Rathskeller Sports Bar Returns to Campus
The Rat is back.
After more than a decade-long hiatus, the Mason Rathskeller is moving back to SUB I. The sports bar, fondly known as “the Rat,” made its debut on campus back in 1976, but its popularity dwindled when the Johnson Center opened its doors 20 years later. The Rat was later converted into what is now the game room in SUB I.
But a college campus just doesn’t seem complete without a good, old-fashioned sports bar. Damon’s, which was open from 2005 until this past spring, was an effort to bring it back, but Mason Dining officials acknowledge the concept was not wholly successful (Damon’s had become famous for its slow service). They decided to keep the basic Damon’s appearance, but take the operation in a new direction.
Following a slight makeover, the former Damon’s space will re-emerge in late August as the Rat. The restaurant will still boast 12 big-screen TVs, music and a good-sized selection of beer and wine. Eventually, the bar plans to double the current on-tap beer offerings from five to 10.
But the dining concept will change slightly to appeal more to student-aged customers while lowering costs and wait time. Food will be ordered and paid for at a front counter. Then, servers will bring the food out to customers’ tables.
By dropping the Damon’s brand, Mason can freshen up the menu whenever and with whatever it wants. It can also run promotions sponsored by Athletics and Student Activities. The goal is to get more student patrons, espeically at night and on weekends.
Cory Says:
August 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
This is such a great call. Damon’s was too expensive for most students and, when parents came to campus to buy a round of meals there, it was too crowded.
Is Rathskeller just using a beer & wine license – no liquor? That’s probably a good call too.
Pierce Bates Says:
August 31st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
You seem to have missed an earlier Rathskeller on George Mason. I spent hours in a space on the ground floor of the only Student Union on campus in the 1970s. It sold beer on tap, some food and was called the Rathskeller. It was not a sports bar but lots of sport was enjoyed there. It had an excellent stereo and a TV that worked sometimes. Does this not count as the original Rat at George Mason?
Philip Basford Says:
September 1st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
The earliest I remember the Rat in the basement of SUB 1 was the Fall of 76′. Back in the late 70s there were bands every now and then in the basement outside of the Rat. It definatly wasn’t a Sports Bar. Then the students had to bring their own music in to play, and you could sit outside on the patio. Also, there were woods about 50 yards away.
Ben Says:
October 24th, 2009 at 4:54 am
I was at Smokey Bones the other day and saw the greatest invention I have ever seen! It was a football field goal post with a football attached to urinal screen in the urinal and it was genius! Guys aim at it while relieving themselves. You have to see it yourself, the website of the company that makes them is at http://www.direct-aim.com and every sports bar should have these!
Nancy Patterson Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I spent many un-productive hours at the Rat in the late 70s & early 80s, as well. It was anything but a sports bar. Dr. Bob from the Ethics dept. used to hold his office hours there. And I’d love to hear from Pierce Bates or Doug Olmsted – we haven’t been in touch in a long time.