Tap a Keg — Restaurant in New York

Do yourself a favor and don’t go.

“Oh, but I want to play some pool!” Yeah, that’s not happening. This is one of those bars where if you’re not a local, you’re not welcome.

Sure, you can walk in on an empty Sunday afternoon, greet everyone (because you’re the unknown one, not them), order a beer first—so they don’t think you’re just there for the pool—introduce yourself, leave a tip, and even ask politely to play next. But guess what? You’re still not getting on that table.

Instead, you’ll watch the bartender box you out while some guy with a discount Sylvester Stallone haircut tells you, “Yeah, you got next.” Meanwhile, they pull out the table keys to play unlimited games, slip on their pool gloves, and keep the table locked down while you and another guy who asked to play just stand there. They won’t even play doubles, and when you ask when you’ll actually get your turn, they just say they’re playing a “long game.”

A long game? What does that even mean? One more? Two more? The rest of the afternoon? It’s vague on purpose, and at that point, you’re just getting strung along. Instead of being honest and specific—“Hey, we’re playing two more, then it’s yours”—they make sure you waste your time while they keep running the table.

What are you gonna do? Ask the bartender to speed it up? Demand they let you play before they run an endless rotation? Yeah, great way to start a “fun” game of pool at their local bar.

Again, do yourself a favor and stay away. This place lacks common sense. If you’re a bartender and see a couple of guys trying to play pool in an empty bar on a Sunday afternoon, don’t be a bad sport—just be upfront. It’s not hard.

And no, this wasn’t a one-time thing. It’s happened twice. Not waiting around for...

update; the scene at this bar almost got better post pandemic. the pool is just as serious and the crowd is a bit more lively then i remember. don't expect a group of college arsholes to pull up because they usually right away when they realize they're not new york enough to stay. didn't know they have a chess board in house.

strongly implore ya to get tacos from the mexican deli right down to the right- some of the best tacos in the city!!!!!

they're popcorn mix is tasty though. they throw goldfish and popcorners in it so it's salty and dope

great dive bar and the tenders are usually funny and brute. good spot for serious...

Quintessential hole in the wall, and I love it. Has a pool table, jukebox, flat screens, and it's a very, very low key scene. Typical neighborhood bar vibe. Weekday bartenders are normal, nice people (so if you're looking for uber-hot 22 year old unemployed actors with a terrible attitude, this isn't your place). This bar is for adults. In addition, they do not serve food, so you can order in from any of the surrounding restaurants. Tap a Keg keeps it simple. Just the way it should be at a...