Rileys Sports Bar

You'll find this spot tucked into the Sporting Centre on Hertford Place, and it's exactly what a sports bar should be when it's not trying too hard. The snooker tables are the real draw here – proper full-size ones that don't wobble when you're lining up that crucial black ball pot, unlike half the tables you'll find elsewhere in the city centre. The crowd knows their sport, whether they're chalking up cues or settling in with a pint to watch whatever's on the multiple screens. It's the kind of place where you can actually concentrate on your game without someone's hen do shrieking over the latest chart-topper. Weekend nights stretch until 2am, which is perfect when you're deep into a frame and don't fancy being turfed out at 11. The drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between competitive and welcoming.