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

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.

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.

Over in Creve Coeur, the vibe at the Pink Galleon (1243 Castillons Arcade Plaza, Creve Coeur) is pure Gen-X divorcee core. With 28 tables and an abundance of indoor smoking, it makes for the perfect parlor to A) talk about your ex with comrades or B) meet your next. Regardless, the pool crowd here ranges from no-idea-what-I’m-doing to those with average skills. Tables are $9.50 an hour for one or more players, free on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to close and Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Pink Galleon is open 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday, 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.