The Rathskeller at Tycoons Alehouse

Paul Lundgren Mar 13, 2012 16 Comments

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The Rathskeller, located in the sub-basement of the new Tycoons Alehouse and Eatery, opens Thursday, March 15.

This week is the official grand opening at Tycoons, which opened on New Year’s Eve. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is performing an official Happy Hour Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday at 4 p.m., which will mark the opening of the Rathskeller. Tycoons is also introducing a new lunch menu this week. Check out Tycoons events on the PDD Calendar for grand opening hoopla and more.

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16 Comments

Swan

about 13 years ago 

I cannot wait to drink there. Thanks for the photo preview, it looks easy to get very comfortable in there quickly.

Bret

about 13 years ago 

That's one nice place for a pint or a whiskey.

Makoons

about 13 years ago 

It looks badass. Can't wait!

erik_ote

about 12 years ago 

My friends and I went there tonight. They've got it capped at 65 occupants to keep with an atmosphere. Very laid back with medium volume music. They've also got some sort of mint aroma that comes from an oil in the ceiling. Great selection of national/world beers on top of their Fitger's beer. We all had a great time, but called it quits when Retribution Gospel Choir started upstairs in the bar area. I'll definitely be back!

Herzog

about 12 years ago 

I guess that's fine as long as the smell of mint doesn't nauseate you like it does my lady. As long as it isn't menthol. I'm concerned about the lack of windows/ back door. Maybe that's the idea with a basement bar. Is it true the elevator is the only way in/out? Sounds like the same kind of thinking that left Clyde without a dumbwaiter. Too bad they couldn't have kept a back door open for nice spring days. I'm a back door man. Maybe you'd just end up with fumes from Michigan Street.

TimK

about 12 years ago 

I have not been to Tycoon's or their basement yet, but city code requires two stairways no closer than half the longest diagonal of a basement space for public occupancy. There has to be more than one way out.

goodbeerguy

about 12 years ago 

My wife and I went to the Rathskeller on Saturday night.  First, we had to leave our driver's license with someone we do not even know before allowed to go on an elevator to the Rathskeller.  

This place is being marketed as an eclectic bar.  We had high expectations, because we have been enjoying Fitger's beer and ambience for many years. 

What a let down this place is!  The air is stale and they use some kind of mind to mask the real odor in this basement.  Without any windows or doors, the problem is compounded.  

The music was terrible - it kept playing the same notes over and over, like a record that is skipping - very distracting. 

The wait staff was not good.  It took three request with three different waitresses to get a glass of water. 

Now for the worst part.  Fitger's prides itself on beer.  Well, the top five choices we had were out.  I actually had to ask the waitress what they have in stock?  I ended up with a domestic beer - pretty sad for a place that advertises to come on down and enjoy good beer from around the world. 

I recommend you do not waste your time with this overpriced and overrated Rathskeller.  Enjoy a good beer at Tycoons.

adam

about 12 years ago 

The Rathskeller is in the sub-basement. There are indeed stairs.

What's this leave your ID business?

Badastronaut45

about 12 years ago 

I went to Rathskeller for the grand opening.  The Bar was cool, with a great beer selection. It goes downhill after that. 

5min line to give my ID so some guy in exchange for a number card to keep a "capacity" count.  (Not a fan!) I have been to lots of bars in Chicago and all around the county. I have never seen a bar hold someone's id so they could keep a capacity count. I can buy this guy a manual counter if need be.  (This has Identity theft all over it)  Not to mention I know there are all kinds of bad reasons to have a bar full of people with no ID. 
 
It's one thing to wait inline to get into a bar but a to wait in-line to leave a bar is a lame. The elevator had to cycle twice before I could get on when I was ready to go say 1:20ish (apx 5 mins) then another 5 minute line for a guy to give my ID back.  (Keep in mind is was maybe half capacity when I was there).  My friend was there this weekend and he said it took 20 mins to get in and out of the bar.  Tycoons is cool but not that cool. doubt I will make another effort for a few "Special" beers that are on tap. I will stop in at a bar like the muddy pig when in the cities to get my "special beer" fix.

nicolai

about 12 years ago 

This really makes me not want to go there.  I really get what they are trying to do, but if all this is true  I'm not a fan.  I think Brewhouse/Take Action is starting to get a really big ego.  Like they can do no wrong.  Sucks because I would love to have Aventinus on tap.  I've had it in Munich and it is one of my favorite beers.

Paul Lundgren

about 12 years ago 

Obviously you have to wait to get in on opening weekend. I went during prime time and it probably took 20 minutes to get in, sure, but it's not like waiting at the DMV or something. There's a bar on the main level; order a beer, relax, and wait your turn. 

Getting out barely takes any time at all. It's a normal elevator ride.

Stephenos LaFleur

about 12 years ago 

Hah, some of the previous comments read like a free-association exercise from a psychotherapy session. Anywho, I went down to the initially mysterious beer dungeon on the opening night, and didn't have any problems, at all (other than a titch of humidity, which seems logical in a basement in the spring). 

Point in case is that, if you go down to a bar on a really busy night (ahem ... St. Pat's) and there is a limited capacity bar addendum, you likely may incur a queue for that bar, considering the dynamics of crowd flow.  

The atmosphere and individual expectations may provoke some pish poshing, but I give the Swede Mafia a nod of approval on this one. 

Just imagine the space with uncapped capacity, it'd be a like that scene from "The Dirty Dozen" where the blood thirsty GIs trap the Nazis in the wine cellar and drop in gasoline and grenades, with carnage ensuing (metaphorically speaking). I'll be thinking wise about hanging there specifically on sweltering hot summer days (it makes my basement look like a catacomb in hell), although, I do love me a window seat, admittedly.

c-freak

about 12 years ago 

I did not like handing my I.D. over to a stranger and I won't do it again. Maybe it's just me but I felt really claustrophobic in there.

erik_ote

about 12 years ago 

I understand the concerns with leaving your ID with a stranger, but at the same time, the guy was employed there. It's not like he was throwing them in his pocket, he was very courteous and positive. Our group grew from 2 to 6 (not huge) but he had no problems raising it. Initially he said 20-25 minutes, but we were down there within 15. He was very verbal about the fact that if people don't show, you move up on the list. There were indeed the right amount of exit routes. I thought the beer selection was good, but not great. I did like the idea of being able to buy a half-pint of beer. I felt the service was adequate. Pretty girls continually asking if you needed anything, but at the end of the night on an opening weekend, it doesn't surprise me that they might run out of a few things. 

I also don't mind the idea that they're limiting occupancy. For being such a large bar, upstairs I've never been able to get a seat, which bothers the hell out of me, so waiting a bit to be able to sit comfortably with friends while we enjoy a few good beers was no problem. The fact is, they opened this the same weekend as St Patty's day, so of course there's going to be a wait or even a few hiccups.

Carla

about 12 years ago 

"The air is stale and they use some kind of mind to mask the real odor in this basement."

[img]http://www.perfectduluthday.com/wp-content/uploads/comments/mind-control.jpg[/img]

emmadogs

about 12 years ago 

Ahaha, good one, Carla!

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