{"id":8527,"date":"2019-05-15T13:08:24","date_gmt":"2019-05-15T17:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8527"},"modified":"2025-02-03T10:53:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T15:53:55","slug":"farewell-again-to-the-rat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8527","title":{"rendered":"Farewell…Again…to The Rat!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rathskeller logo, courtesy of George Mason Univesity Dining.<\/p><\/div>\n

This week the Rathskeller in SUB I closed its doors for good to make way for a new campus dining option. \u201cThe Rat\u201d as it is often called, was the only establishment on campus where one could meet friends, buy a beer and enjoy a Patriot Club sandwich or Buffalo wings and curly fries, all while watching any one of about 20 televisions.\u00a0 Off and on since 1975 the Rat has occupied a space in the lower level of SUB I. Since then, successive generations of George Mason Patriots made the Rat a go-to place to hang, grab a bite, and have a cold one.<\/p>\n

Rathskeller is a word of German origin.\u00a0 It literally means \u201ca beer hall or restaurant in the basement of a public building\u201d.\u00a0 The word rath is German for \u201ccouncil or city hall\u201d, and keller is German for \u201ccellar\u201d.\u00a0 While the word and concept is more than six hundred years old, there are many examples today of basement pubs that go by the name \u201cRathskeller\u201d all over the world. Dozens of universities in the United States alone have some kind of Rathskeller or Rat.\u00a0 Up until now George Mason was one of them.<\/p>\n

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The Ordinary, South Building, September 1971. George Mason University Photograph Collection #R0120 Box 2, Folder 3.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the early 1970s there were few real hangout spots for Mason students. Before 1974 there was no student union at Mason.\u00a0 Student service offices were scattered among the four small buildings on the north side of campus, and the next best thing to a student union was the Ordinary. The Ordinary was the campus dining hall in the basement of the South Building (now known as Krug Hall), which housed the university\u2019s chemistry labs. Legend has it that the fumes from the experiments taking place above the Ordinary wafted into the dining hall at times, making eating there an out-of-body experience. The Ordinary served cafeteria-style food, and students hung out, smoked, played cards or listened to their favorite songs on the Ordinary\u2019s Rock-ola jukebox.<\/p>\n

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University Union, September 1974. Phase II, unfinished, can be seen at left. Broadside Photograph Collection #R0135, Box 9 Page 6.<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1972 the University broke ground on its first-ever student center. Completion of Phase I occurred in 1974, and it opened as the University Union. Phase II, completed a year and a half later, almost doubled the size of this student-centered building. The University Union (now known as SUB I) could be likened to Mason\u2019s Johnson Center, built 20 years later. The upper levels were home to student services, lounges, and game rooms, while the lower level of the University Union housed the dining hall. With the completion of the second phase of construction in 1975, the university opened the Rathskeller adjacent to the cafeteria. Billed as a \u201ccoffee house\u201d in Broadside<\/em>, Mason\u2019s student newspaper, its name was said to be \u201ctemporary\u201d. Nearly 44 years later, the Rathskeller closed with the same name it opened with.<\/p>\n

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From Broadside, September 2, 1975. George Mason University and Student Puublications # R0128, Box 6.<\/p><\/div>\n

While during that first semester the Rathskeller had difficulties solidifying a student following, the idea of having a gritty student pub on campus soon caught on, and students flocked to the university\u2019s new hot spot. The original Rat was decked out in 1970s German pub d\u00e9cor.\u00a0 The walls featured exposed beams and sconce lamps.\u00a0 Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and tables featured \u201cOld-World\u201d-style wooden chairs. The large window on the Rat\u2019s west side gave a view of the Union\u2019s small brick-walled patio and the patch of woods which would later give way to Robinson Hall B. Since the drinking age in the Commonwealth was only 18 at the time, nearly anyone, freshmen to graduate students, could go in, have a cigarette and a beer, and listen to music or a poetry reading. Most of all, Rat patrons could be part of a community.<\/p>\n

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A Mason student purchases a beer in the Rathskeller, November 1975. Broadside Photograph Collection #R0135, Box 12 Page 7.<\/p><\/div>\n

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West side of the Rathskeller. Brick wall and patio can be seen through window. November 1976. Broadside Photograph Collection #R0135, Box 13 Page 37.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mason students gather in the Rathskeller, November 1976. Broadside Photograph Collection #R0135, Box 13 Page 37.<\/p><\/div>\n

Over the years, the Rat changed focus, appearance, and locations. Still, it attracted its clientele with three staples: beer, relatively inexpensive bar food, and music\/entertainment. \u00a0Early Rat-goers might likely have dined on a sub sandwich and listened to a fellow student playing his or her acoustic guitar or the jukebox that once occupied the Ordinary. Subsequent generations of patriots went to the Rat for dancing or to listen to bands as later iterations of the pub featured a dance floor and space for deejays to spin records, as well as lighting and a stage for bands to plug in amplifiers and monitors and rock out. In the 1980s the Rat underwent a few makeovers to update its look – the 1989 makeover gave the entranceway a checkerboard floor and translucent glass panels. Pizza was the dish of choice for patrons, and some alumni (the author included) still swear that the pizza at the Rat during the late 1980s and early 1990s was among the best they had ever eaten.<\/p>\n

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“No Problem” plays the Rat in December 1983. George Mason University Photograph Collection #R0120 Box 27, Folder 37.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mason students at the Rathskeller on Ladies Night, 1987. George Mason University Yearbooks #R0132, By-George, 1987.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the summer of 1989 the Rathskeller got a makeover to its front entrance. George Mason University Photograph Collection #R0120 Box 87, Folder 4.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mullets, frosted jeans, and muscle shirts were the order of the day in the Rathskeller in September 1989. George Mason University Photograph Collection #R0120 Box 87, Folder 4.<\/p><\/div>\n

With the opening of the Johnson Center in the mid-1990s, most campus activity and food service shifted to that part of campus. The JC became a hub of student, faculty and staff activity. New food options, including well-known fast food chain fare, as well as group study rooms, a computer lab, bookstore, library, and a bank made the JC an instant destination. As a result, foot traffic through Student Union I lessened, and the Rat was quietly transformed into a \u201cgame room\u201d with pool tables, ping pong, and free-standing video game machines. Gone were the pizza, beer, bands, deejays and groups of students seeking a place to gather.<\/p>\n

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The Rathskeller, ca. 2013. Photgraph by Alexis Glenn, University Creative Services, George Mason University.<\/p><\/div>\n

In 2009 a Mason Dining employee and former George Mason student, Mark Arnold, suggested to Dining Services that Mason bring back the Rathskeller to replace a failing restaurant located on the lower level of SUB I.\u00a0 The restaurant just happened to be across the hall, literally 15 feet, from where the original Rat was located. The suggestion was met with approval not only from Dining Services brass, but from alumni and staff, as well.\u00a0 In the fall of 2009 the Rathskeller re-opened in the basement of the Student Union. The Rat was reborn!!! The new Rat was more of a sports bar, featuring multiple ceiling and wall-mounted televisions, but it still had the basic ingredients: beer, food, and music\/entertainment. In 2015 the Rat received the addition of a time-line wall panel, which highlighted eras in the university\u2019s history. But alas, try as it might, the Rat could not compete with the other food options on campus, particularly trendy campus newcomers such as Panera and Chipotle and will close to make way for a new campus dining option.\u00a0 The Rat\u2019s last day of operation is today, May 15.<\/p>\n

Goodbye, Rat. I hope someday we meet again.<\/p>\n

Follow Special Collections Research Center on Social Media\u00a0<\/em>at\u00a0our\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0accounts. To search the collections\u00a0held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our\u00a0website\u00a0and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail\u00a0us at\u00a0speccoll@gmu.edu<\/a>\u00a0or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to\u00a0schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions. Appointments are not necessary to request and view collections.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This week the Rathskeller in SUB I closed its doors for good to make way for a new campus dining option. \u201cThe Rat\u201d as it is often called, was the only establishment on campus where one could meet friends, buy a beer and enjoy a Patriot Club sandwich or Buffalo wings and curly fries, all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[529,272,5],"tags":[211,775,776,772,774,773,771],"class_list":["post-8527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-george-mason-university-history","category-gmu-fairfax-campus","category-scrc-interest","tag-george-mason-university","tag-george-mason-university-dining","tag-gmu-rathskeller","tag-rathskeller","tag-student-union","tag-sub-i","tag-the-ordinary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Ep5i-2dx","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10152,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10152","url_meta":{"origin":8527,"position":0},"title":"Establishing Our Identity: George Mason’s Fairfax Campus","author":"Bob Vay","date":"June 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This post is part of a four-part series detailing the history of George Mason University from the student perspective. Our initial post, Before We Became George Mason University: Our First Campus at Bailey's Crossroads, can be read here: https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10138 In August 1964 George Mason College moved from Bailey\u2019s Crossroads to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/patriot.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/patriot.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/patriot.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9145,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=9145","url_meta":{"origin":8527,"position":1},"title":"Presidents Series: 1996 \u2013 2012 \u2013 Alan G. Merten","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"April 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This post was written by Lana Mason, Processing Student Assistant. Lana has an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont Virginia Community College. She is currently studying Art History at George Mason University. Lana was the recipient of the University Libraries Student Assistant Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "George Mason University History"","block_context":{"text":"George Mason University History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=529"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/1-Black-History-Concert.png?fit=1091%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/1-Black-History-Concert.png?fit=1091%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/1-Black-History-Concert.png?fit=1091%2C711&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/1-Black-History-Concert.png?fit=1091%2C711&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/1-Black-History-Concert.png?fit=1091%2C711&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10208,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10208","url_meta":{"origin":8527,"position":2},"title":"George Mason University Becomes Independent, April 7, 1972","author":"Bob Vay","date":"August 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This post is part of a four-part series detailing the history of George Mason University from the student perspective. Our initial post,\u00a0Before We Became George Mason University: Our First Campus at Bailey\u2019s Crossroads, can be read here:\u00a0https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10138 and Establishing our Identity: George Mason's Fairfax Campus, can be read here: https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10152\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5144,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=5144","url_meta":{"origin":8527,"position":3},"title":"Mason’s Fairfax Campus turns 50!","author":"Bob Vay","date":"September 13, 2014","format":"image","excerpt":"George Mason University's Fairfax Campus turns fifty years old this Sunday.\u00a0 On September 14, 1964 George Mason College of the University of Virginia opened its doors to 356 freshman and sophomores.\u00a0 The faculty, which numbered fifteen,\u00a0comprised\u00a0seven full-time and eight part-time professors. 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Prior to that George Mason, then part of the University of Virginia's system of branch\u00a0 colleges, awarded only a two-year associate degree.\u00a0 Attendees were encouraged to complete their degree at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/First-ClassMason68.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8031,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8031","url_meta":{"origin":8527,"position":5},"title":"Progress: LGBTQ Identities and Issues at George Mason University from the 1970s through the 1990s \u2013 Part 2","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"October 29, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This post was written by Lana Mason, Processing Student Assistant. Lana has an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont Virginia Community College. 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