Kildare's Irish Pub in State College

Might as well just start right off with - this place is great! Traditional Irish fare meets the US, you can't beat it. "But," you might say, "there are loads of Irish pubs in the US." Very true, but Kildare's actually is a little different. For one thing, it's actually six different pubs/bars in one establishment, representing (I believe our waitress said...) the different eras of Irish history. Honestly, we didn't get to visit all the pubs (one was actually closed for a party), but what we did see was fantastic. The physical bar you first see when you enter the front door is impressive, to say the least. One corner juts out and is actually 3/4 of a circle. Not so big as to block the passageway, but large enough that several people can gather around it and engage in conversation. Compared to a standard bar corner, where maybe four people could talk to one another - this one allows at least six or maybe even eight.

The food is advertised as being all fresh-cooked ingredients, nothing frozen. Obviously we have no way of knowing whether that's true, but nothing gave us the impression that it's not (nor would I expect them to lie...). The food was good - actually those of us who got Irish fare thought it was great. A few of got burgers, though, and unless you like your burger done well, you may be a little disappointed - they all come out the same temperature, no matter how you ordered it. Still, they were pleasing to the palate...

Gerald's Chicken Boxty, and Dave's Guiness Stew

Now the part you've been waiting for - the beer review. Stupendous. Nearly 200 different brews, and they're not all Irish and English! There must have been around forty different IPA's, and several were on draught. Honestly, I don't think I even need to say anything else about the beer - you certainly won't be disappointed in the selection here.

Your visit to Kildare's will be rounded out with live music, too. An ensemble of about eight musicians playing traditional instruments and period pieces entertained guests in the main dining room (which was fashioned to resemble an historical "public house" living room, where folks from the village would gather to drink and make merry).

Live music in the dining room

This last bit, I'm slightly hesitant to report, as I'm not sure who all may read this review (like my wife...), but I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that all the waitresses were young, beautiful, and attired in very short kilt-like skirts. We feel that a group of foresters needs to know these things...

In summary, the trip to Kildare's was a welcome deviation from our regular visits to Home Delivery and Otto's. Both of those are great places, but I do believe Kildare's may replace one of them as a Forestry Pubs haunt.