rathskeller \raths"kel`ler\ raumts"ke^ll~er, 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.
see also:
ratskeller