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Best Pool Halls In Orange County

610Header_Danny Ks pool billiard
(Credit: Danny K's Billiards and Sports Bar)

Whether you're an amateur or a pro, playing pool is a fun way to pass time at a bar. Amidst the dim lighting, cocktails and songs to jam to, billiards provides a chance to practice your skills, think critically about your shots and amp up your competitive nature. These are some of the best spots to play pool in Orange County—stop by to rack 'em up and hit 'em in.

Danny Ks Billiards and Sports Bar
(Credit: Danny K's Billiards and Sports Bar)

Danny K's
1096 N. Main St.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 771-9706
www.dannyks.com

No list about pool halls in Orange County would be complete if it did not mention Danny K's. Owned by world-class pool player Danny Kuykendall, Danny K's Billiards and Sports Bar is a great place to play pool. While the tables are a little closer together than other billiard spots in Orange County, they offer twice as many tables. The bar hosts 9-ball tournaments on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights as well as afternoons on the weekends. Many also stop by to play darts, take in a game on the nearly 50 televisions, and drink up at their great bar. With the mix of so many TV's and great cocktails, it makes for a great place to visit and take in every game you can imagine. They are especially busy during the nights that they show pay-per-view fights and those nights have a cover charge as well. Aside from the allure of billiards and sports, the bar offers an extensive menu filled with appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, Mexican food and desserts.

Bigshots Billiards
(Credit: Desiree Cunningham)

Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill
23512 El Toro Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 830-2255
www.bigshotsbilliards.com

Housed in a big red barn in Lake Forest, Bigshots Billiards is a one-spot for a whole lot of fun. Half of the building is devoted to their nine well-sized pool tables with hanging lights over each table. It's easy to see all of the action during your games this way. Pool ranges in price per hour, but if you visit Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., pool is free. The other half of Bigshots is home to the bar, dance floor and scattered tables for those hoping to enjoy appetizers, sandwiches or pizza from the grill's menu. While you can grab a cocktail at the bar, the waitresses also make rounds to seated guests and those playing pool to get their drink orders as well. This pool hall also offers great happy hour rates where they offer $1 off all drinks and $3 off all pitchers!

Qatari referee Abdullah Khamis gathers t
(credit: YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/Getty Images)

Diamonds Billiard Club
910 East Birch Street
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 255-1800
www.diamondsbilliardclub.com

Named for the diamonds placed on the railing of the pool table, Diamonds Billiard Club presents an upscale option for playing billiards in Orange County. When they first opened in the 1990s, they were looking to bypass the dive bar stereotype of most pool halls and create an elegant spot for pool lovers to hangout. As such, their rates are a little higher, ranging from $12 to $18 per hour, but they do pro-rate and offer half hours for half the price. Aside from their standard seven tables, they have additional tables in a private room that also features a dance floor; it can be rented out on the weekends, but it requires a deposit and bottle service. In addition to pool, Diamonds Billiard Club offers a wide selection of beers and ciders plus special signature drinks like the Mind Eraser, Cactus Juice and the French Bombshell.

billiards pool - Classic Q
(Credit: Jon Aiwazzi)

The Classic Q
4251 MacArthur Boulevard
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 261-9458
www.classicq.com

The Classic Q has served as a neighborhood billiards and sports bar in Newport Beach for 25 years. Filled with regulars, it's a great place to socialize and the comfortable, elegant atmosphere makes it a great destination for groups. They have seven professional-sized pool tables and two dartboards for guests to play on, and because it is also a sports bar, The Classic Q has nearly 50 televisions on which to catch sports games while you play. From NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA and more, you'll be able to catch all the action. They even offer complimentary WiFi for those involved in fantasy sport leagues. Get discounts on appetizers, beer, wine and well drinks on every weekday afternoon and late night Monday through Thursday. There are three private rooms on site, two of which contain pool tables, so you can also host events or parties at The Classic Q.

games plus
(credit: Daniell K./yelp)

Games Plus
518 West 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 642-8847
www.facebook.com

One great aspect of Games Plus Billiards is the staff's excitement over gaming. Given their name, it comes as no surprise. They have quite a lot of pool tables, which range in price per hour. With the popularity of the cheaper tables, it's best to arrive long before you're looking to play so you have a chance to obtain a table. If all of the pool tables are occupied, there are plenty of other activities to help you pass the time. They also have a lot of foosball tables, an air hockey table and an arcade filled with a pinball machine and other machine games. Games Plus has a fun, laid-back environment and cheap beer nights, but they also have tournaments that really draw a crowd. In addition to a plethora of foosball tournaments, they recently brought back their popular eight-ball double elimination tournament.

Aloha Family Billiards
(Credit Aloha Family Billiards)

Aloha Family Billiards
7311 Orangethorpe Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714) 522-2611
www.alohafamilybilliards.com

The best thing about Aloha Family Billiards is their all ages policy. Even though you can sip cold beer while you play, the whole family can join in and learn to play pool. Billiards is often thought of as a sport for those who are older, but children can develop a love for it as well—and if they're taught properly, they can be really good! Aloha Family Billiards is home to 15 full-size Brunswick pool tables, perfect for tournaments. There is also a modern juke box so visitors can choose the music they listen to. It doesn't have that upscale vibe that some of the newer pool bars have, but it has a comfortable atmosphere that encourages a blending of new and old friends. Their friendly staff just adds to it, making Aloha Family Billiards a fun place to spend your time—especially if you love to play pool.

billiards
(credit: istockphoto)

Corner Pocket
10781 Dale Ave.
Stanton, CA 90680
(714) 952-1437

This cash-only establishment bucks the trends of themed nights and focusing on one particular demographic. Instead, Corner Pocket is interested in providing a great time for anyone and everyone. This place doesn't boast 1,000-inch screens or parades of scantily clad bartenders. Rather, this dive bar gives the old-fashioned service with a slice of humble pie. If you want glitz, keep searching, but if you want some reliable pool tables, a casual environment, and drinks strong enough to win an arm wrestling competition, head to Corner Pocket.

copper door pool billiard
(credit: May-jun Y./yelp)

The Copper Door
225 1/2 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 543-3813
www.facebook.com/thecopperdoorbar

The Copper Door fits firmly into the list, even though they only have two pool tables. Their beer selection is second-to-none; their dedication to live music is inspiring for Santa Ana and the two rustic pool tables they have fit their retro vibe to a tee. Located underground (don't be afraid), this joint will give you more charm and class than every sports bar-themed pool hall in Orange County combined.

pool billiard
(credit: gpointstudio/shutterstock)

International Billiards
6328 Westminster Blvd.
Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 893-8542
www.facebook.com/pages/International-Billiards

International Billiards does not focus on food or dinner, sticking instead to the two major pillars of a pool hall: pool and beer. The bar's happy hour gives patrons cheap brews and pool for some of the most reasonable rates per hour. Free WiFi and over a dozen tables should provide enough amenities and room for you and your friends to get a few games in. This place has been a staple of Orange County for more than a quarter of a century and shows no sign of slowing down, so go grab a cue and get in on the history.

Ashley Ryan is an Orange County native that loves traveling, live music and photography. She blogs at Pure Wander and freelances for a variety of publications including Newport Beach Magazine and Laguna Beach Magazine.
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