Rathskeller

The cellar or basement of the city hall, usually rented for use as a restaurant where beer is sold.

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, basement restaurants where liquors are served.

Raths"kel`ler (räts"kel*lər), 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