By Collegian Staff Writers

A slew of bars officially pulled their names from the promotion of an early St. Patrick's Day celebration yesterday -- but added that if demand is there, they'll plan accordingly.

One week after the owner of several downtown bars responded to students urging an early St. Patrick's Day celebration and just days
after more bars committed to the moved holiday, 14 denied their involvement, saying original reports were wrong.

The bars decided "not to lend their names to an event historically celebrated with excessive drinking," according to a letter submitted by Lew Kamin, CFO of Dante's Restaurants, Inc. The letter indicates that it was submitted with permission from 14 State College bars, including the Phryst, State College's most popular St. Patrick's Day bar.

However, if the demand is there, the bars will "plan their staffing and menus according to what event(s) were taking place in the community," according to the letter.

Mike Desmond, managing partner in the Hotel State College Company, was the first to announce his intentions for an early St. Patrick's Day celebration after students approached him with the idea last week. Yesterday, he declined to comment.

The Hotel State College Company owns Players Night Club, Bill Pickles Tap Room, Allen Street Grill and Zeno's -- all but the Allen Street Grill are on the letter's list.

The Phyrst originally confirmed its involvement in the festivities but withdrew it yesterday. Owner Scott Lucchesi said the bar was not officially holding a March 2 St. Patrick's Day celebration; however, he said the bar would "open early and staff accordingly," and added, "if people are coming out, we want them to have service."

Kamin likened the event to a home football game.

"If this event happens, it's like there's a football game ... you staff accordingly and cater to your public," he said.

The bars named in the letter are Beulah's BBQ and Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., Bill Pickles Tap Room, 106 S. Allen St., Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave., Hooters of State College, 538 E. College Ave., Players Night Club, 112 W. College Ave., The Brewery, 233 E. Beaver Ave., The Deli, 113

Hiester St., The Gingerbread Man, 130 Hiester St., The Lion's Den, 118 S. Garner St., The Phyrst, 111 E. Beaver Ave., The Saloon, 101 Hiester St., The Shandygaff, rear 212 E. College Ave., Tony's Big Easy, 129 S. Pugh St. and Zeno's, 100 W. College Ave.

Joe Segen (senior-Japanese) and Mike Owens (senior-finance), who had been approaching local bars with the idea for a celebration to be held March 2, said they participated in meetings with bar owners last week to discuss a unified holiday.

The bars voted against the idea of a unified event, but Owens and Segen said they heard no negative feedback about the suggestion to celebrate independently on March 2. Owens and Segen did, however, say bar owners nixed the unified event after discussing last year's incident where a freshman fell from a 6th-floor dorm window on St. Patrick's Day.

"All present considered the proposal to participate in promoting this event to be against the best interests of the University, State College Borough and its residents," the letter said.

On Feb. 9, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon issued a statement expressing the university's concern about the possible holiday, saying it would cost the university for the police department, judicial affairs and medical center.

Mahon said yesterday that he had received numerous calls from bar owners saying that they did not support -- and had never been behind -- the movement at all.

The university did not put any pressure on the bars, Mahon added.

State College Police have been looking into manpower levels and additional costs for the day, Sgt. Chris Fishel said.

Tyrone Parham, assistant director of Penn State University Police, said he had spoken informally with other local police departments and the Town Gown Committee United Against Dangerous Drinking about the March 2 plans.

After Desmond's initial announcement, Borough Council President Cathy Dauler expressed disapproval for an additional day of drinking.

Monday night, Hal McCullough, owner of Café 210, and Kamin told the Council that the Collegian was incorrect in its reporting and that their bars would not be holding any St. Patrick's Day celebrations on March 2.

Council members Elizabeth Goreham, Tom Daubert, Craig Humphrey, and Dauler all said they had not spoken with any bar owners prior to Friday's meeting.

Brewery employee Eric Harden said "as far as I know, we have no plans to do that" concerning the March 2 event. The owner was not available last night.

RJ Caruso, owner of The Darkhouse Tavern, said "We're not doing anything for March 2," and it will observe normal hours, staffing and menu.

Staff members at the All-American Rathskeller said they did not think any special events would occur March 2.

Tony Sapia, owner of Tony's Big Easy, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Brooks Fisher, manager of Sports Café, said he is unsure what the bar will do, but it will be doing "something." He said he is not sure of operating hours or specials for the day, but he said managers will meet next week to discuss the event.

A representative from Hooters did not return phone calls for comment yesterday.

Justin Kramm, owner of the Gingerbread Man, said he was present at the Friday meeting but would not be participating March 2.

Anthony Vergnetti, manager of the Saloon, said, "It's just another day, exactly what it says in the letter," and refused to comment further.

Vanessa Gregg, assistant manager at Beulah's BBQ and Bar Bleu, said the bar may do something but was unsure of details.

Players was closed last night.

A representative from Bill Pickles Tap Room could not be reached.

Chris Brida, assistant manager of Zeno's, said, "I don't really have an answer for that right now."

Leigh Lindsey, manager of Mad Mex, said the bar would not do an alternative day.

The Shandygaff could not be reached for comment by press time.