RUCbar – Café & Bar at Roskilde University

A campus living room in Building 13

RUCbar sits on the ground floor of Roskilde University's Student House, turning Building 13 into a social hub where conversations spill from study groups into after-class hangouts. The space blends the feel of a casual café with that of a small campus bar, with tables that work for laptops and group work during the day and a counter that becomes the focal point when glasses start clinking later on. The crowd is predominantly students and university staff, which gives the place a friendly, familiar atmosphere even if you are a newcomer. It is the sort of venue where people drop in between lectures for a quick coffee, then return on a Thursday evening to mark the start of the weekend.

From coffee break to evening bar

On weekdays RUCbar opens around lunchtime and runs through the afternoon, operating very much as a café. Coffee, soft drinks and simple bar snacks keep energy levels up during long days on campus, and the pricing is deliberately kept within reach of student budgets. The soundtrack is usually low-key enough for chatting or revising, with plenty of natural movement as people come and go between classes. On Thursdays and Fridays the opening hours extend into the evening, and the mood shifts. Beer and mixed drinks join the coffees on the counter, the lighting softens, and the place feels more like a student bar than a study spot. It is a natural meeting point before heading to other events on campus, or for staying put and letting the week wind down over a few affordable rounds with classmates.

Student-run spirit and campus culture

RUCbar is closely tied to the wider life of Roskilde University's Student House. It is run in a student-focused spirit, supporting campus culture with a venue that is flexible enough for everything from informal group meetups to social gatherings linked to unions, clubs or degree programmes. Posters and noticeboards in and around the bar often reflect what is happening elsewhere in the building. Because it sits at the heart of campus, the bar doubles as an easy introduction to university life for new students, including international arrivals. It is one of the first places where people get to know each other outside the formal structure of lectures and seminars, and a convenient spot to meet before or after other activities in the Student House.

Simple interiors and practical comforts

The interior is functional rather than flashy, with straightforward furnishings suited to constant student use. Expect a mix of tables, chairs and more casual seating where you can spread out notebooks or settle in with a drink. The design leans towards practical modern campus style rather than elaborate décor, but the presence of students, laptops and board games gives the space its character. Being inside the Student House means basic amenities are close at hand. Restrooms are located within the building, and there are spots where you can sit down even if you are not ordering more than a quick coffee. During term time, the building’s flow of people creates a lively backdrop without tipping into nightclub territory.

Best times to visit and what to expect

Midday to mid-afternoon is ideal if you are looking for a low-key place to recharge between commitments, especially on Mondays to Wednesdays when the bar closes earlier. You can expect a calm, studious buzz and plenty of tables. Late afternoons and early evenings on Thursdays and Fridays are better if you are after a more bar-like atmosphere, conversations over beers and a sense that the campus week is wrapping up. Outside university term dates the tempo may slow, but the core role of RUCbar remains the same: a relaxed, student-centred café and bar that anchors social life in Building 13. Whether you are studying at Roskilde University or just visiting the campus, it offers an authentic glimpse into everyday student life, one coffee or beer at a time.