Bring Out Your Inner Pool Shark at New York's Best Billiards (2024)

Bring Out Your Inner Pool Shark at New York's Best Billiards

LAST UPDATED BY Maria Lisella
March 15, 2017

Before we begin to write about the best billiards in New York, let us claim that we know there is a difference between pool and billiards. Both may be cue sports, but games can have different objectives, whether it is to pocket balls or to move those balls around the table in a precise way. The real objective for both is to look like you are barely trying when you are putting your heart and soul into a game. Be honest: these games are about playing it cool in front of your friends while slyly winning. We don't judge.

Rather than judging, we have more productively spent our time searching out the best places to play pool, billiards or snooker in New York. Expect a mix of novices and experts playing eight-ball and other variations of the game during busy nights out. Marvel at the skills on display at places like Amsterdam Billiards, or test your own mettle with a game of one-pocket and, just maybe, a friendly wager. If things get serious, you may want to join a league at a place like Gotham City Billiards Club, rather than subjecting your friends on a regular basis to your obsession with winning.

Let's rack 'em and shoot 'em, shall we?

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Staten Island

Photo courtesy of Joe Broadway's Billiards & Sports Pub

If you make the trip out to Staten Island, you want to be promised a good time. Joe Broadway's is that, with cozy booths for those times when you want to call eating wings a sport and a beautiful pool hall for when you need to prove your worth in your inner circle. Televisions sit side by side behind the bar, allowing you to watch many games at once - a dream in today's multitasking society. There are pool and dart leagues for any level player, which is a good way to learn the lingo and meet some friends across the pond.

Recommended for Billiards because: Bands, pool tables, DJs, chicken wings. What more do you need out of life?

Courtney's expert tip: Joe Broadway's actually has a happy hour for $25. All you can drink beer and mixed drinks. No need to wait for a wedding anymore.

Bronx

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com

Take away the fussy features and get honest: sometimes you just want it to be about the pool. Park Billiards has over 20 pool tables to keep you busy, along with beer buckets and wings to make an evening of it. On weekends, DJs spin, but the reasonable rates mean that many players have their eye on the game. Daytime rates can be as low as $6.50 a person, and it only climbs to $10 an hour if you go in the evening. It's not a fancy time, but it's a good time. Isn't that what you're looking for when it comes to the delightful pairing of billiards and booze?

Recommended for Billiards because: Reasonable rates and lots of tables get you waiting less and playing more.

Maria's expert tip: Ladies, you are more than welcome here. Come on Tuesdays or Thursdays and play for free after 8pm.

Gotham City Billiards

Brooklyn

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Flatiron District

Photo courtesy of Society Billiards & Bar

Society Billiards & Bar is the kind of high end billiards bar that makes you want to dress up for the pool table. If you are having the kind of day where your aim is impressively on point, you might want to also go for the darts. Society calls themselves "the best kept secret" of the Flatiron District, so we do apologize for busting their cover. Their cork room has completely customizable walls and is available for group bookings with three private pool tables. They also have a pro shop if you want to practice your game at home with cue services to keep your existing billiards merchandise in tip-top condition.

Recommended for Billiards because: The cloth on the pool tables is replaced every year. This is the place to go if you are serious about billiards.

Courtney's expert tip: Happy hour is every Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm.

Queens

Photo courtesy of Break Bar & Billiards_Paul Wagtouicz

If you have ever watched Jimmy Fallon, you know that the man has an affinity for games. Let's be honest, so do the rest of us. If you have an inclination to break out a giant game of Jenga or Connect 4, this is your bar. Even better, it has great billiards tables and high def televisions to surround yourself with distractions even more profound that your SmartPhone. With exposed brick and soaring 12-foot ceilings, Break has a cool industrial feel. Which makes the fact that pool is free before 8pm (as long as you buy food and drink) even all the more surprising.

Recommended for Billiards because: Free pool and pingpong - as long as you have something to drink or eat. Sounds like a stellar deal to us.

Maria's expert tip: Old Arcade lovers, get your video game fingers ready. Break Bar owns a bunch, including the beloved Ms. Pac Man. Gotta love the bow.

Fat Cat NYC

West Village

Photo courtesy of Entretenimento

Live music and games: What more could be better? This basem*nt-level dive, associated with jazzy Smalls on West 10th, is as classic as they come. There are no frills, no fancy themes, no cleverly-named co*cktails. What attracts the West Village crowd to Fat Cat is its simplicity — it's a great place to relax with friends and catch a terrific jazz act, and it's an even better place to play backgammon, ping-pong, pool, or (gulp!) chess. There is even shuffleboard if you want to bring out your inner grandparent. Pay by the minute or by the table, depending on the game. Just play.

Recommended for Billiards because: If you like a little jazz and pingpong with your billiards, Fat Cat is the place to go. Nominal cover charge.

Maria's expert tip: The stairs are precarious and lead you into a dark basem*nt, but don't be deterred. Even though this is a dive bar, it's worth the descent. Hungry? It's ok to bring your own - Bleecker Pizza is right around the corner.