A new bar is opening up in downtown State College, and it is not your typical Friday night bar – no, The Hideaway Electric Speakeasy will be a unique and eclectic spot, a place unlike anything downtown has to offer.
Opening on Feb. 22, The Hideaway will be open everyday, and the times will correlate to angel numbers. The Hideaway is located on 127. E Calder Way.
The Hideaway is owned by Michael Fullington, but you can also call him Mr. Pink – the staff members go by different names based on a color that matches who they are. His vision for this bar is simple, even if the place itself is not simple: for everyone to have a positive experience.
“[The Hideaway] is a place that people can go to and feel comfortable and happy,” says Fullington.
Full of neon lights and signage and memorabilia, each part of the bar is decorated and adorned with some sort of symbolism and purpose. In the corner of the dance floor, a poster says, “Call your mom!” with a rotary phone next to it (so really, call your mom). The bathroom glows with pink neon lights, and even inside the stall, the toilets are purple. Every inch of this place is decorated with intention.
He says The Hideaway is a passion project – and not just for him, but for everyone he has brought in to open and develop this bar.
The main staff includes head chef, Daniel Cutchall (Chef Gold), master mixologist and manager Brian Pierzga (Mr. Green), mixologist Karen Miranda (Ms. Scarlett), human resources director Ryan Rotell (Mr. Black), assistant Lydia Delaney (Ms. Violet), creative director Jon Baker (Mr Teal), head bartender Cody Pashinski (Mr. Brown), assistant Cassandra Fullington (Ms. Sparkle) and house DJs and sound technicians Jason Downey (Mr. Gray) and Alex Nepa (Mr. Blue).
They are a family, Fullington says. You can see the love and support they all have for each other immediately when you walk into it, and they all have contributed their own ideas in the making of the bar, says Fullington.
“Everyone’s enthusiasm, dedication and expertise has come together and made magic,” says Delaney, explaining how they all worked together to perfect every detail of this bar, from the names of the menu items to the quotes on the wall.
What to Expect
The vibrancy and energy of The Hideaway does not stop at the neon lights. The bar will include plenty of theme nights – sort of like traveling down the rabbit hole in “Alice in Wonderland” – and a full service of food and drinks. There will also be local and highly decorated DJs playing on weekends.
“It’s a place for people to be happy. Like, if you break up with your significant other, you’re coming here to celebrate, not to complain,” Fullington says.
Fullington says The Hideaway will not be on LineLeap, the app where most bars in State College use to have patrons pay for cover. Instead, cover will be $20 most nights, but patrons will have the chance to get half off of cover if they dress up according to the theme. Fullington encourages all to pull something out of your closet you never thought you’d wear and “just be authentic to yourself.”
And – if you’re celebrating a birthday, The Hideaway will do “unbirthdays,” in true “Alice in Wonderland” fashion.
While this is a bar where you can dance the night away with your friends and the people you love the most, Fullington also wants The Hideaway to be a place of fine dining, so it will include dinner services from a well-curated menu, thanks to Chef Gold. The kitchen will remain open until 2 a.m. as well.
“This will be a place where the sophisticated can feel youthful and the youth feel sophisticated,” says Fullington. “Everyone has a kid inside of them, and we want to bring that out.”
On Sundays, Fullington plans to have something called “Service Industry Sundays,” where any service industry employee will be treated with brunch and some fun services, like a masseuse, magician or a tarot card reader, as Fullington says he wants to both take care of the employees that keep The Hideaway going and to recognize service industry workers everywhere.
The rules for the bar are outlined clearly. Have fun, don’t be an asshole, don’t bring negative vibes, don’t take yourself too seriously, absolutely no fighting and most importantly – keep this place a safe space for all.
“It’s cool to be kind,” says Fullington – a mantra for what The Hideaway will really be like. “I’m excited to see people’s reactions to the food, cocktails and everything else we have to offer.”
Let VALLEY know if you’ll be visiting The Hideaway via Instagram!
