Shot House

A black market bar where shots of liquor can be bought at low prices straight from the bottle. Many shot houses also sell beer after hours. They are usually run out of someone's apartment or house and known only by neighbors.

Shot houses are also a common place for people without official identification (whether underage or illegal immigrants) to buy alcohol.

A term used to describe something very easy, often times used by, and around bowlers.

Note that a house shot is an oil pattern put down onto bowling lanes for league or open play, and generally not in sport competition. A house shot is much easier than a sport shot, or a competitive oil condition, so good bowlers tend to discredit the house shot and use it as a term to describe something easy outside the bowling alley as well.

If two shot-houses are near to each other; usually connected by adjoining property, nearby parking, or related ownership. This allows participants to walk between the two without having to drive.

Formerly: a place to go to buy "a shot" of liquor if you are underage, or if the area is a devoid of bars.

Recently: a place to buy liquor or drugs, and if things go badly, you could get shot.

The locations are usually at "holes-in-the-wall" or is on a "back road". You are generally allowed in if someone knows you as an acquaintance (or "friend"), otherwise you are watched suspiciously and it could end badly. They do not have a license to sell open containers nor to sell alcohol to-go so participants generally avoid police, State Alcohol Beverage Control Department, and ATF (and DEA). Participants also may come and go high or intoxicated, much like at an actual bar.