Cueing Up--It's not hard to find a bar or a restaurant with a token pool table -- it's a must-have accessory in some quarters -- but real shark shops aren't so easy to come by. If you have a serious pool habit, try one of the following clubs.

Academy of Spherical Arts -- Okay, maybe this isn't your typical pool hall, but it has a great pedigree: The 5,000-sq.-ft. space used to house billiard manufacturer Brunswick. Now it looks more like a turn-of-the-20th-century gentlemen's club (there are even a few antique pool tables). This is a popular celebrity-sighting spot, and the likes of Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, Dennis Hopper, and Lennox Lewis have been known to drop by. (Because the Academy hosts private parties, always call to make sure it's open.) 38 Hanna St. tel. 416/532-2782. Subway: St. Andrew, then streetcar west along King St. to Atlantic Ave. and walk 1 block south.

Bar Italia & Billiards -- Downstairs, a young, trendy, good-looking crowd quaffs drinks or coffee and snacks on Italian sandwiches. Upstairs, guys and gals gather 'round the six pool tables. This scene is strictly for the flirtatious -- serious game-players should go elsewhere. 582 College St. tel. 416/535-3621. Subway: Queen's Park, then any streetcar west to Clinton St.

Charlotte Room -- Billiards Digest has called the Charlotte Room one of the 10 best billiard rooms in North America. It feels like an old-boys' club. In addition to the 10 tables, there's a pub-grub menu and, on occasion, live jazz music. 19 Charlotte St. tel. 416/598-2882. Subway: St. Andrew.

The Corner Pocket -- Smack-dab in the middle of trendy Little Italy, there's the Corner Pocket. Unpretentious and low-key, the hall has 17 billiard tables (and one foosball table, in case you're interested). The big-screen television is always tuned to sports. 722 College St. tel. 416/928-3540. Subway: Queen's Park, then any streetcar west to Crawford St.