Fat Cat

Critics' Pick

75 Christopher St., New York, NY 10014
nr. Seventh Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-675-6056 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
7.7 out of 10
|
3 Reviews | Write a Review
Scene: Jazz Club, After Work, Billiards, Dive Bar, Live Music, Private Party Space

Photo by Lauren Klain Carton

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

fatcatmusic.org

Hours

Mon-Thu, 2pm-5am; Fri-Sun, noon-5am

Nearby Subway Stops

1 at Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, V at W. 4th St.-Washington Sq.

Cover Charge

$3 cover after 6pm

Payment Methods

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Profile

Great pool halls are the ones with lots of brass, oak, and tables with those frilly leather pockets, right? The kind of joint where you introduce yourself as Mad Dog Sharky the Cat and no one bats an eye? Nowadays, such places feel contrived, as the gruff hearts of most old-time pool sharks have likely stopped beating. Which is what makes the un-saloon-ish Fat Cat the ideal place to hang out, drink beer, and talk plenty of shit over a few rounds of eight ball at a bargain $5 per hour. Located underground, it has the ratty psychedelic feel of a saltwater aquarium circa 1976. The 11 pool tables, though, are all kept in top shape.

Live Music

Tuesdays feature live Salsa music starting at 8:30 p.m. The rest of the week, Jazz combos take the stage. (There is a $3 cover.)

What I love about Fat Cat is that it has the vague feeling of being a rec center (pool tables, ping pong, chess, etc.) while still being a legit bar and music venue. If you're looking for something offbeat and somewhat wholesome, Fat Cat is your place. Big plus: Cheap beer. I thought it had gone extinct!

Feelin' da Fat Cat

rasmukunda from 07112 | Posted on 11/16/07

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)

As I enter Fat Cats I get a warm and fuzzy feelin'. It has evolved over the past ten years to become a really fun place, where not only can you find a good game of nineball but also SCRABBLE, my peronal love. The staff is cool, understanding and unpretentious. The music always rocks be it Gospel Sistas from uptown or jazz students and teachers from local schools. The clientele is as diverse as the staff, and there is no room for loneliness in this crowd!

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