If you're looking for a good game of pool and/or cards, the Union or the dorms aren't the places to be, Cue-Nique Billiards is.

Even though it is easy to pass on by without even noticing it at the 317 W. Gorham St. location (above Quinton's), Cue-Nique offers a laid-back atmosphere not typical of the Madison bar scene.

Don't be fooled by the eerily dim lighting, Cue-Nique is a place you can chill any time of the week.

Whether you prefer to hone your pool skills, challenge your friends or join in on one of the many tournaments, Cue-Nique is the place to go.

Every Thursday at 7 p.m. 9-ball tournaments are held. The entry fee is $20 and the winner takes all. Also, Cue-Nique has several No Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournaments throughout the week if poker's your game.

Cue-Nique has more than 20 pool tables, so there's almost always an open one to jump in and play right away, with the exception of some bumping weekend nights. And if you're a real pool shark, there are equipment lockers available for your cues and such.

But pool and cards isn't all Cue-Nique has to offer; it also has a decent bar for your drinking needs. Despite its tad bit smaller size for a bar, Cue-Nique has more than 10 taps and practically any mixed drink you can think of.

The specials aren't bad, either.

Fridays and Saturdays mean $3 Long Island Iced Teas — the best in town, aside from the Red Shed. Mondays are $2 rail drinks, kamikaze shots and $10 to play pool all night. The rest of the week offers various other specials as well.

You can even drink and play, with cocktail waitresses serving every pool table regularly.

So don't be fooled by first impressions, Cue-Nique is a quality place to kick it and escape the typical bar scene for a night.