Pair culinary delights with world-class art

Hancher Auditorium is a multidisciplinary performing arts center committed to connecting artists and audiences with transformational artistic experiences. Hancher has been the cultural hub of the University of Iowa campus for over 50 years—presenting world-class dance, music, and theater, while earning an international reputation for excellence.

Order food at Hancher

Pre-orders close at noon (12 p.m.) two days prior to show date.

Place a pre-order

Hancher is cashless

Visa, Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay may be used for purchases.

Show-goers sit in Stanley Cafe before a performance at Hancher Auditorium

Stanley Cafe

Stanley Cafe will open 90 minutes prior to the performance start time and during intermission. Table service and plated entrées/shareables at Stanley Cafe are available only via pre-order. Include desserts and snacks in your pre-order, or there are limited quantities available for purchase on-site.

The Club Hancher events are held in Strauss Rehearsal Hall for a more intimate show experience

Strauss Rehearsal Hall and Smith Lobby

The Smith Lobby and Strauss Hall bars will open an hour before the performance start time. Cheese boards and sandwiches are available only via pre-order. Beverages and snacks will be available on-site.

Hancher menus

Enjoy dining at Hancher by ordering prior to the show. The menus below are only available when Stanley Café concessions is open.

Pre-order menu

Cheese board $15.00

Assortment of cheese & accompaniments: Prairie Breeze, Sartori Merlot Bellavitano and herb Boursin cheese with house made blackberry jam, candied pecans and seasonal fruit. Served with crostinis.

Recommended wine pairing: Gunter Schlink Pinot Grigio

Entrée salad $15.00

Marinated chicken over a bed of napa cabbage, romaine and shaved apple. Topped with cucumber, daikon, rainbow carrots, wonton crisps and sesame ginger vinaigrette.

*Vegetarian salad available upon request

Recommended wine pairing:  

Sandwich $21/full $15/half sandwich

House roasted and think sliced ribeye with peppers and onion, provolone, cheese spread and ground mustard on a croissant.

Choice of side: side salad or chips.

Recommended wine pairing: Zuccardi Malbec

Lobster Ravioli $21.00

Lobster ravioli with brandy and lobster cream sauce, garnished with blistered cherry tomatoes and roasted sweet corn.

Recommended wine pairing:  Mary Taylor Touraine Sauvignon Blanc

Meatball $15.00

House made lamb, pork, and beef meatball in Pomodoro sauce on a bed of creamy polenta.

Recommended wine pairing:  Zuccardi Malbec

Spinach and artichoke dip $12.00

Creamy spinach and artichoke dip topped with toasted panko, parmesan & herbs. Served with crostinis.

Recommended wine pairing: Felino Chardonnay

On-site menu

Cheese Board $15.00

Assortment of cheese & accompaniments: Prairie Breeze, Sartori Merlot Bellavitano and herb Boursin cheese with house made blackberry jam, candied pecans and seasonal fruit. Served with crostinis.

Recommended wine pairing: Gunter Schlink Pinot Grigio

Sandwich $12.00

Caprese. Thick cut marinated tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and arugula with roasted garlic aioli and balsamic glaze on croissant.

Recommended wine pairing:  

Cookies $5.00

Gourmet Chocolate Chip

Bourbon Maple Molasses Cookie

Assorted snacks $5.00 - $8.00/each

Roka Cheese Crackers

Gummy Bears

Almost Famous Popcorn

Broadway Snack Mix

Kalona Chocolates - Hand-made sea salt caramel chocolates

Dipping Pretzels

Dessert Menu

Trio of Fall Cannoli $8.00

Pumpkin spice latte, caramel apple, orange cranberry

Recommended wine pairing: 

Espresso Chocolate Verrine $8.00

Chocolate shortbread, chocolate cremeux, espresso ganache, hazelnut crunch

Recommended wine pairing: 

Full bar menu

Join us at the Swanson Bar prior to Hancher performances and during intermission. 

Full bar menu

Signature cocktails

Hugo Spritz $14.00
St. Germain, prosecco, club soda, mint and elderflower simple syrup

Aperol Spritz $14.00
Aperol, prosecco, club soda.

Liquor Mixed Drinks $10.00/single $14.00/double

Titos Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, 1800 Silver Tequila, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Cedar Ridge Bourbon

Canned Cocktail $10.00

Beer

Big Grove Easy Eddy $8.00

Stella Artois $8.00

Seasonal Rotating Beer $8.00

Black Raspberry Carbliss $8.00
Distilled,vodka-based ready-to-drink cocktail.

White wine

Mary Taylor Touraine Sauvignon Blanc $12.00/glass, $42.00/bottle

Loire Valley, France

Our Touraine is a sublimely grassy, citrussy expression of its terroir, nuanced and invigorating.
 

Gunter Schlink Pinot Gris $10.00/glass, $36.00/bottle

Nahe, Germany

Silky and mild on the palate - our rich and hearty Pinot Gris has a playful character with fine, fresh fruity notes of apricot and melon.

Felino Chardonnay $12.00/glass, $42.00/bottle

Mendoza, Argentina

Yellow pale straw color with green tones. On the nose, it presents pear, green apple and citrus. It is clean with good mid-palate, crispy acidity, nice structure and long finish.

Elvio Tintero Moscato d'Asti $12.00/glass, $45.00/bottle

Italy

Bright straw-green with golden tinges. Peach, apricot and white flowers on the inviting nose. Then flavors similar to the aromas, offering very good ripeness and flesh. Closes long and rich, with repeating orchard fruit nuances.

Tiamo Prosecco $13.00/glass, $45.00/bottle

Italy

Superbly balanced wine with rich and fruit driven aromas and flavors of apples, pears and citrus exploding from the glass and tantalizing the senses. It has a long and fruit-filled finish emphasizing freshness and finesse.

Red wine

Old Vine Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon $13.00/glass, $48.00/bottle

California

Bold and rich, this Cabernet showcases layers of spice and oak, all surrounding a core of dark, ripe black currant. 

 

Zuccardi Malbec $13.00/glass, $48.00/bottle

Mendoza, Argentina

Intense red ripe fruit aromas such as prunes and cherries, with black pepper adn tobacco. Can also detect chocolate, cherry liqueur, and spicy notes.  

 

Lapis Luna (Red Blend) $9.00/glass, $32.00/bottle

California

Fully ranged from ripe, red fruits to dark and brooding notes. Layers and layers of crushed blackberries underlined with spice.

 

LOLA Pinot Noir $14.00/glass, $52.00/bottle

California

Light and bright with aromas of dark berries, cola, and cacao, layered over a smooth mouthfeel and soft, lengthy finish.

Non-alcoholic beverages

Coca-Cola $4.00

Diet Coke $4.00

Sprite $4.00

San Pellegrino Sparkling Limonata $5.00

San Pellegrino Sparkling Water $5.00

Smart Water $5.00

Apple Juice $5.00

Hancher Select Coffee and Decaf $4.00

Teavana Hot Tea $3.00