By Kenneth Hsu
![Fat Cat](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:493/0*96mj7hDZIuQ4J7-E.png)
Last week, the rest of the NYU Local staff decided that I was to be “the token bro.” Whether or not this label is true, I do happen to enjoy spending nights “bro-ing out,” which is why the West Village’s Dog day afternoon download.fatcatmusic.org/”>Fat Cat — an NYU student’s best shot at a real college hangout — seems appropriate. No, this doesn’t mean drunk yuppies watching the Jets game (there’s actually not one TV) or frat boys creeping around for sorority girls.
Instead, Fat Cat (Christopher St. & 7th Ave.) encourages bro-ing out in a simpler, more decent fashion. The premise is simple: one massive basement that serves as a pool hall, game room, jazz club, and trendy bar every night. Seriously, you would have to try to be bored here. Although you’ll feel like you’re violating a crucial bro code rule, any visitor quickly realizes that Fat Cat isn’t the ideal scene to get wasted at. Rather, spare the hangover and play some shuffleboard with a PBR, or enjoy some Scrabble with a glass of cheap wine. If you’re alone tonight, kick back on a couch and listen to the incredible live jazz, you loser.
Considering the place fits probably a few hundred on a weekend night, the crowd here is pretty much young, hip New Yorkers who aren’t exactly into clubbing in Chelsea, the types who take the L Train and frequent indie coffee shops (also known as NYU students). Within a few minutes of exploring, you’ll even probably recognize a few faces from your Nat Sci lecture, where you’ll awkwardly make eye contact and Facebook friend them later.
Finally, the cover charge for all these amenities is $3. Before you start complaining, I’ll tell you that I once saw Blake Lively sitting at the bar. Maybe she can get some NYU bros on Gossip Girl. If so, someone tell her that none of them work at NYU Local.
Photo from flickr user absolutwade used under a Creative Commons license.