STATE COLLEGE, PA – Scholar Hotels and Big Spring Spirits are proud to announce the grand opening this Memorial Day Weekend of a brand-new outdoor patio space at the Big Spring Spirits Tasting Room at Scholar Hotel in downtown State College. This addition offers guests a vibrant new way to enjoy Big Spring’s award-winning cocktails and hospitality in an al fresco setting.
The new outdoor space, located in the front entrance courtyard of the hotel, brings together thoughtful design and downtown energy—creating a casual, yet elevated experience for hotel guests, visitors, and locals alike. Outfitted with comfortable lounge furniture and table service, the space is perfect for sipping cocktails, gathering with friends, or unwinding after a day in Happy Valley.
“The addition of this outdoor space reflects our ongoing commitment to creating memorable, community-focused environments for our guests,” said Ronald Balle, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Scholar Hotels. “The combination of Big Spring Spirits’ unique cocktail offerings and our newly expanded footprint downtown allows us to enhance the overall experience of staying or visiting the Scholar Hotel.”
The new patio extends the immersive tasting room experience Big Spring Spirits first brought to the Scholar in 2024. Guests can now enjoy a full menu of handcrafted cocktails—featuring Big Spring’s locally sourced, sustainably produced spirits—as well as spirit tastings and cocktail flights, all while taking in the downtown ambiance under the open sky.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our guests another way to enjoy our cocktails and hospitality,” said Jose Felix, General Manager of Scholar Hotel. “There’s something about sipping a locally made drink outside, surrounded by the energy of downtown, that just feels right.”
The Scholar Hotel State College is located in the historic Glennland Building and is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. It features standard and extended-stay guest rooms and over 4,000 square feet of meeting space.