Polka, Pints (liters, rather) and a Pretzel the Size of Bavaria at The Rathskeller Bier Haus

Jim Kucera Band at Rathskeller

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Saturday evening, my wife and I did what any self-respecting Midwesterner with German roots should do when the temperature finally creeps above zero—we made a beeline for The Rathskeller Bier Haus, a beloved German restaurant and bar tucked away on the west end of Omaha’s Blackstone District. After a long week of cabin fever and enough subzero wind chills to make even a snowman question his life choices, we needed a proper Bavarian-style thawing—and what better way to do that than with live polka, steins of German beer, and enough pretzel to throw you into a Carb Coma?

The Rathskeller has long been a staple for fans of hearty German fare and European brews, but after closing briefly in 2023, it’s found new life under the ownership of Zachary and Jessica Kirkpatrick, who reopened it in 2024. Jenny and I, ever the supporters of local establishments (especially ones serving beer in liter-sized mugs), were eager to see how the new iteration held up.

A Night of Polka and Prost-ing

As we walked in, the unmistakable oom-pah-pah of the Jim Kucera Band filled the air, setting the scene for a proper German knees-up. Jim, a Hall of Fame polka legend, has been squeezing the accordion since he was 13 years old—which is about the same age I started squeezing beer mugs, though I doubt I’ve attained Hall of Fame status just yet.

We kicked things off with a Paulaner Munich Lager for Jenny and a Salvator Doppelbock for me, because if you’re going to drink German beer, you might as well start with the good stuff. I immediately regretted forgetting my personal German beer mug at home (rookie mistake), but we made do with half-liters—which, as it turns out, disappear faster than you think. Naturally, we ordered another round.

The Salzstangen: A Pretzel Fit for a King

No German beer hall experience is complete without a proper pretzel, and Rathskeller delivers—in size, in flavor, and in the sheer audacity of just how much dough they’re willing to put on a plate. The Salzstangen ($12) was a ginormous, freshly baked masterpiece, served with spicy mustard and an optional side of Bier Cheese—which is not just a recommendation, it’s a MUST-HAVE. Jenny and I split one, and we still left questioning our life choices.

The Haus Brat – Bier Brat: A Taste of Bavaria

For our main dish, we went classic: The Haus Brat – Bier Brat, served with crispy chips. Now, I’ve had my fair share of brats over the years, but this one was exceptional—juicy, flavorful, and with that perfect snap when you bite into it. I need to have a word with the owner because I absolutely must get my hands on these for summer cookouts at home.

A Biergarten Built for Summer (and Dogs!)

While the cozy interior of Rathskeller is perfect for a winter night, I couldn’t help but eye the massive outdoor biergarten patio and start planning for warmer months. The best part? It’s dog-friendly. I can already picture Louie and Sabine lounging at my feet this summer while I sip a Hefeweizen and pretend I’m in Munich instead of Midtown Omaha.

A Bit of History: The Rathskeller Legacy

This place isn’t just about brats and beer—it’s a location with deep Omaha roots. Originally built in the early 20th century by contractor John Harte, the building has seen everything from malt shops to a hospital-themed bar for UNMC and Clarkson staff, and coffeehouses before finding its true calling as a German beer hall in 2018. Though it briefly closed in 2023, its revival under new ownership is a testament to how beloved a proper bierhaus is in this town.

The name Rathskeller itself hails from Germany, where “council cellars” were originally underground taverns located beneath town halls—places where officials and locals alike could share a pint and perhaps some spirited political debates (or just debates about who had the better accordion skills).

Parking Pro-Tip: Know Before You Go

Since Rathskeller is back and better than ever, expect a crowd—last night, the place was packed, but the staff did an incredible job keeping up with food and drink orders. If there’s one area for improvement, it’s busing tables of used beer steins and food trays. Not a criticism—just an observation. I get it, they’re still relatively new, and when the place is full, it’s tough to keep up.

Parking: The parking lot is across the street to the west, and you’ll need to enter from the north—a good thing to know before circling the block a few times like a lost tourist.

Sehr Gut!

If you’re in Omaha and looking for a spot to enjoy a cold beer, hearty German fare, and an evening of lively polka tunes, The Rathskeller Bier Haus is a must. Whether you’re toasting with a liter of lager, feasting on a bratwurst, or polka-ing off the carbs, it’s a place that celebrates German culture with warmth and authenticity.

Congratulations to Zachary and Jessica Kirkpatrick on bringing this amazing establishment back to life! Their passion for German beer, food, and tradition is evident in every detail of the experience, and I, for one, am thrilled to have Rathskeller back on my must-visit list. And next time, I’ll remember my beer mug.

Prost!