Sometimes when Duke Gastiger is alone in his bar, the All American Rathskeller, he feels a presence.

"It's never been a feeling of evil or goodness," Gastiger said. "It's just a feeling like someone or something else is there."

Last night, 14 members of the Penn State Paranormal Research Society (PRS) conducted an investigation at the Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., searching for what they called "abnormal activity."

Paranormal Research Society President Ryan Buell said he thinks the bar has a certain "negative energy," but that does not mean there is something demonic or evil haunting the bar.

"We have thermometers that we use to look for temperature drops," Paranormal Research Investigator Amanda Kunkel said. "A drop in temperature can mean that a spirit is present."

Kunkel said the team also uses digital cameras to pick up visual orbs and audio recordings to listen for voices.

"When we first got here, we took a tour of the place and set up a home base, which is where we all meet to check equipment and discuss important findings," Kunkel said. "Then we all walk around and get a feel for the place before settling in for a more specific investigation using equipment."

The group worked into the early hours of the morning, recording any finding that various instruments reported and using their own senses to detect if any spirits were present.

Gastiger said that although he's not sure if he believes the bar is haunted, he is interested to see what PRS will determine.

"I've owned the bar since 1985," Gastiger said. "The bar has been around since the 1930s and that's a lot of stories, a lot of tears, a lot of happiness. Do I believe? I don't know, but I'm willing to see what they find."

Buell said the team will go back and look at all the video and audio footage before releasing their findings.

"We're going to release the documents hopefully within the week," Buell said. "People will be able to go onto our Web site and see the footage we shot, and learn about any conclusions we've drawn."