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Amsterdam Billiards sank $2 million in moving their Upper West Side location to the former Corner Billiards near Union Square, and it shows. The exterior fairly glows with burger-hop-style signage and the interior has enough pressed tin, plush carpet, and oak paneling to inspire you to break out the ole suspenders and light up a cigar. Whether the space attracts Seinfeld, Philbin, and a Baldwin or two like its progenitor remains to be seen, but the Amsterdam transplants and Asian NYU student seem to have settled in quite comfortably at the gussied-up digs. What’s not to like? Twenty-six amply spaced tables and an equal number of plasma-screenTVs; a railed-off VIP section of tables in the center of the room; a curvy zinc bar (that shares a designer with Balthazar) where you can order anything from a Long Island iced tea to a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. To the side, velvet armchairs and oriental rugs form a corner lounge classy enough to entice non-sharks for some $1 off happy-hour action. — Daniel Maurer

Over 1,500 members participate in the club’s free co-ed leagues. There are tournaments even for beginners, who can pay for lessons from the club’s staff instructors.

Party Packages
For parties of 10 to 200 people, the club offers three three-hour packages: pool only, pool with open wine-and-beer bar, or pool with full bar.