Atomic Billiards

Owned and operated by the same people who run Bedrock Billiards in Adams Morgan, Atomic Billiards is another small, reasonably priced pool hall. Located in the basement of a Connecticut Avenue strip mall, Atomic's decor makes for a unique evening of shooting pool. The hall has a '50s sci-fi feel, complete with futuristic art deco furniture and a large mural depicting a moon-base.

Atomic, which after 6 p.m. is only open to those 21 and over, serves a fairly wide variety of beers and sipping liquors like single-malt scotches and Grand Marnier. Its beers, which are in the $3 and $4 range, include four microbrews and Guinness on tap.

The wait for a table can be up to an hour during busy periods but customers may pass the time by playing darts or one of the myriad board games that Atomic provides. Tables at Atomic, which attracts a mostly twenty-something, professional crowd, are fairly cheap at $8 per hour for two players between 4 and 6 p.m., and $12 per hour at peak times. Parking can be difficult, especially when the Uptown movie theater (located across the street) has a premiere; so visitors may want to consider taking the Metro to the Cleveland Park stop, located less than a block from Atomic.

– Jamie Krents