DUPONT CIRCLE. A hip young crowd co-mingles with upscale professionals and rowdy groups at this always-hopping pool hall. If you have skills with a cue stick, this is your place: 30 pool tables give you plenty of room to show your prowess. If you don't play pool, you'll enjoy the airy outdoor patio, the huge selection of drinks, the well-stocked cigar humidor, or perhaps a game of snooker on one of the few snooker tables in the city. The rustic Western decor, friendly staff, and tasty dining options make this an all-around winner for a night of relaxation or revelry.

CAPITOL HILL. Bullfeathers gets its name from Teddy Roosevelt's favorite expression and is a polite version of that other "bull" expletive. During the day, you'll find politicians from Capitol Hill flocking to this bar, where they down juicy burgers and watch news programs on the overhead TVs. In the evenings, a younger crowd gathers for hours of rowdy socializing. Pop music plays in the background, happy hour offers good prices on beer, and Mondays feature half-price burgers. METRO: Capitol South

DOWNTOWN. If for you bowling brings to mind teenage parties, vending machines and cheap beer, think again. Hardwood floors, globe-shaped orange lanterns, retro furniture and a sleek cocktail bar round out the picture at this celebrity favorite. Three 10-foot high definition TVs, eight plasma screens and several billiard tables flank the sports bar, and sleek slate-colored couches, situated right outside the pristine lanes, seat bowlers. The trendy, upscale menu offers a wide range of starters such as chicken skewers flavored to your liking, the ahi tuna martini, goat cheese-filled tarts, and tomato and cheese s'mores, and a variety of salads, gourmet pizzas, burgers and pressed sandwiches.

BETHESDA. This laid-back bistro places a premium on sports and channels all the best games into the establishment via satellite TV. The clientele at the bar is a younger crowd, although a lot of families show up in the dining area. Thirteen screens surround you with sports, so it's a good idea to be a fan if you come to hang out. While you cheer for your team, have a cheap beer and chat with friends. Live local bands play on Saturday nights. Food includes sandwiches, burgers, steak, chicken and pork.

BETHESDA. Die-hard sports fans will be in heaven at this homage to the game. More than 20 TVs ensure that you'll never be far from the action, and some of the booths even have their own speakers and screens. The bar area, in particular, displays a wealth of sports memorabilia to pore over, and the bartenders have an uncanny talent for remembering your name. If you're hungry, the food is terrific. Choose from veal chops, chicken sandwiches, and shrimp and grits, for starters. Paired with the game, they'll be more pleasure than you can stand. And if you're concerned about missing a play during a bathroom break, never fear: yep, there's a TV in the john.