Roxy Ball Room Liverpool, Hanover Street

You walk down College Lane expecting another generic bar, but Roxy Ball Room hits different. The space buzzes with the satisfying clack of pool balls and ping pong matches that get increasingly dramatic as the night progresses. It's where Liverpool's twenty and thirty-somethings come to channel their inner hustler over decent drinks that won't bankrupt you. The cocktails are surprisingly good for a place where the main entertainment involves cues and paddles. Staff know their way around a shaker, and the beer selection keeps the purists happy. What makes it work is the atmosphere – competitive enough to keep things interesting, but never so serious that you can't laugh when you inevitably miss that easy corner pocket shot.