DrinkedIn Trends

There's nothing like the satisfying sound of a pool cue sending a rack of balls across the felted surface of a billiards table, and perhaps no town is more accustomed to the pool hall's melody than Toronto. The Canadian city is quickly becoming a billiards mecca, with new nightlife devoted to the classic game popping up all over, to the delight newbies and established enthusiasts alike. If you're looking to polish your pool skills, hustle over to these hotspots and get in the game.

VIP Lounge and Billiards Club

If you're looking for a pool hall that takes the sport seriously, look no further than Yonge Street's VIP. This pool player's haven boasts a staggering 19 billiards tables, in addition to a full menu and bar, for those who might feel like drowning their sorrows after a particularly competitive match.

New Times Square Billiards

While it may be lacking the glitz of its New York City namesake, this affordable Ryerson billiards club makes no apologies for putting pool first. After rubbing elbows with some of Toronto's most serious pool players in this hallowed hall, you may just find your skill level skyrocketing.

The Charlotte Room

Nestled in the heart of the entertainment district, The Charlotte Room caters equally to billiards buffs and those looking for a low-key lounge experience. Although table space may be limited, the ample selection of beer, wine, and cocktails provides a welcome distraction while you wait.

The Raq

With a name like The Raq, you know that this place means business when it comes to pool. Conveniently located in the Niagara neighborhood, The Raq has all of the elements necessary for a successful night out: beautiful guests, a full bar, and a cozy, stylish billiards room that will make even novice players feel like pros.

Playing pool at a bar is the best way to play pool because it makes your stay at the bar a fun experience and is also very exciting for both new and old pool players. Pool tables at bars operate on coins, so that means that anyone can play as long as they have some change in their pockets.

Those are the basic rules of bar pool, but to fully understand how to approach the game when you walk into your local watering hole, I have compiled a list of the things that you should know to get the most out of the experience.

1. Rules Depend on Where You Play

It's important that you know your setting, which means that you know how the bar works and how people play pool in the that area. The basic rules of 8-ball and 9-ball always apply, but there are some small differences that can make the game very different for someone accustomed to certain rules that make the game all the more fun specially in a bar where you have your favorite beer mug in hand.

Racking can also be different than you're used to. While it's typical to go stripes/solids/stripes/solids in a home game, this is not always the case in bars. Just make sure that the 8-ball is on the middle of the rack every game that you play in.

2. You Have to Call Your Shot

Your opponent should know what you're trying to do every time it is your turn to shoot. If the ball bounces around for a while and then happens to knock one of your balls in, the shot counts, but it is your opponent's turn because you didn't call that shot.