The Independent

This is the best pool hall in the city, so naturally the sound of pool balls clacking together and the overpowering smell of cheap beers greets you upon entering this Midtown dive. There are plenty of tables, so you can always find a place to play or test out trick shots without judgment. The laid-back vibes are helped along by the heavy pours (seriously, we always feel like we could breathe fire after taking our first swig). And luckily after a few drinks, we aren’t too discerning about food because offerings, like the pastrami reuben and house burger, are just fine enough to hold us over until we call the pocket for the eight ball.