Ratskeller to open in basement of Dick Brothers Brewery

QUINCY — Ed Simbol believes he is going to create the type of bar that Quincy never has seen.

The Ratskeller, a bar in the basement of the Dick Brothers Brewery at Ninth and York, recently had two open house parties and a movie night. Simbol believes the bar will open permanently on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the third quarter of 2021. 

The bar owners are Bret Austin, Joi Cuartero Austin, Mark Krogman and Julie Krogman. Simbol is Cuartero Austin’s cousin. He came to Quincy in May to make the Ratskeller a reality.

“I have owned a couple of bars in Chicago, and then Bret and Joi convinced me to do another one for them,” Simbol said. “I had been traveling around and met them in St. Louis, and they said I would be the perfect guy for this.”

Simbol’s goal is to create a German ratskeller — a name used in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall (called a Rathaus). Many taverns, nightclubs, bars and similar establishments throughout the world use the term.

“City officials would go downstairs to drink,” Simbol explained. “It’s kind of like an underground drinking place.”

He plans for the bar to offer eight to 10 draft lines German styles of beer, as well as European beers. The only craft beer, Simbol says, will be offered in collaboration with the Quincy Brewing Company.

The Dick brothers — Matthew, John and Jacob — founded Dick Brothers Brewery. The brewery started producing and shipping beer in 1857, reaching up to 70,000 barrels at its peak. Dick Brothers Brewery became the largest in the Midwest at the time.

The Ratskeller is in a section of the brewery called the Stock House, where a major part of the brewing process took place. Next door is the Wash House, where employees would wash horses, donkeys and the brewing equipment.

“(The brewing process) was done in the basement because it was before refrigeration was available,” Simbol said. 

Doors and other reclaimed wood once used in the brewery have been converted into tables for customers. Historic brick walls remain in place. The bar is dimly lit, adding to the “underground” look.

Simbol believes utilizing the upstairs space will get people interested in the Ratskeller. The Stock House offers 5,000 square feet for wedding receptions, events, festivals and fundraisers. It also has the Museum Room, which has 1,000 square feet of space containing collections and rare memorabilia, telling the history of the brewery.

“We’re going to be doing unique events, taking advantage of the space, while we work on (the Ratskeller),” Simbol said.

Once the Ratskeller is operational, Simbol’s goal is to create another bar and restaurant concept at the Bottle House across the street from the brewery, then create yet another one at the Brew House. Gallery Solaro now rents the first floor of the Brew House for special events that can accommodate between 20 and 100 guests. Liz and Chris Solaro bought the building in 2012.

“I want to really develop the brewery district and make it a destination spot,” he said.