Bleecker

I can't really think of much to say about Bleecker Street Bar. Located on Bleecker at Crosby, I've found myself in the neighborhood many times during the middle of the day and have enjoyed stopping in for a few quick practice racks. They have not one, not two, but three pool tables in the back room. Plus, there's a skylight above the pool tables so you don't feel like you're underwater, missing out on a nice day when you just want to hop in real quick. Unlike in Wichita, three tables in one bar is highly uncommon in New York. So you figure it's got to have some sort of reputation for attracting good players. I know it is one of many bars referred to in Heather Byer's recent book "Sweet: An Eight Ball Odyssey."

Most recently I was there in early July and was pleased to be able to play league rules with a couple players whose names escape me. I've played doubles there before with bridge and tunnel folks, I've played drunk NYU girls, the whole gamut. My most memorable visit was totally not about pool. It was in September of 2002 when I stopped in with fellow photographer and K-Stater Pete Souza, who was in town covering the 9/11 anniversary for the Chicago Tribune. Afterwards we went up to my Stanton rooftop so he could see the night version of the downtown skyline. There was an incredible lightning storm underway that night. The next day it was revealed that a person or some people a few blocks over in Nolita had been killed by lightning while standing on their rooftop doing the same thing.