Rack ‘Em Up — Pool, Games, and Good Times at Spider Kelly’s

Spider Kelly’s was created by Nick Freshman and Nick Langman — lifetime area residents — as a comfortable, appealing bar and dining room that is inextricably linked to the neighborhood. It is not a chain, and Spider Kelly’s is committed to becoming a lasting part of the community. That founding philosophy shows in the way the bar operates: no cover charge, no dress code, no attitude, and reliably open until 2 a.m. every single night. The venue features pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, basketball, skee-ball, and video games like Big Buck Hunter — giving it an “urban playground” vibe with neon lights and a casual nightlife energy that works equally well for a group of friends catching up on a Tuesday and a packed Saturday crowd watching football. The distinctive orange pool tables have become something of a Clarendon landmark in their own right. With 31 HDTVs across five sound zones, the sports coverage is comprehensive, and the beer garden outside is a genuine asset in warmer months.

The food menu is a reliable complement to the games — well-regarded wings with a signature sauce, nachos, mac and cheese, and classic bar fare served until late. Free parking is available after 6 p.m. across the street, and the bar is just two blocks west of the Clarendon Metro stop on the Orange and Silver lines  — making it one of the most Metro-accessible late-night venues in Arlington. For those wanting more pool options nearby, Clarendon 54 (formerly Billiards, Bites and Beverages) at 3200 Wilson Boulevard opened in the former Silver Diner space with a full billiards hall, and CarPool in Ballston offers pool alongside its extensive sports bar setup. But Spider Kelly’s remains the original and the anchor — the place where Arlington regulars have been playing their first rack of the evening for years. Open Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 2 a.m. Find the full events calendar at spiderkellys.com.