employees just shrug shoulders when told about it. Unsafe and unsanitary. One bonus star for cheap alcohol price but you'll need to be blacked out if you have to use the bathroom. read more

Be warned, these are not ethical/moral people. When someone from my group informed the manager that the DJ and his friends were making a group of girls on the dance floor uncomfortable, the manager motioned to the bouncers and told my friend to "get the f**k out". I've read other reviews that mention people getting kicked out for no reason, but now they are kicking people out for doing the right thing... This is not a safe place. read more

This place was always a fun time. Big dance floor with lots of throwback music. It's a very clubby bar that's great for dancing. Drinks are strong and pretty standard for such a bar. Only downside is I've heard many stories of people getting kicked out for no reason. Presumably to let more people in since theres always a line down the block to get in to this place. read more

Pretty chill bar. Went here for State Patty's Day and there wasn't a long wait to get in. Dancing and music, what more could you really want? Drinks were strong and good. The layout of the bar was a little weird though, the dance floor wasn't very big. We ordered Irish car bombs for the occasion and weren't sure if they were properly made/ had whiskey in the shot, so that was a little upsetting. Not the best bar ever or on campus but still a chill hang out! A big issue with this bar though is the bouncers. They're all rude and you get in trouble for the smallest things. Reading other reviews I see that this is a common theme. Definitely not good for a college bar that is only okay, especially when there are 15 other bars that you could go to. read more

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Ridiculously crowded. Couldn't get a drink after 45 mins. Bartenders lacking. Go to champs

- very much a college bar - decent music - small dance floor - well mixed drinks read more

Stop number 3 on my bar tour while visiting Penn State and my first stop here ever. Not really sure why I never made a stop to Shandygaff as a student... Anyways, this is one of the few bars you actually have to go *upstairs* to get to (why are they all in basements?). It seemed like a pretty decent sized bar, but it was a Tuesday night and pretty empty so I could have been fooled. At all my stops, I ordered a vodka cranberry. All the other bars gave me the standard sized cocktail. I ordered one from here, however, and was given a mini-pitcher of my drink. Holy crap I didn't know what to do with the thing. My tolerance is shot since I left school and I needed to be up early the next day. So my husband and I shared and managed to drink half of it... we didn't feel comfortable going much farther than that. $6 for the thing. 6 bucks! Being a Vegas girl now, I'm not used to these affordable prices. Can't really say what the atmosphere would be like on the weekend, since I've never been... but if you're looking for a chill place on a Tuesday to watch a hockey game and get your drink on, then head to the 'Gaff. read more

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BAD EXPERIENCE THE LAST TIME I WENT !!!!!!!!!!!* The DJ man (not Lucas Passmore, my personal hero) REFUSED to play Bohemian Rhapsody (arguably one of the greatest songs of all time) on a Saturday night because in his (irrelevant) opinion it was not a song that got "the people" dancing. Um. First of all, I AM the people and I say it is definitely a song that gets the people going because duH IT IS A SING-A-LONG-SONG, DUMMY. THEN, we corralled "THE PEOPLE" and got them all to ask him to play the song because "THE PEOPLE" genuinely want to hear it. Well, this man still refused. He said and I quote "the song is too long... and it is a 9 'o clock song, not an 11 'o clock song". ????? Wrong. It is a 24/7/365 song FOREVER SO SHUT UP. CANCEL THIS MAN. Thank u, next *Emphasis on the last time. Other times have been swell which is why gaff gets three stars. Ignorant DJ man = 0 stars read more

This was my experience at gaff last night, when beforehand I waited a half hour to get to the front when it's 0° in state college. Me (trying to be nice to ugly/fat bouncer): my friend just turned 21 so I really wanted to bring her here Ugly fat bouncer: well we don't do 21st birthdays, so go home Me: well it was the other day so... Ugly fat bouncer: we have a 48 hr rule. You're not getting in Me: it's past midnight so it's over 48 hrs since her birthday Ugly fat bouncer: I don't care. Me: are you serious? I want to talk to a manager Ugly fat bouncer: sure hold on. Then a guy carrying a trash bag, CLEARLY NOT a manager comes down, and the bouncer goes: Tell them they're not coming in Guy agrees with bouncer, because he obviously knew the situation well. Me: That's not a manager, are you kidding me? At this point the bouncer decided that my arguing led me to be "visibly intoxicated". Mind you we had not been to any bars yet that night, and I hadn't drank much since I went a little too hard the night before. Meanwhile people around us were asking to let us in because it was obvious we were doing nothing wrong. FINALLY after 15 more minutes of being out in the cold a real manager comes down, doesn't even look at me and says "we have a 26 hour rule of no 21sts, sorry, go home" 26 HOURS, when my friend had been 21 for over 2 days. Ridiculous. Never felt so disrespected and definitely never going back here. Try Phyrst or Saloon, same prices & atmosphere, no assholes working there. read more

Can a bar be crappy and awesome at the same time? You're damn right, but there's so many odd things about this place. Treacherous diamond plate steps, a plastic cutting board material dance floor that must have a switch that turns it to ice as many fallen chicks will attest, smoking, the worst men's bathroom in the western hemisphere, and people from 21 to the elderly! Beers are inexpensive and the bartenders/waitresses always manage to keep up with us when we do our annual trip. The DJ is decent and accomodating to requests most of the time. "See you at the 'Gaff!" read more

Addition to previous review* I never realized how great of a spot this is to poop too! Best in State College- we enjoyed being back and ripping heaters. read more

Shandygaff - a toilet in a public restroom - Bars Near Me - State College, Pennsylvania

Had a blast at "The Gaff"! I was in town for a friend's bachelor party and this was our first stop of the evening after dinner. There was a line outside that took about five minutes to get through. We were then sent up the stairs to the bar. It was dark, dirty and smelled like college (by which I mean light beer, a hint of sweat and a little bit of shame). The bar was super crowded but it was easy to get a drink. There was a special for $6 mixed drink pitchers which I gladly indulged in. I forgot how cheap it was to drink in a college bar and felt like a high roller when I pulled out a $20. There was a DJ playing everything from Top 40 music to Shout! by the Isley Brothers. Had so much fun just dancing like and idiot while belting out the songs. Go in expecting a college bar and you'll be very satisfied. read more

I personally love the gaff, but I completely understand why most of my friends hate it. The lines are absolutely ridiculous and still to this day I don't even understand how they get like that... I've never had any problems with the bartenders, they are all very nice and fast! The bouncers however are something else. They will kick you out for next to no reason at all.. Again it is a pain, esp after you waited in that stupid ass line for so long. BUT YOU CANT BEAT $5 LIQUOR PITCHERS. So I will forever love the gaff. Go at 8:30 when it just opened, get a table, get two or three pitchers, chug, dance, leave at like 11 and go somewhere else read more

I had to leave a review seeing the 2.5 stars... My favorite bar in State College as a student, and my favorite spot to visit as an alumni. Drink prices and the music selection cannot be beat. It is 100% a college bar, so if you are going there looking for anything more than that, you will be disappointed. P.S. I've had my picture taken there almost every time I've gone in and so have all of my friends. Don't believe it's discriminatory, just on busier nights it happens more often. read more

I went here last night for a drink. There were more staff members than anyone else in the bar at the time. We found the staff to be rather friendly, even engaging in games. The majority of the bad reviews here stem from people who are unaware of this bar's culture. Its a college bar. Yes, it is smokey inside, the drinks are cheap, and the place is not exactly the Ritz Carlton. But this is what being a college bar is all about. If you are looking for a college bar experience, go to the Gaff! Another point I would like to make is that if you are visibly intoxicated, you will be asked to leave. That's just a state law they are extra careful about. Yes, in fact, we were kicked out last night, but I'm not salty about it. It's part of the experience. read more

I loved this bar when I went to Penn State but now that I'm older I've been here on an afternoon where it was fairly empty and it was fun! The drink specials are great and they have Not Your Father's Rootbeer (bottles) which is awesome! They have no food and honestly if they did I don't know if I would consume it. read more

Fuck this bar. I took my father here as he was visiting for the weekend... Because he stood up for 7 seconds without a mask on as he was walking towards the restroom, he and my entire group were kicked out. While i understand covid-19 is a priority in this day and age, it was excessive and unnecessary action. never go here. terrible service as well. read more

Hands down the best bar in State College. Cheap drinks - $5 liquor pitchers of whatever your little heart desires. Killer DJ who actually takes requests and a dance floor that is fun without the worry of being groped. You can dress up or dress down without feeling out of place. Staff is super friendly and if you're lucky, you can get them to dance along with you - even if they're working. In short, the Gaff feels like home - ask alumni who have been coming for years even after graduating. Place hasn't changed a bit. In response to previous reviews - yes, it is smoky - duh. It's a bar that allows you to smoke. Not sure why you would go with the expectation of not smelling like cigs by the end of the night. I've always been super sensitive to the smell and I have so much fun here that it doesn't even remotely bother me. Also, yes - they don't allow 21st birthdays the night of or the night after... Again, a known fact in State College, so I'm not sure why you would try. Lastly, staff can kick you out / not let you in at their own discretion... But so can all bars. Don't try and convince them otherwise / fight them, it'll only make it worse for yourself. Treat the staff with respect and you'll receive it in return. read more

We call this place the upstairs basement for a reason. The only redeeming part is normally it has a good quantity of eye candy to look at. If the cover is not to high give it a try, but be ready to walk. read more

I loved this place. The bartender was quick and attentive. It started to get busy after 1030pm on a Saturday. read more

Nicole is genuinely the nicest server, you can tell that She genuinely likes her job even though it's filled with drunk college students. She came to us in a timely manner and made sure we had drinks. She was so nice. Kalif was also such a nice host at the door and made sure we got sat with our friends. They're both incredible workers. read more

Okay bar-if you can get past the smoke all around you. And the playlist that is on repeat every week from the ~45 year old DJ who is stuck in the past. Good bar as long as you come here maybe once a month so you don't start to memorize the playlist. read more

OK place. Good cold bear at reasonable prices. Nothing special but if you want something filling and do not want to spend much this is the place. read more

Freaking gross! Not worth going to at all when there are plenty of other great bars in State College. It's more like a frat than a bar. Packed, sweaty, hot, smelly, sticky, and hard to get a drink. Plus you feel like eveything in there is falling apart. Did I mention this place was gross? Not that a lot of coolege bartenders in town are that friendly, but these guys were all pricks. Save your money and night by going nearly anywhere else. read more

No coat check anywhere, they have a rack next to the bathroom, anyone could take your things. At the door: The wait is ALWAYS FOREVER LONG. Be prepared to be outside a long time. Only SOME PEOPLE get their picture taken by their computer system. AKA: if you seem like a threat of any kind, it is Central PA so you can imagine what that means...hmm. At the bar: Bartenders are cool, no complains here. Drinks are normal, nothing special, the Den cost less though and has $4 Long-island specials all day, everyday. Just fyi. Smoking: Indoors!? Its disgusting. Go spread your poison elsewhere people. The floor guys/bouncers/whatever: Power trip!!! I get that there is some SERIOUSLY drunk people at this place at all days of the week, but I don't believe they choose fairly who to kick out. I've seen too many dangerously drunk people here who are not asked to leave, and yet I was just because I was pushed into some guy working the floor that night. It was not fair, or justified. read more

The bouncers treated me very disrespectfully. I waited about 40 minutes in the cold to get in with my friends and was on the dance floor for about 20 minutes when a bouncer comes over and tells me I have to go because I'm too drunk. I thought it was a joke because I was the DD and hadn't drank a drop all day. They must have seen me get jostled on the dance floor because it was very crowded. I had to argue for 5 minutes with them just to get my cover money back. Needless to say I won't be going back. There are plenty of other bars that don't hire a$$holes for their staff in state college. Don't waste your time time on this grungy dive. read more

The 'Gaff should probably receive 2-1/2 stars, but it doesn't deserve three. It's a college bar. I get that. People go there when they're very drunk pretty often. I get that. They have some good drink prices (e.g., the $6 pitchers of liquor). I get that. However, most bars in downtown State College can offer that. The problem here is that many of their staff -- not all of them -- are assholes. At the door, they take pictures only of select people; selection is done via profiling from what I can see. The cover depends upon who you are. Service at the counter is generally indifferent at best and occasionally surly. It is a good place to go dancing and, honestly, if you're into such things, to get a hook-up. read more

The only reason I go here is because it is one of 3 places in state college to actually dance, (indigo is creepy with watered down drinks). The drink prices are good and so it the music, but the staff and atmosphere leaves much to be desired. There is a constant long line that takes forever. I have seen them kick people out who slip (dance floor is disgusting with all the spilled drinks) so they can let more people in. I have seen this happen on many occasions, with the bouncer who kicked people out signaling to the door guy to let more in. If the gaff would stop being a dick, it would be a good place. Edit: THEY DONT DO CHEAP LIQUOR PITCHERS ON FOOTBALL WEEKENDS. Just a heads up Edit: I have seen people say they take pictures of only select people at the door, but I see them take pictures of everyone every time I have been there. so there is a lot wrong with this place but discrimination at entrance isn't one. read more

Be cautious about going here the staff are quick to kick out completly sober people to fit more people in to pay the door fee. I have been victim to and witnessed on several occasions being kicked out before even having my first drink because I was "overly intoxicated". Dont waste your money here, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. read more

Ok, its nothing fancy but it is fun. They have cheap drinks but the staff is fast to serve and the cover is usually cheap too. It gets packed because its small and the bathrooms are well um.. they leave something to be desired. But they play good music, lots of dancing, and the DJ always is nice and will play requests. I have always had a good time here. Some of my best memories (and some forgotten I'm sure) are at this place! read more

I took my 85 year old grandmother there on a Friday night around 1030. was not disappointed.

The owner was at the top of the stairs when we were going in and was intoxicated. Both the bouncers before him let our group up, but he decided one of our party was "past intoxicated" and decided to deny him before he got even close to the top of the steps. Not very professional considering he was our DD and hadn't had a drink all night. Seems to be denying guests on his own whim. read more

Went on a bar crawl with some people from out of town and I joined about halfway through. One of the guys had an expired license and wasn't let in, which is fair, but I was next in line and the doorman told me I was too visibilly intoxicated to go in. Anyone who knows me would find that hilarious, especially since everyone else in the group had been let in. I'm not sure what the real reason was, but based on the other reviews here there are better bars to go to in town. read more

I love the gaff so much and will only say good things about it. I've seen them kick multiple of drunks out all the time. Tonight, I literally dropped a drink by mistake and picked it up ready to clean it up and they came after me and told me I had to leave. Tonight I had 1 drink where others probably brings drank ALL night. I just think it was unfair and uncalled for. read more

This bar sucks!!! I would never recommend going here. They play the worst music and play favorites at the door. They are likely to make you pay for cover and then not let you in. Music sucks, drinks suck, worst bar in state college for sure! I HATE THIS BAR AND MOST PSU STUDENTS SEEM TO FEEL THE SAME WAY. read more

The security staff will do anything to kick you out and are very unprofessional. It's very smoky inside, dance floor is very slippery, and usually very crowded. Karaoke is usually a hit on Wednesday nights. read more

The owner is the rudest person I've ever met in state college. The wait is not worth the return at this bar. Personally I prefer not to give my money to this bar. read more

Only been to the gaff once but considering what it is, I'm not going to complain, the cover charge was a bit ridiculous considering we got there before 10pm. Getting served for drinks is a tad annoying, but the liquor pitchers for 5 bucks are on point. I'm pretty skinny, low body fat, and short so one pitcher gets me decently messed up by the end of the night. For 5 bucks you cant beat it. read more