Sometimes there’s nothing better than challenging your mates to a game of pool or snooker over a couple of pints. But in a city this large, where on earth do you go? Luckily for you dear readers, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our rundown of 10 of the best pool bars and pool halls in London. So are you feeling ready to get your game on?
1. Q Shoreditch
Q Shoreditch is a luxe bar that’s home to pool, pizza, and prosecco – three ‘p’s we can really get on board with – and it’s right in the heart of Shoreditch. This cool spot is home to no fewer than eleven pool tables, making it probably the fanciest pool hall in town.
Four luxury tables are set up for American pool, whilst seven further still-quite-fancy English pool tables can be found here. To make things just that touch more special, the bar is also home to black jack, poker, and roulette, and a downstairs club for a bit of a boogie, as top notch DJs will play Disco, Funk, old-school R&B, Rock and House. Party on.
📍You’ll find Q Shoreditch at 55-61 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4AA.
🚇 Nearest station is Old Street.
2. Riley Sports Bar Victoria
Next on our roundup of the best pool halls in London is Riley Sports Bar Victoria, one of the best spots in Central London to play snooker, pool and darts. They’ve got both American and British pool on offer here, so whatever rules you’re used to, you’ll be more than set here.
Prices start at around nine quid per game at this sports bar, and with five different tables, this recently-refurbished spot is also one of the best spots to play snooker in London. Add in great grub – some of it vegan and veggie friendly – and giant HD screens that show all the latest sporting fixtures, then you’ve got yourself one hell of a good spot here.
📍You’ll find Riley Sports Bar at 16 Semley Place, London, SW1W 9QJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
3. Shades Snooker and Pool Club
Set at the northern end of Deptford High Street, Shades Snooker and Pool Club is by far one of the best spots south of the river to get your pool game on. Established in 1983 and independently-owned, this nifty and scenic spot occupies the period building which formerly housed the Electric Palace cinema.
In terms of facilities, they’ve got eight American pool tables, three English pool tables and eight snooker tables here, as well as TV screens showing sports. There’s also an in-house licensed bar – great if you’re wanting to get the pints in.
📍You’ll find Shades Snooker and Pool Club at 197-199 Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3NT.
🚇 Nearest station is Deptford.
4. Hurricane Room
This flagship pool hall is slap-bang in the middle of King’s Cross St Pancras and is open until 2am on a daily basis – so if you’re wanting a late-night game of pool or snooker, you know where to come!
There are 25 different tables at Hurricane Room, and they incorporate both English and American pool as well as snooker here too. They’ve also got a supersize 75-inch TV with Sky and BT sports and a licensed bar and lounge, so this is a neat place if you’re looking to catch a game too. Pool games start from around £15 per hour – £12 if you’re a member – and the maximum group size allowed here is now unlimited. A good one to bring your pals along to then…
📍You’ll find Hurricane Room at 2 King’s Cross Bridge, London, N1 9NW.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St Pancras.
5. 1920 Bar
Just round the corner from Farringdon and Barbican tube stops, 1920 Bar is a strong contender for being one of the best pool halls in London. Refurbished over the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a swanky spot that bills itself as ‘the ultimate party venue with games, cocktails and tunes to entertain you all night long’.
On top of the pool, they’ve also got foosball, darts and a fantastic (and relatively affordable) bar where you can glug down on wine and champers, cool cocktails and a wider range of beers and ciders.
📍You’ll find 1920 Bar at 19-20 Great Sutton Street, London, EC1V 0DR.
🚇 Nearest station is Barbican.
6. N1 Bar London
Open until 5am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and until 3am the rest of the week, N1 Bar London is probably the best place in town to come if you’re looking for a late night game of pool during the wee hours.
They’ve got five American pool tables, two English pool tables and ping pong tables to boot too. More than just a sports bar, they also have an in-house nightclub where you can party the night away, as well as a cocktail bar with over twenty cocktails on offer. Come during the hours of 5–7pm and you’ll bag yourself a great happy hour. Win, win.
📍You’ll find N1 Bar at 1 Duke St Hill, London, SE1 2SW.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
7. Spots & Stripes
Another solid addition to this list of the best pool halls in London, Spots & Stripes in Southwark is a member’s club that has 18 English pool tables as well as seven dart boards too.
If you’re not a member then don’t worry – you can opt to try out a game at this pool bar for just 14 quid. The staff here are super friendly, the prices are cheap and the music is great – what more could you ask for hey?!
📍You’ll find Spots & Stripes at 64 Ewer Street, London, SE1 0NR.
🚇 Nearest station is Southwark.
8. Mile End American Pool and Snooker
As the name suggests, this spot is located in the East End of London Town. Strictly for members only, this is the place to come if you’re really looking to take your pool and snooker seriously.
Along with six American pool tables, they’ve got snooker tables, monthly competitions with cash prizes, a licensed bar, jackpot machines and a pool and snooker cue shop at Mile End American Pool and Snooker. Better get yourself signed up we say.
📍You’ll find Mile End American Pool and Snooker at 229 Mile End Road, Bethnal Green, London, E1 4AA.
🚇 Nearest station is Stepney Green.
9. Sports Bar and Grill
The penultimate entry on this list of the best pool halls in London is ‘the home of live sport’, which has six different branches across the capital. As well as showing all the football, rugby, golf, boxing, tennis, NFL and F1 you could ever want, they’ve also got pool tables and darts here too.
Add in wines, lagers, cask ales and spirits as well as some pretty great grub and you’ve got yourself a pretty epic time at Sports Bar and Grill we say.
📍You’ll find Sports Bar & Grill at various different locations across London. You can find out more here.
10. The Shacklewell Arms
Rounding off this list of the best pool halls in London is a place that isn’t technically a pool hall. But The Shacklewell Arms is worthy of a mention because it’s part boozer, part gig venue with some banging beers on tap and a great pool table.
After playing a game of pool with your mates, head out back to the cosy room which hosts some of the best Indie gigs in town. Solange Knowles has also DJ-ed here, and HAIM and Vance Joy have also played at this Dalston hotspot.
📍You can find The Shacklewell Arms at 71 Shacklewell Lane, London, E8 2EB.
🚇 Nearest station is Dalston Kingsland.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best pool halls in London. So get that cue ready, grab a few mates and game, set, play!