According to current students and some recent alumni, not too much has changed around State College in the past few years.
Lina Tsilikoudis, a 1998 Penn State graduate, said she really misses being at State College.
"The real world is really harsh. When you're up at State College, life just seems easier," Tsilikoudis said. "You get your work done and you just have fun."
Tsilikoudis said she thought the State College social scene opened up for her after she turned 21.
"There was a some place to go almost every night of the week," Tsilikoudis said. "Wednesday night was the Gingerbread Man, Thursday was the night to go to Players or Café 210 West, Friday we went to the Lion's Den, Saturday was Players, Café 210 West or the Shandygaff and Sunday was the day of rest so we would go to The Saloon and relax. We would usually go to the places that had the bigger lines."
Tsilikoudis said the bars have different atmospheres for different moods.
"Players is a good club if you want to dance and Café 210 is great to sit outside on a nice day and to hang out inside at night when there are bands," she said.
Jennifer Zak (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said she especially likes The Saloon, 101 Hiester St., on Monday nights because of its monkey boy specials and karaoke.
Some students said the under-21 social scene has improved.
"The HUB is a great place on the weekends," Greg Reese (junior-information sciences and technology) said. "Whether you are bored, need to pass the time, or just looking for a good time, there's usually something that you can sit down and do, mostly board games, food and movies."
Reese added that he and his friends sometimes enjoy shooting pool at The Corner Pocket in the HUB-Robeson Center. "They have the best tables," he said.
While Kara Houck (sophomore-education) said the social scene is sometimes slow because she is under 21, there are some things to do.
"I go out for dinner and for ice cream or just go out," she said. "Hanging out with friends is always fun. Sometimes I go to frat parties or to the apartments."
