A downtown State College bar has closed after a tumultuous 10 months in business.
The Hideaway Electric Speakeasy owner Michael Fullington Jr. wrote in a social media post on Sunday night that the bar at 127 E. Calder Way was permanently closing.
“I tried my absolute hardest to keep this place alive,” Fullington wrote. “This bar wasn’t just a business to me it was a dream, a safe place, and something I truly believed in. Letting it go breaks my heart in ways I can’t fully put into words.”
Fullington, who has previously had ownership in other State College bars, opened The Hideaway in March 2025 in what had last been Jax Bar and Kitchen. With extensive renovations, a lineup of quirky events, an encouraged dress code and a unique, somewhat higher-end food and beverage menu, the bar aimed to provide a different kind of atmosphere and experience from others downtown.
Just over a month after it opened, however, The Hideaway temporarily closed for what at the time were described in a social media post as “improvements.” Initial replies from the bar’s account to comments on the post suggested it would reopen in a few days, but it did not resume operations for four and a half months.
Just before its Aug. 19 reopening, the Centre Daily Times reported that The Hideaway’s attorneys had investigated and found credible evidence to support multiple former employees’ accusations of misconduct by Fullington. Those allegations, which had been rumored on social media for months, included inappropriate touching of and comments to female and male employees, as well as intimidating behavior, the newspaper reported, citing a summary of the investigative findings and interviews with several employees.
Fullington strongly denied wrongdoing, saying through his attorney that the allegations were “unreliable, untrustworthy and not credible,” according to the CDT. He was not the subject of any criminal charges or lawsuits related to the allegations.
He appeared to allude to the accusations in his closure announcement.
“At this point I have exhausted all of my funds trying to keep the doors opens,” Fullington wrote. “It is devastating to have to close not because of a lack of effort or heart but because of a few lies and false allegations that spiraled far beyond my control. This situation has affected me financially, mentally, and emotionally. Being harassed, judged, and treated like a monster over things that were not true has been incredibly painful.
“What hurts even more is knowing that my staff also endured harassment. People who were simply showing up to do their jobs and support something they believed in. Most people don’t see the full picture. They don’t see how hard it is to open and run a restaurant. And they don’t see how much harder it becomes when there are people determined to see you fail from the very beginning.”
Following its August reopening, The Hideaway operated through New Year’s Eve. A Jan. 2 social media post stated the bar would be closed “for the rest of winter break as we take time to rebrand and reset our business.”
The plan at the time was “to refine our vision, restructure operations, and return with a stronger, more sustainable experience for our community.”
Nine days later, though, Fullington announced the bar would close for good.
“I would like to thank my staff,” Fullington wrote on Sunday night. “You showed up. You worked endlessly. You stayed loyal. You believed in me and the Hideaway. You carried this place on your backs for me, even when things were heavy and uncertain. The effort you put in did not go unnoticed, and I am so deeply grateful for each and every one of you. You did an amazing job, and I hate that this outcome affects you too.
“To everyone who supported us, showed kindness, came in, believed in The Hideaway, and believed in me thank you from the bottom of my heart. This place meant more to me than I can ever explain, and it kills me to have to close its doors.”
Prior to The Hideaway, and Jax before it, the location was previously home to bars including the Darkhorse Tavern, Surf Club and My-Oh-My.
