Rick’s Cafe, a student-run establishment in Haggett Hall’s north tower, opens next Thursday.

Rick’s takes its name from the famous club in the 1942 film Casablanca. Posters of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman on the walls lend the cafe its distinctive character.

“It’s a nice little hole-in-the-wall place that you can go to,” said Alex Cargol, student coordinator at Rick’s last year.

Rick’s is also distinctive for its loud music, dim lighting and cheap ice cream. Since it is a non-profit establishment run entirely by volunteers, prices are low. On the menu last year were several varieties of ice cream — cones, sundaes, milkshakes and floats — as well as cold drinks like Shirley Temples, Roy Rogers and Italian sodas.

In the past, Rick’s has hosted open mike nights and musicians. There are board games for students to play while they enjoy ice cream and cold drinks.

“It has a very casual atmosphere,” said Shannon Erickson, another former student coordinator. “It can often turn into more of a hangout than an actual food establishment.”

One testament to the cafe’s casual atmosphere is the $10 ice cream challenge. For any student who finishes a bucketful of ice cream covered with toppings in 10 minutes, that ice cream is free. Otherwise, the student has to pay $10.

Joe Darda, a sophomore, was one of two students in Rick’s history who proved equal to the challenge.

“I definitely had a sugar high all night,” he said. “I basically ate the $10 sundae in replacement for my dinner.”

Darda said future participants should bring metal spoons, since the plastic ones Rick’s provides are liable to break under pressure.

For the coming year at Rick’s, there is more to look forward to than future ice cream challenges. Robert Perez, the 2006-07 business manager for the cafe, said there could be some additions to the menu, such as coffee or even other snacks.

“I was hoping that we could get something more substantial,” he said. “Just so that people don’t have to go all the way down to Ian’s or the 8 [in McMahon Hall] if they just want a quick snack.”

Starting Nov. 30, the cafe will be open from 8 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Reporter Cadence McAfee: dormlife@thedaily.washington.edu