Whether you’re the Ronnie O’Sullivan of the pool world or still unsure exactly which end of the cue to hold, there’s nothing like a bit of competitive socialising on your night out. We’ve drawn up a list of recommended places with pool tables in London, and we’ve even let you know which ones serve food, are open all night, turn into nightclubs and have ping pong tables, too.
Last updated on 22nd March 2023
Number 1 London offers quite a lot for the avid pool player: three American sized pool tables, two English pool tables, 12 50” Sport screens, great beer and wonderful cocktails. At night, they bring out their talented DJs for a genuine club experience, while they also have a foosball and ping pong tables for extra competitive entertainment.
Looking for a friendly pub with games in Hackney? Okay so it's not exactly a pool table, but for those wanting to try a cue based game with a little bit of history behind it, playing some games of billiards at the People's Park Tavern should do the trick. Come for a few games in the summertime then head out to their suntrap beer garden on the fringes of Victoria Park.
After bars with pool tables in London? Craft House is the cool joint serving up - you guessed it - craft beer to keep you refreshed throughout your competitions with mates. Better yet, there's Neapolitan pizzas and cocktails to boot.
Searching for the best London bars for playing pool? Sports Bar & Grill has got you covered, toting five snooker tables and offering a range of freshly-poured pints. It also shows all your favourite matches and has a menu of tasty bites, including an award-winning burger.
Offering one of the best spots to play pool in London, Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is an all-singing, all-dancing palace of fun with amazing cocktails and activities for days.
Head over to West London to discover quirky and cool venue, Heist Bank, a spot that mixes up industrial with homely touches. Located in Paddington, the bar serves stone-baked pizza, ice cold craft beer and has a pool table for a few games.
Get on down to Peckham Arches for all kinds of brilliant things to do, including playing a fun round of pool. When you're not putting your cue to good use, make sure to check out the venue's excellent selection of cocktails, draught beers and mouthwatering BBQ grub.
Serving thirsty Londoners since the 1800s, this southeast boozer is one of Peckham's finest. Go for the tasty dining offering and stay for a pub quiz and pool table. If you're after something a bit more musical, then it's live jazz or DJs for you.
Located in Vauxhall, the Griffin Belle is a flower-filled spot that's home to pool tables, pub quizzes, darts boars and more. Whether you came for a few games or fancy tucking into burgers and wings, there's a little bit of everything.
Fancy potting a few balls? Head to The Dog and Duck where you'll find pool tables, cabana huts and a cinema area showing sporting events. Top that all of with freshly baked sourdough pizzas, cocktails and thirst-quenching beers.
If you're on the hunt for places to play pool, Nags Head is a Wood Green watering hole worth getting stuck into. While getting competitive with your mates, enjoy some delicious bar snacks and freshly pulled pints at the bar.
The Hawk's Nest really has it all. Not only does it offer cosy interiors and a gorgeous foliage-doused alfresco terrace, but also mouthwatering munch alongside tip-top cocktails. But if that's not enough? There's also a pool table in the back so you can show off your skills.
Offering a stunning interior design that features hunting lodge antler furniture, 1950s stained glass and an antique, silver-leafed billiard table, this is one spectacular place to play some pool (well, billiards to be precise). If only the most refined surroundings for your pool antics will do, The Billiard Room at the Sanderson Hotel is a must.
One of the best places to play pool in London, this excellent Old Street sports bar is fronting a slap-up selection of craft beers to sip on between games, as well as American-inspired bar snacks and juicy burgers.
Inspired by one of the greatest American movie stars, Q Shoreditch is a venue that's got it all. Along with a late-night club, swish restaurant and smart cocktail bar, the revamped space also has an American pool lounge and casino.
The Beehive has got to be one of the best places to play pool in London. But that's not all. You can also try your hand at darts or enjoy a number of board games while sipping on craft beers from breweries around the area. There's also a cool beer garden if you fancy a breather.
South London's Catford Bridge Tavern not only has a pool table, but also a huge beer garden come summer months. If the weather isn't playing ball, head inside for open fire places, cosy seating and a Caribbean twist on traditional menus.
Along with having one of London's best fireplaces, Hare & Hounds in E10 has got a pool table for you to have a bash on. Stop by the oldest pub in Leyton for craft beer and homely dishes, along with a neighbourhood vibe.
One of the best bars in Bermondsey is also a great place to play pool in London. This quirky Bierkeller is bringing you a mammoth array of craft beers to try out alongside a set of full-size pool tables for you to challenge your friends.
Not only does this new sports bar boast one of Europe's biggest sporting screens, but it's also a hotspot for a little competition of your own. There's three pool tables available for hire, so you can have a drink, a bite to eat and a tournament or two.
Based in London's Victoria, Greenwood has drawn in crowds from across London with its offering of great food, ice-cold craft beer and a handful of fun pool tables. The food and drink menu is, of course, the headliner here, but it's the sports bar that's really caught out attention. With pool tables, big screen TVs and all your favourite drinks at the bar, you'll struggle to find a better place to shoot some pool with your mates in London.
Known as one of the best pubs in London to watch live sport, Famous Three Kings comes out tops thanks to its wall-to-wall screens and full-sized pool tables. Swing by on the weekend to take full advantage of the tasty sharing plates on offer, from wings to nachos.
Photo Credit: Dora Toreki Barnett Photography
If you're looking to enjoy a few games of pool over a couple of pints close to Victoria, it's all about Riley's. One of the leading sports bars in the city, there's no less than 5 snooker tables as well as 4 English and 12 American pool tables; plus, plenty of TV screens to catch all the professional action.
The Bat and Ball is perched in Stratford Westfield, catering for all your gaming needs alongside pizza, DJs and a mightily stocked bar. Challenge your mates to some chilled out games of pool and crown the champion.
Styled like a New York pool house, 1920s Bar is a chilled bar with decking, lipstick red furniture and a fun-time party vibe. Their DJs kick up a storm on the decks with a mix of your favourite tunes from all genres, while you get competitive on their 8ft American pool tables.
This Indian barbecue restaurant in the City has a pretty unique pool room with its very own self-serve whisky dispenser to sip form at you battle it out. To top it off, their menu of mouthwatering grilled eats includes a butter chicken wings and their iconic tandoori lamb chops.
