The Hideaway Electric Speakeasy, located in downtown State College, has closed its doors. 

Owner Michael Fullington announced the permanent closure of the Calder Way bar in a social media post on Sunday night. 

“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 owned other State College bars, opened The Hideaway in March 2025. The bar, previously known as Jax Bar and Kitchen, underwent a series of renovations aimed at providing customers with an experience like no other downtown. 

A month after opening, The Hideaway temporarily closed for “improvements,” as announced in a social media post. Operations didn’t resume for four and a half months. 

In the days leading up to its August 19 reopening, the Centre Daily Times reported that the bar’s attorneys found evidence supporting former employees’ misconduct accusations against Fullington. He later denied these accusations, calling the allegations “unreliable, untrustworthy, and not credible.”

In the social media post announcing the bar’s closure, Fullington expressed devastation at closing the doors due to “a few lies and false allegations that spiraled far beyond my control.” 

Fullington later said he felt hurt for his employees, whom he believes also endured this harassment, and thanked them for their hard work and loyalty to his vision. 

He also extended gratitude to customers who believed in The Hideaway and showed their support. Fullington stated that “this place meant more to me than I can ever explain, and it kills me to have to close its doors.”

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