allow me to update my review: my friend and i went there yesterday for cocktails. see, that felt unsafe. he got a dirty vodka martini, i got a bloody mary with peppar. maria, the bartender, put so much effort into both of those drinks. That was the best bloody mary i've ever not made myself. Also, his martini was pretty good, but vodka ain't my thing coach. read more

Best bar in State College. Sean and Dave are so well versed in beers that you really get to learn about the intricacies in beer while listening to good music in great company. read more

One of the better (if not the best) bars in State College. Different than the usual lowest-common denominator crap that infests the town, they have a nice variety of international beers and you won't see/hear anything to do with the Dave Matthews Band here. I really have no desire to ever return to State College, but if I did, I'd probably throw back a few here just for old time's sake. It is very cramped inside, but it beats the alternative. read more

This is one of my favorite low key bars. While not generally a really popular place for all the preppy Penn Staters it was a nice get away on occasion and an excellent choice for those of you who love beer and love variety. They have the Beers of the World Passport which I think is somewhere over 100+ beers from all over the world. Beats any selection in town as far as I know. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the fact that I at least had difficulty finding people to go with since many generally wanted a more upbeat scene so I was never able to hang out there as much as I would have liked. read more

Zenos, l love you forever. Amazing beer selection, good music (bluegrass on Wednesdays!), and awesome staff. I love coming back home to this bar admist the mostly doofus-filled bars of State College. read more

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. read more

We came in here for lunch just passing through town. The bar is located in the basement and was fairly dark. We sat at the bar and were planning on getting a quick lunch and a beer. The food menu had many similar restaurant to upstairs (The corner) as they share ownership and a kitchen too I think. Our bartender was very knowledgeable and passionate about the beer options and they had a great selection of hard to find craft beers. We ended up getting the Philly Cheese Steak and the chicken wings. Both were quite good. The more I looked over the beer list though the more I wish I could spend more time here and it's what will keep this place at the top of my list when in State College. read more

Despite having moved to a metropolitan area a few years ago, Zeno's is still my favorite bar hands down. They have an excellent beer selection, which is something that true cities can match, but also a small town hominess, reflected in every aspect of their business from bluegrass night to the fact that the bartenders still know me ( I make it back a few times per year now). As many people have mentioned, Zeno's attracts a more mature clientele than any other SC bar; people who go there truly appreciate beer, and don't just go wherever there are $2 drink specials-- the beer tastings they have are a great way to find new favorites! Plus they seem better-managed than many of the area bars, with several entities controlling all of the town liquor licenses--- you don't see the rapid turnover rate here that you do at other places, and the staff seem to genuinely enjoy what they're doing. read more

Easily the best bar in State College. I like it better during the week when it's a little calmer, but I would never turn it down on a weekend. Just get there early so you can get a table. Bluegrass and free bbq pulled pork on Wednesday's. I've been to just about every bar in State College and none come close to Zeno's. read more

Great beer selection, the best staff in State College, a great location, great live music, good food from the Corner Room, and a relaxed atmosphere. This is the best bar in State College. The only downside is there can sometimes be limited seating. read more

Nothing like drunk parents dancing with their drunk children during graduation weekend. Overhead: "Dad, if I post these pictures on Facebook do you think Goldman Sachs will see them?" .... ahhhh not really but it should've been. read more

I don't have much to say about zenos. They have a pretty good beer selection. I think they used to have more beer in the past. That is basically the only reason to visit this bar. It's in a dirty, dark basement. This is a dive at best. Stay out of the bathrooms at all cost, they are 3rd world nasty. Food, I wouldn't recommend unless you were starving. I give them 3 stars based on beer selection only, other wise more like a 1. read more

There's a great beer selection and the staff and evironment are really cool. However, it's an underground establishment that's impossible to find and they have a small cover charge, which apparently is the norm in State College. The night we were here they had a jazz band playing and it was a fun time. Overall I endorse it and think the drink selection is great. read more

Great beer selection, great staff, great music, good prices... not sure about the food but the more I think about it this might be the best stop in State College. You can't smoke here anymore which is a plus, it's a little tight but never overly crowded and I've never had anything but great service here. Not just good service but service from people that really seem to enjoy what they are doing and are good at what they do, that is hard to find anywhere, but in a College town it's very hard to find... Zeno's my new #1 favorite bar in State College. Well done. read more

Good selection of food and beer. Prices were decent. Live music was definitely a plus. The service could have been better and I would have given it four stars. read more

A ton of beers on tap, but it is very loud. It is a great place for a drink with some old buddies.

Hole in the wall dive bar, but an decent one. Their beer menu is diverse, but their bar staff is not always as friendly unless you're a regular there. A place this small should not have live music as it basically becomes the only thing you can hear or do, nevertheless....they frequently have live music. read more

Great beer, nice crowd though a little on the older side, has a cover when there is a band playing otherwise not too pricey. Can get a little too crowded on weekends, don't go here of you want to have conversations with your friends apart from "this place is awesome" or something like that. read more

Bummer that there was a cover, but they did have live music the night I visited. (Although, I do live in Nashville, so that wasn't really a huge novelty to me). And they've got wicked drink specials...mixed drinks for $2.50, really? Dang. Super divey-pool and darts included. read more

Horrible hospitality! We came through as a group wearing our team gear (non Penn State) and was turned away.

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. read more

My first impression was that I hated it, now its my favorite State College bar. The low ceilings and basement atmosphere... I've grown to love these things. Bluegrass Wednesdays are great, with complimentary Clem's BBQ and local live bluegrass with a $2 cover. It can be hard to get a table on these busy nights after 8:00 or so as it is a small bar. Pool and darts in the back room. Best beer selection in town... and Lindemann's Framboise Lambic on tap, yum. The place to bring visitors for a State College experience. read more

Fun place! Not overly pricey, drinks are tasty. Also there is a lot of seating in the bar.

Decent memories at Zenos! Good for a few beers with pals. If you're looking for mixed drinks. This is not the place.

Authentic college dive bar. Didn't go to Penn State, but when traveling to State College, I thought this place was the "rathskeller" - because it's like a Hollywood set, it defines the cliche. In a good way. Well, my bad...the technical/literal Rathskeller is a block away. Don't waste your time, Zenos has been owned by the same family for over 40 years, it's the classic downstairs dark, warm woody college bar with a really good draft and bottled beer selection, above average pub food (great home-made soups) - and a cool staff. Dart boards, pool tables, bands. Classic college template. In the heart of everything. Fun. Fun. Fun. On a football weekend, I can't even imagine how'd they deal with all the happy, nostalgic, drunk alumni. I'd probably enjoy it all the same. read more

If I lived here, This would be my oval spot. They play live music 6 days a week. The beer selection is awesome, and though the cocktail list is short, I'm sure they could make anything. Those who tend the bar are friendly and they notice when your drink is getting low. They know the regulars by name, even speaking through casual conversation. I definitely approve. read more

This is a great bar with a crazy selection of beers. Try to start a passport as soon as you turn 21! Service is always great. Even if the place it filled up! read more

Best bar in State College. Great live music on weekends. It's actually laid back, not too expensive and has good beer.

Horrible service. Seriously bad. Been there multiple times and was essentially harassed by the bartender each time. It is sad because it is a nice bar with decent ambiance. But, the arrogance of the bartender is off the charts. You are better off going Doggy's where they treat the customers in a much more friendly manner. read more

Great place! Good beer at a good price. Better atmosphere than most places in town. I like the nachos the best. But the food is all good because it comes from the restaurant upstairs. read more

Awesome beer selection. Even better beer prices. Very nice atmosphere with live music. The back room is a little atmosphere-less, but who says you need to go there? read more

If you're a beer connoisseur looking for a variety of draft beers, or just looking for a chill place to chat with friends and get some food, Zeno's is the place. The staff are really laid back and fun. You may have heard that Zeno's is the hipster bar, but it's really just a great place for anyone wanting to unwind without the crowds (and sweat) of other bars. There are tables to sit, and you can order food late! Natalie plays on Tuesday nights (love listening to her). Absolutely one of my favorite places in State College! read more

i love zeno's but i must say that the new non-smoking rule sucks ass! let bill pickles be non-smoking for all the scenesters, robojocks, and lemmings......i'm headed over to the phyrst! beer selection is top notch...music selection decent.....band selection (live music) is hit or miss. servers are efficient and kind, bartenders are gods...tip well, don't anger the gods. zeno's bouncers are good people and not powertriped. this review was started over two months ago before the statewide smoking ban. haven't been back to town yet, but looks like me and my kind are screwed....thanks all to the insurance lobby! well i'm rambling....but in summary, zeno's is still directly above the center of the earth and is worth checking out next time you are in happy valley. peace, darth of a salesman read more

If you want to sit down and have a truly amazing selection of beer then this is the place for you. Good for some pool and music. Has more of a calm atmosphere usually as opposed to the G-man/pickles party it up crazy atmosphere. Great place to go, recommended for people that want higher quality drinks. read more

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! read more

This place was fantastic! I was a part of a bar tour for my friend's wedding and we got turned away by Skellar, Cafe 210, and Bar Bleu simply because we were wearing matching t-shirts. This place took us in, spoke to us like adults, and gave us free soft pretzels for our troubles. I can't believe the way other bars treated us based on the fact we wore matching shirts, but Zeno's treated us like true patrons and friends- I couldn't ask for more. Come here for a chill time and a good beer with friends. read more

Good beer selection. This bar has an eclectic mix of patrons. There was a decent band playing, and the cover was $2. They were a little picky at the door, only letting 2 of our party in at a time...the place was not packed. read more

This is a very small dive bar, in the basement of a building, in a college town. We knew exactly how it was before going in. We were fine with that. We wanted a quick bite to eat and a few drinks before we went to a High School football game. It was busy, so the waitress took a little long to greet us, but once we got out drinks, it didn't matter. We ordered some sandwiches. Instead of buns or rolls they used 3 pieces of toast. I got a Ruben with trader tots, it was really tasty. Service was good. We weren't there long. read more

This is one of about 2 bottle shops I go to in State College. The shop is tiny, but they pack a lot in. Prices are not bad, and they have a variety of singles (with mix & match 6 packs) if you want to try several things. Prices are also clearly labeled, which I've found is not always the case in other shops here. The staff is knowledgeable but will leave you alone unless you ask for advice. If you're not seeing something right away, ask -- it takes a bit to know the logic of organizing the place, and sometimes individual things are hard to pick out unless you know what the pattern on your desired 6-pack carton looks like from the side. If you know a little what you're looking for (seasonals, wheats, etc.) or what your priority is (taste vs price, hoppy vs bitter), you can get great recommendations. Because it's PA, your best price is going to come from the distributors, but if you want to buy less than a case this is the best place downtown. read more

Awesome bar, love itI Fantastic selection of beers! Calm atmosphere and everyone appears to be pretty cool! Was my favorite place to go for 3/4 years of my college experience! Expect a cover charge on fridays and saturdays, they always have a band. Most of the time it was about 3-5 bucks! read more