We can do better than that. If you click on this link, you'll find the results of our extensive survey, covering neighborhood bars and casinos that offer one or more of your favorite bar games.
Some joints are less salubrious than others: If you're looking for a classy or mellow venue, we'd suggest staying clear of the Double Down Saloon, the Cue Club, the Hangout, Flex, Aces & Eights, Buck's Tavern, and Cue-D's, for example, which have their merits and are certainly not lacking in character, but might not be top choices for a romantic night out or somewhere you'd want to take your granny. (If we mention that the Double Down, aka "The Happiest Place on Earth," offers puke insurance to its patrons, you'll get the general picture. Great juke box, though, if you like oldskool punk, and it was recently voted one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.)
Chains like PT's and Magoo's are widespread and generally a safe bet, but they are chains, so they may lack the character of the independents. Our personal favorites include Money Plays on W. Flamingo, which regularly has live music and offers great cheap tacos from the adjacent El Taco Fresco, open 24/7, and the Tap House on W. Charleston, which also serves good pizza. If you're looking for something altogether more upscale, you could try The Lounge at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, which has two pool tables. Check out the link above for full listings.
Hardcore pinball enthusiasts might also like to check out the Pinball Hall of Fame. Located at 3330 E. Tropicana Ave. (on the north west corner of Tropicana and Pecos, about three miles east of the Strip), it's open 11 am-11 pm 7 days a week and has 4500 square feet of pinball machines from the '50s to the '90s. All the machines can be played, with older models costing 25¢ per play and newer ones 50¢. The owner, Tim Arnold, is a veteran arcade operator who runs it as a non-profit labor of love that's reliant on fans stopping by to play to cover the overheads. For further information visit the Web site at www.pinballmuseum.org.
Also, if you're interested in pool, be aware that from tomorrow, the Venetian will be hosting the International Pool Tour North American Open 8-Ball Championship (runs through the 30th), which will be the biggest tournament in the history of the game, with a $2 million prize pool and first place prize of $350,000. For further information visit www.internationalpooltour.com.
