There's something to be said for a good bar where you can down some beers, hang out with friends, watch people come and go, and all the usual things -- but such bars are so commonplace that they can get dull after a while. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a bar where you can do all of those things... and play ping-pong, too? Fortunately, such a bar exists in the heart of NYC's West Village: FAT CAT.
Walk down the steps and into the Fat Cat's lair and you are greeted with a veritable smorgasbord of activities. There's ping-pong, of course, as well as billiards, shuffleboard and foosball -- plus board games, including chess, backgammon and my personal favorite, Scrabble. The bar charges a fee to access the games, but it's not unreasonable. Fat Cat is also renowned for its live jazz, which occurs every night -- usually three acts per night, plus a late-night jam sessions which last until the closing time.
As for the drinkage, Fat Cat does not sell booze, but has an eclectic collection of beer on tap, plus various malt drinks. (Beer is more conducive to gaming, anyway, I think!) There's a small cafe with bar snacks, various tables, couches & booths scattered around, and the bar is also an internet hotspot, so feel free to bring your portable devices!
All in all, Fat Cat is a great place and typically draws a fun-loving crowd. So, if you ever have a hankering for a crazy German beer and a heated game of foosball, you now know where to go!
Fat Cat is located at 75 Christopher St. and can be found online at http://www.fatcatmusic.org or on page 43 of your 2009 Manhattan Diary.
