A Wannabe Hustler’s Guide to St. Louis’ Best Pool Tables

Saratoga Lanes (2725 Sutton Boulevard, Suite A, Maplewood) is for the professionals — but that doesn’t mean they don’t welcome average Joes, too. For $6 an hour per person, serious players can enjoy some of the best and oldest tables in St. Louis. (Although they’re from 1945, they’re re-felted twice a year to keep them in peak condition.) If you’re looking for friendly games and some great comradery, Saratoga Lanes, which also offers bowling, has pool leagues on Mondays for those not-super-serious 25-to 35-year-olds and Thursday leagues for those more well established. (Oh, and smoking is allowed inside for those who indulge.) Saratoga Lanes is open from noon to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

If pool is your game, the Cue (3632 South Big Bend Boulevard, Maplewood) has you covered, whether you’re an average or professional player. With seven tables (three for league games and four for open play) the parlor offers ample space for multiple games at once for $7.50 for two players or $10 for 4 or more. With tournament trophies on display, the Cue takes the game pretty seriously, but the Maplewood bar is a good time no matter what your skill level is. The Cue is open 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Though Trophy Room (5099 Arsenal Street, Southwest Garden) sometimes feels like its clientele is roughly half cops and half would-be criminals, the pool scene sees a casual crowd of regulars who like to come in and play on Wednesdays (yep, it’s free on Wednesdays). Any other night, the table costs .75 cents for a game. A sign fits upon the table and reads “Eight ball, call your shot, single players only, challengers sign up on chalkboard.” So if you’re looking for a friendly, yet slightly competitive game, place your name on the board and wait your turn. Trophy Room is open from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Maplewood’s Irish bar Foley’s (3522 Greenwood Boulevard, Maplewood) is the perfect place for good old friendly competition between neighbors. Foley’s is home to two tables, which cost $1 to play, and sees an in-house league on Mondays and other leagues on Wednesday and Thursday, so the expertise level here varies. Oh, and smoking is permitted, so do with that what you will. Foley’s open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

Located in the heart of South Grand, Kenny’s Upstairs (3131 South Grand Boulevard, Tower Grove South) is for the pool players who want to play the game for free — that’s right, free pool! But there’s only one table, so get there early if you want to call dibs for a game. The Tower Grove South bar is known for its retro vibes and chill atmosphere, so if you’re looking for a place to hang with your friends or significant other, have a few drinks and play a casual game, Kenny’s may be for you. Kenny’s is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly pool table, or just a place to get started on your pool journey, Behind the 8 Ball Billiards Parlor & Darts (1165 North Highway 67, Florissant) is the spot, as they offer 1-hour pool lessons for $15. The billiards parlor features a diverse player scene, 12 tables (which cost $10 an hour per table), beer and wine, and a policy of welcoming guests to bring in food to enjoy. So whether you’re a pro, a beginner, hanging with the family or on a date, Behind the 8 Ball Billiards Parlor & Darts is a welcoming and fun space. Behind the 8 Ball is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

The RFT’s most recent pick as the Best Bar in St. Louis, the Famous Bar (5213 Chippewa Street, Northampton) sees a mixture of young and old and provides a casual, dive bar atmosphere perfect to grab a couple beers and play a semi-competitive game against the bros on a Saturday night. The Northampton bar has two tables that cost $1 a game. The Famous Bar is open from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily.

The Tower Grove South, cash-only bar Friendly’s (3503 Roger Place, Tower Grove South) pulls in locals who are looking for a place to relax after a day of work or even just a casual night out for some drinks and pool. The two tables, which cost $1 a game, are in the back room with plenty of space in between and ample seating for big groups. There’s also a surprisingly wide-ranging food menu. Friendly’s is open 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily.

At Stan’s Bar (5007 Macklind Avenue, Southampton), the chance of running into someone you went to high school with on a Saturday night is very likely, so keep that in mind. Stan’s takes pool pretty seriously as it has several tournament trophies on display around the room complete with two tables that cost $1 a game. Even on a crowded Saturday night, there’s plenty of space for two games to be going on at once, and even though Stan’s is decked out in trophies it still welcomes those looking for a friendly game. It also offers some strong drinks and some good old karaoke. Stan’s is open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily.

The Wedge Tavern (423 West Holden Avenue, Lemay) is a very Lemay neighborhood bar in the best way possible, if that makes sense. Everyone gives off the vibe that they know everyone else, and the bar is truly leaning into the neighborhood vibe. With one table in the main space and the other in the back room, there’s plenty of space for players and bargoers to move around without getting wacked by a cue. But don’t expect there to always be a game going on as some people prefer to just use the tables as a seat. All you need to play is $1. The Wedge Tavern is open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Cue and Cushion (2425 Woodson Road, Overland) tends to bring in the average pool player, but in the mornings it mostly sees the retired crowd looking for a relaxing game. With 15 tables perfectly lined up in the parlor, players can spread out and enjoy a game of one-on-one, multiples or just a solo practice session. Tables cost $3.90 per hour per person and the student and day rate is $3 per hour per person. Cue and Cushion is open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

Benton Parkade (1900 Arsenal Street, Benton Park) is for families and people who like arcade games. It’s not necessarily known for its pool tables as most people who come in are usually there to play some type of arcade game — but pool is definitely an option. The parkade has two pool tables, both costing $1 a game. Though the pool tables don’t see as much action as the other games, the bonus of playing here is the fact they’re attached to Cafe Piazza, so there’s a full menu with great cocktails, plus they’re kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Benton Parkade is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

If you’re looking for a good sandwich while you play a little 8 ball, you can’t go wrong with The Gramophone (4243 Manchester Avenue, the Grove). Though they only have one table, which costs $1 to play, it’s in good condition but it does sit in the middle of the dinning space — so all eyes will potentially be on you. The bar does seem to attract more of the younger crowd, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see a diverse group of people. And as far as the pool scene goes, let’s just say the competition doesn’t get too steep. The Gramophone is open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday, closed Monday.

Bootleggin’ Bob’s (3457 Morgan Ford Road, Tower Grove South) might be the best pool table to put your drink on, because no one here is too serious or too good at the game. With one table that sits front and center, the low-key Tower Grove South bar offers a good time for everyone even if you’re the absolute worst player. It’s free to play on Wednesday and $1 every other day. Bootleggin’ Bob’s is open from 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday, 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 2 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tower Pub (3234 Morgan Ford Road, Tower Grove South) is probably one of the most underrated neighborhood bars in St. Louis. It’s one of the best places to hit up if you and your friends are looking for a fun yet chill night out, especially if you’re looking to play a round or two of pool. The Tower Grove South bar has one table and costs $1 a game, so get there early and stay till close. Tower Pub is open from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday.

If you’re not into the bar scene but still want to get out and partake in a game of pool, the Midtown breakfast and lunch spot, Latte Lounge (2617 Washington Avenue, Suite A; Midtown) has a free pool table. Now, the table isn’t in the greatest condition and the ceiling is a little low, but there’s plenty of space to move around without feeling like you’re going to smack someone with a cue. But while the chances of hitting the ceiling with the cue are high, don’t feel bad — there's several chalk marks there already. Latte Lounge is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

HandleBar (4127 Manchester Avenue, the Grove) has one pool table, which happens to be in the front by the main doors, so if you’re not good at pool this one might not be for you — not if you don’t want everyone watching you. It cost $1 to play. HandleBar is open from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Though Stella Blues (3269 Morgan Ford Road, Tower Grove South) saw a kitchen fire in April of 2024, which closed the place indefinitely, they promise to resurrect the beloved Tower Grove South bar (you can help via GoFundMe). Stella Blues is for all you pool sharks who swim around looking for their next not-so-great-at-pool victim for another win notched into the belt. So newbies be aware: the sharks here are on the prowl and looking for an easy hustle. Keep an eye out for their reopening date.

Pie Guy (4189 Manchester Avenue; the Grove) combines the best of New York-style pizza, beer and pool. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to hit the ball around or teach a date how to play, this could be the spot for you. Their one table, which costs $1 to play, is in the heart of the dining space giving you easy access to your pizza in between turns. So if you’re an average pool player who likes above-average pizza, Pie Guy might have the table for you. Pie Guy is open from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 12 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.