Atomic Billiards

Atomic Billiards - Review - Cleveland Park - Washington DC - The Infatuation

"For a city of its size, DC has a severe lack of pool tables. There are even fewer if you want a crowd that’s as concerned with their next shot in the game as they are their next shot of tequila. Enter Atomic Billiards in Cleveland Park, the rare bar in town with multiple pool tables and people who actually want to play on them. This is a locals-mostly spot where casual players and sharks alike rack ‘em up and call shots for around $15 per hour. There’s no food (it’s BYO), no specialty cocktail menu, and no tap-to-pay—just five pool tables, two dartboards, two shuffleboards, and a full bar in a basement. Mid-century furniture makes for plenty of seating and the walls are lined with space-age murals plus a few TVs probably playing sports or an FX broadcast ofLethal Weapon. Atomic is for when you want a pool table without beer stains and a bartender who won’t roll their eyes at you if you don’t show up every weekend. Come on a busy night and you may have to wait for a table, so grab a gin and tonic plus a board game from the courtesy shelf to pass the time before trying on your best Fast Eddie impression." - Tom Rose