Denver's Best Bars to Actually Play Pool
Most Denver bars have a pool table somewhere. Most of them are broken, the felt is torn, and the cues are warped. Here's where to find the real ones — well-maintained tables, straight cues, and a crowd that actually knows how to play.
Denver has a serious pool scene. Not the "let's play a drunk game at 11 PM" scene — though that's here too — but the kind of places where regulars bring their own cues, the tables are leveled weekly, and the staff actually cares if the felt is clean. Whether you're decent and want to get better, or terrible and want to stay that way in a friendly atmosphere with well-maintained tables , these are the spots.
The Dedicated Pool Halls
These aren't bars that happen to have a table. They're purpose-built for pool, with tournament-quality equipment and the lighting to match.
Felt Billiards
Felt has over 30 tournament-quality pool tables including twenty 7ft, ten 9ft, and two snooker tables. This is the biggest dedicated pool hall in the metro area, and it shows. The tables are Diamond and Brunswick models with Simonis cloth — the kind of setup you'd see in actual tournaments. The lighting is dialed in, the room is spacious enough that you're not bumping elbows lining up shots, and they have a full kitchen with amazing food, including breakfast all day .
Location: Englewood · Tables: 30+ · Vibe: Serious players, tournament-quality equipment · Price: $ hourly table rental
Gerard's Pool Hall
Gerard's is Denver's best kept secret, in an unlikely location in the alley between Walnut and Larimer Streets . Seven Brunswick tables and a Victorian-inspired bar provide a classy setting that feels like stepping into a 1920s billiards parlor. The room is intimate, the crowd is serious but welcoming, and the staff knows the game. If you're intimidated by the bigger halls, start here — the vibe is more "corner pub with really good tables" than "competitive tournament floor."
Location: LoDo (hidden alley entrance) · Tables: 7 Brunswick · Vibe: Classy, historic, intimate · Price: $ hourly
Tarantula Billiards Bar & Grill
Tucked just two blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, Tarantula has been a downtown Denver staple for over 20 years with 15 Gold Crown billiard tables . Daily happy hour from 3-7 PM features specials, and free pool is available with purchase except on Friday and Saturday nights . The place also has shuffleboard, foosball, and two outdoor patios, so it doubles as a solid hangout even if you're waiting for a table.
Location: Downtown (near Convention Center) · Tables: 15 Gold Crown · Vibe: Social, spacious, long-running favorite · Price: Free with drink purchase (weekdays)
Bars With Actually Good Pool Tables
These are drinking establishments first, but the pool setup is legit. You're here for the vibe as much as the game.
Wynkoop Brewing
Tons of pool tables upstairs at Denver's oldest brewpub. Wynkoop is a multi-floor LoDo institution, and the upper level is where the pool tables live — a full room dedicated to billiards with enough space that it doesn't feel like an afterthought. The tables are bar-size but well-maintained, the beer is brewed on-site, and the crowd is a mix of tourists, after-work regulars, and pool league players. Come for happy hour, stay because you forgot what time it was.
Location: LoDo · Vibe: Brewpub upstairs pool room, casual-to-serious · Best night: Weeknights for open tables
The 99ers Sports Bar
This East Colfax sports bar has pool tables, a friendly atmosphere, and well-maintained tables . It's a neighborhood spot — not flashy, not trying to be. The regulars are welcoming, the staff knows the difference between 8-ball and 9-ball, and the tables get re-felted when they need it. If you're looking for a low-key place to play a few games without the pressure of a serious pool hall, this is it.
Location: East Colfax · Vibe: Neighborhood sports bar, welcoming regulars · Best night: Any night
GK Billiards
GK Billiards is a hidden gem with immaculately maintained tables and a chill, crowd-free vibe . The setup is no-frills and pool-first with no food and minimal distractions to keep the focus on the game . If you want to play without the sports bar chaos or the intimidation factor of a huge tournament hall, this is your spot. Friendly staff, affordable rates, and serious players who don't mind if you're learning.
Location: South Federal · Vibe: Low-key, welcoming, serious focus · Best for: Players who want quiet and quality
More Pool Venues Across Denver
Felt and Gerard's are the headliners, but Denver has pool tables scattered across every neighborhood — dive bars in Capitol Hill, brewpubs in RiNo, sports bars in the Highlands. Some are hidden upstairs. Some are in the back corner by the jukebox. A few are coin-op disasters you should avoid.
If you're planning a bar crawl or a night out and want to know which places actually have playable pool, Hit the Town tracks 49 pool venues across the metro. Filter by neighborhood, see which spots have well-maintained tables, and build a route that includes dinner, drinks, and a few games without the guesswork.
What Makes a Pool Bar Actually Good
- The felt matters. Torn felt = bad rolls. If the cloth is stained, frayed, or has visible damage, the table isn't worth playing on. The spots above re-felt regularly.
- Straight cues. Roll a cue on the table before you play. If it wobbles, grab another one. Good pool bars keep a rack of house cues that aren't warped to hell.
- Lighting. You need to see the table. If the only light is a single dim bulb or neon beer signs, you're guessing on angles. Proper pool lighting is overhead, bright, and focused on the table.
- Leveled tables. A ball shouldn't roll on its own. If you set a ball down and it drifts, the table isn't level. Tournament halls check this weekly. Bars... less often.
- Space around the table. You need room to line up shots without bumping into the wall, the bar, or someone's chair. Cramped tables = bad pool.
The difference between a good pool bar and a bad one is maintenance. Felt, cues, and leveling aren't expensive — they're just a question of whether the bar cares. The places above care.
Find Pool Bars Tonight
Hit the Town tracks 49 Denver venues with pool tables — see which ones are worth playing on and build a night around them.
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