NEW YORK CITY BARS WITH QUALITY AMUSEMENTS, GAMING ACCESSORIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
NYC & Company • nycgo.com
Bull riding at Viva Toro (left) and beer pong at Delta House. Photos: Phil Kline
As everyone knows drinking can lead to fun times, but let's face it, sitting on a bar stool can get a little tedious. That's why so many bars in New York City have more on tap than just beer and alcohol and we don't mean Big Buck Hunter. What's special about the following watering holes is the quality and quantity of the amusements they offer. With plenty of shuffleboard tables, pinball machines and bocce courts, among other gaming accessories to go around, these establishments raise the bar when it comes to the availability of activities.
You'll find comfort in time worn tavern staples like pool tables and dartboards and fall in love with recent additions like video game consoles and mechanical bulls. Many of the amenities are offered at no cost to the customer. If there's a fee, it's fair. You won't blow your booze budget, we promise. Ready to drink it all in? Put on your game face. We're about to embark on one buzz inducing bar crawl.
Barcade • Photo: courtesy, Barcade
Arcade Games
Barcade is where your favorite childhood pastime meets your favorite adult activity. The cavernous drinking den specializes in domestic craft beers for drinking and arcade classics for playing. While the 34 old school games at this Williamsburg joint rarely change, popular ones include Donkey Kong, Tetris and Galaga, most of the beers on offer here differ from one day to the next.
Another retro surprise? The games cost only a quarter to play. High scorers have the honor of seeing their name, game, points total and conquest date listed on one of two chalkboards mounted above the machines.
Perhaps, the best example of how Barcade caters to its clientele, however, is its hours: the venue is open until 4am daily should you need to sate that middle-of-the-night craving for suds and Smash T.V.
Floyd, NY • Photo: Malcolm Brown
Bocce and Pétanque
Brooklyn is the place to be if you want to partake in pétanque or bocce. Aside from the size and composition of the ball and court and the method used to release the ball the games are pretty similar.
The polished decor at Park Slope's Union Hall could be likened to that of a university club library if such a place also had two boisterous bocce courts and a long bar serving beer made in the borough. Floyd NY, in Brooklyn Heights, is Union Hall's older, smaller, more casual brother. The spot sports a mishmash of beat up benches, couches and chairs, and while there's only one bocce court here there's usually not much of a wait. Both bocce bars host leagues if you're ready for that kind of team commitment.
The outdoor pétanque playing area at Carroll Gardens' Court & Spark is an unexpected surprise. You'll discover it once you make your way through the sweet candle lit cocktail lounge, open the back door and step down the stairs. This cozy hideaway is the perfect spot for a first date. There's nothing like courting someone with a game of pétanque to really make the sparks fly.
Full Circle Bar • Photo: Paolo Cardone
Skee-Ball
It's hard to top the rock 'n' roll atmosphere of Skee-Ball saloons, particularly that of Full Circle Bar. The Williamsburg Skee-Ball mecca boasts a three lane "stadium" whose seating and railings are made from recycled games in the back and one machine in the "bull pen" up front. The entire venue is dedicated to the game and was built to be the home of its first national league: Brewskee-Ball. All of NYC's three person teams with names like Murder Skee Wrote, Skeemelio Estevez and Beaskee Boys play at Full Circle, and the very best rollers in America make the pilgrimage there each May for the Brewskee-Ball National Championship.
You can Skee for free and enjoy the gratis hot dogs and jumbo pretzels at Full Circle on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 9pm. In the East Village there are two Skee-Ball games at Crocodile Lounge, and a free individual pizza with the purchase of a drink makes playing here even more appetizing. You can keep the night going at Ace Bar, another East Villager home to two Skee-Ball machines. If you hit 450 points in a game you'll be rewarded with a free bottle of Miller High Life, "The Champagne of Beers" a bartender reminded us.
Viva Toro • Photo: Phil Kline
Bull Riding
If you feel like channeling your urban cowboy the '80s bar-bull trend has far from faded at three straight out of Texas spots. Johnny Utah's, a popular mechanical bull handler in Midtown, lets patrons ride for free beginning at around 7:30 each night. If you're at least 18 years old you're allowed to ride the bull during restaurant hours - until 10pm. After that, it's 21 and over only. Stay on long enough to impress management and you might get yourself a free dinner or beer tower.
During Johnny Utah's official competitions you have the opportunity to win prizes like gift certificates and cash. The venue has even held bull riding challenges that coincide with chili eating contests; only the strongest stomachs survive. Both Johnny Utah's and the Lower East Side's Mason Dixon schedule special events featuring Professional Bull Riders whenever their showcase rolls into town.
At Mason Dixon it costs $5 to ride the bull which starts at 8pm on weekdays and 7:30pm on weekends. If you spend $10 on food or drinks at Williamsburg's Viva Toro a barkeep will present you with a ticket to ride its bull. The rodeo starts at 8 nightly. The boroughs' bulls may look intimidating, but don't be scared to hop on. After your first ride you'll be roped for life.
The Whiskey Brooklyn • Photo: Phil Kline
Shuffleboard
A surprising number of New York City bars offer shuffleboard and we're not talking about the game your grandfather loves to play in Boca. West Village entertainment destination Fat Cat has an unbeatable four tables. And at 9 cents per minute per person Sunday through Thursday and 11 cents per minute per person on Fridays and Saturdays even Grandpa, should he want to try the stickless indoor version of the senior sport, can afford to play.
It doesn't cost a penny to play at The Whiskey Brooklyn. The Williamsburg watering hole takes pride in its two shuffleboard tables, hand built by Rick Crisp, the father-in-law of one of the bar's owners. Perhaps, the most challenging of the City's shuffleboard tables, however, is the one at Nancy Whiskey Pub in TriBeCa. Its bank board game ($1 per play) is shorter than a typical table and requires players to bank pucks off its sides as opposed to releasing a straight on shot. Each puck must hit the bumper one time; the shot doesn't count if the puck touches the side more than once or never comes in contact with it.
Roebling Inn • Photo: Will Steacy
Darts
If you're in the mood to throw darts but don't want to wait all night for a board, head to these on target taprooms: The Gaf, on the Upper East Side, and Grassroots Tavern, in the East Village. Each own three dartboards, and both are frequented by the darts devotees of the New York Dart Organization.
The Gaf is an Irish pub that receives praise for its inexpensive drinks and for never being overcrowded. Grassroots Tavern, meanwhile, revels in its reputation as a dive bar with a loyal, beer loving clientele. There are two dartboards at Brooklyn Heights' Roebling Inn named for John Roebling, the engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge. Other spots are hit or miss, but this venue's relaxed vibe makes for a comfortable game playing atmosphere. Be sure to celebrate with a Victory stout when you finally hit the bull's eye. No matter the darts destination prepare to hand over your ID or some cash as collateral for the playing pieces.
Manny's • Photo: Phil Kline
Video Games
Sure, you can play video games and drink at home, but why do that in private when you can do it in a public house? Many bars have begun to keep hardware on hand for those who can't tear themselves away from their game console.
Upper East Sider Manny's on Second is the video gamer's venue with eight options available for its Xbox 360:
The controllers at Manny's are wireless so you can play on any of the tavern's 16 downstairs TVs. Look out for seasonal sports tournaments on Mondays; the top dog gets to celebrate his or her victory with a free $25 bar tab.
The spot also hosts halftime showdowns. Fans representing each team in a televised sporting event do battle on the big screen in a video game version of the match. The victor here receives a free $25 bar tab as well.
American Trash, also on the Upper East Side, has a Wii console that's begging to be played, especially during the bar's league nights. There's bowling on Sundays, tennis on Mondays and boxing on Wednesdays.
The Gibson, in Williamsburg, also has a Wii; the bartender can set you up with Wii Sports or Wii Sports Resort if a live action game isn't already on the tube, that is.
Break Bar and Billiards • Photo: Malcolm Brown
Billiards
Chalk it up to its reputation as a bar fixture. No matter where you are you'd be hard pressed to find a neighborhood watering hole that doesn't have at least one pool table. The following venues, however, have more than you could ever imagine fitting into one space in New York City.
With a solid 30 billiard tables you'll have an easy time earning your pool stripes at Park Slope's Ocean's 8 at Brownstone. And during the day, until 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, you can rack up a free hour of pool with every two you purchase.
With a mind blowing 26 tables rest assured that you'll have little to no wait to play pool at Amsterdam Billiards in the East Village. After 10pm Sunday through Thursday, play as many games as you want for $29. If you and three friends use the same table that's less than $8 per person.
When you're in Astoria, take a cue from the locals and stop by Break Bar & Billiards. If you spend $10 on food or drinks before 8pm management will comp you an hour of pool on one of the 16 billiard tables. Sunday is a family friendly day at this spot, so after you show your little pool sharks how to navigate the waters of pool make a splash by letting them play some of Break's many arcade games.
675 Bar • Photo: courtesy, 675 Bar
Foosball
If you think foosball is challenging enough when you're sober try playing it after or while knocking back a few drinks. You'll want to give the game a whirl at shuffleboard site Fat Cat whose two tables are one more than most foosball boasting bars have.
At $1 a game, you can afford to lose many times over. If you want to get your free foosball fix, however, head to Royal Oak, a laid back hipster hangout in Williamsburg with an affordable drink menu. And because it's located in the Meatpacking District, 675 Bar's no fee foosball table will feel like the fanciest you've ever put your hands on even though it's really no different from any other one you've played. An entire room is dedicated to it which is also the case with the lounge's pinball machine and flat top Ms. Pac-Man game, each located in the space's other nooks and crannies.
The Gutter • Photo: Adam Kuban
Hockey
With the advent of the air hockey table the foosball like bubble dome version of the game is hard to come by these days. The former bar staple still manages to score a hat trick, however, by appearing in at least three New York City bars. Since Canada is known for hockey, it's fitting that a bar named Manitoba's has both types of the game.
The East Village venue's bubble dome hockey table is a blast from the past and the air hockey machine is a modern day marvel; at $1 per game you'll be tempted to travel through time often. Williamsburg residents can't get their mind off The Gutter's bubble dome hockey table and the bowling and live music here too, we're sure. At only 50 cents a pop there's nothing like chilling out with a game or two and a frosty brew after some heated frames and hot tunes.
If your goal is to have an old fashioned good time at an Irish pub, however, head to Kelly's Sports Bar in the East Village for its bubble dome hockey game. Despite being in New York Rangers territory, many of the bar's fans root for the Buffalo Sabres. So, break the ice with that cute hockey fan by challenging him or her to a $1 match. Whoever loses buys the next round of Guinness.
Delta House • Photo: Phil Kline
Beer Pong
Beer pong, beirut, whatever you call it—if you're thirsty to relive your college days or just want to have a good time getting your buzz on look no further than the Upper East Side. The neighborhood is spilling over with beer pong bars that have multiple tables dedicated to the drinking game.
Delta House, previously Aces & Eights Saloon, is your fraternity house away from home. There are six tables reserved for beer pong at this canteen, a tribute to the quintessential party movie Animal House.
If you're from Massachusetts, you'll feel right at home at Pat O'Brien's which caters to those who cheer on the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots. Head straight to the back room where you'll find seven(!) tables just waiting to be covered in plastic cups.
Ship of Fools is another sports fan's dream. It can arrange up to six tables for beer pong. If for some reason you have to wait for one pass the time by watching the games shown on the bar's 48 TVs.
Video game venue Manny's on Second is always ready to unfold six tables for beer pong. Each of these spots has experience hosting public and private beer pong tournaments. So, now you have no excuse not to rack up your friends and prove you're the best player in your circle.
Ace Bar • Photo: Phil Kline
Pinball
If you've played the silver ball from SoHo down to Brighton you already know where to find the City's best pinball bars. Satellite Lounge in Williamsburg scores points for having seven—count 'em, seven—machines:
Avatar, Batman, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Earthshaker!, Indiana Jones, Monster Bash, and The Sopranos.
The drinking den regularly holds tournaments with trophies.
Pinball fans also race full tilt to Carroll Gardens' Bar Great Harry to play its Attack From Mars, Spider Man and Twilight Zone games. And you probably wouldn't think a place with "billiards" in its name is a destination for pinball wizards, but Amsterdam Billiards, home to Avatar, Cyclone and Star Trek machines, hosts leagues on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The latest destination for pinballers, however, is Ace Bar. The Skee-Ball stalwart, which already has a World Poker Tour machine, recently debuted a new pinball game: The Rolling Stones. Don't be intimidated. Victory is right under your thumbs. But these aren't the only flipper friendly venues in NYC. Check out the following comprehensive game guide if you really want to play a mean pinball.
NYC Pinball Metro Report 3.0 - All NEW YORK CITY Pinball Locations
Visit www.nycpinballleague.com/nycpinballlocator.asp for comments on machines/locations and more information
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