New live music space will open inside a former State College bar. Here’s what we know
A new live music venue is set to open in the former location of a beloved State College bar.
Manny’s Live Performance Space, located at 101 Hiester St. in the former home of The Saloon, will welcome guests with a soft opening next week before expanding its offerings with a grand opening in mid-January. The venue is the latest venture from artist and event organizer Corey Elbin, who signed a lease for the space just before Christmas.
“It’s kind of all-hands-on-deck to get the space rocking for the New Year’s soft opening,” Elbin wrote in an email Friday to the Centre Daily Times.
Elbin’s Gorinto Productions will collaborate with community partners and artists in central Pennsylvania and beyond to host events at Manny’s. The space will launch with a soft opening on Dec. 31 featuring performances by Colombian songwriter Humberto Pernett, Doo Crowder and Luisa Mei.
Gorinto Productions’ participation in the collective Secret Planet music series — which features underground, diverse and international artists — will kick off 2025 by hosting renowned Latin American accordionist Yeison Landero for Manny’s grand opening Jan. 15 and an album release show for the folk-rock opera group Rumble & Scream on Feb. 8. Other shows scheduled at Manny’s include performances from Zack Keim, Ma’aM and Mellow Honey on March 2; the experimental electronic music collective KOKOKO! of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on March 5; and the instrumental group Los Pirañas of Colombia on April 7.
Although Manny’s does not appear to have an active liquor license, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s online database, Elbin says the space may pursue partnerships with local breweries and vendors to serve guests. Manny’s plans to host pop-ups with area chefs and kitchens to feed guests during some performances.
Upcoming events at Manny’s appear to be BYOB, according to advertisements.
“In the meantime, the focus is on the performance and the space and having a spot to make meaningful collaborations,” Elbin said.
In an Instagram post published Thursday, Elbin said Manny’s represents “a deeply meaningful new chapter” in his work supporting inclusive arts and live music in central Pennsylvania. The venue draws its name from Elbin’s beloved cat of 23 years.
Those in the State College area might know Elbin from his creation of the SoBar mobile non-alcoholic bar. He previously hosted Secret Planet shows and other entertainment offerings throughout the State College area, including at 3 Dots Downtown. In addition to performing as DJ Elbow Knee Knee, Elbin organizes the three-day Gorinto Productions Rhoneymeade Festival in Centre Hall.
And, for those unfamiliar with Elbin, the location and its history remain well-known. After opening in 1976, The Saloon abruptly closed in September 2023 alongside HiWay Pizza Pub at the corner of East College Avenue and Hiester Street, joining shuttered Dante’s Restaurants businesses such as The Deli Restaurant and Z Bar, Crowbar and Bar Bleu. The Saloon’s signature “Monkey Boy” cocktail remains available at HiWay Pizza’s other location at 1301 W. College Ave.
“The space is steeped in history and tradition, and I’m honored to be able to contribute while standing on the shoulders of decades of amazing music in State College,” Elbin said. “The space is pretty much untouched since The Saloon days, so I’m planning on keeping it true to that. I think if people came in, it would certainly look familiar.”
For updates on Manny’s Live Performance Space, visit the venue’s Instagram page or head online to gorintoproductions.com.
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 4:54 PM.
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