Shuffleboard has been played for over 500 years, and the deck sport has traveled from the courts of Europe to the retirement homes of Florida with seamless ease. The game made the leap to drinking pastime with its indoor variant, and long, waxy tables covered with colored pucks are now found in bars all over the city. Not a complex game, shuffleboard is a lot like drinking; anyone can do it, but it takes practice to do it well. Here’s a list of places in Philadelphia where you can hone your sliding skills while sipping with friends.

Blue Suede Saloon: The King is still alive at this Elvis-themed bar. Enjoy the ambiance while playing on the regulation sized shuffleboard table (2739 S. 16th St.; 215-774-1202).

Bonner’s Irish Pub: Enjoy $6 pitchers of PBR in one of the cheapest bars in Rittenhouse. Be forewarned: smoking is allowed (120 S. 23rd St.; 215-567-5748).

Buffalo Billiards: At this Old City tavern you’ll find four shuffleboard tables, pool, darts, skee-ball and more, but you have to pay to play (116 Chestnut St.; 215-574-7665).

Dave and Buster’s: Let your inner kid loose and have some fun. You may have to contend with actual children, but let’s be honest, you’re bigger than they are (325 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-413-1951).

McNally’s on Rhawn: Of the many bars in Fox Chase, McNally’s is the only one with shuffleboard, plus Quizzo every Wednesday night (427 Rhawn St.; 215-247-9736).

Out of Wack Jack’s Bar and Grill: At this Northeast drinkery, shuffleboard is in a side room, which is less crowded and has more seats than the bar (3156 Willits Rd.; 215-969-9433).

Rick’s Dyer’s Bar: As divey as Fishtown gets, with cheap beer and shuffleboard (1444 Frankford Ave.).

The Twisted Tail: A southern feel pervades this bi-level restaurant with a large bourbon selection, which features an upstairs game room (take turns playing shuffleboard and Parchesi!)  next to a stage with live blues music (509 S. 2nd St.; 215-558-2471).

Yards Brewing Co.: The local brewery gives free tours on Saturdays, and you can play some pool or shuffleboard while waiting for the beer-making adventure to begin (901 Delaware Ave.; 215-634-2600).

Photo of Twisted Tail by Danya Henninger