On Monday, Sept. 29, 1975, the Umrathskellar, a five-room restaurant and bar modeled after a German bier hall, opened in the basement of Umrath Hall. The “Rat” soon achieved legendary status on campus, serving up cheap beer, comfort food, jukebox jams, and a sense of community. Although the Rat closed its doors in 2003, it remains beloved by generations of WashU Bears.
Here, we revisit just some of the countless moments and memories of this bygone WashU institution.
Multiple construction delays caused the Rat to open more than two years behind schedule. Student Life newspaper, which also called Umrath Hall home, reported on the ongoing challenges with increasing wryness.
“The Rathskellar has been scheduled to open a half-dozen times in the past year. These include June and September, 1974; January, February, May, June, July, and early September of this year. Original plans called for the facility to open in September, 1973, when the Mallinckrodt Center was completed. In its April 1 issue, Student Life reported the eatery would be ready for business by 1980. Time will tell.”
Student Life, Sept. 23, 1975 issue
When opening day finally arrived, business was so-so. There was a large lunch crowd, but the first of the Rat’s many performers, guitarist Bernie McDonald, played to a half-full room in the afternoon and evening. A naming contest — with a “Mr. Bud” wristwatch as the grand prize — led to the new establishment being christened the “Umrathskellar.”
It didn’t take long for the Rat to become a campus favorite, thanks in no small part to the homemade-quality food and affordable drinks.
Prices at the Rat, 1975
Burger – $1.50
Cheeseburger – $1.60
Club sandwich – $1.25
Pastrami sandwich – $1.25
Root beer – 30 cents
Mug of Budweiser – 40 cents
Pitcher of Budweiser – $1.85
Students grabbed a quiet bite between classes; enjoyed weekly live music; watched soap operas, sports, and world events unfold on TV; and welcomed the weekend during the high-energy “Rat Night” on Thursdays.
Thus began the Rat’s decades-long reign as one of WashU’s treasures.
“Ah, the Rat … Jake’s Leg, John Trussel and the Band of Muscle, Miracle on Ice, Magic vs the French Lick Phenom … The biggest burgers ever with a scoop of cheddar. Miss that place!”
David Brian Simpson, AB ’80, on Facebook
“I remember hanging out with one of my professors, Wil Gillett, and drinking beer when he said it was time to go to class. I told him to go, and that I would finish the pitcher and head to class (the one he was teaching) when I was done.”
David Simkins, BS ’81, on Facebook
“My freshman roommate and I won a pair of 1982 World Series Game 2 tickets there from the local Anheuser-Busch distributor. Cards beat the Brewers in the game and the series.”
John Schiermeier, BS ’86, MS ’87, DSC ’90, on Facebook
“I remember going to the Rat my senior year after an on-campus job interview that I thought I had totally bombed. Drowned my sorrows in a beer only to be offered the job at P&G about six weeks later. Good memories!”
Stephanie Bariahtaris, AB ’87, on Facebook
“Definitely remember the hamburgers. I remember they played soap operas during my time on campus — I think Days of Our Lives.”
David Stewart Riddle, BS ’88, on Facebook
“I used to work there Sundays from noon opening. No customers would come in; I’d just make a cheeseburger and onion rings for myself and watch the early NFL game.”
Adam Goodie, AB ’90, on Facebook
“I ate many burgers there when I was supposed to be in physics lecture.”
Michelle Robenalt, AB ’92, BS ’92, on Facebook
“Great burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. My older sisters could not believe there was a place that sold beer on campus.”
Nicole Gilkes, AB ’96, on Facebook
“Rat burgers were delicious. And Thursday nights at the Rat were everything.”
Jackie Kubel, AB ’98, on Facebook
“I LOVED the Rat! It was a hidden gem that just disappeared! It was only there my freshman year, but I remember thinking how cool it was that they served beer, and the pizza/wings were delicious!”
Raumina Akbari, AB ’06, on Facebook
The legacy continues
Alumni reminisced about the Rat during a themed happy hour in Umrath Lounge at the 2025 WashU Reunion at Thurtene Carnival.
Explore more Rat memories and share your own
Rat tales
More than two decades since its closure, the Rathskeller remains gone but not forgotten. Alumni share their stories in WashU magazine.
Tell us about your favorite Rat moments on Facebook.
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