venue The Brass Ring

With three huge smokestacks looming nearby, the Brass Ring’s exterior could hardly look more industrial. The interior is almost as workmanlike, displaying a minimum of flash or theatricality despite the carnival-evoking name. The menu goes for a little more pizzazz, with the vegetarian Texas caviar wrap, blue cheese-garlic burger, and Bourbon Street salmon salad. The drink selection, which includes a respectable array of local beer, also belies the no-nonsense decor with choices like the cocoa-almond latte (with vodka) and tiramisu martini. The billiards room has plenty of tables to spare for casual fun or a number of leagues and tournaments.