Dictionary Definition
rathskeller n : a tavern below street level
featuring beer; originally a German restaurant in the basement of
city hall
User Contributed Dictionary
Extensive Definition
Rathskeller (German:
"council cellar", modern spelling:
Ratskeller)
is a name in German-speaking
countries for a bar
below street level. The
term originally referred specifically to restaurants that were
located in the basement of city hall (Rathaus). As a proper noun,
many taverns, nightclubs and similar
establishments throughout the world now use this as a name.
The word had been used in English since the
mid-19th century.
The Ram's Head Rathskeller in
Chapel Hill, North Carolina was opened in 1948 by an Austrian
Jew by the last name of Danziger, who came to Chapel Hill as a
refugee from the Holocaust, "The Rat" was the first restaurant in
the area to employ an entirely African-American staff. Long a
popular spot with students and alumni the restaurant, which extends
over a catacomb-like basement with many different rooms, is filled
with UNC memorabilia and history. "The Rat" is one of the oldest
continuously operating businesses in Chapel Hill.
Another Rathskeller restaurant is located in
Indianapolis, IN, and has served Bavarian fare since 1894.
Many universities have pubs or student
center dining facilities bearing this name including University
of Tampa, Tulane
University, University
of Miami, Binghamton
University,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
University of Wisconsin-Madison, McMaster
University,
Pennsylvania State University, College
of New Jersey, Montclair
State University, Quinnipiac
University, Boston
College ("The Rat")http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/fall_2006/linden_lane/changes-at-the-rat.html,
Florida Institute of Technology,
Rochester Institute of Technology, University
of Dallas, St.
Bonaventure University, and Oberlin
College.
References
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
alehouse, bar, barrel house, barroom, beer garden, beer
parlor, bistro, blind
tiger, cabaret, cafe, cocktail lounge, dive, dramshop, drinking saloon, gin
mill, groggery,
grogshop, honky-tonk,
local, nightclub, pothouse, pub, public, public house, rumshop, saloon, saloon bar, speakeasy, taproom, tavern, wine shop