PK’s, or, where to play pool and get a beer in (very) North Durham

I see PK’s Billiards and Sports Bar (105 Infinity Road) all the time when I am at Orellana or the BP across the street getting Diet Coke. (Unrelated note, BPs that are marked “Family Fare” consistently have a great price for Diet Coke — $2.99/12 pack.)

I am not sure if you can really call PK’s a sports bar, as it only has 1 TV, but they definitely have 8 pool tables and 4 dart boards. This place is pretty cool, if you like dive type establishments (which, if you haven’t been able to tell, we do). Smoking is definitely allowed, and they have all your standard bottled American beers. Also, they play good music, nice and loud.

According to this article in the N&O, the family that runs the place recently experienced a pretty tragic loss that seems like it will impact their business. So, why not stop in and have a beer if you are in the area and help support it? While that article may give the impression that some sketchiness occurs there (and it might, I haven’t been there late at night), I was totally comfortable when I was there.

Ringside?

If you have never been to Ringside, you might should go soon–the building is for sale. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will close, depending on the new owners, but this is a fascinating and “quirky” place so I wouldn’t let it get away without checking it out. There’s a membership requirement (not sure if that is usually enforced and I’ve gotten in every time without one, as a guest of a friend or a stranger). Its main problem is a usually fairly steep cover for Durham ($5-10 I think). But it’s almost certainly worth it when they’re having a crazy dance party. It’s also pretty cool to go on down nights when you could have the entire 4-floor place to yourself. I don’t remember what the drink selection is like, but with the dancing (if you’re into that) and the spooky library on the top floor, it’s kind of not about the beer. There are also three bars. Go in case it turns into a department store or something! That place would be even awesomer with escalators though.

Pub Grub Without a Twist

Yes, I know this is one of the worst pictures ever. But it captures the simple essence of the West 94th Street Pub. Inside, it was actually less of a dive than I expected, and I really loved the decor. It was just the right level of classic pub with a cheesy/funny twist. For instance, the (high-backed) booths were covered with really dorky golf-themed upholstery, and the women’s bathroom had an old-fashioned wooden-console radio hanging purposely askew above the toilet. I assumed the place was making fun of itself and I liked the joke. It was also pleasantly dark.

The ambiance was the best part, but I can’t complain about the food. There was a pretty good selection of burgers (maybe not as extensive as City Beverage across the street, but the actual burgers were bigger and, I think, better, though I’ve only had one of each). The menu was otherwise huge, includes GIANT BUCKETS of various things, and gnocchi (?). The beer selection was small and not great (Foothills Pale Ale, Highland Gaelic Ale, a couple of other generic things, Chimay in bottles, plenty of domestics, etc), but reasonably priced ($3.75 for all pints).

I’d hang out there.

I’m on a dive-bar kick lately, and may do a tour of them for the blog someday. Next on my list are Last Chance Tavern (I went there once years ago but need to go back) and Edna and Lucky’s. I also have been meaning to go back to the Tavern (near New Hope Commons), which I remember as having serious specials, huge cheesy electronic juke boxes, and two floors of large empty bars (on a weeknight at least). There is of course always my very favorite dive bar ever, the Green Room, which is my Cheer’s bar and has a great beer selection (which they may be expanding soon) and a good juke box. But it’s healthy to branch out sometimes. Anyone have any others that they’d suggest?