STUDENT AFFAIRS

Luna’s Pub creates community through trivia, karaoke and variety nights

The pub runs weekly programming and serves locally sourced food to the Northwestern community 

Until recently, students wanting to play trivia or sing karaoke had to trek off campus. 

But now, they can head to the ground floor of Norris University Center and engage in these activities at Luna’s Pub & Grill. 

Luna’s, which was conceptualized two years ago as an effort to add a year-round component to the Cohen Lawn project, is a full-scale restaurant and bar on campus. The space, open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, serves locally sourced food and hosts weekly programming for students, including karaoke, trivia and Variety Nights. 

“We’re hoping that this will be a great destination for students across campus to count on to do something fun a few times a week,” said Kimberly Mills, assistant director of arts & programs at Norris. “We hope they come in often, meet new people and build a community.” 

The pub hosts karaoke on Tuesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. Students can attend this drop in-style event and stay for as long as they’d like, singing karaoke and enjoying food and drinks. 

Mills highlighted that Norris is working with Registered Student Organizations and departments within Student Affairs to collaborate on themed karaoke nights. On May 12, for example, Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators (SHAPE) will host karaoke. 

“We let our collaborators take the reins on hosting, doing some fun announcements and helping with cross-promotional efforts for what they have going on,” Mills said. “Our programs team and our student staff are present to help coordinate as well.” 

Trivia takes place on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and is on a first-come, first-served basis. With teams capped at 10 people per team, Mills said Luna’s typically attracts from 50 to 70 participants. 

Collaborations also happen during trivia nights. Last week, the Center for Student Advocacy and Wellness hosted sports-themed trivia at Luna’s. Later in April, the RSO Students for Ecological and Environmental Development will host sustainability-themed trivia. 

Lastly, Luna’s hosts Variety Nights on most Fridays, each with a unique theme. Spring Quarter Variety Night events include tote bag painting on April 17, an open mic night, student standup comedy, a drag show and game night. See the full schedule here. 

“The goal is to bring in as many different students with different interests as possible on Fridays,” Mills said. 

Luna’s also features a full restaurant menu of appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, salads, desserts, soda and mocktails. For those ages 21 and up, Luna's serves draft beer, wine, canned hard seltzers and spritzers. In addition to credit and debit cards, students can use dining dollars and Cat Cash to purchase all products from Luna’s aside from alcohol. 

Norris Executive Director Corbin Smyth highlighted the locally sourced ingredients used in Luna’s menu, from local vendors like Slagel Farms, Makowski’s Real Sausage, Phoenix Bean Tofu, Eli's Cheesecake, Co-op Hot Sauce and Heaven’s Honey. 

“One of the initial things NU Dining focused on was to try to source locally or regionally,” Smyth said. “So identifying ingredients like the tofu, sausage and the hot honey, as well as local beers, was a critical part of the menu planning process.” 

Smyth said some of these vendors will be present at the Cohen Lawn Community Celebration on May 13, allowing students to meet the team behind this high-quality food on campus. 

Overall, Smyth said, Luna’s is a space designed with the campus community in mind.  

“We have eight person booths, the bar, four tops, soft seating and outdoor seating around two fire pits,” Smyth said. “All of that was intentionally designed for group interaction.” 

The Norris staff hopes this space and the weekly programming will bring students together, and encourage large groups to come in. From residence halls and sororities to groups of student employees, Smyth said he’d love to see people create community at Luna’s. 

“That’s really the point,” Smyth said. “People intentionally coming together.”