Best of Boston

2002 Best Pool Hall

Flat Top Johnny’s

Flat Top Johnny’s runs the table. It’s really no contest, considering most of Boston’s pool halls are either shabby gin joints or cheesy meat markets. Flat Top’s, by contrast, has a mellow punk vibe, a mix of Kendall Square professionals and Central Square rockers, and good tables. There are cool specials like Monday’s nine-ball tournament and Tuesday’s women’s night. (God, even pool halls are going PC. Whatever happened to ladies’ night?) The food’s surprisingly good, and there’s a beer for every palate and wallet—although we don’t recommend drinking nine PBRs while playing your buddy for 20 bucks.

One Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-494-9565, flattopjohnnys.com/