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