First my bf and I try to walk in the front door and there was a group of old men hanging out around the entrance. We walk through the group and immediately start to get yelled at by one of the random guys who was apparently checking id's. He was rude to us and expected us to know they checked id's outside but charge a cover inside. It's our first time here buddy calm down. So we go in, and it takes a good 20 min to push through the crowds so we can get to the bar. Then we wait another ten minutes before the bartender has time to acknowledge us. Ugh i want a drink by this point. We finally get our drinks but there's no where to comfortably stand and some older men are yelling at us for blocking their tables. Like why are you in a college bar?? So basically it was a waste of time and they let too many people in. No one has any breathing room and they shouldn't charge a cover for that.
(1)
Marie N.
Dark horse is like the top secret, super cool treehouse hideout that you've only told your best friends about. I wish I would have figured this out before my last month in State College. Seriously the best mixture of atmospheres! They'll often have a live band or DJ in the back with tables, where you can sit, eat, drink and enjoy friends, and then there will be different music playing at the front where they just put in a brand new bar. They have surprisingly good food too. It is definitely the hidden gem of Calder Way. And they are one of only 3 places in State College that offer the raspberry lambic framboise. This amazing, taste bud satisfying, sweet tooth quenching, deep red liquid goodness in a bottle is to die for - if you are not a huge beer drinker, or are just starting out with wines and beers and still prefer the sweeter, lighter taste. It tastes like a raspberry wine but is light and has the delicate frothiness of a hot apple cider. FAVORITE. Moral of the story: Dark Horse is awesome and if you disagree it's because you haven't actually been there or you are newly 21 and your first priority is getting plastered in a packed bar that's 90 degrees and you can watch your sweat drip into your drink. Try dark horse after your 21 phase is over and maybe you'll think differently about it.
(5)
Ben L.
One of my favorite bars in State College. The staff is always patient and efficient, even when it's packed to the rafters. The beer selection is great, and the food is as good as you can get in any restaurant in town. More often than not, I go on Tuesdays for Sex Trivia, which is really busy and extremely entertaining. Burger specials and an awesome happy-hour makes it a must for townies and students alike. The wings are some of the best you can get anywhere, and are frequently on special. They usually have a lot of live music throughout the week, and it stays moderately to really busy most days of the week.
(5)
William G.
Good, cheap fried food. This place is nice off-hours - it doesn't have the crush of the college crowd, so you can actually enjoy your beer in the divey atmosphere Darkhorse has. Definitely get anything with the harlicky sauce!
(4)
Annie L.
Pretty chill bar, unique wings and great burgers (4$ on Tuesdays!). They have really great food and drink specials but on days when there's a band, the stage takes up a ton of space and makes it hard to hear much else.
(3)
Cindy L.
This place is like super secret. This is a place where someone has to really know about it and then tell you and your other friends for everyone to know...or the whole group accidentally stumbles upon it one night. Once people know about it, you realize how super crowded it can get. Their wings are really good.
(4)
Lien N.
Best wings in town!!! Tuesday Sex trivia is a blast!! Great place to go for drinks and apps!!
(5)
Jared J.
Errr?! What can I say the Darkhorse may offer the strongest drink in State College: Aka Tonto's Demise. However, the place is an utter mess. As the night pushes on the floors get sticky, the servers and bar tenders get more and more frustrated, and trash begins to pile up. Maybe better on off hours, but there really isn't a reason I would venture out here for.
(2)
Tyler A.
Horrible customer relations. If something happens to a customer, for the love of God, do something about it. Will not be returning. Horrible experience.
(1)
Rob C.
I've been here several times between my time at PSU and now as an alum. I have to say that during the summer it's easy to get a table. During the year, it may get a bit crowded depending on the music provider for the night. food is very good there. Drinks are reasonably priced. Decent beer selection among crafts, domestics, and imports.
(4)
Anthony C.
From the outside, the Darkhorse may get lost in the mix amongst the myriad of other bars on College Ave, but if you turn the corner and venture down Calder Way you're in for a treat. Sure they have original drink specials and a local beer selection, but single creation that set's these guys apart from the rest is their Pazzo's Choice wings! It's my single favorite wing sauce, hands down. Whether you're looking for a place to grab food and drinks after work, or going to head out for a night on the town, the Darkhorse is the place to be. Their bar staff are generally friendly, but Nolan is the man. My favorite beer combination was the Stone-Red-Ape, but the last time I stopped in there, they didn't have the requisite beers on tap. Still if you see it around, you should give it a try.
(5)
Brittany B.
Delicious wings with several flavors to choose from! Fifty cent wings on Thursday goes well with a cold, refreshing beer! It can be a little loud inside sometimes, but everyone is friendly. Something I would suggest is more seating.. I feel I always wait, awkwardly in a crammed corner, for 10-15 minutes waiting for a table to open.
(4)
John N.
The Darkhorse provides a wonderful atmosphere for drinking and hanging out with friends. Along with their great deals, the Darkhorse hosts a variety of bands and has trivia night every week. Despite everything stated above, what makes the Darkhorse the best bar in state college is their bartender, Michelle. Michelle goes out of her way to befriend all who visit the bar and always puts a smile on our faces; she is the reason we have been back so many times and the reason we will continue to come to the Darkhorse
(5)
Sylvie D.
My group of friends and I have been regulars here for many years. We go for their wing night.... they have the best wings in town! The specials are really good, service is always fantastic and friendly, and they have a great selection of draft beer. Beware of weekends and fake holidays/ bar tours made up of douchebag undergrads though (unless you are a douchebag undergrad)... if you avoid those times, you will understand why we all love this dive bar!
(5)
Dave H.
The Darkhorse Tavern is a Penn State hangout (yet another one with rock music blaring through the sound system). The front area has an area for dancing and crowding and tables on the side. We sat in a booth in the back room. Their wings are popular and were recommended to me so I took my friend here. There are different flavors available, we tried the garlic and spicy ones. Service was merely okay, and understandably so, since it was Blue & White weekend - the Darkhorse was uber-packed. After we left, I realized I had no receipt SINCE I DIDN'T PAY. It was so busy that no one noticed! Of course, I returned later and settled the bill.
(3)
Danny B.
I drink here occasionally. As State College goes, drink prices are moderate or even slightly high. Craft-beer selection is moderate. Service from bartenders is adequate though a regular will always be served before a non-regular, I've noticed. I've eaten there once. Darkhorse is supposed to be best known for its burgers, so I ordered the Texas BBQ burger once and substituted fries. The fries were above average, and I'm a fry snob. However, the burger, I thought, was unimpressive. In particular, the bun tasted stale to me. Often, on weekends, they'll have music there. Some of the acts they have there are quite good and a departure from the usual in the bar scene in State College. However, Darkhorse suffers from being a small establishment and having poor acoustics. Those two characteristics make it a poor venue for live music; the sound of the music is often distorted, and it is impossible to hear conversation while bands are playing.
(3)
Michael W.
I have mixed feelings about Darkhorse Tavern. Don't get me wrong because I know that the drinks are dirt cheap. You can literally get a mixed drink for like $3, and a pint of beer for $2, but that's like all the other places in State College. What kills me is that it's small as hell. Once you manage to get through the line and pay cover, good luck trying to get some elbow room. You're literally packed elbow to elbow with the horde of people trying to get their drink on. There's a live band throughout the week over here, but that just ends up crowding up the place even more. On top of the people that you're battling to grab a drink at the bar, you now have to deal with drunkards dancing around the live band. They have bathrooms here, but they're horribly placed right between the two bars and a narrow walkway. Open your door slowly or else you might knock out someone's teeth. Towards the back, there is another bar that is less crowded, but that area is narrow as hell, so be prepared to squeeze pass a bunch of people. Darkhorse by far is not my top choice of drinking spots. It's crowded, grimy, and even dares to charge cover. If it wasn't for the ridiculously cheap alcohol, I would refuse to come here again.
(2)
Sarah S.
Yes it's small....I'd say it a dive bar that serves bar food. The wings are awesome and on wing night they are CHEAP! Birdsauce wings are the best followed by BBQ We are here during the summer so we got right in and sat right down Note: enter Calder Way...."Front" Door isn't always open?
(4)
Cheryl A.
You could usually find me here on wing night with the Redifer crew. The wings were definitely good, top ten probably. This is a great place to start your night if you are "laying low." Friends, cheap drinks, a few wings, decent music...what else do you need? It's a little dark, kinda narrow, the whole basment thing again, but it's very laid back. Be sure to get there early on wing night though, you aren't the only one thinking it's a good idea.
(4)
Dale M.
A couple of my buddies and I were cruisin through the streets of state college absolutrly PARCHED. Needing somewhere to wet our whistle we stumbled across our little gem in state college, the Horse. We were greeted at the door by two very charming and extremely good looking boys named Joe and Larry. They welcomed us and informed us of their plethora of specials available on this fine Wednesday evening. Once at the bar we couldnt help but stress to our bartender how good looking the two men at the door were. We odered a tonto and some pazzo choice wings. We enjoyed our drinks and food while listening to a band called Earth Sauce, boy could they shred. We decided to stick around for a few extra drinks and maybe the courage to talk to those handsome door guys who carded us earlier. Me and my buddies from algebra class decided another round of tonto's demise were in order so we had the stunningly well groomed bartender (brett) make us a few more. Awesome overall experience. I can not stress how attractive 85 percent of the people who work there are. On the way out we caught rumor of a troll that may work in the back but that is something for our next visit.
(5)
Mary Y.
The wings here are very delicious. I would say its not the biggest location for gathering but we came here with about 10-12 people and put 3 tables together. Thursday night is wing night!
(4)
Simon B.
Well, I have returned twice since my last review. Once, I went for the pazzo wings, and they were nothing special. I don't get what the "buzz" was about. I had a hard time talking to my friend because a very loud group of 40yo who acted like they were frat boys and shouted every 10 seconds. The second time was better. I went to see the Threadbare Orchestra, and they were awesome. But same attitude issues, and average food. In my case, I'm done with this place. There's just so much better. I won't go back unless there's a band I like playing there.
(2)
Nicole W.
Last stop on my bar tour back to Penn State (we only made it to 4 places booo). This place was packed on a Tuesday and I guess there was some kind of trivia going on... not really sure, came in during the middle of it. Lots of young people here that definitely made my husband and I feel like old-heads (boooo again). The bar is pretty small and not much room to move around. A few tables and some bar seating. Isn't as charming of a bar like Phyrst or Rathskeller (in that divey sort of way)... this place is kind of plain. Apparently there's food to be had but I didn't see anyone eating. I'm guessing the reason to go here is for whatever drink specials they offer and for the eye candy.
(3)
Rodney L.
My favorite bar in the area, staff is laid back and seem cheerful, music does NOT suck and it is not obnoxiously loud, just way more laid back than any other bar, even Zenos. Bar staff is fast and patient. I really can't stress the laid back staff enough.
(5)
Brian B.
Came here on Saturday night after the football game was over and most of everyone was resting before going out. For being fairly popular, I was still able to get a seat at the bar. Grabbed one of their Chipolte burgers and a Tonto's Demise. Burger was awesome, you could tell they hand-shaped that sucker before it went on the grill. On the other hand, getting mayo or other toppings after it came out to me took some time, but I chalk it up to football Saturday. Burger was about 7, Tonto's was 7.50. On the other hand, the Tonto's Demise tasted as advertised: a truckload of booze with little offense. I was served it in a solo cup while everyone after me seemed to get plastic pint glasses, which seemed odd. Regardless, I'd be more willing to get one during a happy hour when it's half price. Beer selection was above average, and overall I'd come back here when happy hour is going on.
(4)
Joshua N.
I was pretty past my limit when I visited here, but it seemed fun. It had some pretty strong and cheap drinks and a ton of people were here. So it has to be fun. Just didn't seem like anything extra special. Just a good college bar.
(3)
Josh G.
Drug there by a friend. Watched him slobber over whore. A good night. Wasted.
(2)
Alex V.
Typical State College bar, loud, crowded, and full of drunk college students. I came back to sample the Tonto's demise. Its certainly not the worse bar in State College, and the beer selection has definitely improved.
(3)
Lynn J.
yes, it is a typical (state) college bar, but... great drinks + familiar faces + meeting a hot guy the one night you're there = AWESOME a group of girlfriends and i made the trek out to state college for a mini-reunion during arts fest...the saturday night we wanted to go out, the wait at all the bars was INSANE, even at 8:30pm! when we were about to give up all hope and head back to our rented house to have our own private party, we noticed that the alumni invasion hadn't hit the darkhorse yet. enter and we find a small, but growing, crowd, a band playing some rock music (not too bad, the bassist was too goofy looking to be playing rock music but fun too watch) and to my delightful surprise, a lot of the staff from four years ago were still there! it was so nice to see these familiar faces and it was a total trip down memory lane...for you darkhorse newbies, either try a kansas city ice water or tonto's demise...they're sure to start the night off right. and to top it all off, i spotted the hottest guy in the bar, made eye contact, smiled at him...and a few moments later we're grabbing a drink together - SCORE. ;)...a few drinks later we're making out in dark corners, haha. when we left (hot guy in tow), there was a HUGE line waiting to get in... good times, good times
(4)
Justin B.
This place is great! Cheap beer pitcher specials, great low priced food, and free Team Trivia every Wednesday night. I've been going there for years and it's the best. Nothing beats the price. 4 people can drink and eat for about 35$! It's a bar so they I.D. at the door.
(5)
Amy G.
In 1985 I considered going to Penn State but for various reasons I took a pass. However, I always wanted to see a football game. So, when my alma mater, Indiana University, was playing at PSU I snagged some tickets. The weather was horrible, IU was trounced, but we did find the Darkhorse Tavern so the experience wasn't a huge loss. Plus, I fulfilled my 24 year desire to see a game. After walking the "strip" for a while, we ended up intrigued by this basement bar with a short menu. As we passed, two college students were coming out with a large amount of beer and they gave the alcohol selection two thumbs up. We decided to look around some more, but found ourselves interested in what was below the street. It's my type of college bar - dark, small, wood booths, lots of booze to pick from, and decent eats. Hubby ordered their Blackened Blue 'Shroom burger. It's just over $6 and includes 6 oz. of beef, mushrooms, and blue cheese dressing. It's served in a large bun with lettuce and tomato. Your side is chips unless you want to cough up extra for a fancier side dish. I, being a wing nut, opted for a half dozen of their Pazzo's Choice wings, which set me back $3.75. It came with five thin pieces of celery and a small cup of blue cheese dressing. I have now found a few favorite blue cheese dressing. It has a different seasoning than most dressings and I was extremely sad that my celery barely made a dent in the dressing. I ended up dipping the wings into the dressing. I give that option two thumbs up. The Pazzo's Choice sauce is a blend of their hot sauce and their butter-garlic. It's good but not too hot or garlicky. I'd like a little more heat and garlic . . . but overall they were decent. My only real complaint was that they were on the small side. Not a big deal that night because I wasn't that hungry, but if you're looking for a meal you need to get the full dozen (just under $7). Hubby also had a side salad which he ordered with blue cheese dressing. Being that I was now in love with the dressing I offered to help him eat it. :) The ambiance reminded me of my favorite college hang out in Bloomington, IN so I was hooked from a nostalgia perspective as well. I was tired so I skipped the booze but they have some interesting mixed drinks. The next time I go there I will definitely imbibe. Hubby had a local brew off the tap and he was adequately amused but not knock-down impressed. Service was pretty good even though every table was full. The food delivery was a little slower than expected, but it was game day so I'm cutting them some slack. As a P.S. I was also impressed with their music choices. A nice mix and not so loud as to be overwhelming. As a P.P.S. I was wearing an IU hat and not a single person said anything unsavory nor did anyone snicker (although they would have been right because IU really played a bad game).
(4)
Derek M.
They have a good beer selection, and a decent selection of vegetarian dishes (which is surprising for a basement dive bar). But it can get a little loud and rowdy.
(3)
tiffanie l.
Wing night is crazy here and trivia is awesome. One of my favorite college bars.
(4)
Brian B.
The wings are absolutely the best!!!.. I haven't found their equals!!.
(4)
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Address :127 E Calder Way
State College, PA, 16801
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Thu Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Rachel M.
First my bf and I try to walk in the front door and there was a group of old men hanging out around the entrance. We walk through the group and immediately start to get yelled at by one of the random guys who was apparently checking id's. He was rude to us and expected us to know they checked id's outside but charge a cover inside. It's our first time here buddy calm down. So we go in, and it takes a good 20 min to push through the crowds so we can get to the bar. Then we wait another ten minutes before the bartender has time to acknowledge us. Ugh i want a drink by this point. We finally get our drinks but there's no where to comfortably stand and some older men are yelling at us for blocking their tables. Like why are you in a college bar?? So basically it was a waste of time and they let too many people in. No one has any breathing room and they shouldn't charge a cover for that.
(1)Marie N.
Dark horse is like the top secret, super cool treehouse hideout that you've only told your best friends about. I wish I would have figured this out before my last month in State College. Seriously the best mixture of atmospheres! They'll often have a live band or DJ in the back with tables, where you can sit, eat, drink and enjoy friends, and then there will be different music playing at the front where they just put in a brand new bar. They have surprisingly good food too. It is definitely the hidden gem of Calder Way. And they are one of only 3 places in State College that offer the raspberry lambic framboise. This amazing, taste bud satisfying, sweet tooth quenching, deep red liquid goodness in a bottle is to die for - if you are not a huge beer drinker, or are just starting out with wines and beers and still prefer the sweeter, lighter taste. It tastes like a raspberry wine but is light and has the delicate frothiness of a hot apple cider. FAVORITE. Moral of the story: Dark Horse is awesome and if you disagree it's because you haven't actually been there or you are newly 21 and your first priority is getting plastered in a packed bar that's 90 degrees and you can watch your sweat drip into your drink. Try dark horse after your 21 phase is over and maybe you'll think differently about it.
(5)Ben L.
One of my favorite bars in State College. The staff is always patient and efficient, even when it's packed to the rafters. The beer selection is great, and the food is as good as you can get in any restaurant in town. More often than not, I go on Tuesdays for Sex Trivia, which is really busy and extremely entertaining. Burger specials and an awesome happy-hour makes it a must for townies and students alike. The wings are some of the best you can get anywhere, and are frequently on special. They usually have a lot of live music throughout the week, and it stays moderately to really busy most days of the week.
(5)William G.
Good, cheap fried food. This place is nice off-hours - it doesn't have the crush of the college crowd, so you can actually enjoy your beer in the divey atmosphere Darkhorse has. Definitely get anything with the harlicky sauce!
(4)Annie L.
Pretty chill bar, unique wings and great burgers (4$ on Tuesdays!). They have really great food and drink specials but on days when there's a band, the stage takes up a ton of space and makes it hard to hear much else.
(3)Cindy L.
This place is like super secret. This is a place where someone has to really know about it and then tell you and your other friends for everyone to know...or the whole group accidentally stumbles upon it one night. Once people know about it, you realize how super crowded it can get. Their wings are really good.
(4)Lien N.
Best wings in town!!! Tuesday Sex trivia is a blast!! Great place to go for drinks and apps!!
(5)Jared J.
Errr?! What can I say the Darkhorse may offer the strongest drink in State College: Aka Tonto's Demise. However, the place is an utter mess. As the night pushes on the floors get sticky, the servers and bar tenders get more and more frustrated, and trash begins to pile up. Maybe better on off hours, but there really isn't a reason I would venture out here for.
(2)Tyler A.
Horrible customer relations. If something happens to a customer, for the love of God, do something about it. Will not be returning. Horrible experience.
(1)Rob C.
I've been here several times between my time at PSU and now as an alum. I have to say that during the summer it's easy to get a table. During the year, it may get a bit crowded depending on the music provider for the night. food is very good there. Drinks are reasonably priced. Decent beer selection among crafts, domestics, and imports.
(4)Anthony C.
From the outside, the Darkhorse may get lost in the mix amongst the myriad of other bars on College Ave, but if you turn the corner and venture down Calder Way you're in for a treat. Sure they have original drink specials and a local beer selection, but single creation that set's these guys apart from the rest is their Pazzo's Choice wings! It's my single favorite wing sauce, hands down. Whether you're looking for a place to grab food and drinks after work, or going to head out for a night on the town, the Darkhorse is the place to be. Their bar staff are generally friendly, but Nolan is the man. My favorite beer combination was the Stone-Red-Ape, but the last time I stopped in there, they didn't have the requisite beers on tap. Still if you see it around, you should give it a try.
(5)Brittany B.
Delicious wings with several flavors to choose from! Fifty cent wings on Thursday goes well with a cold, refreshing beer! It can be a little loud inside sometimes, but everyone is friendly. Something I would suggest is more seating.. I feel I always wait, awkwardly in a crammed corner, for 10-15 minutes waiting for a table to open.
(4)John N.
The Darkhorse provides a wonderful atmosphere for drinking and hanging out with friends. Along with their great deals, the Darkhorse hosts a variety of bands and has trivia night every week. Despite everything stated above, what makes the Darkhorse the best bar in state college is their bartender, Michelle. Michelle goes out of her way to befriend all who visit the bar and always puts a smile on our faces; she is the reason we have been back so many times and the reason we will continue to come to the Darkhorse
(5)Sylvie D.
My group of friends and I have been regulars here for many years. We go for their wing night.... they have the best wings in town! The specials are really good, service is always fantastic and friendly, and they have a great selection of draft beer. Beware of weekends and fake holidays/ bar tours made up of douchebag undergrads though (unless you are a douchebag undergrad)... if you avoid those times, you will understand why we all love this dive bar!
(5)Dave H.
The Darkhorse Tavern is a Penn State hangout (yet another one with rock music blaring through the sound system). The front area has an area for dancing and crowding and tables on the side. We sat in a booth in the back room. Their wings are popular and were recommended to me so I took my friend here. There are different flavors available, we tried the garlic and spicy ones. Service was merely okay, and understandably so, since it was Blue & White weekend - the Darkhorse was uber-packed. After we left, I realized I had no receipt SINCE I DIDN'T PAY. It was so busy that no one noticed! Of course, I returned later and settled the bill.
(3)Danny B.
I drink here occasionally. As State College goes, drink prices are moderate or even slightly high. Craft-beer selection is moderate. Service from bartenders is adequate though a regular will always be served before a non-regular, I've noticed. I've eaten there once. Darkhorse is supposed to be best known for its burgers, so I ordered the Texas BBQ burger once and substituted fries. The fries were above average, and I'm a fry snob. However, the burger, I thought, was unimpressive. In particular, the bun tasted stale to me. Often, on weekends, they'll have music there. Some of the acts they have there are quite good and a departure from the usual in the bar scene in State College. However, Darkhorse suffers from being a small establishment and having poor acoustics. Those two characteristics make it a poor venue for live music; the sound of the music is often distorted, and it is impossible to hear conversation while bands are playing.
(3)Michael W.
I have mixed feelings about Darkhorse Tavern. Don't get me wrong because I know that the drinks are dirt cheap. You can literally get a mixed drink for like $3, and a pint of beer for $2, but that's like all the other places in State College. What kills me is that it's small as hell. Once you manage to get through the line and pay cover, good luck trying to get some elbow room. You're literally packed elbow to elbow with the horde of people trying to get their drink on. There's a live band throughout the week over here, but that just ends up crowding up the place even more. On top of the people that you're battling to grab a drink at the bar, you now have to deal with drunkards dancing around the live band. They have bathrooms here, but they're horribly placed right between the two bars and a narrow walkway. Open your door slowly or else you might knock out someone's teeth. Towards the back, there is another bar that is less crowded, but that area is narrow as hell, so be prepared to squeeze pass a bunch of people. Darkhorse by far is not my top choice of drinking spots. It's crowded, grimy, and even dares to charge cover. If it wasn't for the ridiculously cheap alcohol, I would refuse to come here again.
(2)Sarah S.
Yes it's small....I'd say it a dive bar that serves bar food. The wings are awesome and on wing night they are CHEAP! Birdsauce wings are the best followed by BBQ We are here during the summer so we got right in and sat right down Note: enter Calder Way...."Front" Door isn't always open?
(4)Cheryl A.
You could usually find me here on wing night with the Redifer crew. The wings were definitely good, top ten probably. This is a great place to start your night if you are "laying low." Friends, cheap drinks, a few wings, decent music...what else do you need? It's a little dark, kinda narrow, the whole basment thing again, but it's very laid back. Be sure to get there early on wing night though, you aren't the only one thinking it's a good idea.
(4)Dale M.
A couple of my buddies and I were cruisin through the streets of state college absolutrly PARCHED. Needing somewhere to wet our whistle we stumbled across our little gem in state college, the Horse. We were greeted at the door by two very charming and extremely good looking boys named Joe and Larry. They welcomed us and informed us of their plethora of specials available on this fine Wednesday evening. Once at the bar we couldnt help but stress to our bartender how good looking the two men at the door were. We odered a tonto and some pazzo choice wings. We enjoyed our drinks and food while listening to a band called Earth Sauce, boy could they shred. We decided to stick around for a few extra drinks and maybe the courage to talk to those handsome door guys who carded us earlier. Me and my buddies from algebra class decided another round of tonto's demise were in order so we had the stunningly well groomed bartender (brett) make us a few more. Awesome overall experience. I can not stress how attractive 85 percent of the people who work there are. On the way out we caught rumor of a troll that may work in the back but that is something for our next visit.
(5)Mary Y.
The wings here are very delicious. I would say its not the biggest location for gathering but we came here with about 10-12 people and put 3 tables together. Thursday night is wing night!
(4)Simon B.
Well, I have returned twice since my last review. Once, I went for the pazzo wings, and they were nothing special. I don't get what the "buzz" was about. I had a hard time talking to my friend because a very loud group of 40yo who acted like they were frat boys and shouted every 10 seconds. The second time was better. I went to see the Threadbare Orchestra, and they were awesome. But same attitude issues, and average food. In my case, I'm done with this place. There's just so much better. I won't go back unless there's a band I like playing there.
(2)Nicole W.
Last stop on my bar tour back to Penn State (we only made it to 4 places booo). This place was packed on a Tuesday and I guess there was some kind of trivia going on... not really sure, came in during the middle of it. Lots of young people here that definitely made my husband and I feel like old-heads (boooo again). The bar is pretty small and not much room to move around. A few tables and some bar seating. Isn't as charming of a bar like Phyrst or Rathskeller (in that divey sort of way)... this place is kind of plain. Apparently there's food to be had but I didn't see anyone eating. I'm guessing the reason to go here is for whatever drink specials they offer and for the eye candy.
(3)Rodney L.
My favorite bar in the area, staff is laid back and seem cheerful, music does NOT suck and it is not obnoxiously loud, just way more laid back than any other bar, even Zenos. Bar staff is fast and patient. I really can't stress the laid back staff enough.
(5)Brian B.
Came here on Saturday night after the football game was over and most of everyone was resting before going out. For being fairly popular, I was still able to get a seat at the bar. Grabbed one of their Chipolte burgers and a Tonto's Demise. Burger was awesome, you could tell they hand-shaped that sucker before it went on the grill. On the other hand, getting mayo or other toppings after it came out to me took some time, but I chalk it up to football Saturday. Burger was about 7, Tonto's was 7.50. On the other hand, the Tonto's Demise tasted as advertised: a truckload of booze with little offense. I was served it in a solo cup while everyone after me seemed to get plastic pint glasses, which seemed odd. Regardless, I'd be more willing to get one during a happy hour when it's half price. Beer selection was above average, and overall I'd come back here when happy hour is going on.
(4)Joshua N.
I was pretty past my limit when I visited here, but it seemed fun. It had some pretty strong and cheap drinks and a ton of people were here. So it has to be fun. Just didn't seem like anything extra special. Just a good college bar.
(3)Josh G.
Drug there by a friend. Watched him slobber over whore. A good night. Wasted.
(2)Alex V.
Typical State College bar, loud, crowded, and full of drunk college students. I came back to sample the Tonto's demise. Its certainly not the worse bar in State College, and the beer selection has definitely improved.
(3)Lynn J.
yes, it is a typical (state) college bar, but... great drinks + familiar faces + meeting a hot guy the one night you're there = AWESOME a group of girlfriends and i made the trek out to state college for a mini-reunion during arts fest...the saturday night we wanted to go out, the wait at all the bars was INSANE, even at 8:30pm! when we were about to give up all hope and head back to our rented house to have our own private party, we noticed that the alumni invasion hadn't hit the darkhorse yet. enter and we find a small, but growing, crowd, a band playing some rock music (not too bad, the bassist was too goofy looking to be playing rock music but fun too watch) and to my delightful surprise, a lot of the staff from four years ago were still there! it was so nice to see these familiar faces and it was a total trip down memory lane...for you darkhorse newbies, either try a kansas city ice water or tonto's demise...they're sure to start the night off right. and to top it all off, i spotted the hottest guy in the bar, made eye contact, smiled at him...and a few moments later we're grabbing a drink together - SCORE. ;)...a few drinks later we're making out in dark corners, haha. when we left (hot guy in tow), there was a HUGE line waiting to get in... good times, good times
(4)Justin B.
This place is great! Cheap beer pitcher specials, great low priced food, and free Team Trivia every Wednesday night. I've been going there for years and it's the best. Nothing beats the price. 4 people can drink and eat for about 35$! It's a bar so they I.D. at the door.
(5)Amy G.
In 1985 I considered going to Penn State but for various reasons I took a pass. However, I always wanted to see a football game. So, when my alma mater, Indiana University, was playing at PSU I snagged some tickets. The weather was horrible, IU was trounced, but we did find the Darkhorse Tavern so the experience wasn't a huge loss. Plus, I fulfilled my 24 year desire to see a game. After walking the "strip" for a while, we ended up intrigued by this basement bar with a short menu. As we passed, two college students were coming out with a large amount of beer and they gave the alcohol selection two thumbs up. We decided to look around some more, but found ourselves interested in what was below the street. It's my type of college bar - dark, small, wood booths, lots of booze to pick from, and decent eats. Hubby ordered their Blackened Blue 'Shroom burger. It's just over $6 and includes 6 oz. of beef, mushrooms, and blue cheese dressing. It's served in a large bun with lettuce and tomato. Your side is chips unless you want to cough up extra for a fancier side dish. I, being a wing nut, opted for a half dozen of their Pazzo's Choice wings, which set me back $3.75. It came with five thin pieces of celery and a small cup of blue cheese dressing. I have now found a few favorite blue cheese dressing. It has a different seasoning than most dressings and I was extremely sad that my celery barely made a dent in the dressing. I ended up dipping the wings into the dressing. I give that option two thumbs up. The Pazzo's Choice sauce is a blend of their hot sauce and their butter-garlic. It's good but not too hot or garlicky. I'd like a little more heat and garlic . . . but overall they were decent. My only real complaint was that they were on the small side. Not a big deal that night because I wasn't that hungry, but if you're looking for a meal you need to get the full dozen (just under $7). Hubby also had a side salad which he ordered with blue cheese dressing. Being that I was now in love with the dressing I offered to help him eat it. :) The ambiance reminded me of my favorite college hang out in Bloomington, IN so I was hooked from a nostalgia perspective as well. I was tired so I skipped the booze but they have some interesting mixed drinks. The next time I go there I will definitely imbibe. Hubby had a local brew off the tap and he was adequately amused but not knock-down impressed. Service was pretty good even though every table was full. The food delivery was a little slower than expected, but it was game day so I'm cutting them some slack. As a P.S. I was also impressed with their music choices. A nice mix and not so loud as to be overwhelming. As a P.P.S. I was wearing an IU hat and not a single person said anything unsavory nor did anyone snicker (although they would have been right because IU really played a bad game).
(4)Derek M.
They have a good beer selection, and a decent selection of vegetarian dishes (which is surprising for a basement dive bar). But it can get a little loud and rowdy.
(3)tiffanie l.
Wing night is crazy here and trivia is awesome. One of my favorite college bars.
(4)Brian B.
The wings are absolutely the best!!!.. I haven't found their equals!!.
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