Phyrst — Restaurant in State College

The Phyrst is a local legend. On any given night you'll see current students partying side-by-side with wizened alums trying to relive the glory days. The Phyrst is steeped in history and in old alcohol. The floors are known for being sticky, the benches are old and wobbly, but the music is awesome and loud, the drinks are fast and cheap, and the crowd is high energy.

It gets packed on weekends, and if you don't show up before 9 expect cover and a line. Of course the party doesn't start until then. If you appear drunk, they will throw you out very fast. If you go on your 21st you get a hat to wear... Wearing the hat will also get you kicked out eventually.

Food is great, shockingly, because it comes from Ernie's upstairs. Ernie used to have a sing-a-long band way back when and evidence of that is commemorated on the walls. If you're upstairs, I recommend a cheesesteak, if you're in the Phyrst, get the fries. They come in a mountain on a baking sheet. The must-try drink is the Irish trashcan, but the daily specials are usually cheaper...

At this bar I had one of the worst experiences ever, I felt discriminated for talking in Spanish with a peer. I'm from DC and I've never been to the Penn State area; I was in the area because I just graduated from a MBA. The locals had told us to go to this famous college bar and we did but what happened there was something that I have seen in the media lately but never have felt for myself. I wasn't going to make a big deal about it but I got charged for “criminal trespassing” and I have to pay a fine just because I asked the manager to give back the money that we didn't even consume because they told us to leave as soon as we ordered some drinks, very convenient, just because they thought my peer was “slurring” his speech when in fact he was just talking Spanish to me. And on top of that they also asked another non-caucasian guy in the bar to leave as well who was also in our MBA group. With that being said, to all my fellow minorities, if you don't want to feel discriminated don't go to this bar it’s...

I was banned. Wasn't explained why. Lady bartender threw the clipboard at me on my last tab. She wasn't even assisting me. Props to my tender in the hoodie she provided great service. Bouncer/person in front Didn't want to provide a name or reason. Didn't let me finish the last drink I was charged so I tore my last signed ticket and he even said ( don't do that) replied I'm not paying for something I didn't consume. They made the Refund, I checked next morning. Justified that I was drunk but definitely asked the right questions to get to his boiling point to be banned. Afterwards he asked for my name I guess for the to be placed on the list; he didn't want to provide his earlier so I asked to trade names....