ratskeller

1 definition found

ratskeller - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rathskeller \Raths"kel`ler\ (r[aum]ts"k[e^]l*l[~e]r), n. [G.,
     also ratskeller, prop., town-hall cellar.]
     Orig., in Germany, the cellar or basement of the city hall,
     usually rented for use as a restaurant where beer is sold;
     hence, a beer saloon of the German type below the street
     level, where, usually, drinks are served only at tables and
     simple food may also be had; -- sometimes loosely used, in
     English, of what are essentially basement restaurants where
     liquors are served.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]