Renovated and Reimagined: the Reopening of the Rathskeller at The Athenaeum

After five years of closure, the Rathskeller Bar and Game Room officially reopened its doors in November with a refreshed look and feel alongside a commitment to maintaining its history and traditions.

Located on the lower level of The Athenaeum, the members-only club on Caltech's campus, the Rathskeller—also known as the Rath—now combines its historic character with a more modern and comfortable atmosphere. Originally opened in 1931, the Rath closed in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. While its summer offshoot, the outdoor Rath al Fresco, reopened in 2021, the indoor Rath remained closed until recently, when there was an upswell in community interest. Encouraged by faculty and graduate students who asked staff when the bar and game room would reopen, Charlie Lane, vice president and chief operating officer at Caltech, who oversees The Athenaeum, decided to proceed with renovations to bring the space back into service.

The renewed space made an initial debut during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30 at The Athenaeum's 95th anniversary gala with Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum in attendance, and fully reopened to members and their guests on November 5.

The space has updated ventilation and is fully air conditioned, with fresh entrance artwork, additional artwork on both the bar and dining sides, and more comfortable seating throughout. The menu has also been reimagined, offering visitors a wider range of drink and dining options.

"The vibe is very much different, because we wanted it to be a space that's even more welcoming than before," says Marisu Jimenez, the general manager of The Athenaeum. "It hasn't been long since we reopened, but we've already made some adjustments based on what people are gravitating toward."

Some of the Rath's long-time fixtures remain. In the corner of the bar side sit two original wooden benches—one of which may be a bench that Albert Einstein once sat upon, as evidenced by a photo of him perched on an identical pew that now hangs above one of the benches. Two 100-year-old pool tables are also still in service, tying the updated space back to its origins.

Jimenez reports that the community response since reopening has been extremely positive and that the staff at the Rath are looking forward to the return of long-standing traditions such as graduate thesis-defense celebrations.

Asked what she most wants people to know about the renovated and reopened space, Jimenez's answer was simple: "I firmly believe they absolutely must come and experience the spectacular new Rathskeller for themselves. The renovation is nothing short of extraordinary, and every single member who has visited has raved about its stunning transformation. It has quickly become the ultimate hang-out space for members––a true centerpiece of our community."

The Rathskeller is open to Athenaeum members and their guests. For updated hours and menu details, visit the Rathskeller webpage on The Athenaeum website.