Danielle Hofer scooped up a lone dollar bill stuck to the damp bar top at the Darkhorse Tavern Saturday night.

Sometimes customers tip her with spare change or don't leave anything, but she takes it all in stride.

"I think Penn State students think they are good tippers," she said with a laugh. "I don't think people think about it too much. They don't realize that this job is helping pay for me to go to school."

Some nights are better then others when it comes to the tips, which account for most of her income. Last Monday she worked from 8 p.m. to closing time and made $6. On a football weekend, she can easily make $200 or more.

Saturday night was decent, she said, considering a few bar tours and a bachelorette party made their way into the Darkhorse, 128 E. College Ave., during her shift. She made $100.

After taking some time off from school, Hofer, 24, is currently a junior studying political science. Working a night shift works well with her class schedule, she said.

"I have my days open so I can focus on my classes and catch up on homework," she said.

This means Hofer's nights are devoted to the Darkhorse, where she has worked for more than a year. She said her experience helps her handle the stress of the job.

A typical shift for Hofer starts at 5 p.m. and ends around 3 a.m., after she finishes cleaning up.

The crowd peaked at midnight on Saturday, and Hofer buzzed around, working the taps, grabbing bottles from the fridge, punching numbers into a calculator and adding tabs to the long line that accumulated on the bar counter. She had to shout over the noise to make sure she got drink orders right.

As Hofer wiped down the bar at the end of the night, her co-worker hauled a plastic trashcan full of empty liquor bottles out to the Dumpster, the remnants of a night out in a college town. "Sometimes you can't believe the way people act when they are drinking," she said.

Hofer said even though she is a bartender and works to support herself, she tries to make sure that her patrons stay safe -- not drunk.

"We all definitely keep an eye on people we think have had too much," she said. "The servers and door guys help us watch people and tell us who they think should be cut off."

Hofer said it's often difficult to pay attention to the amount people drink.

"If people are really slurring their speech and have a glazed look in their eyes, you can usually tell that they need to stop [drinking]," she said.

The Darkhorse's bartenders try to judge each situation. Sometimes they cut a person off from mixed drinks and only let them to have beer. Other times, they will not allow a person to drink anything but water. "We try to be polite in this situation, and people are nice about it for the most part," Hofer said. "Some people do get upset and others just seem to forget they have been cut off and we have to keep reminding them."

She added that the Darkhorse has a policy not to serve liquor to people who turn 21 until 26 hours after their birthday. "We just serve them beer," she said. "A lot of bars do that too; it's just safer that way."

Darkhorse bartenders are required to complete a RAMP (State Responsible Alcohol Certification Program) class that is offered twice a year.

"[RAMP] teaches us how to handle situation, such as how to deal with fake a ID," She said.

Hofer said she wants people to have fun and be smart about drinking. This is sometimes hard considering that she is the one providing them with alcohol.

Saturday night around 10:50 p.m. -- 10 minutes before happy hour was over -- a crowd swarmed the bar for half-priced mixed drinks. When given the choice between a double or single, most people went for the double.

Hofer said vodka-sodas have been popular lately and the Darkhorse's original drink -- Tonto's Demise -- is always a big hit. On Saturday night, Hofer's hands flew as she poured the specialty drink into plastic cups, three or four at a time.

"It is a mixture of a little of each of the liquors in our well, plus fruit juices and grenadine," she said. "You wouldn't think it tastes good, but it actually tastes like fruit punch."

Amid all the chaos of the bar, Hofer is able to stay focused.

"The noise doesn't really bother me," she said. "I try to tune everything out. The band plays here every Saturday, but I probably couldn't name one song they play."

Spider Kelly, a local cover band, was on the stage playing to a diverse Saturday crowd that consisted of mostly college kids, some middle-agers and an elderly couple.

Hofer said the crazy atmosphere and interacting with patrons helps keep her going during the long hours. Her co-workers also help to pick her up.

"I'm pretty good friends with the people I work with," she said. "We have a small staff, and we all get along well."

Hofer was busy for most of Saturday night, but she was able to find a few minutes of downtime to joke around with her co-workers.

"You know we're not too overloaded if one of us is standing around or has time to go on break," she said.

As Sunday morning rolled around, Hofer had a chance to start to clean up a bit early.

The crowd began to dissipate around 1:30 a.m. -- a few minutes before last call. The lights came on at 1:50 a.m. and those left began to grab their coats and head for the door. A few lingered after 2 a.m.

"People have to be out by 2:15 a.m.," Hofer said. "We try to give them a few warnings to wrap it up and get on their way."

Hofer said she understands people want to go to bars with their friends, and that it is probably a phase. She added that when she was 21, she wanted to go out all the time.

"There's nothing wrong with people wanting to go out and drink," she said. "I think it's normal when you are in college."

Now that she is older, Hofer said she still enjoys going out, but enjoys a more calm atmosphere. She added that it can be awkward to be on the other side of the bar.

"I know a lot of the other bartenders in town," she said. "I know what it's like to be in their shoes. It is sometimes strange when I am the one ordering the drinks."