Best Pool Halls in London

One of the more glitzy spots on our list of pool haunts. If you’re feeling competitive there are 11 pool tables to choose from in this super-venue’s stylish pool hall – four luxury American pool tables and seven English tables – surrounded by modern art, chandeliers and leather sofas. Anyone wanting to improve their cue game can book a session with Q’s resident trick shot pro Rico Diks, or if you’re just there for a laugh, book a pool package which can include drinks, food and even bottomless brunch. Stay up late in the downstairs club or play casino games. 

The only remaining outpost of the nationwide pool hall chain in London, the Victoria branch continues to be a one-stop-shop for pretty much all things sport. There are giant screens showing sports channels from around the world, with big games getting near-blanket coverage.

There are darts boards and table tennis, but the main draw is the collection of English and American pool tables and snooker tables. Keep your sustenance up while you play by ordering from the US-inspired food menu with burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, racks of ribs, potato skins, pulled pork wraps and US-style pizzas. Milkshakes, chocolate brownies, ice cream sundaes and slices of apple pie also feature. Drinks include continental lagers, cocktails, shooters and mocktails.

Keep an eye out for seasonal events and special offers. 

This well-established, independently-owned Deptford sports bar is well-known among pool purists. Housed in the former eclectic Palace cinema, there’s plenty of room for its three English pool tables, eight snooker tables and eight American pool tables, which are surrounded by huge screens if you want to keep up with various sports matches while you’re playing. 

The former cinema counter has been turned into the bar’s HQ where you can order hot and cold snacks and even pick up sports kit from the pro shop. There’s a bar with friendly service and if you want to come along and practice on your own, you’ll get half-table rates. 

A rare large pool hall in central London, Hurrican Rooms is a subterranean cue den under the busy streets of Kings Cross. There are 10 snooker tables, 10 American pool tables (including two match tables), and six English pool tables, as well as a bar and a lounge where you can watch sports on various TV screens. Kit up at the cue shop or relax in the lounge where you can order from a menu from Pizza Union. This place never sleeps, open until 2am every day of the week, it’s also open in Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

There’s a working men’s club feel to this old-school pool hall, which packs in American pool tables and three full-size snooker tables. There’s a cue shop which also sells accessories and a lounge area where you can take full advantage of the bar and food menu. Keep an eye out for regular competitions and events. 

The biggest bar in Westfield Stratford City, Bat & Ball is a haven for games lovers. As well as five champion-sized ping pong tables, karaoke, beer pong and darts, there are also plenty of pool tables to test out your cue skills on – and unlike other billiards destinations you don’t need a membership to get involved. Essentially, this place is all about competitive socialising and there’s plenty of craft beer, burgers and pizza to see you through a session with your pals. 

It might be best known for its crazy golf, but Plonk is also packing an enviable pool hall at both of its London locations. At both its Borough Market and Hackney locations you’ll find cavernous halls spray-painted in its colourful urban style, each with two seven-feet American pool tables. Book a table in advance or just turn up – one table is always held for walk-ins. At various times of the month, they also hold a doubles tournament. Think you’re nifty with a cue? Sign up and a £150 in bar tabs, medals, cases of beer and Tees are all up for grabs. 

One of London’s best-loved institutions, Rowans is a place where you can bowl, dance, slurp slushies and sing your heart out in a karaoke booth until the wee hours, but as well as this the old den of entertainment (it’s been on Stroud Green Road since 1913) also has 14 state-of-the art-electronic pool tables. Crucially, the tables come with loads of elbow room and space to figure out your next shot.

Recommended: An oral history of Rowans Tenpin Bowl

This family-run, independent pool and snooker club might be no-frills but is impressively well-equipped with 10 English pool tables and one full-size American pool table. If you’re a snooker head there’s also 10 full-size snooker table and a match room. There’s a compact but well-stocked licensed bar which also sells snacks and sandwiches. 

You’ll find everyone from serious players to friendly groups playing matches with their mates at this cavernous Catford pool hall. Even on busy nights, you’ll usually find a free table with a range of 15 snooker and 10 pool tables to pick from. There’s food, drinks and snacks available if you want to make an evening of it and they also have plenty of offers available with off-peak and half-price nights across the week.