During this extensive eight-month remodel, both interior and exterior elements will be upgraded and modernized. Improved seating, an updated menu, craft cocktails and a second story, outdoor fireside lounge that overlooks the Penn State campus are just a few of the updates that are underway. The Adam's Apple will be expanded and the restaurant totally renovated while maintaining the charm that is synonymous with The Tavern.
Whether you want to enjoy a Penn State game with your friends, sip on a cocktail with a view of Old Main, or dine on the finest food in State College, The Tavern will be your destination. The three buildings that comprise The Tavern have been part of the State College landscape since 1890. The oldest part of The Tavern, the white house along College Avenue, opened in 1890 as a boarding house.
Whether you want to enjoy a Penn State game with your friends, sip on a cocktail with a view of Old Main, or dine on the finest food in State College, The Tavern will be your destination. The three buildings that comprise The Tavern have been part of the State College landscape since 1890. The oldest part of The Tavern, the white house along College Avenue, opened in 1890 as a boarding house.
Services
Bring your friends and for every person you refer that we hire, we'll pay you another $250 when they complete 6 months of employment. Additionally, hourly employees who join now and stay through the end of the year will be entered into a drawing for $2,500 cash! At the Tavern, we appreciate our employees and we show it.
Reviews (24)
Deb Pearson
Jan 11, 2022
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The renovations are phenomenal! The atmosphere is perfect, I'm very happy to see the change. If the place didnt look so great iI wouldve only given the restaurant 2 stars. The service staff were very nice, but didnt have a clue. My server literally carried my cup with his hand around the rim, which is gross, didnt know the menu, but was very pleasant. The staff need much better training. Sadly the food was mediocre at best, if you're looking to have drinks, great place, if youre looking for great food, go somewhere else. My expectations were high,we were all very disappointed in our food.
S. P.
Dec 23, 2021
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I haven't been to the old "The Tavern," so my review is purely on the renovated one. I thought that the food was good and the drinks were tasty. The atmosphere was very nice and the service was quick. I think that the food here is better than Allen Street Grill, which has a similar mid-to-upper tier vibe that it's going for. I would come here again. It is a nice option here in State College.
Catherine P.
Dec 04, 2021
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S. R.
Dec 01, 2021
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Matt Paul
Dec 01, 2021
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Lisa P.
Nov 22, 2021
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M. W.
Nov 20, 2021
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If you are a Penn Sate alumnus visiting for a football game, do not go to this restaurant, as it will make you very sad and somewhat angry. Our suggestion is to go have a few good drinks at the expanded Adam's Apple bar area, soak in the memorabilia and ambiance and then go get dinner at any of other other reputable restaurants within a 2-3 block walk.
The Good: The renovation was largely great. The new and expanded bar area is kinda awesome in that they successfully expanded the space, added a beautiful new bar yet retained the old "bones" and local ambiance of the original
The Good: The renovation was largely great. The new and expanded bar area is kinda awesome in that they successfully expanded the space, added a beautiful new bar yet retained the old "bones" and local ambiance of the original
Lee Bower
Nov 16, 2021
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Buddy L.
Nov 15, 2021
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Got food poisoned at The Tavern, and it was a painful experience. I'll spare the details, but you can imagine the worse.
A group of us decided to splurge on Waygu beef and wine. It was a large bill. My first time there, and unfortunately the food and service was mediocre.
I wrote to the restaurant and informed them of our experience. Here's the reason I decided to write a negative review - no offer of a refund, no apology, and worst - no response at all. There is no excuse for not even bothering to respond, it demonstrates that they just do not care. So
A group of us decided to splurge on Waygu beef and wine. It was a large bill. My first time there, and unfortunately the food and service was mediocre.
I wrote to the restaurant and informed them of our experience. Here's the reason I decided to write a negative review - no offer of a refund, no apology, and worst - no response at all. There is no excuse for not even bothering to respond, it demonstrates that they just do not care. So
Mark Cohrac
Nov 13, 2021
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I had been a lover of the seafood lasagna for at least twenty years. Beside the incredibly disorganized seating process at 5 PM yesterday, the food was very disappointing. Saw 3 tiny shrimp, nothing resembling a scallop, and "crabmeat" that certainly didn't have much flavor, in addition to being served lukewarm.
Renovations look nice and probably up to code for the first time in decades.
Renovations look nice and probably up to code for the first time in decades.
Alysa
Oct 30, 2021
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This is a must stop in Happy Valley 😊. Even a typical meal has an amazing taste and twist to it. Yum yum. If you're more adventurous enjoy the more unique side of the menu, I recommend it. 👌. Philly egg rolls is a must. The veal is heaven and any red meat sauce pasta is great. There are a few sides the the restaurant too (bar, balcony, couches 🛋, patio etc. I'll be back.
Eli K.
Oct 20, 2021
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Ben M.
Oct 20, 2021
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Long ago and faraway, in another time, before "remodeling", this was absolutely the best dining experience in any college town, anywhere.
Affordable elegance was available to students looking for a good, affordable dining. Now , a student loan extension is necessary for the average student to dine here. Only full professors, administrators and head coaches can dine here on a regular basis.
The menu is best described as "pretentious".. Many of the old favorites once signature items, are gone .
Replaced by "new American" cuisine
Affordable elegance was available to students looking for a good, affordable dining. Now , a student loan extension is necessary for the average student to dine here. Only full professors, administrators and head coaches can dine here on a regular basis.
The menu is best described as "pretentious".. Many of the old favorites once signature items, are gone .
Replaced by "new American" cuisine
Linda B.
Oct 16, 2021
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What a disappointment! Where do I begin? Perhaps with the reservation, which I made a month before our group dinner. After a year and a half of not gathering, a group of us decided on a special dinner. What better place than the renovated Tavern's College Avenue window table. With plenty of lead time I reserved the window seat for 6, confirmed the reservation on the day we were to dine there and looked forward to a special evening. Alas, upon arriving I was told that the window table was not available; someone was already eating there. The server/hostess was at a loss as to why the
Tom W.
Oct 10, 2021
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We visited last night for dinner while visiting kids. The Tavern has been recently renovated and offered a comfortable atmosphere with excellent food and service. Our party mixed farm and seafood and all were pleased. A modest wine list but enjoyed our choices.
But I've got to ask management what they are thinking? We made reservations and were told 6:30 was first available. That was ok. But when we arrived a couple arriving before us without reservations was turned away. We were seated promptly in an empty area. That never filled. I get that sometimes people "no show" on a
But I've got to ask management what they are thinking? We made reservations and were told 6:30 was first available. That was ok. But when we arrived a couple arriving before us without reservations was turned away. We were seated promptly in an empty area. That never filled. I get that sometimes people "no show" on a
David J.
Oct 08, 2021
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Last time we ate at The Tavern was lunch, outside, and the building was pretty decrepit. Dinner tonight was in a beautifully remodelled restaurant. Everything was excellent, including the food and wine list, reception, and service. There is little more to ask, except a reduction in the crowds, which haunt even the worst of the town's restaurants. Dinner was a very enjoyable experience.
Jodie H.
Oct 05, 2021
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My family has been going to the Tavern for more than 50 years. It was always a restaurant that had a lot of atmosphere and decent food at reasonable prices. The past several years the food quality had gone down so we were excited to try it out after it had been closed for renovation. We went on Sunday night, October 2nd. The new restaurant is beautiful with all of the renovations, the wait staff was very attentive, the new bar and drinks were great but the food was terrible. The menu is very limited and no one at our table was happy with their meals. I had the Salmon with rice and pea pods. The
Megan Daffan
Oct 03, 2021
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The Tavern has reopened and it is better than ever! We happened to be in State College on one of their openings nights and so we thought we would give The “new” Tavern a try. I don’t usually write reviews but The Tavern deserves to be recognized. It has a fresh new look that still maintains the traditions and nostalgia of the past. The Tavern’s updated menu has something for everyone…with options ranging from salads to seafood to pasta and beef which is locally sourced. Plus there are fresh new side options to choose from on the menu. Everyone in my group of six said their appetizers
Matthew Ridgeway
Sep 26, 2021
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Food and atmosphere are excellent. Highly recommend the hoisin salmon. A very old building if you like history, hand cut wooden beams, and the fireside hearth. The building first opened in 1890 as a boarding room (their website has a great bio). It was a variety of businesses including an ice house, beer distributor, ice cream shop, and auto repair shop. In 1948 it was opened as a restaurant by two WW2 veterans and has operated continuously since, aside from a break to renovate from November 2020 to Sept 2021 when it reopened with beautiful updates including historically accurate color schemes
Rebecca Lerner
Sep 20, 2021
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Zoe M.
Sep 13, 2021
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William Lycett
Sep 11, 2021
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I'm incredibly disappointed in the renovated Tavern and it's new menu. The Tavern was so much a part of my and our Penn State experience. My first meal there was in 1987 with my girlfriend's parents. They would become my in-laws a few years later and we would have four kids. The Tavern was always a place that feel like a part of Penn State. It was tradition and we all loved to have a meal there. It was a place that you felt comfortable and enjoyed well prepared, well priced food. Sadly all that is gone and replaced with a nothing of the tradition or the comfort that made this place so special.
K. H.
Sep 11, 2021
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This isn't the Tavern I remember. This was always a staple for my family on football weekends, or whenever we were in State College. We could count on a great meal and atmosphere. This was my families first time back in two years, and apparently there is a new owner. Besides the obvious addition of an upstairs bar and seating area, there has been quite a few renovations to the downstairs seating area, as well as an overhaul on the menu. No more unlimited sides and gone are your traditional favorites. Instead, they now have a condensed menu. Tonight, we waited nearly 1.5 hours for our overpriced
M. F.
Sep 11, 2021
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Nice atmosphere. Ok food. Nice server but service was questionable. The wait time just to get our food was 1.5 hours. After just one apology and our waitress only coming to check on us once we ended up not having a pleasant experience. Oh and if your looking for the good ole tavern with the unlimited sides, that is a thing of the past. New owners, new prices, new menu items and no unlimited sides. In fact you will have to purchase them for most meals.
