Ratskeller

/ ˈraːtskɛlər /

noun

1. the cellar of a town hall, esp one used as a beer hall or restaurant
2. any similar establishment, esp in the US

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ratskeller¹

German: from Rat ( haus ) town hall + Keller cellar

Example Sentences

A short distance across town, in the cellars beneath the ornate neo-Gothic New Town Hall, the Ratskeller restaurant is preparing a range of Bavarian delicacies for its evening customers.

From BBC

So I called up chef Arnd Feye, managing director of the Bremer Ratskeller, the grand but cozy restaurant in the basement of Bremen’s historic city hall.

From Wall Street Journal

The Münchner Ratskeller restaurant, inside City Hall, absorbed some 300 people from Munich’s Marienplatz Square as police searched the area.

From Wall Street Journal

“Police wanted people off the street while searching all subway entrances and exits. They even took people out of subway cars,” said Ratskeller manager Peter Wieser.

From Wall Street Journal

There’s karaoke from 7 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in the Ratskeller of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, which offers beer and malt beverages, pizza and more.

From Washington Times