The second was a dark, cool underground pub called "The Rathskeller!" The German word "Rathskeller" (or Ratskeller in modern German) translates to "council chamber" or "underground place to get drunk!"
The management and staff of the hotel and both bars are very friendly and helpful with suggestions about what to do and see in the area. The hotel and its bars are so pleasant and relaxing that you almost forget that you're in "Jersey...." I went ahead and booked a room there on a weekend so I can try out their dining room and spend some more time in the Rathskeller!
The stairs down deep into the subterranean "Rathskeller Pub" greet you as you enter the hotel through the front door.
As you come down the stairs, you enter an outer room to the basement pub that is a great place to retreat to for a private conversation should the pub itself get too crowded or noisy.
The Rathskeller itself is a comfortably sized room with a fireplace and medium-sized bar. There are no windows in the cellar, so it's easy to loose track of time while you are enjoying some drinks with friends.
One of the two stained glass windows behind the bar. This one depicts the "Wreck of the Oswego Express" at Milford, New Jersey. I'm not familiar with the accident, but I suspect it has something to do with: 1) a train, 2) a bridge or trestle, and 3) a man in a boat!
The second stained glass window behind the bar depicts "The Rat." The rat looks very frustrated because he can't find a cellar where he can go to drink some beer.
There's a hand-painted mural next to the fireplace that depicts the National Hotel during a more simpler time (and when we only had 48 stars on the U.S. Flag).
The National Hotel greets you as you drive onto Race Street in Frenchtown, New Jersey.
The photos are wonderful, as is your post. Thank you for the wonderful feedback. Pete posted this on facebook too. Please come back to The National Hotel when you have time.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos of my favorite in town hangout. Thanks!!
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