About Der Rathskeller
Der Rathskeller: A Hub of Entertainment, Learning, and Leadership Programs
Der Rathskeller is a popular destination for students, campus members, and the Madison community. It is a part of the Wisconsin Union that offers leadership, learning, and entertainment programs. The Wisconsin Union is the department of social education at UW-Madison that aims to provide an inclusive environment where everyone can learn and grow.
The Der Rathskeller has been serving the community since 1951. It has become an iconic spot on campus with its unique atmosphere and diverse offerings. The venue features live music performances from local artists as well as national acts. It also hosts comedy shows, open mic nights, trivia contests, game nights and much more.
One of the most popular events at Der Rathskeller is Open Mic Night which takes place every Tuesday evening during the academic year. This event provides a platform for aspiring musicians to showcase their talent in front of a live audience. The venue also hosts various cultural events such as International Festivals that celebrate different cultures from around the world.
Apart from entertainment programs, Der Rathskeller offers leadership development opportunities for students through its Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) program. WUD comprises 10 committees that focus on different areas such as arts programming, film programming, marketing & design etc., providing students with hands-on experience in event planning and management.
The WUD Music Committee is responsible for booking musical acts at Der Rathskeller throughout the year. They work closely with local artists to bring fresh talent to campus while also booking nationally recognized performers like Chance The Rapper who performed here in 2013 before he became famous.
Another committee under WUD called Distinguished Lecture Series brings renowned speakers to campus who share their experiences on topics ranging from politics to science to social justice issues.
Der Rathskeller also houses several dining options including Brat Stand which serves delicious brats made with locally sourced ingredients along with other classic pub fare like burgers and fries; Daily Scoop which offers ice cream made by Babcock Hall Dairy Plant; Peet's Coffee & Tea which serves premium coffee blends along with pastries; Prairie Fire Pizza which specializes in wood-fired pizzas made using fresh ingredients sourced locally whenever possible.
In addition to these dining options available inside Der Rathskeller itself there are many other food options nearby including food carts located just outside Memorial Union building where you can find everything from tacos to falafel sandwiches!
Overall Der Rathskeller provides an inclusive environment where everyone can come together enjoy great food drinks while experiencing some amazing entertainment programs or developing their leadership skills through various opportunities offered by Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD).