Remember the BeReal app that was all the rage in the summer of 2022 but faded just as quickly? Penn State might have found its own version of BeReal—but with a twist. It’s basically BeReal but for bars. That’s right; this app lets you snap real-time photos like BeReal and tracks bar wait times. It’s called Bool.
The Birth of Bool
Bool is the newest app of the year and was started by a small team of students from PSU and Temple University, led by Nicholas Cole. Other members of the team include Shiv Patel (COO), Logan Balestrieri (CGO), Noah Sommer (CMO) and Tom Brown (CFO).
Bool launched in the spring 2024 during State Patty’s Weekend. At first, it was just a website. Bool grew fast with users in State College and soon launched an iOS app as well. Bool then went through Invent Penn State’s Summer Founders Program, receiving funding and mentorship. When Bool started, it relied on unique crowd-measuring techniques, like Bluetooth signal scanners, to measure lines.
Today, Bool relies on past data and reports gathered from users. Bool is actively growing in State College and beyond, and new features are being introduced to make predictions more accurate and to improve the overall experience.
App Features
One of the main problems students have with the bars at Penn State is the insane wait time. This app may not completely solve the wait time dilemma, but it provides a reasonable estimate so you know what you’re about to get into. It can also help you decide which bar you want to go to that night. The bar with the shortest line may be the spot to be; no one wants to wait hours to get their hands on a drink.
Another highlight of Bool is that it allows you to connect with friends through the app. You can message each other back and forth, which adds a fun social element. This makes it even more appealing to Penn State students who enjoy nights out together. The app not only helps you decide where to go but also makes the night out more interactive with your friends, which is a huge part of the appeal for students.
This app pairs great with the well-known LineLeap app that Penn State students love. LineLeap lets you cut the line, while Bool lets you know if you are going to need to cut the line. There have been numerous times students have bought LineLeap when it wasn’t necessary and ended up wasting $20 or more. With Bool, you will never waste money on LineLeap again since you will know how long the wait time is.
How to Join
Bool is very simple to use. All you have to do is create an account with any username you like, then put in your location and the app does the rest for you. All the different bars show up with an in-depth description of wait times and the probability of how long you might be waiting. The times are estimated by users of the app—Bool is a community where people help each other out. No one likes to wait.
BeReal became popular because of its authenticity and spontaneity. Bool resembles that exactly but with an even more fun twist, as it revolves around nights out. Something is exciting about knowing that the app is helping you avoid long waits and make the most of your evening. Dare we say that Bool may even be better than BeReal due to the personal component of it being individualized for each bar and the friend communication aspect? It’s designed to make your night out smoother and more enjoyable.
Bool is a great addition to the apps for Penn State. It is fun, innovative, practical and could be the next big thing for a night out. Download Bool if you want to know how long the bar wait line is. It’s worth it.
Use this referral code to sign up: ref-r0wY1wXd
https://www.bool.llc/bool_app/referral/04VLIneSRkUWvEdB8WHiBgtcz433
Tag us on Instagram @VALLEYmag with pics from your night out using Bool!
*VALLEY does not support underage drinking. Please remember to always drink responsibly.*
